EditTightening The Rivets On Your Slot Car Chassis'
Cleaning & Tightening Thunderjet 500 Style Plates
Are the shoe-plate hangers on the underside of your t-jetchassis loose? Poor contact caused by loose rivets can rob you of power... The chassis’s electrical connections can be affected by corrosion between the copper plates, loose rivets or a combination of both keeping critical volts & amps from reaching the armature.
A simple solution is to clean the chassis, either in an Ultrasonic Cleaner (UC) or by scrubbing with a toothbrush. If using the “manual labor” method, white vinegar or Simple Green does a good job of removing corrosion, grease, dirt, etc. Make an effort to scrub around and between the shoe hanger plates. After cleaning, a thorough rinsing should be done. Many racers follow this cleaning with Rail Zip on the metal chassis parts. Rail Zip is a corrosion inhibitor used by model railroaders to protect track rails. If using Rail Zip, follow the manufacturer’s directions for best results. Rail Zip is available at most Hobby Stores that carry model Train Supplies.
If the shoe hanger plates appear to be loose, or if you just want to ensure maximum performance, the rivets can be tightened or re-tightened with a small hammer and nail or punch set. Place the chassis on a secure surface with the shoe hanger plates facing up. Place the nail/punch on the rivet. Gently tap the punch with the hammer.
Using a simple punch or nail-set tool and a light hammer, you can gently tighten the rivets for assured conductivity. Check plate alignment before tightening!
This should tighten the interface between the shoe hanger plate and the brush spring, resulting in a better electrical connection. If this fails and race rules allow, a small drop of solder can be placed between the shoe hanger plate and the brush spring to improve the electrical connection.
Remember, when working with rivets that hold conductive parts in place, always clean before tightening for the best electrical contact.