1/16" Notch by the DFW

Hi Everyone,

I'm curious about the notch I've seen on the car body by the DFW. Does it make a rail riding car that much more effective? From what I have seen, it seems the advantage is that it helps further ensure that the rear wheel does not make contact with the center rail.

Also, does anyone have any advice/methods for effectively cutting that notch in the car body?

Thanks again for the help!

 

I just used a bandsaw, I think I did 3/32nds. I think 5Kids had a range listed. I've heard people sanding it with an inverted belt sander. If you don't have a bandsaw maybe a hacksaw as that cuts pretty straight.

 

If you don’t sand some of the side where the dominant front wheel is, then the rear wheel on that side will rub against the rail of the track. It will throw off your steer and increase friction substantially. If you can picture it on the track, the more you sand the side of the DFW, the closer you bring the wheel diagonal to it in the rear to the rail, furthering the rear wheel behind the DFW from the rail. I personally have a track that I can use to just sand the side until the rears are centered. I usually just sand or taper it.

If you do make a notch, I’d suggest a scroll saw or a band saw. I’ve only ever done it on a scroll saw and then cleaned it up with sandpaper. I think either 1/16 or 3/32 would be enough to get the rears to clear the rail.

 

I've had my kids use a file or a strip of wood with some sandpaper stuck to it. Worked pretty good.

 

I did recently get a band saw, I have some blocks I can practice on. Thanks.

 

I'll have to give the band saw a shot, I can always borrow a scroll saw too. Thanks.

 

That's not a bad idea, if I can't saw it out, I'll definitely give that a shot. Or I can see of my son can do the method you mentioned. Thanks.

 

I mark 1/16" on both sides and then draw a diagonal line from the front of the car, through the 1/16" mark and to the front of the first cross brace. That way the width of the front of the car is tapered a bit and both sides are the same. I use the round pad of a bench sander to remove material to the line.