Wooden car ramp

[Shep]

Birthday present for our daughter Molly. Made a wooden car back and forth ramp out of scrap pine. Complete with two cars that flip as they exit each level. Inside track is made of 1/8" hardboard for smooth ride. Track is 1 x 3" pine that was hollowed out with dado to remove interior for track. Couple coats of poly for finish. Track also works with marbles

[atgcpaul]

Now that looks fun! Nice job.

Paul

[twistsol]

That looks great! I'm sure she'll have tons of fun with it.

[phrog]

Fantastic. Could I have permission to use that design to build one for my nephew's children? Did you experiment with angles for the best ride? What angle did you use?
Richard

[Ed62]

Looks like that will keep Molly busy for a while. Nice job!

Ed

[cabinetman]

Great ramp. A project that will keep her busy. It qualifies as a future heirloom.
.

[Shep]

Fantastic. Could I have permission to use that design to build one for my nephew's children? Did you experiment with angles for the best ride? What angle did you use?
Richard

Permission granted. I had to experiment to find the right setup. The angles are about 15 degrees, but since it was a one off design, each ramp is slightly different. I built the ramp first then built the cars to fit. If you're going to build one I recommend leaving as little drop as possible. The larger the drop the less likely the car will stick the landing. Also, be a little long on the landing area to help right the car on the track. If you look at the pictures the bottom transition is the one the works the best (shortest drop and longest landing area) The others work ok, but only have an 85% success rate. Another suggestion would be the wooden pegs you use. I forgot to account for this and the cars would get stuck. Since adding the hardboard track, the pegs are above the pine rail, thus a lot less sticking.

Molly had her birthday party yesterday, and after seeing how much her cousin liked it, I'll be building more soon.

[crokett]

Very very nice work and a clever design. I will remember this one. I often wish my girls liked things like this. Oh well, maybe my nephew will. Can I borrow your design also?

[lrogers]

Now that just looks too COOL!

[phrog]

Permission granted. I had to experiment to find the right setup. The angles are about 15 degrees, but since it was a one off design, each ramp is slightly different. I built the ramp first then built the cars to fit. If you're going to build one I recommend leaving as little drop as possible. The larger the drop the less likely the car will stick the landing. Also, be a little long on the landing area to help right the car on the track. If you look at the pictures the bottom transition is the one the works the best (shortest drop and longest landing area) The others work ok, but only have an 85% success rate. Another suggestion would be the wooden pegs you use. I forgot to account for this and the cars would get stuck. Since adding the hardboard track, the pegs are above the pine rail, thus a lot less sticking.

Molly had her birthday party yesterday, and after seeing how much her cousin liked it, I'll be building more soon.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be building one soon.
Richard

[iceman61]

Very nice! A miniature pinewood derby race.

[Shep]

Very very nice work and a clever design. I will remember this one. I often wish my girls liked things like this. Oh well, maybe my nephew will. Can I borrow your design also?

Be my guest.

That will be $25............................................... ..Just kidding.

[John Hunter]

I bet Molly really enjoys it! Nice job.

[footprintsinconc]

i've got to show this to my son, he will be excited. looks great!

[JoeyGee]

How did you make those cars? It looks like just a block of wood with wood axles. Is it that simple? What about the wheels? Did you turn them, or did you use some craft-type wheels?

Great and simple design, I really like it.