Project Wildcat

[Reon]

Alright. No one has really been responding to what I've been posting in the backyard coaster thread, so I thought I'd make a seperate one for my backyard coaster. Unless your a retarded llama, you should already know that Project Wildcat is a backyard coaster project, especially since I just mentioned it. Even in that case, you know now, and knowing is half the battle *Cues GI Joe thing* Anyway, right now I NEED YOU ALL TO VOTE ON WHAT KIND OF COASTER IT SHOULD BE! I'd love to start construction asap, but I cant do it until I know what I'm doing. Here are some shots of the area...

[socalMAN123]

I'm all for a terrain coaster. Your backyard looks perfect for it.

---Brent

[TwistedTrack]

I cant wait to see how this turns out!

[Reon]

Alright. I see the majority wants the alpine bobsled so far. Someone voted other, but I dont see a post describing what they meant...Care to elaborate? And yes, my yard is built on a hill...

[RRollergod]

Good luck to you, As many people have tried but failed because of building orders and they didn't brace it enough! So I will tell you now brace everything like three times, it is better safe than sorry!

[Guy T. Koepp]

Your yard is perfect for an out and back terrain woodie.

 

Good luck!

 

Guy "If you build it. They will come." Koepp

[Reon]

Hmmm...Im thinking that if I do the out and back, it will start at the top with a small lift hill (maybe 5 feet?) and go down to ground level where it will go past my room (right corner of basement), then take a curving drop into the tunnel area. Once it emerges, theres probably room for another small bump before rising back to the top. Problem is, I dont know if there will be enough momentum to come back up. If I chose the alpine bobs, it will start some feet above the ground at the top and then fly down into the curved tunnel, around into the corner slope (another u turn there), and zig zag across the hillside or something... The drop ride will probably do the same, exept with a longer steeper drop, with supports going up the house...

 

As for your building permit concerns, my dad is an architect, so we can figure out some way to handle it easily..Same goes constructionwise, as I helped with the company that built our house (and I know where they set up office since its in the same plaza where I work...)

[RRollergod]

Well then guess you are set then permit wise. But i think a alpine coaster will be way easier. You could zig zag through the woods and don't come back up until the end because there will be a chain to pull you up to the house. So that was my idea!

[Reon]

The way I see it, an alpine ride would be built with bent and layered plywood, sort of like a homemade skateboard ramp. Ofcourse it would be alot longer...And for economy sake, I may end up just making a rope lift that you have to pull yourself up. Makes it an interactive ride^^. Anyway, right now the out and back otpion seems to be taking the lead, but the alpine is still in the race. I'll give the poll a little longer before I decide...

[verticalzero]

You could have a mixture of an Out N Back / terrain bobsled/alpine slide.

 

Good luck in your Project and keep everyone here informed and post some more pic's when you add the track and do a POV when it is finished and ready to ride.

 

If my garden was big enough and had lots of trees, i would do a Out N Back / terrain bobsled with a 10ft - 20ft 1st drop into a banked double up curve then 2 speed hills then a double Helix which is 1/2 of it is tunnelled.

[Freefallbestrideever]

i loved the freefall idea, but i just had to go with terrain woodie

[RRollergod]

Honestly I wouldn't do a rope lift. Over like a month of use the rope would brake at any time.

[music11]

How big is the lot? ^ I agree with that^you should just put in a electrical operated motor lift but if your on a budget go with a rope lift and change the rope frequently. I like this idea. I wish i could do that in my backyard because its pretty big and open. Keep us informed on your project.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I think that a twisting out and back would provide the most exciting ride and best type for unique design. The bobsled design could be able to do the same, but the width would be wider and take up more room. Also IMO it would be harder to construct (howver i no knowledge or the construction for a bobsled).

[RRollergod]

I forgot to add a alpine/bobsled is easier to build because you do not have to make understop wheels for it. The out &Back you do.

[Reon]

^True, but it costs just as much to make the track, since its a lot of large plywood sheets layered....On the other hand, I can litterally use an old skateboard (one of those big ones with only one tail) as the car with a few adjustments Layout-wise, both would have the same layout, though as I said, momentum back up the hill is an issue. Ofcourse, using a skateboard with a good starting ramp should give a nice push, but it can only do so much...

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Well unfortunatly, the only way to gain momentum is to have a bigger drop. If tht isnt a problem then you should do that, if you cant then he only other thing tht you could would be to not go down as far so that there will be enough speed to make it over the hill.

[RRollergod]

Well then guess you are set then permit wise. But i think a alpine coaster will be way easier. You could zig zag through the woods and don't come back up until the end because there will be a chain to pull you up to the house. So that was my idea!

