clifford show roadway project
 

Hi guys, we need to come up with a roadway sysem for clifford, does anyone have any ideas? last years worked (kind of) in a pinch but I think it would be good if we came up with some sort of "standard" so everyone could make a few panels or whatever that will all join up .

whats everyone think? also have to take into account how sharkeys inspection station will connect and possibly other buildings / units.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Just curious Shawn.... Do you still have the sheets from last year?
I'm assuming we want to change the layout from last year? How about each of us make up a simple sketch of what we think would work? Then we can figure out who can make what and bring it all together?

Mario

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

So I said a simple drawing so dont laugh at my purty drawring...lol

Working from last years set up i thought it would be nice to just add a few things. Exact locations can vary of course. The gravel pit thing is for my new loader and dump trailer. Of course i will build and bring those areas:D. I thought 2 areas for hauling from one point to another back and forth. I thought a staging area would be nice to keep human traffic on the layout to a minimum.
Lets talk! whats good, whats bad??

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psdc08b8e7.png

Mario

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

a roundabout? are you crazy those things suck lol (jk), ya mario I like the looks of that, so from what i see its about the same length as last year but maybe twice as wide? I still have the old panels but i think they are not worth using, too thin and will likely warp bad again like last time. also, how to join them? I think last years method would work if we used actual plywood instead of chip board for the pieces underneath.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

This girl thinks you guys are doing a wonderful job and I will sit back and look pretty while you guys exercise your brains and muscles..lol..Shawn, have you talked Jen into operating some of your RC's so I'm not the only woman....

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LOL Mama Sue, she wont, shes afraid of damaging one of them or someone elses ( even tho ive told her a million times she'd be fine), my daughter wants to in the worst way but shes only 6 and so far ive only let her drive around trailerless. My brother is getting married this summer and is talking of doing it that weekend! nothing in stone yet tho! Ill find a way to pull it all off....

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Roundabout? Yup, it's gonna be around about 25C , sunny skies and a great event :) lol

I figured it would be better to add width instead of length to the course. That was 2 nice straight stretches last year, way longer than the roads at the Indy event ( except for cruising the hallways of the Marriott which was a blast:D )
Anyway, twice as wide would be ideal. I know that's a lot more lumber but to have at least a 4 ft expansion instead of 8?
Another thing, if Dwayne brings his real truck that means we have compressed air which means I can bring a nail gun for any on site assembly. We should try and use last years material which is already bought and paid for and yes, if we use something like a 1X6 to secure the sheet joints the uneven edges won't happen? This way, the cost of this years layout is only an expansion instead of a complete revamp. Plywood is great but it's not cheap:eek:

I'm sure all your plans will work out Shawn. Remember how one minute I wasn't going to make it to the show and at the last minute things worked out:):);):D

Mario

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Dwayne, is there any chance they would let us use the covered picnic area so we wouldn't have to struggle with the uneven ground???

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Sorry Mike, I talked to Dwayne, it ain't gonna happen.
Even a flat dirt surface would work, the sheets could be so much thinner , lighter, cheaper....the reason for last years location was for exposure to the crowds as we were in the center of it all.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

it would be nice to have enough of those pop up tents to cover the entire area I for one was roasted at the end of the day and spent more time in my tent due to the heat than I really wanted too... wonder how much trouble it would be to get a big tent.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

I was wondering the same thing...It would add overhead protection from the sun/heat and maybe keep the ground a bit cooler..Just wasn't sure about price or what's in the area.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

I agree sharkey, problem here is nobody knows how to use them, and I find alot of them are too small. Theres two that we drive through saturday going to market and they are so small rigs end up hopping curbs just to get around them! our truck is ok (26' freightliner) but I feel sorry for the rig drivers.

on the roadway topic, I still have all the old panels, tarped up outside, have to see if they are still useable. I think they would be ok if we had a better joining method. maybe we sould arrange a get together like Rev suggested in his other thread, we could try some stuff out....

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Hi guys,

I don't know what your panels look like or how you had them arranged so I might be way off here, but what about making a temple and using a router to make a duel dovetail shape? Like this: http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/person...erflyjoint.jpg

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Shawn those trucks running over the curbs on the inside of the roundabouts is exactly the way they are supposed to work and exactly how they were designed...I had to sit through a city planning meeting last year on how they are built and why they are designed the way they are...however tons of people don't know what they are doing once inside them, that is true. Personally I love them, just like Sharkey says they keep the traffic moving!

