This fellow builds slot car tracks from scratch

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

This fellow builds slot car tracks from scratch

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

Here's a picture of the track I built a few years ago Todd. I had plans to complete the scenery but being in my shop it gets dusty so it's easier to clean this way.

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Very cool the way you made realistic racing lines for each lane, plus the "squeeze" areas must make things interesting. Nice work!

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Yes. Great work!

unruhjonny · Guru

MC wrote:
Very cool the way you made realistic racing lines for each lane, plus the "squeeze" areas must make things interesting. Nice work!

I agree!!

Very cool!!

I inherited an AFX track set from a neighbour, and would love to set it up to play with my kids but some of the track connections are broken, and I think the AC adapter might be pooched.

Does anyone have tips on have to get this working?

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

unruhjonny wrote:
MC wrote:
Very cool the way you made realistic racing lines for each lane, plus the "squeeze" areas must make things interesting. Nice work!
I agree!!

Very cool!!

I inherited an AFX track set from a neighbour, and would love to set it up to play with my kids but some of the track connections are broken, and I think the AC adapter might be pooched.

Does anyone have tips on have to get this working?

You should be able to test the power supply just using the section where it and the controllers connect. If there is an issue with the power going from one track piece to another you can add jumper wires. I'm not familiar with the the AFX smaller scale cars, mine are all 1/32 and 1/24 scale.
There are lots of forums online.
Home Racing World has all something for those racing all scales.

65Camino · Uber Guru

unruhjonny wrote:

MC wrote:

I inherited an AFX track set from a neighbour, and would love to set it up to play with my kids but some of the track connections are broken, and I think the AC adapter might be pooched.

Does anyone have tips on have to get this working?

There are clips that will join the pieces together. Plug the controller into the terminal track along with the hand units to test.

if not pm me and I can talk directly as I race HO cars.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I remember buying those metal clips to join broken track. All it took was a knee to rest on the track and...snap.

65Camino · Uber Guru

Happened a lot until we put ours on wood. Now I converted my dining room into my race room. Have a smaller version of my old track. Its 12 by 4. Four lanes timed by computer with a dedicated power supply. Run old HO and newer stuff.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

unruhjonny wrote:
and I think the AC adapter might be pooched.

Does anyone have tips on have to get this working?

You can find a comparable AC adapters (transformers) from another device (i.e. old calculators, computer devices, old cell phone chargers etc.). You just have to match your old transformer's specs and polarity.

I housed a modern transformer in a 1960's Eldon race track metal transformer case ... looks factory.

65Camino · Uber Guru

Or just hook it up to a car battery.
Growing up we plugged two power packs into our track. Solved a car wiping out the second one wiped out

unruhjonny · Guru

I'm giving this discussion a bump because today we scored a bunch of tracks at a garage sale - now I have more than enough to make a full loop track, and at a point where I need to diagnose my issiues.

I have created and posted two videos on youtube:

I also have this little tool looking device that came with the tracks that I got today - can anyone tell me what it is?

65Camino · Uber Guru

The tools fork is used to click or unclick the track pieces together. Turn the pieces upside down. Should be apparent knowing this. AFX cars came in a longer wheelbase under vans, 56 Ford Pickups among others. Their bodies were held onto the chassis by a small screw. This tools blade was used to unscrew or screw them together.

-- Edited by 65Camino on Sunday 27th of June 2021 07:21:34 AM

65Camino · Uber Guru

Take some 600 or close sandpaper over the rails to clean it up. Rails usually oxidize over non use. Then take some emery paper to the cars shoes . Run a newer magnet car like that Tyco Superbird to clean it as well.
Once thats done start at the terminal track and run the cars. They will stop when the power is not continuous. Work the pieces until the car goes round and round.
If you have more then one terminal track and power pack but them on opposite sides. Tidies up the cables. Also it will smooth out the power between the lanes.

unruhjonny · Guru

Thanks for the tips!
I only have the one terminal track.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Also, bend the brushes (shoes) slightly downward (gently). Better contact with track rails.

Islander · Addicted!

Used to have a lot of fun with the AFX Race Sets, was nice to have an area to set it up properly, which at times could be an issue and I eventually sold off what i had. Came across this Handbook in a recent move, lots of tuning tips and tricks for both track and cars. If this could help you out PM me your address and I will get it in the mail for you.

65Camino · Uber Guru

Pontiacanada wrote:
Also, bend the brushes (shoes) slightly downward (gently). Better contact with track rails.

Actually, you should bend the back of shoe near the hook backwards. What you want is the shoe to be parallel with the rail.

Turtle · Addicted!

If they're still available, get a train track cleaning "stone". They are an abrasive rubber block. I have one from the 1960s that I use. Works great on both the track and pickup shoes. Put it on the flat side with light pressure. Cleans the rails great. I have track and cars dating back to the early 60s. My first set was D cell powered with slots to place one controller lead for different speeds.

-- Edited by Turtle on Sunday 17th of April 2022 09:23:53 PM