[Racing Raider]

I posted this in the general RC discussion but I realized it is geared more to oval racing. So here we go...

How important is have a tweak board for flat/banked track racing? Is there a big difference between have a board with two scales other than 4 scales? Which one is perfered? Any companies that make one or is it better to just make one yourself?

 

[huttravis]

A 4 scale board is usally better because they give more accurate readings.....I've seen people make their tweak boards themselfs and worked great, not sure right off hand who sells 4 scale boards, but i know lefthander sells some great scales......but once you have one stick to using it for consitincy because basically every board reads somewhat different.....hope this helps.

 

[Racing Raider]

If I would use a two scale board, I would have to turn the car around to weight the front tires. Does this cause inaccurate readings?

 

[SuperNaut]

__________

 

[Dan]

If I would use a two scale board, I would have to turn the car around to weight the front tires. Does this cause inaccurate readings?

no.

but one thing for sure, these little scales that are used are very
sensitive with regard to positioning.
If you can put some marks on your board,
and the scale so that you get the wheel
in EXACTLY the same spot each time, you will get good results.
You can move the car just a little, and see a difference in the readings.
So it isn't "really" important that you get the "exact" weight, as much
as you should shoot for consistency with your measuring devices.
If you move the car "off spot" and get a 10-15g difference in reading,
then the scales aren't helping you a whole lot...

 

[RPM]

no.

but one thing for sure, these little scales that are used are very
sensitive with regard to positioning.
If you can put some marks on your board,
and the scale so that you get the wheel
in EXACTLY the same spot each time, you will get good results.
You can move the car just a little, and see a difference in the readings.
So it isn't "really" important that you get the "exact" weight, as much
as you should shoot for consistency with your measuring devices.
If you move the car "off spot" and get a 10-15g difference in reading,
then the scales aren't helping you a whole lot...

Your right the scales are VERY sensitive!!

I never had a 10-15 gram difference though.

I did find if you go with a more expensive scale with more sensors you
will find that you do get a more accurate reading. :thumbsup:

 

[Racing Raider]

Sounds good. I was told today that I should go to homedepot and buy a cuting board and buy a couple of scales from radioshack and build my own. It sounds simple and way less money, but is it really that easy and if so, then the measurements must really mean nothing more than checks and balances.

 

[ULTRARACE]

hey charles stop by freddies this sunday and i can show you how to biuld the scale platform. its very simple and you can get your scales off of ebay cheap also just do a search for 500 gram jeweler scales.

 

[Robertw321]

Charles,

I wouldn't worry about a set of scales now. I'm sure someone at Freddies would let you plop your car on theirs. I know you could use mine. Just remember no two setups read exactly the same. If you borrow someone's keep using theirs. When you do get your own compare the weights on theirs to yours so you have a baseline. If the car runs good at x weight on theirs and weighs x+1 on yours set up at x+1 do not reduce weght to x when using your scales.

 

[RPM]

Sounds good. I was told today that I should go to homedepot and buy a cuting board and buy a couple of scales from radioshack and build my own. It sounds simple and way less money, but is it really that easy and if so, then the measurements must really mean nothing more than checks and balances.

Funny, I bought a cutting board and four food scales back in 1989.
I started out with just a leveling board for tweeking my on-road car.

I would only go with the four scale option. :thumbsup:

 

[bst]

What am I looking for and what does it mean when I do put my car on a set up board with scales? Is there a good starting point (left rear, right rear, etc.)

 

[Dan]

What am I looking for and what does it mean when I do put my car on a set up board with scales? Is there a good starting point (left rear, right rear, etc.)

What you are looking to achieve, is the ability to return your
car to a particular point that was comfortable for you
after taking your suspension apart, or making changes.

Let's say that you start out with a LR weight of 350g.
And it's a little loose. By adding weight to the LR, say to 365g,
you find you like it. Now.. you have a point of reference.
If at the track some day, the car is too tight, you take some of that
weight off, and you may like that. By knowing how much you changed it,
future changes are easier, and more predictable.
But when you make spring changes, you can be off on your wheel weights
a ton... and then you really don't know it the results of the change you made
were due to the spring change, or a drastic reduction on a corner weight..

Another common percentage tool used is cross weight.
That is the percentage of the car's total weight, that is supported
by the LR and RF tires.
Generally 50% is a decent place to start.
If the car is tight, you may reduce it to 48%, if it's loose,
you can try 51%.

The thing with cross weight is, if you go to a new track,
and you have to add or deduct weight for their rules,
the addition/removal of weight isn't such a hindrence if you get your
cross weight back to what you like..
These numbers are to help YOU set YOUR car up the way that you
like it.
While there are 'ranges' that are pretty much universal, there are no
"it has to be this" numbers...

If anyone tells you that "it HAS to be this", you may want to check with
someone else...

 

[SuperNaut]

___________

 

[bst]

Thanks Dan. This also helps me a great deal. It gives me a place to start and then adjust as needed. Don

P.S. I use a board and scales from "LEFTHANDER R/C"
An excellent product and a great company which supports racing and racers

 

[omnis85]

with the cost of materials,scales and time just go to left hander or beefy products, they are like 80 bucks on lefthander and 60 at beefy cant go wrong with that.