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Heres a few pics from last years show. You can see the dishing of the sheets and the edges were killer if you caught one going too fast:eek:
it worked fine for the first few hours but then the sun was so hot that day it warped the boards and melted anyone standing in it!
Yeah, some type of tent would be nice but it would need to be pretty big to cover the entire course:eek:
Susan and I did purchase the exact same canopy that you guys have and i think we can borrow another from a friend which gets us up to 5 canopys ?

anyway, heres the pics of what was a decent first time track and a great time!:D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps91ecf1d5.jpg

Notice alot of bumpers are lower than the boards, trucks are leaning...:D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2504e8af.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...pse2055b42.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8b560655.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psc677e517.jpg

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Roundabouts are the reason my trailer runs on the sidewalk, they are poorly engineered, and too small for the Neighborhood.
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

whatever we do guys ...using the covered concrete slab is out of the question..the park is owned by the rotary club and they get revenue from the beer and food tents there and we cannot ask them for it ..like last year the prez is going to give us the same area i believe so we are in the middle of the park.it is fast approaching so we need to figure out something very soon and get started on it.:)

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

i think the old panels may work if we change the way they are joined. last year we used strips of particle board about 8 inches wide underneath , the probelm was the screws pulled out after a while. I think if we used wider strips of actual plywood so teh screws have something to bite into it may be better? between the different material and larger overlap it may fix the dishing, whats everyone think?

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

What about those double c clips that are used on roofing sheets of plywood or particle board? Hope some of the carpenters will chime in!
Cheers, Neil.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

That's exactly what I was thinking of Neil! I thought they called them H clips but ya, like a double C to hold the sheets in place. We could drill a small hole through them and screw into sheets.
What exactly are they called so when I go to the hardware store the guy knows what I'm talkin bout?

Mario

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

I've heard them called H-clips and sheathing clips, although there are probably other names for them.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

what about building a table type set up out of 2x4s? something to get it off the ground?

I wasnt at clifford last year. I hope to get out this year. how big was the area?

I could probably get a sheet or 2 of plywood, make it into a truck stop or something.

I have a 1/2 ton and access to a few different trailers (1:1 scale lol) if needed.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

the layout was about 64x20 if i remember correctly? a table would be out of the question I would think. im pretty sure it was 8 sheets of plywood long but cant remeber the width for sure

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...psc677e517.jpg[/QUOTE]

I count 8 sheets X 4 sheets. So if we add to that we need to go 8X6 sheets would be ideal. Which means we need another 8 sheets at least or minimum of 6.
I keep forgetting to go to Rona and check on those clips:eek::(:rolleyes:
For sure this weekend!

Mario

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

sorry, not a table, just a 2x4 frame under neath the plywood to make it a bit more rigid, and allow it to be leveled out some with shims or whatever may be available. so if each member could get together a sheet of ply wood and 3 8ft 2x4s, (2 lengthwise and one cut in half, to make 2 across) there'd be a pretty decent roadway layed out.

just an idea.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Heck...

Even 2x2's would be enough. You just put the 'stiffener' joints in the middle of each sheet of ply.

When I made my game table (BattleTech) I used 2x4's, and placed heavy door hinges at the corners so I could easily dis-assemble the beast. Thats another option, square-frame each 'section', wait until ya get to the meet, then mount the hinges to 'mate' the stiffened sections.

And I agree, a full trestle invites too much movement if bumped, and trucks going 'Off the Edge of the Earth' so to speak. But just an underframe would definately eliminate that warpage.

Sealing the boards might help too, as I'd bet that was caused by the moisture of the grass/ground under them, and the heat/sunlight above.

Just some idle observations,
WhiteWolf

PS: when/where is this show? Its not in the thread...

