10/18/2011

The following article was published in our live forum during preparation for an SCX PROXY EVENT

Here is my method of re-threading the SCX double braid into a single braid. This is probably posted elsewhere by others, but this is how I do it.

A slightly used SCX guide flag from the Morgan Aero 8.



Step-1: Remove the old braids carefully.



Step 2: Drag half of the braid through my fingers, pressing hard with my thumb nail.



Step 3: The first half of the braid is now nice even and narrow with a curve, then I turn the braid around to do the other side, but also flip it over to make the curve go the other way.



Result: A nice thin and even "like new" braid in a S-shape.




Step 4: Install the braid in this position starting at the rear, notice how the rear-end is secured by bending the end against the back of the guide flag



Step 5: Slide the braid into the front slot of the guide flag, then tighten in down and flatten the top side.



Step 6: Bend the front of the braid backwards and adjust the curve, this is were you adjust how much spring effect you want in the braid. The Morgan has a lightweight front so I took out most of the curve to reduce the spring effect. I also use a wood stick to "sharpen" the bend around the front slot.



Step 7: Use small pliers and grab the outer 1/3 of the braid and push it forward to spread out the braid and make it wider. Notice how I use my thumb nail to lock the braid in place on the top-side of the guide flag.



Step 8: Repeat the steps for the other braid, and then comb the braids gently with a wire brush to spread out the tip for best power pickup. I usually spray a bit of WD40 onto the wire brush before combing as this cleans up the braids and when I run the car the braids clean up the rails on my Scalextric Sport track.



Results: The stiff double braids are now nicely installed as soft single braids. If you have a car that is very sensitive to springy braids then I can recommend the SCX PRO silver tinned braids, they are very thin and soft compared to the stock braids, but this conversion also does wonders to the stock braids too.



As seen on the setup block below the guide is now seated as deeply into the slot as it can get, and now I can use front tire thickness and spacers on the guide flag to fine tune the front-end without having to rely on the spring effect of the braids.




That's it! a nice improvement that only require a couple minutes of you time. Time you will get back by spending less time on picking up de-slotted cars!
 

- Tore