Tilting Track

[slowshoes]

After moving to a new to us home in Florida, I'm looking at ideas to build a tilt down track in the garage (no basement here in Florida). I'm open to doing a ceiling track as well, but those seem more complicated. I came across this tilting track, and I really like the idea.https://www.flickr.com/photos/154877...57629867183151
Anyone done anything similar? I couldn't find any details on the build - just these four pics. Any suggestions on how to mount the track to the table? Any advice/help would be appreciated.

Bill

[RichD]

Here is one that has a routed HO track on one side and a plastic 1/43rd track on the other side. You can use silicone caulk to stick down plastic track, a dab here is all that is needed. If you want to change the track around you can pry off the sections with a putty knife.

[slowshoes]

Thanks for the reply Rich - I specifically didn't want to screw my track down, so I'll use the silicone idea for sure. (I use Ninco track). It's been a real challenge to find much on fold down or ceiling tracks - I'm assuming it's not done much. Our new house is very small, and with no basement, the garage is the place I have to make work. It either that, or I'll have to get out of slots. (not going to happen). We need the garage space for the usual storage, so I have to make the track disappear when not in use. Thanks again for the help. Bill

[mattb]

I recall a track shown on this forum, probably, that tilted. It's base was rounded on the backside so it could be flipped 90 degrees and pushed against a wall. Maybe somebody here will remember that track and maybe the post is still on the old website. I don't have a clue how to find it.

[War Eagle River]

slowshoes, where are you at in Florida? By the way, I have more Ninco track than I know what to do with, not in use anymore, you’re welcome to it!

[slowshoes]

Scott - I'm in Cape Coral. Let me know what you have available - I may be interested. I'll try to do a search again Matt - I tried before, and didn't come up with much. I have seen some fold down tracks in my searches that are quite small. I'm trying to come up with something that has some size to it.

Here's another that looks to be pretty good sized, but again no info on the build. He looks like he's having no trouble maneuvering it up and down in the pics, but there has to be some mechanical advantage he's using for such a large track.https://s259.photobucket.com/user/wa...?sort=3&page=1

Bill

[dinglebery]

Bill - the mechanical advantage seems to be the rounded edge on each leg. He's simply letting it fall and land on the legs.

[War Eagle River]

Enough track to do a 75’ 4 lane! Come and get it!

[mattb]

Bill, that's the track I remember. It is pretty good sized and looks like one guy could handle it OK.

[RichD]

If plastic track that is screwed down is subjected to large changes in temperature it is likely to warp. With the silicone there is at least a little give. It is OK to screw down wood tracks.
I also saw a post on a track that had rounded legs so that it could be flipped on its side, but I did not bookmark that. I have raced on a 1/32nd track that can be hoisted up to the ceiling. I think that this is the one.



A track that is hoisted up out of the way would have to have folding legs or be lowered on to saw horses. There has to be a system of cables and pulleys operated by a manual or electric winch. It is best to secure such a table with hooks when it is in the up position. One reader had something fail and the track was badly damaged, but at least nothing like a 1:1 car was underneath when that happened. A Google search might turn up something on a hoisted track.
If you go for a table that pivots there is a practical limit to how wide the table can be. If the table was six feet wide the legs would need to be more than three feet long and the track might be higher off of the floor than you would like.

[Dodgefarmer]

The track in post #6 was Cgyracer's Quail Run Speedway. He had the build documented here on the old forum and also over on SCI. P.M him. He will get you where you want to go.

HTH
Randy

[slothead]

Bill - what size table are you thinking about? Depending on the size and weight there are different solutions possible. Decades ago I had a fold down HO track (4' x 8') and then a track that lifted up against the ceiling. The fold down track hinged from the wall so the track was facing the wall when folded up, when down it was supported by chains attached to the outer corners. All the bits (wall wart, controllers, etc.) went into a wooden box attached to the top of the table. This setup worked out well but if I was doing it again I'd put folding legs on the bottom or have it rest on something when down.

The ceiling track, also 4' x 8' also worked well. It had screw hooks on the corners so it could be hung from short sections of chain in the ceiling. I could unhook one end, lower it down onto removable legs, then do the other end. Depending on the ceiling height in the garage you might need an extra set of hands to raise and lower a track.

A 1:32 track table is apt to be larger and heavier, requiring different approaches. But, there will be solutions to your needs so keep thinking and asking for input.

[RichD]

Here is a video that I found using the term hoisting slot tracks, it is one of a series, so look to the right for more of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS4B_lqDG24

[slowshoes]

Many thanks for the replies fellas. I think I could be in the ballpark of a 7 x 13" track, fold down or ceiling. I'd like to go as large as I can, for the fun of a larger layout, and to allow more opportunity to add scenery to my track. I always thought when I've retired, adding scenery would be a fun project and I'd have plenty of time to putz with it - that time is here, so I'd like to get going on it. (that'll be a whole other set of questions, lol).

Thanks for that info about CGYracer's track Randy - I was hoping someone might have info on either of these tracks I've posted. I'll definitely be following that info up to see how he did his build. The ceiling track would be best for making the track go away in our garage, but I could make the fold down track work too. I am concerned about the rails on the track rusting in the Florida environment - anyone have any experience with tracks kept in a garage. I'll be keeping all of my cars inside the house, so no issue there. Good point about the legs of the table having to kept in mind. I'm definitely thinking folding legs - maybe some that somehow adjust for height too.

We still have to go back and finish our move - all of my track and cars are still in Michigan, so I wont be starting this project until August. But once it's all here, I want to hit the ground running.

Bill

[Fathead59]

I saw , on you tube I think , about a track that lowered of the garage ceiling . The guy used a truck winch to lower and raise the track . I was thinking of making a table the could be folded against the wall but wasn't sure just how to mount the track to the table .

[Dodgefarmer]

You're welcome Bill. The track was very light. Featured hollow main beams, fold away legs and leg supports, 7' x 20' surface (IIRC) Take a real close look at all the pics and a lot of detail will become clear. It really is quite ingenious. Rob was able to handle it with ease by himself.

Randy

[Fathead59]

At one time I was thinking about building a table that I planned on making like an old Murphy bed , and no , I am not that old to have actually seen one, only in movies . Was going to use garage door standards to track one point , and either have foldable legs or removable one . This way when you are done racing you can stand the table up out of the way .

[slowshoes]

Here is a video that I found using the term hoisting slot tracks, it is one of a series, so look to the right for more of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS4B_lqDG24

Yes - I saw that video while trying to get some info on various systems - it's nicely done. Fellow in the comments said the video of the hoist system was on his channel, but I went there and couldn't find anything on it.

Scott - I pm'ed you regarding your Ninco track.

Still trying to find Cgyracer's track, but so far no luck. I'll keep searching. Thanks again for the help fellas.

Bill