John Shreffler wrote: The plastic DerbyMagic and Supertrack are excellent running surfaces, but the support system of both of these tracks leaves a lot to be desired. If I was going to buy one of them, I would bargain for just the surface, and make my own stable pylon system.
John made a similarly great point earlier in this thread, proposing how he might create a suitable support structure.Stan Pope wrote:Great point, John! Any idea how much additional support is needed... ?
However, I wonder if the approach of buying the surface only would be viable for most resource-strapped units? In my (admittedly limited) experience, track modifications of any kind usually involve some trial and error, adding to the hassle and expense of owning / building a track. I would guess that few have sufficient space to adequately engineer, construct, and test a track sub-structure. And I would also guess that whatever solution was found, it would likely detract from the portability of this type of track, which is otherwise a key selling feature. Mr. Slick has already noted that the price differential between the various products is not always as great as one might think. Might the convenience of a more conventional prefabricated wooden or aluminum track then seem like the better bargain?
(I don't have any experience with the Derby Magic track and I have yet to see one in person, so I do not pretend to speak to the quality, durability, or the stability of the design, and my comments are not intended to be a criticism of said product.)