Hey Young and old! Since I obviously managed to creep every one out recently, I thought I might do something productive, like a review.
Recently I bought an AJ's stabilizer from Ray and a set of Super II side weights. Not even knowing what the stabilizer was, I said "What the heck!. I could see by the picture that it was similar to the the Super II side weights. Today I had a little down time, so I tried the the two. As expected the Super II weights worked great on my test chassis with the 4.6 ohm armature, but it left something to be desired on my 14.1 ohm car. Yes, the car handled well, but the extra weight made it sluggish in the straight away. I then decided to try the stabilizer on my slower chassis.
After I figured out how it mounted I was pleasantly surprised by the increased handling, without a noticable change in the top speed. I would without reservation recommend a stabilizer to anyone. I'll be looking to buy a few more in the future. I thought I might share.
By the way both cars were non mag. Please tell us about similar experiences. Happy Motoring! Serge
AJ's Also...
Submitted by mgbbrown on Thu, 12/17/2009 - 18:52.Serge; AJ's also made an Iso-Floatation pan for the early AFX non-magnatraction chassis. I found it to drag the track surface and to also not be as effective as the Stabilizer. Thanks for the info! God Bless! Tony
mgbbrown
Floatation pan
Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Thu, 12/17/2009 - 19:01.Tony, Dragging on the track surface is a never ending problem. I've been experimenting with different rim and tire combos. I just happened to be on the supertire web site a few minutes ago, and I think the answer might be there. I'll keep you posted.
Serge
Recent content
Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Thu, 12/17/2009 - 20:06.After this post I noticed the subjects in the Related Content box. What an awesome tool!
Once again,"Way to go Ray!"
I'm trying
Submitted by Admin on Thu, 12/17/2009 - 20:32.Just know it is a constant battle. There are software developers around the globe constantly making the software "better". I've learned "better" is relative, and sometimes means one step forward and ten steps back. I've got a very long list of bugs and features to add...today I upgraded to the next version which was full of security fixes. Could have easily gone south in a moment, but thankfully was a breeze.
Keep Me Posted!
Submitted by mgbbrown on Thu, 12/17/2009 - 19:22.Thanks Serge-the runs were made at Riverside with a winged Auto World McLaren shod with period AJ's foamies in the rear-probably the fattest thing out there in the olden days of AFX. If I were at my house in Rougemont I would provide a picture. Sharon Ann is heading to check on things tomorrow so maybe she can pick up my two AFX Pit Kits. God Bless! Tony
mgbbrown
Tire sizes
Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Thu, 12/17/2009 - 20:31.Tony, Typically a .474 tire size is the smallest I can use on any AfX I own. Of course when I go to the club races that's a different story. The rails on a plastic home track are pretty tall.That's just what it is. Super Tire makes a .490 and a .510 which are both designed for specialty vehicles. That might work.
S
Question
Submitted by Kelly Morman on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 00:09.Serge, I noticed you mounted that to a non magna-traction chassis, how do you think it handles compared to a bare magna traction chassis. I am responding as a representative of the younger group you addressed. I have not quiet reached the half century mark.
K
Well...
Submitted by Admin on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 00:12.I guess I'll just have to group you in with the old folks then! ;) I'm a ways behind ya..
Riddle
Submitted by Kelly Morman on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 10:42.As of Sunday I will be as close to the half century mark as you can get without being there. You can group me wherever you want, I'm just happy to be here
Tough question
Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 10:12.Kelly, that's a tough one. I'm going to say that the non mag with the stabilizer is faster on my track. Why? Because the totally stock magnet cars I own, won't even stay on my track. Totally stock is really not a good decription because all my stock cars are equiped with super tires. With axle weights and the right body, the magnet cars are faster with comparable armatures.
You need to understand, it's only because of this site that I even own AFX non mag cars. You guys have gotten my attention. Being curious by nature, I had to have some. I've just started experimenting with them, so I may not be the best critic. To confuse matters, some of my very modified T Jets will blow the stock AFX's off the track. I hope that helps a little.
Serge
Clarify
Submitted by Kelly Morman on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 10:39.Serge, my bad on not being more clear in what I was asking. When I mentioned stock magna-traction I was lookng for a comparison of the magna-traction chassis with no add ons such as the weights or stabilizer, just the pull of the exposed magnets compared to the additions you did to the non-mag chassis. I have never tried any weights on a non-mag chassis. I do have a couple of non-mags that will haul but don't tend to hang in the curves as well as the magna-traction. But, one would assume thats why they converted to the magna-traction. I cut out a tjet chassis to expose the magnets reflective to a magna-traction and it did make positive difference in the way it hung in the corners. I have all the parts to build a true Super II but have not had time to put it all together and see how it performs, but from what I have read and heard they run like crazy but don't seem to handle all that well.
Thanks for the reply, K
Experiment
Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 13:18.Kelly, I think building a Super II is a great idea. You can see from the picture of the Baja Bugs that I've been experimenting with components found on the Super II's. I know the aluminium rims are knock offs but I think they are helping me get the overall picture. Both cars are mean green powered and both have early magna traction chassis with matched magnets and JL pick-ups. In my opinion the rims make the single biggest difference. The weights a close second. I'm currently building two more bugs to make an IROC set. The idea is that I'll be able to determine the best combo on my track.
That non mag car from my blog "The Creeps" is sick fast. I haven't even taken it apart to see what makes it tick. I'm sure weights on that car would make it even better.
I can't see why this stuff wouldn't work on a non mag car as well.
Go for it, Kelly, I think you are on the right track!
Serge
Aluminum Rims
Submitted by Kelly Morman on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 14:03.I love the aluminum wheels, I have bought a LOT off of the bay this year, I am confident that on some applications they are on bonus and I sure like the way they look. I have been slowly working on a good way to polish them. On my cars that I really want to trick I chuck the axles up in a small lathe and check them with a dial indicator for trueness. The bugs look sharp!
New Rims
Submitted by Admin on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 14:11.I just bought some aluminum rim sets from Model Motoring - 4 rims, 4 tires, 2 axles for 9.99. I'll show them off here but have been waiting for some other orders to show up.
sell'n or keep'n
Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 18:20.So Ray, You gunna give some of those up!
I paid retail
Submitted by Admin on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 18:23.So...you may as well get the same great price straight from Harrison: https://plus43.safe-order.net/model-motoring/store/c487.html :) I only got 4 sets for now - I wish my other orders would get here...well over 3 weeks now for arms, mags, gears...ugh.
Geez Ray!
Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 18:59.I know how it goes sometimes. I was Just trying to support one of my best slot car contacts,YOU! It'll happen. UPS just guaranteed me a ground package (no frills) to New Orleans by Wednesday, this happened this afternoon. There is still hope!
S
Polishing Those Rims
Submitted by mgbbrown on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 18:14.Kelly; Put some Mothers Aluminum Polish (Walmart Automotive Department) on a Q-Tip and touch the rim while it is spinning with power applied and the rear wheels off the track surface of course. They should polish up nicely. You can true the silicones with fine emory sandpaper at the same time. God Bless! Tony
mgbbrown