Lockdown Projects.

[slotmadmac]

The first step in the Williams 6 Wheeler was to work out the rear axle distances and then cut one of the donor chassis's to size. When I was happy it was square I tacked it into place with superglue.

 

 

I then glued a very thin lexan sheet to the bottom of the chassis to hold everything in place, using magnets and a steel plate to keep the chassis flat. I added some piano wire struts for structural strength and tacked these in too.

 

 

Everything was then epoxied into place. When the epoxy dried I trimmed off the excess lexan sheet and sprayed the chassis with quick dry primer.

 

Wheels are stock Scalextric all around. Rears tyres are NSR 20x13. Fronts are FLY March F1. Front axle has been tubed within the suspension arm to set the ride height. I had to slightly lower the rear axle bushes to get the rear tyres on the ground. Crown gears are SCX Pro. I had to cut a larger opening in the rear chassis to accomodate the reversed rear crown gear. My iPhone camera makes it look like the wheels don't line up evenly but they do.

 

 

I fashioned a twin pinion drive using a shaft from an SCX 4x4 motor and some aluminium tubing. (I was pleased to find that motor in the parts bin as finding a shaft the correct diameter for the pinion proved to be a real challenge.) I epoxied this drive shaft into place. This part of the build was the one that had me the most worried but the crown gear teeth held the new drive shaft in place and it was easier than expected. After the epoxy set, it was time for a bench test and, much to my amazement, the rear end ran surprisingly smooth and quiet. It felt quite 'solid.'

 

 

From there it was just a matter of fitting the body and working out how to make the rear end not look like a dogs breakfast. I wanted some exposed gearing (as per the actual car) and ended up here.

 

 

 

 

 

On the track it's a very smooth drive. It's not especially quick - it was never going to be with 3 pinions and a Johnson motor in the drive train - but it is very planted on the track and looks cool circulating. A more grunty motor could be on the cards but, as i said in an earlier post, I like the nostalgic feel of these Johnson motors and it does a good enough job for now. Given I only decided to undertake this build last night, I am really happy with how it ended up. If I was doing it again I would contemplate moving all 4 rear wheels further forward but that would have meant a heck of lot more work.

Edited April 2, 2020 by slotmadmac

[j2theK]

Struth man. We are going to have to get you to buy a slot car manufacturing company and start designing and producing some of these bodacious cars!

[charlesx]

Hi Mac. Great work on 6 wheeler. How does it go around corners.

 

I am still working on Brabham BT54 that I started 4-5 years ago. Have started again but have probably painted about 20 times. I keep finding extra blemishes. I am probably going to accept I will never get it perfect and finish it soon (I hope). Made chassis from cut down Slot-it Ford GT with altered Slot-it pod and earlier 22000 Flat six motor from way back with body out of balsa and minimal suspension brass. Wings from Plasticard. Hopefully it will fal apart the first time it hits track.

 

I lot of mucking about but enjoyable. Regards Chas Le Breton

[slotmadmac]

Hi Chas.

It corners very well. I ran about 50 laps after finishing it and not one deslot. There’s no extra ballast in it. It ran sweet from the get go.

[mattcrackers]

Here I was thinking I was getting some work done on slot cars then I see this post.

 

Great work on ALL the cars Mac, better lift my game.

 

Matt

[Wobble]

Wow, not surprised in the slightest you knocked it out in a day. Good engineering and good result and good to see it runs well too.

[big den]

Slotmadmac ...

 

The population of 721-Ville is growing quickly.

 

I like the front-end variations on both your recent efforts.

 

I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy either as I get a bid jaded when I see several people running the exact same car in racing.

 

In my earlier post I was simply making the point that for those who have a '721' but may be missing the front wing, that it is OK to run one without the surfboard just as Mr Peterson did nearly 50 years ago.

 

Similarly the '721' did race in liveries other than the March team red and that would add variety to a field.

 

As for the Williams 6-wheeler what can I say? I've been dithering over a couple of the 4-wheelers for ages and here you are completing a complex project in one day.

 

Den

[SlotsNZ]

Here I was thinking I was getting some work done on slot cars then I see this post.

 

Great work on ALL the cars Mac, better lift my game.

 

Matt

 

I am just going to crawl into the lazy-shame corner and rock back and forth quietly humming to myself.

 

 

- Mac. There is probably a case for us having a Johnson powered class of some kind.

Between us we must have enough of them lying about to feed club and the smoke signals division for some time to come.

 

The older I gets, the slower I needs the cars to drive......

[branco]

Great work Mac

[slotmadmac]

A slower day in the cave. Life getting in the way...

 

Started off with a rebuild of my trusty Rev Mono Fairlane - a long serving runner in our local NASCAR racing. New rear wheels and rubber and it's a slick performer again.

 

 

And then another 6 wheeler is on the bench. This one started out as a Scalextric Tyrell Ford

 

 

The idea is to put 2 axles up the front and run a Martini livery. At this stage I am here:

 

 

I've made a few of these and needed one more to make a house class. They go well - sometimes really well - and are competitive in our classic Scalextric F1 Class.

