What to use to make a cheap track

airline2 · #1 12-15-2002, 04:44 PM

What would you use to make a cheap track i have the zipzaps track i want to use that i am thinking of getting a few sets of track what to use a floor for them I would do using it for zipzaps

tifosi_ms1 · #2 12-15-2002, 10:01 PM

I kind of like poster board. Very cheap and the cars power slide and spin tires on the mildly slick surface. That can really add to the racing.

airline2 · #3 12-16-2002, 05:31 AM

are you talking about the foam type of poster board or the orginal type of poster board

tifosi_ms1 · #4 12-16-2002, 10:24 PM

The orginal poster board 33 cents per board at walmart cheapeast track material of all.

airline2 · #5 12-17-2002, 05:11 AM

Thank you much

ClockwOrk · #6 12-30-2002, 01:54 PM

Try coroplast... Some great tacks made with is here and its about 10$ for a 4' x 8' sheet!

Szandor · #7 12-30-2002, 09:27 PM

Hi All, I just finished building my son a track for his micros using 3/4" thick foam core insulation board. I cut the corners to form 1' radius turns and then painted it with flat black latex paint which is cheap and dries to a rubber like consistency after 3 coats, the cars really hook up. I used vinyl siding undersill molding to form the guard rails, 2 pieces will completely wrap the outer edges. Just soak it in a pail of hot water for a few minutes then hold it againest your corner until it cools, it will hold its shape nicely. The undersill has holes every 3" so you can use drywall screws to fasten it to the foam board. When I was done, I wrapped the edge with electrical tape to cover the screws and make sure they didn't work there way loose. So now we have a 4' X 8' surface, we add a removable center "island" for oval racing and add various bits and pieces to form a road course. Its light, you can pick it up in one hand, stores easily and was cheap, I bought my stuff at my local Ace hardware but if you've got a Lowes or Home Depot near by I'm sure you could do this even cheaper.

4' X 8' x 3/4" thick foam board $9.00
2 pieces of 12' white vinyl undersill $6.00
1 gallon flat back latex (Walmart) $9.00 (1/2 gal left over)
1 Roll of black electrical tape $1.50
2 lbs of 3" drywall screws $2.50
------------------------------------------------------------
Total money spent $28.00

It worked for me, next time your in your home center or lumber yard check out the undersill and foam board and this might be the answer for your cheap homemade track. I'll try and post some pictures if my buddy can find his digital camera.

Regards to All, Szandor