Hi guys....ALL ABOARD!

Welcome to my nightmare!

Ok, it isn't a nightmare, but it has been a dream for so many years to have a really cool continuous railed track with imitation nature and everything.

This last weekend, my 14 yr old son James and I tore down and rebuilt the existing doglegged slot bench to reflect our new needs for Mullet Raceway. (4'x 14')
I have based this new layout on one that I saw on a website several years ago ( http://www.hoslotcarracing.com/ ) and have been drooling over ever since. In chat just a couple of short weeks ago, I learned that our very own Hilltop (Randy) was one of the builders of this awe-inspiring track!
Randy has graciously offered his time and knowledge (phone and email) to field any questions that I might have during my build. (Thank you Randy!)

I have taken their design and flipped it end for end, tweeked it a bit and shortened it from 16' down to 14'. I would have loved to build it at 16' but space (the TM) just won't allow it. ("Yes, my queen, 14' is plenty.");)

James and I layed up and then cut templates for the 4 lanes out of 80 square feet of cardboard. Unlike Randys project, only the left half of Mullet raceway will be elevated. It runs from zero to 7" elevation at about 5/8" per foot. I wanted the left end (far in pic) to be boxed in and landscaped with high walls that it would do well when pushed into a corner. The right end (near in pic) carousel will wrap around a routed 2 lane Micromachines (electric racing) "gocart" track!:thumbsup: Other surprises (follies) are also on track!:thumbsup:

Updates to follow. Thanks for riding along! (Chuga chuga :woohoo:)

Nice! Looking forward to more updates; the wooden track on Greg's site was one of my inspirations for starting a routed track.

Cheers

Richard

Sounds like a cool build you guys are doing. Can't wait to see updates of the track layout..
Mullet Raceway... Sounds like a track with alot of "HAIRPINS"..JK

Joez,

This is the track that you are building for Coach and Bill? :rolleyes: LOL

Looks like you are getting started on the track now....Sweet! Ooooh what fun it will be to race on it. :thumbsup: How many hours does it take to drive from Nebraska to your place? See you soon...well as soon as possible.:wave:

HAIRPINS....RALMAO Nice friendly dig gear buster.

Bob...zilla ( AKA: nick/ type your name)

That is going to be sweet!Can I make a suggestion..extend the track to 25' and take out all the turns..LMAO!!IM A DRAG RACER>>GET IT!!!!!
DRAGjet

Love the clock in the pic Joe.. will let me know what time it is when I rip it off...lol.. (the track, I have a clock...)


Coach! Looks good BTW and Bob your about 7-8 hrs north of my place were the track will be...

Progress pics are a necessity on this board now, ya know.

Good luck and have fun! :thumbsup:

Like Doba says... Pics are essential ....and appreciated. Nice start. nd

It's 7:30 in Minniesoda...do you know where your refrigerator box is?

Dude! Where's my cardboard?

Out with the old and in with the new Joe. Great stuff happening in your slot cave!

Joez,
Just keep the pix coming as you go through the build. Good Luck! :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: Dave

Ok, Guys...I get the hint. post pics of the project. The TM just brought me home a fresh supply of batteries so I can be sure to take plenty of pics!

Randy was kind enough to link me to fish tape for the rails.
If I were to use black wire, It will cost aprox 40.00 to rail the track.
If I use the fish tape, it will be about 100.00. 60.00 for a better/easier installation and end result is a bargain!

I also believe it is time to start thinking about a power supply.
Feel free to sound off on power, please, guys.
I run Tjets, Magnas, the occational 440 and x2. Can this power supply also run track lights at the same time?
No polys, no light benders, or anything that is silly for me to try to keep track of in the slot.
I am looking for something reliable and in the middling price range. I am extremely ignorant of brands, features and values having been a wallwart guy forever.
Any help in this area will be greatly appreciated.

