My First HO Routed Copper Tape Track

[TXCurbster]

http://s1045.photobucket.com/user/TXCurbster/slideshow/Slot%20Cars

Hi All,

I plan on laying down the second lane today. But i wanted to test out the one lane to see if I was wasting my own time.
My initial findings were no so good. I only had one T-Jet car that would run but it still stalled a lot.
Sanding the tape with 220 sandpaper helped only a little.
Removing the shoes and springs and going with soft silicone 24 AWG wire made a huge improvement.
They are a lot faster, smoother and can go very slow without stalling. I am very impressed.

I thank the member in HOland for the inspiration that got this whole project started.

Ritchie

[Lynxer]

Looks great!

[magnuts]

What about laying a fine wire, either copper or steel depending on your downforce wants, underneath the copper tape? It would probably allow stock shoes to work. ..TOM

[TXCurbster]

Thanks.

I am so impressed with the wire pickups on my T-Jets. I am never going back. :-)
the tape is pretty flat allowing nice slide action off the corners. Never was a big fan of Magna-Traction. Gravity is enough for this old guy.
Next is to try the slide guide. I did hear back from Ed.
And a couple Parma Econo controllers. Used is all I can find. I already ordered the 90 ohm resistors.

I also see an IR lap timer in the future.
It is a slippery slope like the O scale trains and restoring classic cars & boats. It's all about fun though.

[Grandcheapskate]

Very nice. I tested copper tape on a small oval. I was able to build a really simple tool for applying the tape. It was simply a small piece of plywood/plastic with a nail/pin which ran in the slot. There was a hole in the plywood/plastic which the tape ran through from above. Just before going through the hole the backing is removed, the tape passes through the hole and the plywood/plastic piece presses it down as you move along.

Joe

[zoom zoom]

you have a great looking track!! I'm glad you figured out the trouble with your car. I routed a three lane track with great success. Running a car wide open is never an option with a routed copper tape track.
keep posting.

[zoom zoom]

I like your idea of using the train transformer. I'm using three transformers plugged in to an outlet with a dimmer switch to lower the voltage to the track.
Included is a picture of the track that I built a few years back. what I like best is the low maintenance to the track. I can ignore it for three months, turn it on and the cars run 100% of the time.

[TXCurbster]

Zoom Zoom,

Your track is amazing! I like how you integrated a train track. Very cool.

I will add some more pics and videos on photobucket.

[zoom zoom]

if you find that your cars ride high in the slots, it might be the wire you are using for the contact shoes. I ended up ordering NSR 4824 motor wire to use as my contact shoes.
and yes keep posting those pictures! we all love seeing what others are doing in this hobby.

Bruce

[bdsharp]

I made a similar mod with my Tjets for copper tape. Scroll about halfway down this page:

http://www.slotcarillustrated.com/portal/forums/showthread.php?p=722997#post722997

[TXCurbster]

Pretty slick bdsharp. I will try it. I have some 2mm copper solder wick.

My cars a nice and flat on the track with the Turnigy wire. It is very floppy. i just use what I have laying around. Like the train transformers. I kinda MacGyver'd this setup together. Lots of fun to experiment to see what works best.

[TXCurbster]

Layed down the second lane.




Painted the infield green. I will put down some proper scenery turf eventually.




My really old Marx O scale locomotive. Still works fine. I need to engineer a beer delivery system with it.

[TXCurbster]

Added a parking lot with chalk board paint and a pigment paint marker pen.. Need to add one more. Some light towers are on the way. Also two DC volt meters so each lane can be dialed in as desired.

[Gareth]

Awesome project. That looks great to me.

[Pal-Al]

H.O. Race Pro Slide Guide

Just wondering why your not using the "Slide Guide " ! They are inexpensive, relatively easy to install and function beautifully. I have built 100's of tracks all using braid and used with the Slide Guide. I now am building a 6 lane three table portable track for rentals as well as home use! It is an non de-slotting track which I will explain when the track is finished with photo,s to follow !

Keep up the good: work ! Pal-Al