Routed track,better choice

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Danteal	Routed track,better choice	Lead	[-]
Posts: 5 (10/25/09 07:26 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Hi guys, I'm going to route my Ho track, and I'd like to know what's better, copper tape or rebar wire?
3sigma		#1	[-]
Posts: 27 (10/25/09 09:29 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	If you use copper tape, do not use cars with metal guidepins. When the cars de-slot, they have the potential to tear or lift the copper tape. Additionally, HO-scale cars with standard pickups do not run well on copper tape. To use copper tape, it would be best to modify the pickup shoes with braids. Of course, using braids then requires you to modify the car (different tires, weights for the front ends, etc). And, copper tape does not have any magnetic downforce. On the other hand, if you plan on using rebar wire, there will be ALOT of downforce. Thus, you will not be able to run cars with traction magnets. The track will be limited to T-jets and Magnatraction/X-Traction type cars.
RichD		#2	[-]
Posts: 1825 (10/26/09 09:53 AM) Home Racing Guru! Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The best choice is actually to use rail, since that is the standard in HO racing. Another option is braid, either the magnetic or non-magnetic type. You did not say what sorts of cars you expected to run on your track or if you would be the only one using it.
Danteal		#3	[-]
Posts: 6 (10/26/09 02:13 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I bought 2 tomy afx car.
RichD		#4	[-]
Posts: 1826 (10/26/09 05:01 PM) Home Racing Guru! Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Those cars will not be happy without magnetic downforce unless you add weight and reduce the voltage considerably. Modern magnet cars are made to run on rail. Pancake cars, like T-jets would be happy on a track with copper tape or non-magnetic braid.
Johnnyfly41		#5	[-]
Posts: 99 (11/09/09 09:38 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I am not a HO racer, but I used to race the T jets. I have a routed 1/32nd track done with tape. Just curious, has anyone tried to use a solid copper wire as their "rail". It seems if you could route the correct size slot and imbed the wire, it would be easier, more maleable than using the steel wire. not to mention, much better conduction and continuity. Just curious, I have visions of building a track for T jets some day. John
RichD		#6	[-]
Posts: 1838 (11/11/09 06:48 AM) Home Racing Guru! Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Actually I did something similar when I had to match up some sections for my old AC Gilbert track. The problem would be sticking the copper wire down so you won't have problems with it lifting later on. It seems to me that if you have to route grooves for wire you might just as well route grooves for standard rail. In any case you would only be able to run pancake cars on a terack with non-magnetic rails unless you added a lot of weight to the cars or reduced the voltage considerably. Even G-jet cars still get a lot of downforce from their motor magnets on standard track.
Little Bro Racing		#7	[-]
Posts: 62 (11/18/09 09:22 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Years ago I made a small 4 x 4 routed oval with different rails in each lane. One lane had braided copper wire, steel round wire, copper tape with rail beneath and standard rail. My plan was to find something other than standard rail to increase the life of the car or its parts. Naturally anything above the track surface will wear the pick ups and tires. I redid the little oval and put steel wire in a slot routed on the bottom side below the copper tape. It was exactly what I was looking for. My six lane oval is going on year four with no ill effects from steel guide pins. There are holes and some rips. But if done properly, you will need to have the tape ripped in two different places to stop the current. There is a very easy cure for this by the way. We have serious crashes EVERY HEAT on this track so it has seen a lot. You can find the plastic guide pins/flags to use as well. I have about 100 of them but haven't had to use them yet. The only issue I have encountered is pick up contact is critical. A clean track is very important. If you seek more information just let me know. Tim Last Edited By: Little Bro Racing 11/18/09 09:27 PM. Edited 1 times.
cldpaint1963		#8	[-]
Posts: 281 (11/20/09 12:10 PM) Home Racing Guru! Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have raced on Tims H.O. ovel an I tell that is one badas# track.I couldn't belive the speeds the cars were getting.I kinda miss the H.O. but,I can barly see them,let alone react in time,lol.Tim knows what he's talkin about & he is one heck of a nice guy,I'm sure he can answer your questions. *A Great Day to Race for the Checkers*
8 lane raceway		#9	[-]
Posts: 83 (11/21/09 02:53 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I like the low maintenance of my tyco track,i can go months without doing laps and all i have to do is take the dust off and go,, no breaking in or anything, allthow there is something to be said about the routed tracks,, ya just cant beat the smoothness of a routed track,,, am gonna be getting a TKO 8 laner in the near future. the new track is gonna be just as long yet gonna get rid of the 6 inch and 9 inch curves.,,one end will be banked..super speedway,,, Bruce ____________________________________ __________________________________

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Routed track,better choice

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