Back around the time my wife and I bought this house, we struck a deal: one
room, in the basement, would be dedicated to the display and enjoyment of
model cars. At the time, it was a small collection of diecast with a few choice
built-ups and even a couple of old tin cars. We decided that the room would
double as a home theater, so we built in our modest componentry, added a
couple of garage-sale chairs, and popped some popcorn.
We’ve come a long way.
Since then, “The Car Roomtm” has taken on a life of its own. As the collection
grew – a phenomenon that I know you all can relate to – we added professional
display fixtures from store closings and rummage sales. Sliding-door glass
cases were installed, and the room was sheathed in corrugated steel that had
been left behind by the previous homeowner. Store-bought IKEA “Billy” display
cabinets were modified to line another wall, and extra shelving was added, as
were halogen and fluorescent lights. When a nearby chain store closed, we
added some strong, professionally-built platforms that were left at the curb – if
you look hard, you can still see where the word “free” has bled through the paint.
One is used to elevate the back row of chairs, and the other is the base for a
display case.
Then, I got into 1/32 scale slot cars, and all hell broke loose. I needed a place to
have a track, but a deal was a deal: it had to fit into the Car Room. So, after
much consideration (and negotiation), I built a track that raises and lowers from
the ceiling. The platform itself is made from five core doors – light and strong –
that I dowelled and glued together and topped with a skin of pegboard and
green all weather carpet. That sounds easy... and, in truth, the construction
wasn’t all that big a deal. Figuring out a way to use commonly available
materials to design, build, and “float” a seven by fourteen foot platform – that
was a big deal.
Ultimately, we employed a little-used (hey, I’m honest) DP-brand home gym as
the fulcrum, and hung it in the burner room off to one side. I attached a Northern
Tool winch, added pulleys and around 150 feet of steel cable, and extended the
winch’s controls to a wall-mounted panel in an alcove. I added a keyed power
lockout to that panel to kid-proof it – and a whole lot of safety hooks to keep the
track and platform right where I want it when it's in the up position.
The track itself is made by Carrera. The pieces were wide, so I can race 1/24th
and 1/32nd cars, and some were hand-cut to make turns and sections that
Carrera's stock pieces wouldn’t. I’ve painted some pieces with Ralph Lauren
“River Rock” paint, because it looks like concrete… and adds a ton of traction
when we race on it.
Yeah, it took a lot of time, and it’s still in progress. The most recent mods were
fun. I added a variable-voltage (1-30 VDC) power supply that I built into a
converted IKEA sofa table, and topped it with one of the two cases that my pal
gave me (thanks, “Crazy” Kenny). I made the rearmost row of chairs into
supports for the track, by making their backs removable. I bashed a quartet of
IKEA coffee tables into a larger unit, on wheels, that I can stand on its end to
hold the forward part of the track – at the same height as the chairs – when it’s
in the down position. And another case, courtesy of another pal of mine (thanks,
Joe D) was placed against the wall.
We’ve been lucky, and the room has gotten some press. First, Newsday ran a
piece on it, then HGTV came and taped a segment for a show called "Look
What I Did", which aired on June 29, 2007. It’s also been in national
magazines, and here on the web.
Now, it’s the home of our little show – and I’m glad you're stopping in. After all,
“playing with cars”.. and airplanes, and slot cars, and whatever... is what this
room is all about. Let's have some fun.
All The Best,
Joe
room, in the basement, would be dedicated to the display and enjoyment of
model cars. At the time, it was a small collection of diecast with a few choice
built-ups and even a couple of old tin cars. We decided that the room would
double as a home theater, so we built in our modest componentry, added a
couple of garage-sale chairs, and popped some popcorn.
We’ve come a long way.
Since then, “The Car Roomtm” has taken on a life of its own. As the collection
grew – a phenomenon that I know you all can relate to – we added professional
display fixtures from store closings and rummage sales. Sliding-door glass
cases were installed, and the room was sheathed in corrugated steel that had
been left behind by the previous homeowner. Store-bought IKEA “Billy” display
cabinets were modified to line another wall, and extra shelving was added, as
were halogen and fluorescent lights. When a nearby chain store closed, we
added some strong, professionally-built platforms that were left at the curb – if
you look hard, you can still see where the word “free” has bled through the paint.
One is used to elevate the back row of chairs, and the other is the base for a
display case.
Then, I got into 1/32 scale slot cars, and all hell broke loose. I needed a place to
have a track, but a deal was a deal: it had to fit into the Car Room. So, after
much consideration (and negotiation), I built a track that raises and lowers from
the ceiling. The platform itself is made from five core doors – light and strong –
that I dowelled and glued together and topped with a skin of pegboard and
green all weather carpet. That sounds easy... and, in truth, the construction
wasn’t all that big a deal. Figuring out a way to use commonly available
materials to design, build, and “float” a seven by fourteen foot platform – that
was a big deal.
Ultimately, we employed a little-used (hey, I’m honest) DP-brand home gym as
the fulcrum, and hung it in the burner room off to one side. I attached a Northern
Tool winch, added pulleys and around 150 feet of steel cable, and extended the
winch’s controls to a wall-mounted panel in an alcove. I added a keyed power
lockout to that panel to kid-proof it – and a whole lot of safety hooks to keep the
track and platform right where I want it when it's in the up position.
The track itself is made by Carrera. The pieces were wide, so I can race 1/24th
and 1/32nd cars, and some were hand-cut to make turns and sections that
Carrera's stock pieces wouldn’t. I’ve painted some pieces with Ralph Lauren
“River Rock” paint, because it looks like concrete… and adds a ton of traction
when we race on it.
Yeah, it took a lot of time, and it’s still in progress. The most recent mods were
fun. I added a variable-voltage (1-30 VDC) power supply that I built into a
converted IKEA sofa table, and topped it with one of the two cases that my pal
gave me (thanks, “Crazy” Kenny). I made the rearmost row of chairs into
supports for the track, by making their backs removable. I bashed a quartet of
IKEA coffee tables into a larger unit, on wheels, that I can stand on its end to
hold the forward part of the track – at the same height as the chairs – when it’s
in the down position. And another case, courtesy of another pal of mine (thanks,
Joe D) was placed against the wall.
We’ve been lucky, and the room has gotten some press. First, Newsday ran a
piece on it, then HGTV came and taped a segment for a show called "Look
What I Did", which aired on June 29, 2007. It’s also been in national
magazines, and here on the web.
Now, it’s the home of our little show – and I’m glad you're stopping in. After all,
“playing with cars”.. and airplanes, and slot cars, and whatever... is what this
room is all about. Let's have some fun.
All The Best,
Joe
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