 

^^

[Reon]

I actually just went outside with a couple of large sheets of spare wood and tested the top area. Although it obviously took control, it should work once I make the track (and include a larger drop) I'll take some shots of the area when it gets to be day again...(its the dead of night now...)

[RRollergod]

Well not much to talk about now but I wish you the best of luck!

[Reon]

And that means theres not really anything else for me to say but I have decided on what to do! Basically, bobsled/alpine coaster but whenever there is a straightaway (not at risk of swaying off track from a curve) it reverts back to flat track (not curved sheets of plywood). Unless that sounds unsafe. Either way, I can use the same type of blueprint for a halfpipe for the track shape (only obviously adjusted quite a bit). It should hug the ground pretty easilly without needing to be enforced too many times...

[RRollergod]

Not to make you do more work but if you use flat track make boarders or that thing will fly off!

[RRollergod]

Not to bring back an old topic but, any updates?

[Reon]

Not yet. Im actually at a bit of a crossroads. First of all, Im debating what I should do with my money. I can either make this thing, or buy some steel drums (since I'm forming a band with some friends.) Secondly, if I do go through with this, I've still got to consult with my folks which layout to build. I've stored a few options on my new cameraphone, but unfortunately I dont know how to scan them to the comp....

[Reon]

Sorry for the dp, but this is an aim convo between my and my co-designer/friend, talking about whats going to happen...Thought it would be a nice update...

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GuyverX0 (4:01:07 PM): a sled coaster would work for you

reonskyridge (4:01:40 PM): im thinking we could build it with sheet plywood, and use a skateboard as the car

GuyverX0 (4:01:50 PM): yeah we could

GuyverX0 (4:02:16 PM): but we would have to brace it, and buy a skateboard to convert to a car

reonskyridge (4:03:48 PM): i already have 2 oldschool boards

reonskyridge (4:03:57 PM): their big and only have one tail

GuyverX0 (4:04:09 PM): cool

GuyverX0 (4:04:16 PM): we could mebbe use one of them

GuyverX0 (4:04:21 PM): if its big enough...

reonskyridge (4:04:30 PM): one of em should be

GuyverX0 (4:04:35 PM): k

reonskyridge (4:04:51 PM): im thinking we build it like an alpine slide

reonskyridge (4:05:05 PM): starts at the top of the hill, then snakes down through the trees

GuyverX0 (4:05:06 PM): hm...

GuyverX0 (4:05:24 PM): you could almost do a water coaster if you do it that way

reonskyridge (4:05:29 PM): not nessicarily full curcuit, but still

reonskyridge (4:05:36 PM): a water coaster?

GuyverX0 (4:05:40 PM): but then you have to take a board and turn it into a waterproof car

GuyverX0 (4:05:46 PM): which wouldnt be hard

GuyverX0 (4:05:54 PM): neither would construction

GuyverX0 (4:06:04 PM): it would take more plywood and real boards

reonskyridge (4:06:07 PM): mhm

reonskyridge (4:06:23 PM): i think we only need two layers of it though

reonskyridge (4:06:32 PM): that worked when i built my halfpipe

reonskyridge (4:06:46 PM): that got torn down when we moved back here T_T

GuyverX0 (4:07:10 PM): well two layers works for sled

GuyverX0 (4:07:20 PM): but for water we would need at least 4-5

reonskyridge (4:07:33 PM): water isnt worth it

GuyverX0 (4:08:17 PM): well normal sled coaster would be 2 in straightaways, and 3-4 in corners and places that recieve heavy strain

reonskyridge (4:08:32 PM): mhm

reonskyridge (4:08:47 PM): but the turns will be tight if this weaves the way i recorded it

GuyverX0 (4:08:59 PM): exactly, so you need about 4 on those turns

GuyverX0 (4:09:19 PM): after building make sure to waterproof it

GuyverX0 (4:09:28 PM): ESPECIALLY if its a sled

reonskyridge (4:10:50 PM): hmm

reonskyridge (4:10:58 PM): half the ride will be under trees though

GuyverX0 (4:11:14 PM): water cna go under trees

reonskyridge (4:11:23 PM): k

reonskyridge (4:11:32 PM): what do you suggest we do to waterproof?

GuyverX0 (4:11:44 PM): buy a good sealant

reonskyridge (4:12:05 PM): remember this will be covering around 100 feet of track

GuyverX0 (4:12:05 PM): and when you arent using it, have lots of tarps to cover it

GuyverX0 (4:12:09 PM): yeah

GuyverX0 (4:12:20 PM): get 100 gallos of water sealant

GuyverX0 (4:13:01 PM): cuz regardless, whatever happens, you dont want this thing to warp