Is it possible to create an interesting 3'x10' 3lanes track

[demether]

Here's the last progress so far. I finally decided to recycle my old 1/32 artin track. This way I'll save money, but more important, I will save a lot of weight.

I plan to make a wall folding track, this way i'll be able to create a "massive" 13'x6' track support, and so make the track 4 lanes. But weight will become an important factor, and we know that MDF is really heavy (especially such a big board).

I'm still thinking about the project, will I make a fast road speedway, or a 4lanes oval.

[demether]

I changed my mind. Making my maths, price should be the same between plastic and wood. Maybe even more expensive for plastic.

The track support work will be the same for the 2 projects, even if I will have to add an extra cost on the plastic track for the wood sheets wich will support the plastic layout.

Concerning building work amount, since I want to paint my track, plastic track seems to be where the work will be the more important : clean the track, find dead spot, create borders, central U shaped junction, fix everything, make the electrical taps, etc...

On the wood track I will "just" have to make the slots and apply the copper tape. The track support will be also the track itself, and the track borders.

I will also have more flexibility to make the design I want (like the ones I presented in the last posts). Plastic is not as versatile.


I will continue my research. For example, I'm currently searching info on the router work itself, slot depth and widht, etc...

[demether]

Thank you for your answer,


I know particle board, since I used it for all my previous tracks as a board support, but for woodtrack I was concerned by PB durability, since borders were a bit fragile.


Since I want to build a wall folding track, I was also concerned about the weight. So I thought that a 12mm MDF board would be lighter than a 16 or 18 mm PB board.

But what I particularly like in your own track, is the way you can modify it from an oval to a road course :o That's too cool :text-bravo:

If you readed my last posts, you could see that I'm thinking about both oval and fast road course tracks...With your idea, I could have both :bow-blue:

[woodman]

PB was used in commercial tracks in the 60's and I used it in the past! MDF is more dense and heavier...

[demether]

I didn't knew that ! I was thinking the opposite !

Is it possible to use a thin (10 or 12mm) particle board to route a track ?

Should I use water resistant particle board, or the regular one 's good enough ?

Do you prepare the board in any way ? Sanding the surface before painting, maybe ?

Thanks both of you.

[woodman]

1/2'' particle board...I have never seen water resistant PB.....But if or when I build another track I will use 3/8 mdf it is harder more durable and less brittle and will bend easier than 1/2'' PB....

[demether]

Particle board exists in water resistant version here.


Thanks for the help. I'll see when I'll make my project the price diference between MDF and particle, and also weight.

[chappyman66]

I am guessing that water resistant PB is impregnated with something to keep it from swelling if it gets damp. If the track is inside, it's almost a non-issue anyway.
Mine was made with regular PB because it was cheap ($10 in the lumberyard bargain bin) but as Harry said the grain does raise when you paint it. I left it for some "texture" but I may decide to sand when I get it out again.
You don't need a large powerful router, a trim router is enough with a good 1/8" carbide bit (they are cheap at home supply stores).

[TuscoTodd]

Love the "asphalt" look! :)

[demether]

thanks for the pics and details. I think I'll go for PB instead of MDF, then. I'll save money on both the wood and the tools, since I readed that MDF was eating router bits fast, and needed a good router.

Apparently, PB is also lighther than MDF, wich is a good thing for my wall folding project. 12mm (around 1/2") is good enough ?