Reuse weights?

[datnr]

Does anyone have a way to stick weights in so that they are solid for racing, but you could easily move them to a new car? I am thinking of trying silicon caulk as the adhesive.

 

[Ryanh]

From what I have read most people suggest the aluminum duct tape you can buy at a hardware store.

 

[ninjarabbi1997]

We have a routed out pocket on the bottom of the cars. We turn the car upside down, arrange the cubes how we want them, and then put crazy glue (the liquid, not the gel) on the cubes. I trace all the spaces between the cubes with the tip while squirting. Let dry.

The crazy glue will get in all the gaps an keep them there nice and tight. You don't want the weights vibrating, that takes energy and will slow the car down. I usually cover the bottom of the car with aluminum duct tape.

When we are done with that car, a good smack or two with the car on a wood block and they come out. Drop the cubes in denatured alcohol for a bit and it takes the glue off of the cubes.

 

[E.T.Racing]

I have used a very thin double stick tape to hold the weights in place then tape over with the aluminum tape they will not move if the weight pocket is only 1/4" deep to match the cubes.

 

[datnr]

Thanks guys, have used Elmers and Gorilla Glue. Gorilla = bad! I may try to pop the weights out of the Elmers car for reuse. The ability to clean off the Crazy Glue though is a good tip

 

[DNA RACING]

i made all my cars with epoxyed in cubes last year, now i use no glue and just the stainless steel muffler repair tape. holds them in without allowing them to move at all, and easy to remove them.

 

[pwddc]

I thought I had seen a post on how to apply the aluminum tape to cover the weight pockets of a plank car. In it was recommended that the tape wrap up around the back end and over the top by ¼” to provide extra securing of the weights.

Here is my confusion. That would mean that ¼” of foil tape would show on the top back of the car. But, I don’t see anybodies cars having any tape showing. So, is that because most people don’t wrap it over the top, or is everybody using Monokote now instead?

 

[~JBD RACING~]

I use 3m double sided tape

 

[DEW36]

I thought I had seen a post on how to apply the aluminum tape to cover the weight pockets of a plank car. In it was recommended that the tape wrap up around the back end and over the top by ¼” to provide extra securing of the weights.

Here is my confusion. That would mean that ¼” of foil tape would show on the top back of the car. But, I don’t see anybodies cars having any tape showing. So, is that because most people don’t wrap it over the top, or is everybody using Monokote now instead?

My car had some of the aluminum tape wrap over the top.

 

[GravityX]

I use the method you describe here on some of my cars, others I get creative with the tape. It's hard to notice it in the videos though. It will appear as a white or silvery strip at the back end of the car, depends how the light it hitting it.

I thought I had seen a post on how to apply the aluminum tape to cover the weight pockets of a plank car. In it was recommended that the tape wrap up around the back end and over the top by ¼” to provide extra securing of the weights.

 

[Chief]

click on the nationals tab and check out the pics...you might see what you need

 

[TedBull]

I was so glad to hear about this method from the guys here. Here are some pictures to show you how its done.

1. A top shot to show you how the metal tape mounts on the back and top.

2. Then wrap it around and make sure its square on all sides. You will have to cut the width to fit before peeling the tape and applying.

3. And this shows you how strong this tape is. I don't use anything but the tape and have no concerns about anything coming loose. Its durable enough that you can pull it off, re tune your weight and stick it back down.

 

[pwddc]

Thanks to all of you for your help and examples.

 

[IAE Racing]

Something I tried was I took my two inch role of tape to the bandsaw and made it narrower.