Johnnyupsidedown.com Coaster Dynamix

Modifications and Other Helpful Tips

This section is for various add on or modifications to the Coaster Dynamix model systems.
Below are photos and descriptions of various useful ideas to compliment Coaster Dynamix Models.

Spine Connector Modifications

Clean and Oil the Rails

You may have noticed that the spine connectors have a tendency to slip out of the track spines. Below are a couple easy modification that you can make to the spine connectors so they will fit securely in the end of the spines. The first section below shows the flex spine connectors and the second section shows the molded to flex connectors. Some things needed: 1 roll of 2 inch Scotch Brand Painters Masking Tape, small screw diver, scissors, tape measure and the spine connectors you want to modify.

1. Things needed. 2. The spine connectors. 3. Cut 2 sections of tape that are 3/4 inch by 2 inch, then rap the end with 2 sections of tape. 4. The finished spine connector ready for use.
Below is the second section on molded track connectors.

How to clean and oil the rails to keep your coaster operating properly. Things you need are: a rag, a silicone based spray and your coaster with rails installed. Make sure that you are using a silicone based spray. Spray some of the silicone spray on a rag in a corner area so that rag is wet. Then pinch the rail between fingers with wet part contacting the rail on all sides. Rub in an elongated motion along the rail doing one side at a time. After cleaning each side of the rails let the coaster dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
Below are photos and description of how to clean and oil the rails.

1. Silicone based spray. 2. Things needed, spray and rag. 3. Cleaning the rail. 4. Cleaning the other side.
Click all the photos for a larger view.

Modifications and Other Helpful Tips

Flex Track Connectors
This section shows how to modify the Flex spine connectors. Having trouble with the connectors sliding out. By adding some tape to the ends of spine connectors it helps keep them from slipping from the spines.
Below are photos and description of how to make the modification.

Molded to Flex Track Connectors
This section has two sets of photos and descriptions of working with and modifying the molded to flex spine connectors. The first section shows how to modify the connectors with out screws to fit snuggly in the flex spine and the second section shows how to screw the flex spines to the molded spine connector.
Below are photos and description of how to make the modification.

1. The Scotch Brand 2 inch Tape. 2. The spine connectors. 3. Cutting the tape so that its 3/4 inch by 2 inch, then rap each end with a section of tape. 4. The finished spine connector.

1. Things needed. 2. Lay together and mark spine close to where screw is located 3. Then using the screwdriver punch a hole in the top section of the flex track. Insert the end of the connector and using the screwdriver insert the screw. 4. The finished molded spine connector in the flex track.
Click all the photos for a larger view.

These are the various sections of different types of modifications shown below:
Spine connector modifications, Clean and oil the rails, Extending Lift Springs,
Landscape and Footers, End of Rail Fix,
Fitting Rails in Tight Corners, Cutting Rails to make Connections

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Extending Lift Springs

Often people have a short lift hill spring and have wondered how to extend a spring. You want to go to local hardware store and find wooden dowels in the trim department. Take your spring with you and find one that the spring fits very tight on. The different lifts systems have different size springs but generally a Scorpion type spring is a 3/16 inch dowel which fits very tight. You may also try a 5/32 dowel for Phoenix type spring as they seem to be a little smaller. Get it larger if you have to as to sand it down if needed. You want it to fit very tight. Cut a section about 1 inch long to fit in the spring connection. Then follow below by simply cutting a short dowel section and add the springs.
Below are photos and description of how to extend your lift spring.

1. Springs to join. 2. Wooden dowel rode. 3. Insert in one end. 4. Join both sides.
Click all the photos for a larger view.

Here is a simple way to make realistic landscape and footers for roller coaster models. What you need is a decent fabric that are a little fuzzy that simulates grass and can be found at most fabric shops. You then need to go to a hardware store and find CPVC pipe and coupling in 1/2 inch size. You will need to get a section of pipe several feet long depending on how much landscape work you have. You also want to pick up as many couplings as you have supports for the top of the footing. Both the pipe and couplings need to be bought in 1/2 inch size and are the same size as the colored CD supports. If you have a flat landscape you want to cut the pipes the same size so that your roller coaster will be the same height. With hilly terrain it takes a little more work to adjust for height. The description below just shows the basics of to make a flat landscape. Basically you want to cut your small pipes into 3/4 to 1 inch sections. Do a few checks to see how yours fit on your bases. Then you install a pipe section where you have a support, pull your fabric into place and install the coupling. Then insert the colored CD support and continue around the coaster. NO GLUE IS NEEDED. You can just push them together for a good snug fit. This is just a simple way to make a realistic landscape and footers for the CD models and with a little experimentation you will find many ways to use the idea.
Below are photos and description of how to make landscape and footers.

Landscape and Footers

1. Shows what you are doing. 2. Support and footer. 3. Cut the 1/2 inch pipe into 3/4 inch long sections. 4. Pull the support and replace with the section of 3/4 inch long pipe.

5. Pull fabric over the pipe section and cut hole for the pipe. 6. Push fabric down to expose the pipe.
7. Install the coupling and insert the support in the top. 8. The finished footer and landscape.
Click all the photos for a larger view.

With usage the ends of the rails tend to flare out a bit so that the rail connectors fit loose or slide around during use. A simple way to solve this is by lightly pinching the end of the rail with a pair of pliers or hemostats to re shape the end of the rail. Don't pinch to hard or you may ruin the end of the rails, if that occurs simple trim the end of the rail by cutting off the bad section.
Below are photos and description of how to fix rail endings.

Rail End Fix

1. Good one & bad one. 2. Pinching the rail. 3. Fixed rail ends. 4. Cutting the bad end if not fixable.
Click all the photos for a larger view.

Connecting Rails in Tight Corners

Sometimes its a little difficult to get your rails to fit into a tight corner when you have to make a connection to another rail ending. What you want to do is pre bend your rail a little to get it to conform to the corner so that you take the stress off the connection point. You want to take the rail between your fingers and thumb and slowly and gently bend the rail into the shape I want it. You dont need to bend it a lot just a little bit along the rail and you will get a nice curve in the rail.
Below are photos and description of how to make rail connections in corners.

Cutting Rails to Make a Connection

So you have come to the part where you need to make the cut to tie your ends of rails together. Here is an easy way to make clean cuts to make solid rail connections. This is just one of many ways to cut rails its just the way I have chosen to cut my rails. I use a dog nail clipper with a certain type cutting action. I use these as they have a flat side to push up to the end of your rail then cut the one needed leaving a clean cut. You can just simply cut both ends of your rails, I prefer to only cut the end I need to cut as I like keep my rails long. Following below you will see tips on how I cut my rail endings. The main thing you want to do is keep the cutter at a right angle to the rails or you might end up with angled cuts. If you watch what you are doing you can create clean cuts simply.
Below are photos and description of how I cut rails to fit.

1. Tight corner. 2. Bend between fingers. 3. Showing how its reshaped. 4. Install rail connection.
Click all the photos for a larger view.

1. Ready to cut. 2. Clippers. 3. Close up of flat side. 4. Push flat side to end of rail.

5. Cutting. 6. Nice clean even cut. 7. Install rail connector. 8. Finished connection.
Click all the photos for a larger view.