(Coach, you are welcome to steal the track and check the time right after you help me build it! LOL )

Now...if CJ53 would just get with the program, get back on HT and give me his new addy, I can get rid of this huge box of tyco track that I am tripping over! :)

Joez, If you had put in some cardboard standups, ex.- cars, paperdoll cutouts, AFX cardboard stands, etc., I could have gotten a better viual perpsective!!! Just kidding man, looks like your off to a good start. My buddy Ted says, "Plan your work, work your plan". Ted's track is the one you see on the websight you mentioned. He done all the design work, I merely helped out. And it is a nice track to race on running any type car, AFX, Tyco, T-Jets, Lifelike, Tomy's, etc. You'll like those big sweeping turns!!! If there's anyway you can add a little more straight, you want regret it, maybe knock out a wall into the bedroom or something. Good luck building...RM

We're being too easy on Joe, 13 posts and we're still at cardboard cutout stage. Show us some plastic ...:rolleyes:

We're being too easy on Joe, 13 posts and we're still at cardboard cutout stage. Show us some plastic ...:rolleyes:

Plastic, Too? Heck no! It is gonna be WOOD!:thumbsup:

Card board is kinda like wood...:p

Man...anyone else want to take a shot? LOL...hehe...just line up behind these guys!
(good one, Bill! :thumbsup: )
I figure...if you are gonna take the shot, please impart me with some of your knowledge too, hey! I'll ask again....

I believe it is time to start thinking about a power supply.
Feel free to sound off on power, please, guys. What is good, where to go and what is reasonable to pay?
I highly doubt I will ever run lightbender types of cars. 440s are plenty fast enough to cause me neck injuries! LOL
Your guidance is greatly appreciated!

you can always get some diecats and push them around and make putt putt sounds...


thats my shot...

Dave

Joe,

Dont quote me directly cuz my memory is only partially photographic. (thumb is often over the lens)...but if memory serves there was a thread all about it...I'm thinkin' Coach started it, and with the usual cast of characters it more or less went to the effect that the "Pyramid" supply was both affordable and adequate to suit the needs you've described...unless your planning on powering up a lunar rover down the road. Then you'll have to upgrade to one of the big amp, high dollar "welders".

Recently Marty B. found the pyramid's limits. When loading it down from a dead stop with four high demand cars he finally boinked the breaker. I think there's a more recent short thread about his experience.

BTW, Coach forgot to mention that "Diecats" is what happens after they use yer cardboard for a scratching post.

Joe,

On my first ever rental track some 15 yrs ago. I never knew about aftermarket power supplies. What I came up with and it worked with the Patriot cars just fine up to modified.
The adjustable train power packs. 15 to 18 volts is all ya need to run the Tyco. I used 1 per lane and jump wired it in every 15 ft. or track. It kept consist. power the whole track and no dead spots. Just another cheap alternative.
Yes, It also works great for the "HAIR DRYERS" to on the
"HAIR PINS".:woohoo::D

Joez, Man you should have known better than starting a track build thread, you gonna get ribbed!!! Anyways, since your using a cardboard track, just open a window and create a breeze to blow your cutouts around the track. If that is not enough power check with your local electronics supply houses. The CB guys use power supplies for their home base units. I bought a Samlex PSA 305 with adjustible power, which is great for letting the kids run at lower voltage.
Just my thoughts...RM

Dang you guys are funny! :thumbsup:...
But I was not in a laughing mood this morn. I opened up my new Bosch trim router and the derned collet (widget that holds the router bits) and locking nut were missing! ( I am not sure why I had not opened it up since i have owned it for a week.)
Another trip to the Menards was in order. They swapped the router (that I checked carefully) without question. That was nice.

