Scalextric - some basics Q&A

[DMHexer]

Hi folks,

This Christmas I bought my son (5yo, who is pretty short on patience) the Cops and Robbers Quickbuild (https://www.scalextric.com/sets/standard/scalextric-quick-build-cops-n-robbers-set.html). I have not touched a set in over 20 years, and this is his first, so it's important we got it right.

In short, it's been nothing but a massive headache. The cars barely run a few laps around the figure 8 before they'll lose connection, stop and stutter, do a 180 spin and stop. Typically, a session will look something like:

1) Start them up, they'll run half a lap, then come to a halt;
2) Give it a bit of a push... it'll go another half lap (hopefully)... and stop again;
3) Run a few more laps, stuttery and twitchy, stop again. Push it... go again...
4) Rinse and repeat.

To note, the "police car" has an audible siren. It's a clear sign of what's occuring when the siren noise will stutter and go off / on constantly. Also note the track is on a flat, hardwood floor. Good power connection. I've tested small details such as holding the car against the track, lifting the rear wheels and watch it run... which has no problem.

We've taken them to the shop (who are honestly a really patient, accomodating group here in NSW - SlotShop in Marrickville - free plug!) who have rejigged the contacts and internals of both cars. Though the problem continues. They described these tracks are 'bouncy' and 'soft', and how to further tweak the wiring to inprove the contact (ie: "spread" the contact wires outwards, and push them away from the car to improve contact), though this has made little improvement.

However, for this amount of effort that's being taken... for something that should "Just Work", both my 5yo son and I are losing patience. I don't want to request a full refund, though I feel it's getting to that point.

Is this simply how Scaletrix are? Is it simply assumed there'll be a stuttery nature to them, or should they simply go round and round and have minimal issues? 

If needed I can link a video on here to what's happening, if that will help.

[DMHexer]

Hi Admin,

Thanks for the quick reply. Below is the link to the video on YouTube; during testing I'm trying to get it running, then you can see my lad doing the same... particularly the 'keep giving it nudges to make it work' attempts.

Definitely not a smooth and fun experience that keeps going and going :) Keep in mind this is how it's been since taking it first out of the box; no change.

Yes - there are some particular places on the track where they seem to stutter the most; from what I've deduced it's mostly on corners (where the shop informed me the connection will be the worst, due to the 'pivot' nature of the drift-connectors), though as you can see it's also on the straight.

[DMHexer]

Here's photos of the Blue & Red cars. Admittedly (to my eyes) they're looking a little dirty, though the red in particular looks clean - and it's not been touched since the previous video. Also as mentioned keep in mind this is after a fix-up from the shop, they're not the original threads.

/media/tinymce_upload/20141231_142352.jpg 

/media/tinymce_upload/20141231_142408.jpg

[RumbleO]

Hi DMHexer, and welcome to the Forum. Looking at the pictures, I would say that the braids are laying too flat. The braids need to brush the metal rails as the car travels tound the track. Ease the braids away from the guide blade about 15 degrees. I hope that helps.

[DMHexer]

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the feedback and help you've given. The cars were given a good clean, the braids eased away and spread.

However... the track continues to be plagued with issues. They may run a few laps well, though inevitably grind to a halt. It requires *constant* attention in order to 'give the car a little push' each time it stops, and even then it's not guaranteed.

A product of this calibre and cost simply should not require such ongoing maintenance new out of the box. I'm tempted to return it to the shop for further investigation, but no. The boy is now no longer interested in it, as he knows what we face when I break it out, and has sadly lost his passion and fun-factor for it completely. Quite unfortunate, given it was a Christmas big-item. I'll be asking for my money back, OR a 'guaranteed' set that will work.

Regarding a refund, do I administer this directly to Scaletrix (the company), or administer it through the shop I bought it through?

Kind Regards,

Rob Williams (AU). 

[Owain-1208214]

I’ve just stumbled across this post from a while ago!

Did you ever try putting grit 100 sandpaper across a section of track, dropping the front wheels/braids just in front of the paper and spinning the rear wheels onto the sandpaper? Removes the harder, less grippy outer layer of rubber. It also levels out the sometimes u-shaped profile of the new tyre profile, so that the whole tyre width touches the track. If the same size wheels, one can switch front tyres to the rear wheels and repeat.

Dusting or hoovering the track before use helps stop dust build-up on the braids. You’d be amazed at how much dust accumulates on the track over a short time... even in a clean house.

Drag out that track again.

[Scuderia Scalextric]

I had a similar issue with the old Drift set (2 x Nissans), which I bought second hand some years ago, mainly for the track. One car always seemed to stutter as well, so I placed a small weight inside under the bonnet to help keep a bit of pressure on the guide blade (nothing more complicated than blue tack and some 2p coins! Could affect the handling, but the magnet was moveable on these cars, so could experiment with different set ups). Helped both cars, although one still seemed to stutter a bit. I don't know if loosening or tightening the guide blade screw would also help (assuming your cars also have a screw)?