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How to Make a HO Slot Car Track

HO slot cars are model cars that run on an electrified track. The track has an electrified groove through it. The model cars have a pin that extends out of the bottom that conducts electricity from the track and guides the car through the track. Changes in the amount of power supplied to the track are used to control the speed of the car. Slot cars were first invented in 1912 by a toy company called Lionel. The slot car soon became the dominant form of model car.

Things You'll Need

Router
Metal strips
1/4 inch-thick wood
Wood saw
Glue
2 electrical wires

Instructions

- 1
  Design the shape that you want your track to be. Any shapes can work for tracks, as long as the track has no sharp angles and forms a continuous loop.
- 2
  Use your router to cut a 1/4 inch-deep groove through the center of your track. Make the width of the hole slightly larger than the width of your car's pin.
- 3
  Pick one spot on your track and use your router to drill a hole all the way through. This will be where the wires connect to power the track.
- 4
  Line both sides of the groove with the wire strips and fasten the strips in place with glue.
- 5
  Feed both electrical wires through the hole in the track and glue one to each wire strip.
- 6
  Touch the other ends of the wire strips to a battery to power your track. HO cars should now run when their pins are placed in the groove.

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