I should have the 1/16 router bits in a couple of days. I bought 5 of them, though Hilltop believes I will only use 2. Well...for the price (7.00 each and free ship) it sure beat 11.00 each locally. I figured I would snap one or two while routing(Murphys law) and wanted to be prepared.
This weekend, I am picking up the MDF and my son James and I are going to begin. (provided the bits show up) Pics will follow! :thumbsup:

I will be rotating my big table 45 degrees in the room and adding 2 feet. :D
The TM will have no clue about the additional length because the table will be taking up different space in the room. (clever, huh? :) ) 4'x16' ...Ain't I a sneak?! LOL!

Joez,

That is Kool that you are adding 2 more feet of cardboard track now!

McDonalds Happy ( :) ) Meal boxes look like buildings if you trim the handles off and you could also buy a box of Frosted Flakes and you got a slot car factory on your layout.

I am sure if you asked everyone here to send you thier old car air freshener trees you would have a forest in a week. Just make slots half way down on the top and half way up on the bottom of another one and slide them together.

I love this thread because as we wait for progress we can all entertain ourselves at Joez expense. LOL

Bob...zilla

It is 4am(I have to get ready for work), Bob, and NOTHING should be funny at 4am.
You had me laughing so hard, I nearly woke the house. hey! :lol:
Just for that, I won't tell you about the power supply that I bought last eve! Nyaa!


okokok! Here it is.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSAA:US:31&Item=230232711803


I checked my local stores. You would think that the twin cities would have a good store with moderate prices for what I was looking for. Nope! Everything was too exspensive or not suitable. I spent hours researching locally but ended up doing the 'bay thing.
I hope i am not disapointed.

I will be getting a bit of plexiglass next. I was going to make my router compass out of sheet steel, but Hilltops advice is sound. It will be nice to see through the compass to keep a close eye on the cuts. (Thanks, Randy!)

WTG Joe.... I do similar things buying supplies (get extras and get a few items for the next step). Never know when you are gonna end up with some extra time and having what you need at arms length is key to taking full advantage of that. Then there is always the "gerf-factor" to consider. (that's part of every build)... Just think, It won't be long before yer hosting the 24 Hours of Mulletona. All racers MUST wear sleeveless flannel shirts (it's part of the pre-race tech inspection). nd

Mulletona, lil fresh trees, LOL...Dont matter what time of day it is Joe...It's all TFF.

Yer a good sport and ya know we're with ya in spirit. Hurry up and get this one done so ya can get the learning curve over with and start on mine!

Are ya done yet?

Ok! My 1/16 router bits showed up today! WOOT!
One step closer and come hell or high water, I am going to be routing this weekend!:thumbsup:

My scrap plexiglass/acrylic source did not pan out as I had hoped, and I am not paying 35 dollars for a 2'x4' piece of the stuff. Looks like I am making my jigs out of sheetmetal after all. No problems there, really.. (I run a metal shop)

"What is that dear?" (wahh-wahh, wahh wahh wahh.) "Easter weekend is THIS weekend?" (Wahh wahh wahh, wahh wahh!)"Color eggs on Saturday with the boys?"(Wahh wahh) I don't think they will want to. Urrm....lets ask the 13 and 15 yr olds if THEY want to route the track or color the eggs. (Wahh wahh-wahh wahh!!) "heheheheh...yes, they are MY boys!"

My 1/16 router bits showed up today

Dude, no track pics yet? Can you at least post a picture of the router bit ...????

:):):)

What about cardboard cars? When you trash one into the wall, be sure to recycle it in the appropriate bin.

:woohoo:Gone routing some WOOD!
(well, it's KINDA like cardboard!)
:woohoo:Back later with PICS!

NOTE:
If you guys ever decide to route MDF, be aware that the dust this stuff kicks up is not like regular sawdust from solid wood or even that from particle board. MDF dust is flour-fine. take a handful of flour, get your face real close and give it a big blow. You will have an idea of what it is like. WEAR eye protection and a filtered dust mask! Breathing this stuff will make you sick for days.
I will be wrapping a shop rag around my router base as a skirt and securing it with masking tape. It will drag behind and really help keep the dust down. My son will follow directly behind with the big shop-vac.

catch you up soon!

