5 replies to this topic

[Knexrule11]

Hey guys!

I've been noticing for some time, the way you layer your crossties and flex rods makes a difference on your coaster, in looks, shaping, and support. I have also noticed most coasters that are popular, are made using a single layering method. I will show you how to make it below.

You will start out with 6 crossties, and 5 flex rods


Take your 6 crossties, and clip one flex rod on to them like this


Then space them evenly


Now take a flex rod, and connect it to 2 crossties on a end of the other side


Take a second flex rod, and connect it to the other 4 crossties like this


Now do the opposite in the middle, one flex rod connected to 2 crossties on the end, and then a second flex rod connected to the other 4 crossties



Now you have your start for your track


To continue your track, you just take 2 crossties and 1 flex rod


Place the 2 crossties right here



Then connect the flex rod to the open clips of the 2 crossties


You just continue doing that for your whole coaster.



One of the benefits of this layering method is that you can bend it whatever direction you want without any problems



Compared to having to build this as a curve instead of just bending it (same with most methods of max crosstie), which causes the ladders to become non-parallel. This method makes your track look sloppy in my opinion, and the crossties are not spaced evenly.


Max crossties can be hard to shape/build with. If not done right, it can look sloppy. And this method will eat up your crossties fast.



When comparing all three, I think the spacing method that I've showed you to make looks and performs the best by far. It also doesn't eat your peices as fast as the max crosstie method, and it has all the strength you'll need.



I hope this tutorial has helped you guys.
-KR11

[-=TK=-]

I think that this is a good way to show the new builders on the site how to layer your flexis. You could also make a part 2 version of this tutorial with the same thing as you did this tutorial, but then with more stiff rods, like long gray rods

-=Tk=-

[LaMbChOpZ]

I really like it. I know I try to do this the best I can, but it just never turns out right, so hopefully this will help out a lot of new members!

[~stεεlspectrum~]

This is exactly the way I build track for all my coasters. Great tutorial, KR, I think this will help a lot of newer builders.

[RCD4]

cool, I'll use it for my next coaster, I was using something sort of like that but the number of X-ties to flexies was different. Great tutorial, lets hope a lot of people see this, they could all benefit.

[maarten12]

This is exactly the way I build track for all my coasters. Great tutorial, KR, I think this will help a lot of newer builders.

Same for me, it really helps to keep the space between the cross ties even. Very good tutorial by the way.