harske
02-16-2006, 02:08 AM
Fellow slotters...
"Hi guys... my name is John, and I have a problem."
It's not quite a 'problem', but this whole slot-car thing has been a recurring theme throughout my life, and it is with some real hesitation that I say I feel myself falling back 'into it'.
Little bit of a backstory. I'm 37, living in Northern Virginia. I have an engineering background, and I recently started my own business. I grew up on Tyco tracks, and have had a track around through most of my life. I dabble for a while, then put it down..... dabble..... drop. I should point out that I'm totally into realism, so I'm not into it to see what lap times I can get, or how tricked out I can make a car. I, and my friends growing up, were always into how real we can make a car look, and how realistically we can make it perform. I think it safe to say that I'm in the minority on that one, and that's ok..... to each his own. But I feel myself having matured to the stage where I can finally see this thing through without bailing at the first sign of slotters-block.
I've had this conceptual idea for the last 20 years or so, and at various times in my life have picked it up and inched it a little further along. Well, at 37 it's time to dookie or get outta the restroom, right? I figure things are about right for me to see one of my ideas through to completion. I have modified some diecast cars.... mostly 1/64 scale NASCAR style stockcars to turn them into slotcars. I've also had a place in Oklahoma do some stereo-lithography of my CAD designed dirt late model, and it turned out pretty slick. Some of them have turned out so well, you really don't know it's a slot car from a diecast. I designed my own track, and had a CNC place in Wisconsin that I worked with in my professional life cut me a track. It's a little different than anything I've seen out there, at least commercially.
So, down to it. It's now to the point of being a labor of love, but I do think there may be a market for what I have designed. I have been away from this for enough time to pass by that I don't know where to get parts. I need some pretty specifically sized stuff, and have relegated myself to making my own chassis. I need some wheels and tires that match the size of the diecast. I've searched this forum since I found it last week, as well as the internet, but haven't been able to match up what you guys 'in-the-know' are talking about with Part Numbers from various online places. I need a tire and wheel combo that's about .440" OD x .200" wide. I know that sounds fundamental, but I want it to be on as realistic a looking rim as possible. I will pay for one-offs and higher end customs to get my prototypes together, but am really looking for bulk items in case I decide to market my finished product. My design is all based from the track surface up, so once I settle on wheels and tires I'll be pretty much off and running. I'll post some pictures of my shop and setup probably this weekend, just to give you curious guys a look-see.
If you've made it this far into my manifesto, I sincerely appreciate it, and look forward to starting up some good dialogue about all things slots. In the meantime, if you or anyone you know is interested in pointed an 'old newbie' in the right direction, it would be totally appreciated.
Thanks again...
John
"Hi guys... my name is John, and I have a problem."
It's not quite a 'problem', but this whole slot-car thing has been a recurring theme throughout my life, and it is with some real hesitation that I say I feel myself falling back 'into it'.
Little bit of a backstory. I'm 37, living in Northern Virginia. I have an engineering background, and I recently started my own business. I grew up on Tyco tracks, and have had a track around through most of my life. I dabble for a while, then put it down..... dabble..... drop. I should point out that I'm totally into realism, so I'm not into it to see what lap times I can get, or how tricked out I can make a car. I, and my friends growing up, were always into how real we can make a car look, and how realistically we can make it perform. I think it safe to say that I'm in the minority on that one, and that's ok..... to each his own. But I feel myself having matured to the stage where I can finally see this thing through without bailing at the first sign of slotters-block.
I've had this conceptual idea for the last 20 years or so, and at various times in my life have picked it up and inched it a little further along. Well, at 37 it's time to dookie or get outta the restroom, right? I figure things are about right for me to see one of my ideas through to completion. I have modified some diecast cars.... mostly 1/64 scale NASCAR style stockcars to turn them into slotcars. I've also had a place in Oklahoma do some stereo-lithography of my CAD designed dirt late model, and it turned out pretty slick. Some of them have turned out so well, you really don't know it's a slot car from a diecast. I designed my own track, and had a CNC place in Wisconsin that I worked with in my professional life cut me a track. It's a little different than anything I've seen out there, at least commercially.
So, down to it. It's now to the point of being a labor of love, but I do think there may be a market for what I have designed. I have been away from this for enough time to pass by that I don't know where to get parts. I need some pretty specifically sized stuff, and have relegated myself to making my own chassis. I need some wheels and tires that match the size of the diecast. I've searched this forum since I found it last week, as well as the internet, but haven't been able to match up what you guys 'in-the-know' are talking about with Part Numbers from various online places. I need a tire and wheel combo that's about .440" OD x .200" wide. I know that sounds fundamental, but I want it to be on as realistic a looking rim as possible. I will pay for one-offs and higher end customs to get my prototypes together, but am really looking for bulk items in case I decide to market my finished product. My design is all based from the track surface up, so once I settle on wheels and tires I'll be pretty much off and running. I'll post some pictures of my shop and setup probably this weekend, just to give you curious guys a look-see.
If you've made it this far into my manifesto, I sincerely appreciate it, and look forward to starting up some good dialogue about all things slots. In the meantime, if you or anyone you know is interested in pointed an 'old newbie' in the right direction, it would be totally appreciated.
Thanks again...
John