I’ve borrowed and adapted this technique. After screwing down the infill piece and making sure the track is secure, I just attach the router template, using the track edge as a guide. No need to trace it out. In some areas, I’m using foam instead of MDF. I use the flexible template the same way. I screw through the foam into a sacrificial backer board and then run my hot wire cutter right along it just like you would with the router. Thanks for the inspiration! I’d love to pick your brain about the automation controllers you’re using to integrate your time-of-day lighting and weather effects. The lightning and thunder effects with real-life delays is just a next level touch.
John, you explain your motivations & architecture thoroughly & with clarity. I understand & benefit from these types of lessons and happily apply them to my design. Your wiring/lighting best practices take a little longer to grasp & adopt -- but that is ALL ON ME. Thank you. Be Safe.
you probably dont care but if you guys are bored like me atm you can stream all the new movies on InstaFlixxer. I've been streaming with my girlfriend these days xD
Hi John, I'm late to your video series but I am enjoying them. My question is this, since you use blocks on one side of the track to hold it in place while you trace your line on the oppisite side, could you skip the line tracing and go ahead and just screw the CMT template down in place against the track instead of drawing the line, removing the MDF, then screwing the template down to the line? Seems it might save some time and fiddling to get the template precisely on the line. Also, for the benefit of others, since the routing wasn't filmed, if you remove the bulk of the waste with a band saw or jig saw to within a 1/16" or 1/8" of the line or template before you rout, you will greatly extend the life of your router bit. Thanks again for your seies, most informative. Phil
Hi Phil, and thank you. Yes, you can screw the template in place directly (and I have) but any tight reverse curves can pose a problem. I have since found it easier to draw the line and then I can align the template easier, but that is what works for me. Your mileage may vary, and that's great!! I also intentionally do not film, and I offer limited instructional use on power tools like a table saw or router. I might do something (safely of course, I am a safety hound) that might not be safe for someone else in a different circumstance (long hair, arm in a sling, etc). I do exactly what you mentioned (rough cut close to the line), but it's for safety vs. bit life (better control). Thank you for your input, and I will make sure this comment is visible!!
Hi John. I am enjoying following this video series, although some of the electronics seems a little to technical to me. I can't for the life of me figure out why you decided to call your channel Slot Car Mayhem, as everything you do seems to be orderly and precise.
Best thing about this hobby is you have to play with engineering, poetry, and artistry, and at times, all 3 at once. Thank you!! The Mayhem will probably show up as I begin all the programming of modules, lol
thanks for making this video.
You are welcome. Any questions, I'll do my best to answer.
I’ve borrowed and adapted this technique. After screwing down the infill piece and making sure the track is secure, I just attach the router template, using the track edge as a guide. No need to trace it out. In some areas, I’m using foam instead of MDF. I use the flexible template the same way. I screw through the foam into a sacrificial backer board and then run my hot wire cutter right along it just like you would with the router.
Thanks for the inspiration! I’d love to pick your brain about the automation controllers you’re using to integrate your time-of-day lighting and weather effects. The lightning and thunder effects with real-life delays is just a next level touch.
John, you explain your motivations & architecture thoroughly & with clarity.
I understand & benefit from these types of lessons and happily apply them to my design.
Your wiring/lighting best practices take a little longer to grasp & adopt -- but that is ALL ON ME.
Thank you.
Be Safe.
Thank you so much! Learning as I go...
you probably dont care but if you guys are bored like me atm you can stream all the new movies on InstaFlixxer. I've been streaming with my girlfriend these days xD
@Andre Jax yea, been using InstaFlixxer for months myself :D
Hi John, I'm late to your video series but I am enjoying them. My question is this, since you use blocks on one side of the track to hold it in place while you trace your line on the oppisite side, could you skip the line tracing and go ahead and just screw the CMT template down in place against the track instead of drawing the line, removing the MDF, then screwing the template down to the line? Seems it might save some time and fiddling to get the template precisely
on the line. Also, for the benefit of others, since the routing wasn't filmed, if you remove the bulk of the waste with a band saw or jig saw to within a 1/16" or 1/8" of the line or template before you rout, you will greatly extend the life of your router bit. Thanks again for your seies, most informative.
Phil
Hi Phil, and thank you. Yes, you can screw the template in place directly (and I have) but any tight reverse curves can pose a problem. I have since found it easier to draw the line and then I can align the template easier, but that is what works for me. Your mileage may vary, and that's great!!
I also intentionally do not film, and I offer limited instructional use on power tools like a table saw or router. I might do something (safely of course, I am a safety hound) that might not be safe for someone else in a different circumstance (long hair, arm in a sling, etc). I do exactly what you mentioned (rough cut close to the line), but it's for safety vs. bit life (better control). Thank you for your input, and I will make sure this comment is visible!!
Hi John. I am enjoying following this video series, although some of the electronics seems a little to technical to me. I can't for the life of me figure out why you decided to call your channel Slot Car Mayhem, as everything you do seems to be orderly and precise.
Best thing about this hobby is you have to play with engineering, poetry, and artistry, and at times, all 3 at once. Thank you!! The Mayhem will probably show up as I begin all the programming of modules, lol