Dude, no track pics yet? Can you at least post a picture of the router bit ...????

:):):)

heh! here ya go, Too!
Here are a few pics of todays trainwreck. (with router and bits LOL)

We got a late start and only had 4 hrs to get to the Menards, drive across town to my shop and get the track layout drawn in. Tomorrow morn, 530 am, we are sneaking out to get the routing done. We will have 6 hrs and that should be plenty! 16 feet sure is going to be sweet!:thumbsup:

Thanks for riding along! :woohoo:

I dunno Joe, shouldn't you be using cardboard tools? I have a cardboard cat here for the track you can call it cheddy II

How about naming yer paper tiger something else. ... and don't bug Joe when he's getting wood in the basement. nd

How about naming yer paper tiger something else. ... and don't bug Joe when he's getting wood in the basement. nd

Hey Joe should have a cool cat on the cardboard track too......yankie...


Dave

So let me get this straight Joe, You stand around taking pictures, while the kids do the work??? Isn't there some kinda of labor law??? At least the kid looks like he knows what he's doing!!! Just my thoughts...RM

3 drills and only one hammer?!!!!

LOL! Got 2 cats now, Coach....and if I did ever decide to get a third, I'd name it Dave...or Bill...maybe Randy........LOL

Randy, James and I had to get back home and he didn't want to leave without getting the routing done. "Pappa, you just go over there and take some pictures. Stay out of the way, huh? You DO* know how to work that camera, yeah?"
He agreed to go ONLY if I promised that we would be back at it by 6am! SHEESH! This is s'posed to be fun....and it is feeling more and more like work! I mean, getting up on a sunday morn at 530am? C'mon!:rolleyes:


Bill, we were only using 2 of the drills. The third was just in the way most of the time and James made me use the bumping hammer because he doesn't trust me with a real one! :o

Joez,

Hope you get a nice Easter Basket full of candy to chow on while you are working on the track man! Went to my Cousins farm for early Easter dinner...Darn if that Chocolate filled Easter candy bowl wasn't right by me today...Mmmmmm

Nice job Joezey one Kanozey! These are not the router bits we are looking for...move along, move along......soon you will be Dun, dun...dun, dun ta dun, dun...dun, dun, dun....DUN.

ONCE UPON A TIME...IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY (Minnesota...lol) THERE WERE A GROUP OF REBEL FORCES BUILDING A SLOT CAR TRACK FOR THE FUTURE OF ALL MANKIND (and a few cats) TO RACE ON......USE THE FORCE Mullet Skywalker.......it is all around you.......YOU MUST DEFEAT THE EVIL EMPIRE AND SECURE A HOME BASE WITH A POWER SUPPLY THAT WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO POWER EVERY T-JET IN THE UNIVERSE........

Bob...zilla

Joez,



Nice job Joezey one Kanozey! These are not the router bits we are looking for...move along, move along......soon you will be Dun, dun...dun, dun ta dun, dun...dun, dun, dun....DUN.

Bob...zilla

Trainwreck #1
You have no idea how right you are, Bob.
I broke 3 router bits in 2 minutes.
I didn't even bother with the other two.
Not only did they break, but the one I DID manage to make cut, started burning the MDF as soon as I touched it to the edge for a test cut.:(
They were s'posed to be double fluted.
They were not.
They were s'posed to be carbide.
They were not.
6.99 each (I bought 5) with free shipping (10-14 days)
OR
add 5.95 for 5-7 day shipping.
Since I wanted to make sure that the bits showed up by this weekend, I paid the extra. So...41.00 into it, I have broken bits and NO SLOTS CUT!:mad:
I will get them locally now. I will have them in my hands when I pay 11.00 each for them, but I will KNOW they are carbide and double fluted.

I will get this done.....eventually.

