xJTORC builds an indoor micro crawler course

[xjtorc]

The desire for an indoor crawler course has always been tucked away deep inside me. After acquiring an SCX30 for Christmas, I knew what had to be done. I quickly turned my office into an episode of Hoarders as I started collecting cardboard and trash to execute my vision.

The plan:
Build a table out of 2x4s and plywood filled with obstacles made of different media and techniques. I've been studying this subject matter at YouTube University for years now. Time to see how much I learned. There will be a lip around the tabletop so I can utilize some real dirt and rocks while keeping it off the carpet. Risk of wife kicking my butt if I ruin the carpet is high.

The beginning dimensions of the table will be 3' x 8' and I want it to be 2-3 feet off the ground. I have room to grow in my basement, so it may grow wider, or end up in an L shape.

Obstacles:
Some obstacles will be made out of junk. Some will be 3D printed. Some may be fishtank accessories if I find the right deal on Facebook Marketplace. I'm going to be doing the plaster cloth technique on some obstacles. Everything will be painted to match with texturized "stone" spray paint. The SCX30 climbs up raw cardboard at 40+ degrees so I doubt texture induced traction loss will be much of an issue.

Much like all of my projects, vehicle builds included, this one will be fluid. Meaning I don't know what will change as I learn and improve my skills along the way.

Progress:
Work has begun with a proof of concept over under hill/bridge. I need to test my hand at the plaster cloth technique which I've never done before. As I started building, I realized I've also never welded cardboard with a glue gun or used spray foam to create tiny rock obstacles...so it was all new. I'm almost ready for plaster cloth after some trimming of the spray foam to make some hard edges and to make the tunnel passable lol.

I've also started printing a set of terrain tiles that I downloaded from Cults3d here. Not sure if or how I'll integrate them into the build but if I do end up using them, they will be plaster clothed and painted just like everything else. I'm printing them at 300mm/s out of the leftover/junk PLA in my drawer...so they aren't pretty but the non-ironed top layers did produce a cool topo-line look.

More to come!

 

[Spksh]

Making model railroads cool again

 

[BustedAw11]

I'm here for this. I also want to do this soon. Been thinking about it a while. I've started printing different things to incorporate also

Can't wait to see where you take this!

 

[xjtorc]

Making model railroads cool again

Funny you say that. One day, while doom scrolling fb, an HO model railroad table with a really sweet scale mountain popped up in my feed. That was what made me want to do this and the idea has been bouncing around in my head for years. I've had 1/24s and felt like I couldn't make a course large enough to satisfy my itch. The size of the SCX30 is perfect for me to execute a fun course that I won't quickly grow tired of. The size is NOT perfect for working on the truck...but I'll adapt. Maybe...

 

[xjtorc]

Took a trip to Lowes earlier and loaded up the minivan with some lumber to get started on the table portion of the build. I quickly realized that I need to be able to place and visualize where things will be in order to maximize my build creativity. Having the table in place will help.

Made some cuts based on the rough drawing I scribbled on a note card and lugged everything down to the basement where it will live. Screwed the top down to the 1x4 supports before running out of time. I'm going to be on a work call until 3AM but I should be able to get some time to go down there and work on it a bit later tonight.

The plan is to have six 2x3 legs and a border wall around all 4 edges made out of 1x4s just to act as a barrier against any dirt, rocks, or whatever other media I decide to utilize. I'm going to build everything up on the table then, when a nice day comes around, carry it out the sliding door to my backyard where I can do all the painting in one sitting.

 

[Spksh]

Funny you say that.

Yeah, I recognise the techniques

One of my favourite tricks was using brush-on silicone to make a mould of an actual real rock, then cast multiples in plaster. The real texture looks great at any scale.

 

[xjtorc]

One of my favourite tricks was using brush-on silicone to make a mould of an actual real rock, then cast multiples in plaster. The real texture looks great at any scale.

Never seen that before! That's awesome.

 

[Spksh]

Never seen that before! That's awesome.

It’s about the only thing that model railroaders and wargamers can agree on

 

[Doom!]

Took a trip to Lowes earlier and loaded up the minivan with some lumber to get started on the table portion of the build. I quickly realized that I need to be able to place and visualize where things will be in order to maximize my build creativity. Having the table in place will help.

View attachment 261439

Made some cuts based on the rough drawing I scribbled on a note card and lugged everything down to the basement where it will live. Screwed the top down to the 1x4 supports before running out of time. I'm going to be on a work call until 3AM but I should be able to get some time to go down there and work on it a bit later tonight.

The plan is to have six 2x3 legs and a border wall around all 4 edges made out of 1x4s just to act as a barrier against any dirt, rocks, or whatever other media I decide to utilize. I'm going to build everything up on the table then, when a nice day comes around, carry it out the sliding door to my backyard where I can do all the painting in one sitting.

View attachment 261440

I need a room with that much space! I could use the lego table too!

 

[xjtorc]

I need a room with that much space! I could use the lego table too!

My kids were still very young when we moved into this house, 5 years ago. They were SO excited to have an entire basement to themselves as a playroom. They would literally go down there to run laps, bounce off the walls, and play until they passed out.

Fast forward a couple years; they're too old and too cool to go down there and play nowadays...so I will instead!

 

[xjtorc]

Nothing better than midnight conference calls, coffee, and sawdust!

 

[xjtorc]

 

[xjtorc]

Had to do it lol.

 

[Spksh]

Had to do it lol.

“Free gift with every purchase”

 

[RudyF6]

Looks like it is that easy being green!

 

[xjtorc]

Installed the bordering edge today. Also gathered my supplies, cardboard, and recyclables that will be worked into the project.

Started mocking up the foundation of a big, main feature mountain for the left side of the table.

 

[xjtorc]

Very slowly chugging along. The huge mountain on the left is slowing me down because I want it to work and make sense. I also have a lot of cool ideas that I struggle with bringing to reality lol.

 

[Doom!]

No rush, take your time and work through it (ok not as much time as the comp fox!). Remember you can always make running changes or add on as you go. Off to a good start!

 

[TeknoJ]

I can't wait to receive a gray bronco and turn it into a Datsun 620.

 

[xjtorc]

Once the foam starts flying, things start making sense. Or perhaps it’s just the fumes speaking…

Still have to finish up a few spots of foam, then it’ll be time for the plaster cloth. For the part of the big mountain that looks like a ski jump, I want to make some sort of bridge over to the smaller pile of junk on the right side. I have to look around at other builds for some ideas.