7 replies to this topic

[ggengar93]

Hello SSC!

I'v been been building micro coasters for a couple years now and I thought I would do something with my rippin' rocket and screamin' serpent sets. Sorry I didn't start posting earlier but I didn't want people telling me to start smaller and stuff.  So far I'v finished the launch, first airtime hill, first bank turn, second airtime hill, and the start of the second bank turn.  I would love help with the supports as I haven't had much experience with SS track. Also I could use some help perfecting the launch mechanism. I'll post a video as soon as I learn how.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

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[iAClipse]

From the picture I can't tell how your launch mechanism works. But it does look very creative. From the third picture the pullout from the first hill seems to be a little sharp. Try starting it sooner to make it more gradual. I can't really comment much on the second hill from the photos but it looks fairly smooth. How quickly does it make it over the 2 hills? I'm afraid you might run out of speed before you can make it back to the launch with the second turn being that long. The overall picture does look good though. Maybe get some side view shots of the two hills.

Edited by iAClipse, 25 December 2016 - 05:05 AM.

[WSWAoasters]

Ahhhh the good ol' Tomcat launch! I would say that for a first ss launched coaster, that is a fantastic model to use, and from what I can see of it, it looks like you've pretty much got it. Everything looks pretty good so far (to me) with the track work and supports, except that I would have to agree with iAClipse, that first pullout does look a little sharp. But other than that, I would say this looks pretty good so far!

[ggengar93]

Thx so much for your opinion!  The launch is actually really powerful and it breezes straight over that second airtime hill.  If you would like to know how the launch works I recommend checking out this video:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=atGPbgC9OwQ

 

For your comments on the pullout of the first hill, the launch works by a bungee cord which goes around a pulley.  The cord is stretched back to where that first photo is above, which is the dispatch system.  If I try to increase the size of the pullout it could get in the way of the pulley meaning I would have to cut the bungee cord, move it back, and retest the launch until I could get to match the speed of the launch right now.  But if it really is worth it I will definitely take your advice and increase the pullout.  

 

BTW here are some photos of the second hill:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[ggengar93]

Oh shoot never mind.  I can actually fix what you were talking about.  I was a little confused about which pullout you were talking about (WSWAoasters and Aclipse).

[~stεεlspectrum~]

Wow, this is nice! It really flies over those hills. There's a bit of a sharp spot after the first hill where the track meets the ground, but this is pretty good for your first SS coaster! Are you trying to build a full recreation? And what help do you need with the launch? It's probably a pain to reset every time, but it seems to work effectively.

[ggengar93]

Wow, this is nice! It really flies over those hills. There's a bit of a sharp spot after the first hill where the track meets the ground, but this is pretty good for your first SS coaster! Are you trying to build a full recreation? And what help do you need with the launch? It's probably a pain to reset every time, but it seems to work effectively.

 Thx for your comment.  As for the pullout, it's actually not as sharp as the picture may lead but I will still work on it.  Unfortunately this is not a full recreation but I am a fan of rides similar to Formula Rossa in Ferrari World, having ridden rides like Top Thrill Dragster and Maverick myself.  Also its been done before by TK so....  As for the launch I can see why putting 'launch help' as a tag and not mentioning it could be confusing, but there is a problem.  If you've ever stretched a bungee cord you know that it only stretches so far.  In the photo below the bungee cord actually scrunches up in front of the train while the train moves over the pulley, which you can see in the picture.  However the train moves right over it.  THis actually happens too fast for a regular human eye to see but I came across the problem while doing a slo-mo.  I don't know if this hurts the train or slows it down but I do know that it's not helping it either.  The only solutions I can think of are switching to either a rubber or latex tube, or getting a larger cord and moving  more of the cord below the track, which would mean I would have to get more bungee cord.  I am open to suggestions on how to fix this.

 

 

 Also I am open to names for the coaster as well.  It was gonna be holiday themed but Christmas was yesterday so.... Anything goes.  Thx again!

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[dgohstand]

Hmmm, I've never built a launch so I'm not sure how to help with the bungee cord. However, I bet it does slow down the train. Are your trains weighted? If they are and you attached pennies to the bottom, that could certainly lead to alot of friction between the track, bungee, and bottom of the train. (I hope that makes sense) I also think the second hill should have a longer pull in and pull out. Like this: 

 

 

I like what you are doing with this! Keep it up!