Keep the track rails clean

[spikes 914]

Someone probably has done this but here it is anyway. I made an easy & cheap device to clean the rails. 1 flat piece of styrene plastic sheet, 1 magnet, 1 small piece of foam core and a small piece of Swiffer sheet. I glued a small blade to the bottom of the styrene. The blade does bottom out in the slot so the styrene sheet sits flush on the rails. The 1 magnet keeps the base firmly on the rails. Glued a piece of foam core at 90 degrees as a pushing device. Tape the swiffer sheet to secure. Add a few drops of Lighter fluid close to either side the blade and have a car push it around track. my #5 pic shows what came off the rails after 3 laps. I then clean my braids with a toothbrush and lighter fluid, add a drop INOX on the braids. What a difference! The cars really come to life. BEWARE if you programmed your ghost cars before performing this procedure you will find your ghost cars moving much quicker.

[Cobra243]

That is awesome..........

[dw5555]

Good job.
Dave

[truwebs]

Very nice!!! The fun way to clean your track! You have added to my To Do List!!

I usually use a little elbow grease with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Your method looks more enjoyable. What do you call it? Slot-Boni?

[carlosinseattle]

Great jig design!!!

[dirtyroadie]

Very cool.

[spikes 914]

I’m glad you guys liked it. My inspiration to make this was because my track backs onto a wall and it’s difficult to back there. With a 50 ft track it is slow to do it by hand. I have tried alcohol on the Swiffer pads but alcohol won’t clean the rails as well as lighter fluid. Lighter fluid Works great great on braids as well.

[truwebs]

Just had a thought for your next engineering feat. As I was using my sticky tape lint roller to remove debris/dust from my car tires, I thought STEAMROLLER!

Imagine a steamroller attachment at the front end of your car, or possibly a pull behind to pull dust off the track.



6.JPG 7.JPG

[truwebs]

Assuming you are digital... how well does your design move through lane changes?

[spikes 914]

Goes through lane changers no problem. I have not tried it with ghost car. I generally do it by driving the car for about 4 or 5 laps on each lane without changing lanes.

[Mike-]

Mmm, a coupla laps with a full sized Swiffer pad on the store bought Swiffer tool in the direction of flow once every two or three weeks cleans the running surface well. Takes about two, maybe three minutes.

Like you say, with the lighter fluid, and a rag, one lap around the braids every three or four months. Takes about 10 or so minutes.

No special tools needed, very little time spent.

But, you (spikes) have a nice tool there.

Mike

[dw5555]

Just had a thought for your next engineering feat. As I was using my sticky tape lint roller to remove debris/dust from my car tires, I thought STEAMROLLER!

Imagine a steamroller attachment at the front end of your car, or possibly a pull behind to pull dust off the track.



6.JPG 7.JPG

You didn't see my video..

[truwebs]

You didn't see my video..

Video???

[BigT]

Ya Dave did a example video of this a while back dragging a lint roller behind one of his cars check it out on YouTube. Hes also a go to guy on wiring if you need help there also, thanks Dave,

[Kevan]

I cleaned my Scaley Sport rails for the final time then laid cheap copper tape and haven't had to clean the rails since. It was nothing special tape, although listed as 'adhesive conductive copper slug barrier tape' it was 4 quid for a 30m roll.