Scalextric Help

Oishi

Member
Messages
825
Hey guys, I enjoyed slot cars as a youngster, but that was years ago. Looking at the really cool setups you guys are enjoying during the lockdown, has got me thinking of getting a set for my son and grandson. However, I have no clue where to start. Sooo…. a little help from you experts would be great. What should I be looking for as a starter set, what do I need to be sure is included with whatever I buy, how much to spend on a set, what accessories do I need? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Ed
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
You just need to get one of the sets that include everything you need to start. They start around £45 to £200 I think. The box sets will give you how much space you need so you buy the right size for where you want to put it......You can then always add to the layout by buying extra bits of track but the Scaletrix sets you buy will show you what tracks you can build with the set you buy. I bought a small Formula 1 sets which had a figure 8 track two cars, two hand controllers and power pack....That's all you need. We then added more track to make it bigger and more interesting.
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
What AndyK says, get a set as a starter comes with everything you need. I started with the Le Mans 24hr set (is was the biggest at the time) and have added tracks and cars since then. The decision these days is Digitalor not, the digital tracks look fun but you need digital cars or a chip fitted to non digital cars (not a big issue just something to think about).

My plans are to move to a 4 lane fixed setup in the loft of the new garage which will need me to but more track and some tight and wide radius curves but should be fun when complete (keep it a secret the wife doesn't know that part of the plan)
 

jayblue

Member
Messages
452
I got the Digital Platinum set a few years ago and we have had our moneys worth out it. It was expensive but when you start breaking down the costs its always much cheaper to buy a bigger boxed set to start with rather than adding to your collection as you go. I think the digital cars and track are well worth the extra money as being able change lanes at the press of a button makes the racing much more tactical and varied. Also nice to be able to run other cars even when no one else can play so your not just hot lapping.

Just make sure you are happy with what your getting before you buy would be my advice! When each piece of track is around £3-5 and cars are £30+ separately the price soon mounts up if you add things in later...
 

keith

Member
Messages
624
Here are a few pictures of my still not quite finished Scalextric (Digital) layout.
This is something I have been working on for years (beginning of 2014). Upon losing my job as a Currency Broker at the beginning of 2019, I have been able to spend a lot of free time and energy getting it finished. It has become almost a symbol of achievement, whilst I struggle to find a new career.
I custom built the baseboard, so even with the track and scenery, it will disassemble into four quarters, with the legs folding away.
All the track parts have individual feeds, and as it’s digital cross lane as well. The connector clips are modified at the end of each baseboard section to allow for disassembly. One of my priorities was always to ensure perfect operation of the cars and track, rather than the jerky operation that plagues so many slot track setups of the past. Also with everything fixed down and modelled in, it would cause major issues to have to lift track pieces.
coming from a background of model railways, albeit many years ago, I have attempted to achieve the same standard of scenic detail. A lot of the structures are scratch built or heavily modified and detailed kits, all with added lighting. For example the picture showing the TV studio/ commentary building (just recently completed) is entirely scratch built including the furniture and spot light. The TV CREW figures and camera like a lot of the other details are from ‘Slot Track Scenics’.
Some have said I should start a business building ready made layouts.., who knows!!
 

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Oishi

Member
Messages
825
Thanks guys, great advice, and keith, that setup is awesome!
Careful, buying cars can get addictive.
As you say that on a Maserati forum ;) I think that is actually the point, spend money on small ones, not big ones that have to come home on a rollback after the brake line ruptures :(. That was today, the good news is I managed to get the car stopped without hitting anything, and Scuderia Car parts had them for $18.
 

Wattie

Member
Messages
8,640
Here are a few pictures of my still not quite finished Scalextric (Digital) layout.
This is something I have been working on for years (beginning of 2014). Upon losing my job as a Currency Broker at the beginning of 2019, I have been able to spend a lot of free time and energy getting it finished. It has become almost a symbol of achievement, whilst I struggle to find a new career.
I custom built the baseboard, so even with the track and scenery, it will disassemble into four quarters, with the legs folding away.
All the track parts have individual feeds, and as it’s digital cross lane as well. The connector clips are modified at the end of each baseboard section to allow for disassembly. One of my priorities was always to ensure perfect operation of the cars and track, rather than the jerky operation that plagues so many slot track setups of the past. Also with everything fixed down and modelled in, it would cause major issues to have to lift track pieces.
coming from a background of model railways, albeit many years ago, I have attempted to achieve the same standard of scenic detail. A lot of the structures are scratch built or heavily modified and detailed kits, all with added lighting. For example the picture showing the TV studio/ commentary building (just recently completed) is entirely scratch built including the furniture and spot light. The TV CREW figures and camera like a lot of the other details are from ‘Slot Track Scenics’.
Some have said I should start a business building ready made layouts.., who knows!!
That is fabulous, great job!
 

Wattie

Member
Messages
8,640
I got the Digital Platinum set a few years ago and we have had our moneys worth out it. It was expensive but when you start breaking down the costs its always much cheaper to buy a bigger boxed set to start with rather than adding to your collection as you go. I think the digital cars and track are well worth the extra money as being able change lanes at the press of a button makes the racing much more tactical and varied. Also nice to be able to run other cars even when no one else can play so your not just hot lapping.

Just make sure you are happy with what your getting before you buy would be my advice! When each piece of track is around £3-5 and cars are £30+ separately the price soon mounts up if you add things in later...
Agree with this.
I bought this from Jadlam a few years ago, 4 Car set and added more cars, some more crossovers etc.
Great fun.67660