9 replies to this topic

[Mark Onofri]

This has been a long, time coming. Gonna be a long time gone. Ahhem,talk about a biach to assemble. Hope the hillclimb goes smoother. Definitely not something that you set up in the living room for the weekend.
For the amount of time and money that it has taken to do this, I probably could have bought a digital track.

 

Naaaaa, how would I run the cars that are almost as old as me?

More to come, if I'm able to regain what shred of sanity I may or may not have had to begin with.

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[Martin]

Keep the dream alive Mark   

[Mark Onofri]

Lmfao, my father used to ask me if I dream in colour

[Mark Onofri]

After consulting with Bob at Slot Car Central, he advised me that, yes, the rails are supposed to be Shiney and brown scotch bright would address the oxidation. After several years, ummm, minutes of this I came to the realization that it probably was a very thin chromium plating. Can anyone confirm this?(see photo) I haven't had a chance to discuss this with Bob. If you are into vintage home slot cars and track, Slot Car Central is the place for you.
In the second photo, what was the idea behind this colour track? A Rat Patrol set?

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[Clyde Romero]

I had one of these tracks before I went to Vietnam 

[Mark Onofri]

Clyde, which colour?
It's understandable that 62 year old plastic would be uncooperative but it can be discouraging. Maybe I got spoiled with pins and clips? I can imagine that there would have been a lot of unhappy people (children) if it was this nerve racking when new.
Here's the best way I can explain the major difficulty of assembly. When I started doing commercial/industrial plumbing, I found out that at a 2°deflection at each joint, you can make a circle with 18 lengths of pipe regardless of the length. Knowing that did not stop me from having a near death experience for leaving some of the nessacary fittings at the shop. And trying to pass off a 2° offset for a 20°offset.
Think about that for a while and I'll be back with a update and, hopefully some solutions.

[Martin]

Let me say I have no experiences with this design of track.

 

But I would like to help a friend in need out.

 

I would play around with temperature and lubrication and see if that helps this old brittle plastic.

 

Do you have any Dielectric Grease worth a try   

[Mark Onofri]

Well, it's 87°F. I'm finally warm. Had a go at the hillclimb (for the past two hours). I was hoping to post that it went together without incident. No f'kin way. The straights go together effortlessly but the curves 🤨 #*%%&@!
At this point, Mr. Logic says:
1) 🔨
2) 🍺
I'm going for option 2.

[Mark Onofri]

Brains said the queen, if I had them I'd be king.
Where would we be without parallel jaw pliers?

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[Bill from NH]

Parallel pliers were a favorite building tool of PDL when he was building chassis. I bought a pair about 25 years ago but seldom used them. I much preferred 8" or 9" linesmen pliers.