Rollercoaster model help

Coaster · 29-04-2007

Hi, this is my first post, so hi. Great forum by the way. I am planning to construct a model of a working rollercoaster in high detail. I am starting by making the wheel mechanism. Now to give you an idea, there are 12 wheels per train. 2 on top 2 at the side and 2 below on both sides. The mechanism I am wanting to make will be in the style of a Bolliger & Mabillard Dive Machine.

Now I need some help on the best way to construct the wheel mechanism. It needs to be very strong. I thought about casting resin, but have no knowledge on this atall. Is it strong? what do you think will be the best method to construct this. Is there a type of metal I could bend into shape, but would be strong. To give you an idea of size, the top wheels, which I am using bearings for, are 22mm.
I hope you can help as this is frustrating me.
Thanks in advance.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 30-04-2007

Howdy Coaster,

Well, being a machinist and knowing that 22mm is approx 7/8", I would suggest that you try "Galvanized flat sheet metal Brackets" similar to the ones below. (The ones below are bent, but most any place that sells the bent ones, will have flat ones that you can bend yourself).

You can purchase these type brackets at most any hardware store in various sizes.
You would probably want to purchase the "flat" ones and bend as needed....something similar to the sketch below.

Have a good day and I hope this helps,

Greg aka GW

**Bunkerbarge** · 30-04-2007

Hi Coaster and a warm welcome to the forum. Certainly an intriguing project you are taking on there. One thing that caught my attention was when you said it needs to be strong.

Is this going to be a working model then and if so what sort of scale are we talking about?

As Greg says hardware stores are a good source of the type of brackets yoyu are after but if you need more specific shapes you may have to consider purchasing some sheet metal and bending it yourself.

If it was purely a static model I would suggest plasticard sheet but I get the impression that you have something a bit more ambitious up your sleeve.

new to trains · 30-04-2007

resin casting may be suitable, depends on scale though !- there are some strong resins out there, if you plan to make several of these items then resin may be a good method, but look at the type of resin some cure quickly others are developed for their post cure strength- others are semi flexible and have a hard rubber feel once cured..... so do some web based research first,

check out alec tiranti or amber composites for resin details.....

good luck with this project, sounds interesting ( and i work in a themepark !)

jankers · 30-04-2007

As per New to Trains,

Check Alec Tiranti, in particular, the oxide additions you can add to resin.
I've not tried them myself but would tend to go for the epoxy resin over the polyester variety as the later can be easily chipped.

J.

Coaster · 02-05-2007

Wow thanks for all your help. I think i'm gonna go for the resin option. That way I can get whatever shape I want. I must research now as to which one to go for.