Question Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - Printable Version

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Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - neptunus - 14th-Nov-20

Hello Reader,

I am new to this forum and I always played with Fleischmann Auto-Rallye slotrace system as a child and now we have nice big space where the idea is that we will realize a big wooden track with Oxigen control system. Father and son are looking for a nice hobby. My son also had the idea to set up a local club. Well every now and then you have to do something crazy and we have the space. So let's build a large wooden slot racetrack and who knows, a club will emerge.

After a lot of reading on the internet I naturally came across slot.it. For 99% I'm going for the great slot.it solution. Or someone should share good reasons for not doing this and give feedback on a better plan.

Anyway, below you will find an image of the available space. I could use the light gray area entirety. But one requirement is to place a desk in this room. The plan I have now I use the green areas a slot race area, but as written this is just an idea.

Click for large image:

 
I think the J-Trak system is brilliant because it is so beautifully portable (modular system).
·         http://phantomdrum.co.uk/scalexracer/j-trak/
·         https://slotracer.online/plan/j-trak/
 
Not that I want to take the track modules outside the room. But I would love if and could change the track every now and then because it's modular. I would like to drive 1/32 but also every now and then with 1/24 cars. The slot track width like Scalextric Sport and Digital tracks are not suitable for this. That's why I'm thinking of a 10 cm slot to slot width. I could realize this (if I go for plastic parts) with ScaleAuto. I did some testing to see if I can somehow scale/translate the track dimensions and bend radius of corners from ScaleAuto to J-Trak approach which is based on Scalextric Sport and Digital tracks. Unfortunately, this was not as easy as I secretly hoped, but it was expected given the different sizes.
 
Now I am curious if anyone has tips for realizing a wooden track that is also built according to the principles of the J-track modular system? Maybe samples are available? I am open to any feedback.
 
Thank you very much for your response.

With kind regards,

Neptunus

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - JasonB - 14th-Nov-20

Welcome Neptunus.  

I did a lot of the work for the J-Trak system, and we also considered both routed wooden tracks, and 1/24 scale tracks. We didn't develop those ideas far enough as there didn't seem to be any demand for it at the time.

But I would love to see those ideas developed, and I'm happy to help.

The first question though, is what track system you want to use? ScaleAuto, Carrera, or routed wood?

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - neptunus - 14th-Nov-20

(14th-Nov-20, 08:55 PM):JasonB Wrote:  Welcome Neptunus.  

The first question though, is what track system you want to use? ScaleAuto, Carrera, or routed wood?

Thanks for welcoming me. To awnser you question.

I'm planning to go for a routed wood track and the idea is to make this a modular system like J-Trak. I've looked at different brands like ScaleAuto, Scalextric, Policar, Carrera. To my personal taste, ScaleAuto seems to best suit my wish to go for both 1/32 and occasionally also drive 1/24. To prevent confusion: I really want to go for a wood router track and have only looked at these brands to get a feel for the track parts dimensions.

Can you share your work that has already been done? That may correspond to what I want to achieve. I will also do a little more research and share this.

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - JasonB - 15th-Nov-20

Here are some of the drawings I did for a routed J-Trak.

Obviously this is a freestanding track, so it's quite different to your application, but the basic principles are so simple and so flexible that I'm sure we could produce something that would work for you. I'll have a look into it later.

[attachment=10165][attachment=10166][attachment=10167][attachment=10168][attachment=10169][attachment=10170][attachment=10171][attachment=10172][attachment=10173][attachment=10174][attachment=10175][attachment=10176]

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - neptunus - 15th-Nov-20

(15th-Nov-20, 11:19 AM)JasonB Wrote:  Here are some of the drawings I did for a routed J-Trak.

Obviously this is a freestanding track, so it's quite different to your application, but the basic principles are so simple and so flexible that I'm sure we could produce something that would work for you. I'll have a look into it later.

These are beautiful rendered images. Would you be willing to share in what tool you build it with and perhaps the source data itself?

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - JasonB - 15th-Nov-20

I use 3DS Max which is great for presentation renderings, but not easy to use, and not what I'd normally use for working out ideas.

I could email you the file if you've got the software to open .max files, but I should also say that I think that one is 1/32 scale track.

Below is a first idea for a 1/24 track layout using the space on your plan. It's not as pretty as the renderings above, but hopefully more relevant.

I've changed the table sizes at the top and bottom of your plan, to make them the same size, so that you could swap them without changing the overall shape. I've also divided the two boards that stick out to the right in half, to make four. This allows the three L shapes to be interchangeable, again without changing the overall size or shape of the track.

Obviously all of the modules are interchangeable, and there are a lot of possible configurations, but they would change the shape and size of the track.

Anyway, these are just some initial thoughts, we can work on it.

[attachment=10179]

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - Anthony B - 16th-Nov-20

Outstanding work Jason!!

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - neptunus - 16th-Nov-20

(15th-Nov-20, 10:07 PM)JasonB Wrote:  I use 3DS Max which is great for presentation renderings, but not easy to use, and not what I'd normally use for working out ideas.

I could email you the file if you've got the software to open .max files, but I should also say that I think that one is 1/32 scale track.

Below is a first idea for a 1/24 track layout using the space on your plan. It's not as pretty as the renderings above, but hopefully more relevant.

I've changed the table sizes at the top and bottom of your plan, to make them the same size, so that you could swap them without changing the overall shape. I've also divided the two boards that stick out to the right in half, to make four. This allows the three L shapes to be interchangeable, again without changing the overall size or shape of the track.

Obviously all of the modules are interchangeable, and there are a lot of possible configurations, but they would change the shape and size of the track.

Anyway, these are just some initial thoughts, we can work on it.

Great minds think alike JasonB  .
Last night I played with the same idea on paper to scale with pencil and then cut and paste the models.

Tonight put a few things into SolidWorks. The challenge is to find a system that I do not have to draw every small part by hand within SolidWorks. I have now more or less automated this. I can now only draw the contours of a track with one line and the rest is done automatic. Below two render result and two dimensions drawings (1x table plus anchor points dimensions 1x track plus slot dimensions). Click the image for bigger view.










Please share any feedback to forum members.

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - JasonB - 16th-Nov-20

Looking good.

I think that's exactly how I did the 3d renders above, a cross section extended along a path.

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RE: Howto realize a wooden track like J-track modular system - JasonB - 17th-Nov-20

If you have boards of 1200mm, and you set the track 300mm in from the edge to the centre of the track, you end up with some strangely compelling and symmetrical geometry, whereby each board is quartered by the track, and the same radius corner can be used throughout.

Not that it's necessary or even desirable, I just found it interesting, and it makes the maths very simple.

[attachment=10221]


One thing I wondered is whether it would be possible to move the desk to accommodate an extra board, like this....

[attachment=10220]

The reason I ask is that your current plan shows an area of 3.6m x 2.4m in the centre, where it will probably be difficult to retrieve deslotted cars, or gain access for track and scenery work. If you were to cut that central section down to 1.2m you might find it easier, and perhaps you could add an extra section at the desk end.

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