[slotmadmac]

Not much time in the cave today but I got here with the Tyrell:

 

 

 

 

It joins the fleet of my other fantasy 6 wheelers.

 

Edited April 4, 2020 by slotmadmac

[ZeGas]

Looks like a bloody insect invasion

[big den]

Must see if I can book an appointment with my optometrist.

 

I'm starting to suffer from double vision.

 

Den

[SlotsNZ]

I wonder how long until we see his first Group 5 or LMP 6 wheeler :D

[slotmadmac]

Another slow day in the shed but managed to pull a tuned Superbird out of the bag. Not my car; I did this one for a mate and the instructions were simply to get it running sweet - there was no need for real performance. It's now running new rubber and a 18k SRP motor and I lowered it about 4mm front and back. Can't say I am a Carrera fan; they lack that nimble, sporty feel in my book but this one now circulates smoothly and runs a truckload better then when I first got it. Happy days.

 

 

ps Just noticed I didn't clip the rear wing in fully. Duh!

Edited April 5, 2020 by slotmadmac

[dangermouse]

What did you do to lower it 4mm? I have three of these and they aren't as good as the Torino or Roadrunner...

[slotmadmac]

I just cut the body posts down. I had to remove the rear struts at the back that go over the guide posts and remove a bit of material off the body where the exhausts touch - but it was petty simple. I also had to grind a bit of material off the underside of the interior and off the top of the motor bell end - that gave me another couple of mm to play with.

 

I replaced the original guide and guide post with an aftermarket adapter and Slot It wood guide. Setting the guide height so it was as deep as possible in the slot before I glued the adapter in place dropped the front end giving it a more aggressive stance.

Edited April 25, 2020 by slotmadmac

[ding]

I have cars to work on, but my Lockdown Projects are

1. to enclose my 2 car carport and turn it into a slot car shed.

2. to build a frame for my 3 lane track complete with castors so I can move it around.

3. build a couple of track interfaces to get a timing system up and going.

I have a 1 month layoff from work so the above will hopefully keep me busy and sane.

Cheers guys

 

ding...

Edited April 6, 2020 by ding

[charlesx]

Hi all. I have a few lockdown projects and plenty still to do if required. A short list of the ones completed or continuing is as follows:

 

1. Two slot car tracks for myself started before lockdown nearing completion. Two more to do.

2. One new slot car track for another slottie well advanced.

3. Mowing several neighbours lawns. Twice so far. Encouraged others to do the same.

4. Contacted most people in my street (about 100 houses) to ensure all have the necessary support. Apart from many elderly found two in wheelchairs and several other on walkers or mobility scooters.

5. Re-started building Brabham BT54 GP car that I started several years ago. Is now close to running but need final painting and decals.

6. Repaired two Slot-it Porsche chassis for my brother. Both had broken front axle mounts.

7. Encouraged by recent FB listing got my old Scaly Maserati MC12 GT and mounting on new NSR based chassis.

8. Drew some rough plans for an extension to somebody else's house to enhance slot car room.

 

If only I had this much energy all the time. Will provide some photos later.

 

Regards Charles Le Breton (charlesx)

[Capri-corn7]

Good grief Mac - great work. love that Williams.

[slotmadmac]

Nice one Chaz. Looking after those around you is pretty key at this time.

 

I'm back at work again so lockdown has changed for me. I'm grateful to be able to keep my business afloat when so many can't.

 

I'll try and maintain some momentum with this thread but progress will be slower now. Stay well everyone.

[charlesx]

Hi Slotmadmac.

 

Have certainly enjoyed the projects you have undertaken. They have been a great inspiration. I will try to do my bit to keep your initiative going. I am sure others will do likewise.

 

Also doing my best to keep my other hobbies going plus going for walks and bike rides to keep the bones moving. Keep that wine flowing though.

 

Regards Chas Le Breton

[ZeGas]

Geez Chas, steady on lad, last thing we need is a heart attack.

[charlesx]

Thanks ZeGas.

 

Yes will try not to go overboard. Have had a dose of DNA /Family research this morning though. Must post some pictures of my SC projects. Has been raining quite heavily this morning so back to SC's. Keep well and safe yourself.

 

Will settle myself down with some Emmerdale Farm at lunchtime.

 

Regards Chas Le Breton (charlesx)

[slotmadmac]

A FLY 908/3 was on the bench today. I love the FLY Classics - especially the 908s. It's now running alloys at the back with Slot It gear and axle. The front axle has been tubed to get the car nice and low and the guide deep in the slot. Inserts to come but I've left that job to the cars owner.

 

 

I also worked up a Policar Ferrari P4 today but forgot to take a pic before I packed it away to send to its owner. Have to say it was disappointing to see plastic wheels on the back of this car and the stock tyres offered only average grip after being glued / trued / lightly oiled. Such a pity given how good this car looks on the track.