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What I did this weekend

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Pinto Girl, Jun 25, 2007.

  1. Pinto Girl

    Pinto Girl New Member

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    Well, if you had any doubts about me, this should confirm them...

    Sometimes I like to build display models (it's even better if I get paid, but that doesn't always happen), and I've had this idea floating around in my head for a while.

    Think Richard Dreyfuss (wasn't that him, I don't recall?) in Close Encounters of the Third Kind...building that model of the mountain in his kitchen. Only this is single lane slot-car layout, modelling Highway One (along the CA coast), the Bixby Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean beyond...

    ...all at 1:32 scale, to fit into a 4x6 space (as big as my spare bedroom will allow).

    I'm routing the slots out of 1/2" MDF, and using copper foil tape (used in stained glass) for the conductors. There are also switches and blocks like an old-time model train layout, and even a rotting plank bridge that could fail at any time(!)

    The scenery will be made out of foam, using hot wire tools; the Bixby Bridge, too. And, of course, what would any ocean scene be without a lighthouse? The Pigeon Point lighthouse (south of San Francisco) would be a cool subject for a future time.

    Oh, and that *is* a c/u of my scratchbuilt 1960's Winnebago in progress...and, yes, it runs!
    [smile]

    ----------

    Something lighter, subject-wise, than the usual political faire...though the amount of waste I'm creating with this project does is cause for some alarm.
     

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    #1 Pinto Girl, Jun 25, 2007
  2. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    What kind of mileage does that Winnebago get?
     
    #2 Godiva, Jun 25, 2007
  3. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    What a great hobby!

    Looks Way Cool to me. Keep us up to date as the scenery takes shape. I always liked the Bixby Bridge.

    Hope you can locate a Prius Slot Car to run on it, and make sure it doesn't run into the back of the Pinto. Imagine the conflagration should the Gas Station Blowing Up Prius run into the Differential Bolt Punctures the Fuel Tank Pinto. Kaboom!
     
    #3 NoMoShocks, Jun 25, 2007
  4. Pinto Girl

    Pinto Girl New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jun 25 2007, 02:30 PM) [snapback]467722[/snapback]</div>
    My friends think I've totally lost it; thank goodness I can just close the bedroom door and pretend I'm (more or less) normal!

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jun 25 2007, 02:30 PM) [snapback]467722[/snapback]</div>
    Teeeheee...!

    Actually, I *am* looking for a 1:32 scale plastic model/bodyshell of a Prius to convert into a slot car.

    I'll have to get a picture of it, but I bought on eBay a plastic model kit, sold in Japan in the early 1980's, of the Batmobile. This and a kit made by Aurora in the mid-60's are the only reasonably accurate models of the batmobile, in 1:32. With a bit of effort, I converted the kit into a slot car, sold it, and actually made more than like, $1/hour for my time!
    :)

    It is a really fun hobby, but it does bring questions to my mind about car worship and such, and why we are the way we are about automobiles...but I keep telling myself it's actually lots like building a dollhouse, and that seems to make it okay somehow (in my mind, anyway).
     
    #4 Pinto Girl, Jun 25, 2007
  5. priussoris

    priussoris New Member

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    Great job thus far, keep us updated!

    also where's the water along Coast Highway 1 ( aquarium) all around would look cool :D
     
    #5 priussoris, Jun 25, 2007
  6. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jun 25 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]467685[/snapback]</div>
    Whadda ya mean not political . . . isn't that Bill, Hillary and Chelsea in front of that RV? :lol:
    [attachmentid=9221]

    Oh, and to make your scenery more realistic for the Big Sur area, you may consider adding a gas station with a sign showing over $4 per gallon. :blink:
    http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0526/p03s03-ussc.html
     

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    #6 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Jun 25, 2007
  7. glennsferryprius

    glennsferryprius New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jun 25 2007, 02:39 PM) [snapback]467685[/snapback]</div>

    That look great so far! Looking forward to the time you post more pictures as it nears completion. It is my befief in a project of this type, that completion is only a hope. There is always "just one" more thing. But I would still love to see the photos.

    Glennsferryprius
     
    #7 glennsferryprius, Jun 25, 2007
  8. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    Little cars that run on electricity? Hmmm. I think I can see where this is going. Natalie is going to be the next PriusChatter to buy a Xebra. :)
     
    #8 daniel, Jun 25, 2007
  9. ozyran

    ozyran New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jun 25 2007, 03:04 PM) [snapback]467705[/snapback]</div>
    Hehe, I imagine having people stuck to the front increases weight and drag ;)

    Nice job on the layout! I only wish my skills were close to that. I look very much forward to seeing this thing completed.
     
    #9 ozyran, Jun 25, 2007
  10. Spoid

    Spoid New Member

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    An electric powered Winnebago? Cool.
     
    #10 Spoid, Jun 25, 2007
  11. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    That looks like fun, Natalie. If you can think of a way for your little pedestrians to keep from having their teeny-tiny feet toasted when crossing the road, maybe you could take slot cars full scale!

    Hey, is a model railway layout next? :)
     
    #11 hyo silver, Jun 25, 2007
  12. Scafremon

    Scafremon Junior Member

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    Way Cool Pinto Girl!

    I look forward to seeing the track progress.

    I found slot cars as a hobby last Xmas, when I built a door-size 1:64 scale track for a friend's son.

    [​IMG]

    That led to a slightly larger track for myself.

    [​IMG]

    Do to limited space, I had to keep the track flat on the table, and devise a way to store it when not in use.

    [​IMG]

    My wife is now going to allow me to build a slightly smaller indoor track, one which I can really have some fun with landscaping and such. I'm still trying to decide on a landscape 'theme' for the new track. Maybe a rural layout with rolling hills and farmland, or maybe a suburb and cityscape, or maybe something off-the-wall like an underwater theme with Atlantis, or even a moonscape.

    But, I may decide to incorporate a "Prius" them, and if so I would go with a ghost town look, ala Fresno. :D
     
    #12 Scafremon, Nov 24, 2007
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