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

This show is called the great lakes classic truck and car show.its huge and put on by the actual truck club i am a member of with my real kenworth.i talked to the prez when i joined 2 years ago and mentioned that i build and run r/c trucks i sent him a few pictures and like alot of folks he never knew they existed.he asked me to bring one of mine to a meet and greet at another members house.i did and the camera phones were going off like crazy.i told him i know some other guys that have the trucks also and would it be okay to invite them to the show.he said it would be okay just let him know who is coming as they charge admission to get in.and i would need to be there so the guys would get in free if they were coming to join in the mini truck show within the show.if any of you can and want to come out and run your stuff please let ME know in advance so i can let the club know about you.they enjoyed this last year so much that the prez would like to have us back again this year and possibly every year there after..the show is held every july 1st weekend,there is camping allowed on site and some local hotels give great rates because of the show.it is held in clifford ontario,a small little one horse town and the folks welcome us because they like to see all of the trucks and the fact that we behave when we are in their town

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

The area that he chose to give us puts us smack in the middle of the park that way everyone can find us. The area is all grass with a little uneven spots i mean after all its a park.the area we were in last year will probably be where we will be again this year. Its not too bad but i think the biggest issue here is the boards were curling up from the heat.you have to expect that because its cheap pressed wood which is exactly what it says...pieces of wood pressed together.i think if we all chipped in got some plywood and a decent way to join them we would have no problems this year.that and keeping off of them or if you need to walk on it..pick the middle of the board and not at the weakest part which is the joints.plywood is very stiff and strong and a solid thickness which will give the clips/screws something to bite into and it will be thick enough to withstand warping from the heat.thats my opinion. Laying it out on the ground will be fine. Any uneven spots under it will be fine because plywood is stiff and its only our trucks running on it and the plywood will stay rigid.if we are going to do this we need to plan the layout and get together a few weekends soon as weather gets good and build it.if we spend alittle bit of money and do it right. I am sure we can reuse it over and over again not just for clifford but for all of the venues that we attend

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Ok, so who all is willing to go in on the cost? I know I am (to a point, funds are not unlimited lol), what about doing a design layout and each member is responsible for a certain area?

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

I'm willing to chip in some cash for sure. I plan on bringing a couple sheets for the gravel pit area I have in mind but I really don't want to haul a truckload of plywood 1,000 km :eek: So a little more cash donation is better for me.
Put me down for $75.
If 6 people chip in 50 each, that 300 will go along way for along time as Dwayne mentioned. Pay once, enjoy many times:)

Come on guys, there are a lot more people on this forum who live within reasonable range of this event than there was last year. I would consider it a disappointment if we don't have more than 6 attend:(

I don't want to sound like I'm putting a price tag on donation expectations either. The 50 dollar thing was just a number. Anything to help the cause but only what a person can spare helps.

This year, Susan and I plan on booking extra days off, drive down a day early, and camp out at the fairgrounds. Making a camping , RC show kinda trip...lol
Looking forward to seeing you guys again and lots of new faces:)



Mario

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

shawn the problem I see with your idea of each taking a piece and completing it is that if the project is not done at the same time with everyone who can attend actually being there, the likelihood of the parts all meshing and looking decent are in my opinion slim to none. I agree that we do need some decent plywood for starters and would be willing to chip in some cash, as always we would be able to set up a work bee at the fairgrounds like we did last year that way we could have it either indoors or outside depending on the weather. thoughts???

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

ya we should set something up REV, ill chip in for sure, looks like im unable to attend this year tho, my brothers planned his wedding for that weekend :(

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Obviously your brother don't like Rc trucks eh? :rolleyes:;):)

Sorry to hear Shawn, won't be the same without ya man:(
I was looking forward to showing you our new toys:D:)

Well, that settles it. Your just going to have to make plans for the Indy show:D


Mario

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

when is Indy? I'd have to get a passport!

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

August

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http://rctruckandconstruction.com/showthread.php?t=5006

what about that set up? make the road more cost effective. could add scenery/roadside stuff at a later date.

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

Ive seen this one and yes, it would be great stuff at home in the back yard or on gravel but the grass at the location is very healthy and very thick:eek:

that brings up a good question.... if we could cut the grass prior to set up would help provide a better base? I dont think the fairground would mind if we did eh? lol

Mario

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

if you work at a CAT dealer....... can you bring a roller? LOL

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

For the cross-border travellers attending meets:

For us Canucks that are gonna travel south (like to Indy) on the ground, it seems all we need is this 'Extended Driver's Licence' thing. Cheaper and easier to get than a passport, apparently, and good for any ground transport. Check it out.

Mebbe you guys have something similar from your side of the 49th?

WhiteWolf

Re: clifford show roadway project
 

thats only (at the moment) in the state of florida. anywhere else all is good