BestTrack Alignment

[Crash Enburn]

Our church/troop has a 4-lane Besttrack. After the initial setup, there were gaps between some of the lanes on some sections. This year, before setting up the track, I brought a level to use as a straight-edge, loosened, aligned, and retightened the lanes in each section of track.

When we put the track back together, some lanes met each other flush, while others had small (1/64" - 1/32") gaps.

Should I set the track up such that the start section is as absolutely straight as I can make it, then align each successive lane up such that each lane is flush to the lane of the previous section (instead of as best aligned as I can get it to the lane next to it)?

This should have no effect on the timing as the start gate will still be straight, and the timing sensors will be a straight line as well — the distance from gate to timer will be consistent, regardless of whether one lane is shorter than the others by 1/4".

TIA.

 

[ngyoung]

I would focus most on getting all the seems flush for the vertical edges of the center rails then the horizontal track surface if you cant get both. At the least make sure going from start to finish that there isn't any seem that is higher then the previous. As long as all cars get a run in each lane it will be fine.

 

[OPARENNEN]

Use a tight guide string from start to finish. Lay out the track so one edge is absolute parallel to the string (or if you have access to a laser beam, use it). Tighten down the track joints, but keeping the track parallel to the guide string. Find those joints out of alignment, and then fix those.

 

[Crash Enburn]

I doubt that the track is not straight. The gaps look more like: --=-

And it is inconsistent. One section will look like that, and the next section break will look like -=--.

I think I answered my own question and will, at the next set up, try to get the start section aligned as best I can, and then align the subsequent sections based on the lane each is adjoining. So, the section edges may end up looking like _-_- , but I should end up w/o gaps.

I would focus most on getting all the seems flush for the vertical edges of the center rails

Good suggestion. I'll double-check the rails at each joint and make sure the lower rail is never sticking out compared to the upper.