Joez,

Dude I was just kidding around but, man...that sucks! :cry:

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. You will defeat the Evil Empire and have that lil' 55 Cheby totin' around in no time. :)

Forget about those Cracker Jack router bits and move forward with smooth sailing from here out! :wave:

Bob...oh dang...zilla

P.S. It is worth a try to try and get your money back for those defects also.

ahh man that sucks.. I'd be at the guys door putting a set of sides tens upside his face..Hope ya used paypal pal.. I'd be filing I actually logged on to see the front straight all routed.. I am no doubt not as bummed as you though...orry buddy you'll get it.. I got faith...


Dave

Awwwww! Fudge and nuts!

Bummer Joe! Re-tool and lobby for an emercency "special dispensation" from the war department to allow more slot-time.

If all else fails, beg and whimper. I find that if that doesnt work then begin thrashing on the floor while kicking yer legs helps. If that still doesnt win ya the nod of approval and some extra slot time; I'd play the "pouting" card and slather it with puppy dog eyes...

"Pack yer bags and grab yer coat honey! Your goin' on a guilt trip!"

LOLOLOLOLOLOL...please hurry back dear....not! hahahahahahaha!

You'll have the train back on it's rails shortly Joe!

Rats!!! Joez, try some Amana brand bits, Carbide Tipped double fluted, #45190, if you can find them. Do you have a local woodcrafting supply house?
Maybe a cabinet shop might sell you one, if you just can't wait to order by mail. ...RM

Got it, Randy.
45190s are on the way! :woohoo:

Thank you for looking them up! :thumbsup:

Just got a UPS tracking number!

Power supply is on the way! :thumbsup:

Sounds like a tough start there Joe old buddy.:(
That would really blow item not workin for the $$$$ and advertised wrong..
But.. On the bright side Bill is Bringin Fudge and Nuts...:woohoo: lol
Bob is helpin save the Universe in the Mullet Rocket, Coach is stommpin slots in the straight with his size 10's, And everyone else is on the Mullet Card board train to mini_ sotta and Throw'in in a hand.
Sounds like ya got the ball on a roll again.. Power for the train ride and router bits to make'er glide..:thumbsup:
Remember, Always look to the light. It is always Rocky before the Blacktop..Thats after they pick out the stones.
Now get back to work. I wannna see pics..LOL :p

They are all good guys, GB and everyones support is welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Yeah, the jokes and pokes fly but I don't mind. Really. :) I have as much fun reading as they do in the writing! heh!

I think my Postman is starting to get annoyed though. I don't even have to ask anymore. He sees me standing at the door with my nose pressed to the storm door glass, looking like a puppy standing out in the rain as he comes up the walk...."No, Joe, no parcel today." heh!


The wait is killing me!:o

Joe you must have some tough cardboard....I mean.....breaking all those router bits on it.:) If it (the cardboard) gives you anymore trouble you could always "flic your Bic" at it. :rolleyes: Sometimes a little threat works wonders. Just ask Coach and his size 10s ;). Hope you're not too bummed out......I know I would be. There would be shards of cardboard eveywhere.

So, let the "Mullet Force" be with you:thumbsup:....grab your new router bits and show that dang cardboard who's boss.

Lol, Thanks for the cheer leading, Jerry!
Guess what! My new power supply showed up today!:woohoo:
It is a Pyramid ps-32 0-5 amp adj. and 0-30 volt adj. Price was right, too!
factory renewed/full warranty 82.00 shipped! Bargain, yeah?

Now...if only my router bits would show up. My weekend is free and clear just in case! :thumbsup:

It is a Pyramid ps-32 0-5 amp adj. and 0-30 volt adj. Price was right, too!
factory renewed/full warranty 82.00 shipped! Bargain, yeah?

Ehhh...not a bad price. :) I paid $85 shipped for mine back in Sept.

Curious if you got the LED meters or the analog meters. Not that one is better then the other. I received the LCD one not expecting it, and had to get a meter replaced.

Scaf, I have the analog meters.
Yours works ok now, yeah?