Hey Brad,.... Others,...... a bit of a 'Rave',..
(Which perhaps, could/should be Moved to a more Focussed 'Thread',... on "Chassis Chooning", !!??,..
With regard to Wire Size,.. I had attempted to 'Post' a Follow-Up, but it dis-appeared into the Ether, as I WAS being,.. a Bit 'O a Smart A**,..lol
The Cars Are and DO in fact have Double #14 rails,.... AWG !!!!,..
,..
BUT,...are #16 SWG !!!!
Sorry,... you'd think the 'Yanks' would have used "AWG", but is perhaps an 'Industrial/Historical' thing with regard to 'Specific' "Industry' Reference, a bit like BSW etc.
I don't think I have EVER seen ANY slot car with 2 x .078 rails,.. (Unless they had been 'Ground' or 'Flattened/Thinned in some way),.. would make for a VERY Stiff car !!!
ELSE, (regarding 'Flex'),...!!??,... What Fox Says !!!,...
In Some ways, LIKE how a 'Go-Kart' chassis works, they Do 'Flex' in atleast 2 x directions !!,.. LOL,... SO,.. as suggested, Like FOX Says,.. is and can be somewhat of a Fine-Balancing 'Act', finding and getting the 'Combination',.. Right !!
As an Example, My,.. "Old Faithful" Can-Am chassis, utilizes 1 x .062" and 1 x .055" Main Rail, supplemented by the use of .062" Brass/Bronze Alloy Half/Part Rails, at the Rear Axle/Motor area in a similar 'fashion', to some of the cars above.
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Due to the Density when compared to the same Dia' Piano Wire, plus the fact the Brass, ISN'T 'Spring-Wire', it can at times, perhaps Help in Adding a slightly More 'Damped' and Softening Effect, whilst also adding Some, shall we say, slightly 'Squidgy' Extra stiffness, without the 'inherent' Piano Wire 'Twang' !!,..
Definitely Worth considering / Trying !!
Interestingly, as I was just looking at some Older Bob Emott chassis on SlotBlog and both Noticed and recalled how Popular the .055 x .047 rail Combo was Way Back in fact Even with Later 'Wing' cars (the Older Group 20 and Later Grp15), both Fox and myself, (let alone Others I am Sure), occasionally ran .055 & .047 railed cars, although often in Combo with .062 and like the Above mentioned Emott chassis .062 would often be used 'around' the rear axle/motor area.
I AM, I must admit, Surprised by How (apparently !!) Effective the almost 'Jelly-Soft', Super flexible, "Z-Rail", style cars are !!
I must say,.. "Old Faithful", has actually proven to be a Pretty damn 'Reasonable' chassis !!
In Fact,.. I'd Venture it is simply,.. close to being 'Just Right'!!,..lol, as it Works and Handles excellently on ALL tracks, (perhaps just a 'Tad' too Heavy,..lol, for Wayne's King), it's 120 something grams and Has Never seemed to Need or has run with ANY Lead added !!
Whilst perhaps NOT,.. Perfect, it's Close,..lol,.. AND,..
it Too can Exhibit 'Lifting' of the Inside Rear Tyre, especially around the Triangle area on the Flat Track at HSC !!
I usually Like to have and 'Try' a couple of Different Tyre choices,... depending on the Temp' and Grip etc
I DON'T often run Alpha's on "Old Faithful", (perhaps, just a bit Too Soft for the chassis), 'Big Daddy's", have often Proved to be a Winning combination.
One extra 'thing' about "Old Faithful", is how 'Narrow' the Rear Width/Track is and has pretty much Always been !!
It has NEVER been even remotely Near the 'Limit' and is actually, Well Under.
It seems ?, to work Better, Wider on the Big track!?? but have yet to Confirm that.
The 'Effective' Rear Width, is part of the Whole 'Pendulum/Triangulation' effect of a Slot Car, as a 'Package', IE; Overall Width:Guide Post Pivot Length.
The 'Narrower' Back End 'Moves' the Ratio about slightly and (in effect lengthens it), and has perhaps shown (as might be suggested), quite Good 'Traction', IE; the car does Not 'Flutter' through turns and with a Good Gear Mesh has and can be almost Silent !! No 'flutter' or Tramping.
Might Have to Try it Wider on the Flat Track when the traction causes it to lift to see if it Slides it Out Any??
Thinking of the above, Twice recently, I have Noticed and been Duly 'Impressed' by Two of Mark's more recent cars and how 'Audibly' And 'Visually' effective they were Through the Corners I was Marshalling at the time !!
Smooth !!??,.. Effective Traction !!??,.. Hmmm,.. Perhaps Just a ,... Bit !!,..
Like I said,..
"What Mark Said/Says",..
