When Should I Replace the Braids?

[Flytoo]

I've got some cars with well worn, dirty braids, that I plan to replace. A friend of mine went to a hardware store, and bought a roll, (or some large quantity) of copper material that looks like slot braid, and was fairly inexpensive. You just have to cut it to length. Is that a good way to go? Or, would I be better off, ordering replacement braids from the cars original manufacturer? I do race my cars, once in a while with my friend, but nothing serious. Heck, every now and then, we even turn the lap counter on when we're racing. :D

I have noticed that braid width varies, from manufacturer, to manufacturer. Is that a concern? Again, my friend takes the "one width, fits all approach", and it seems to work, at least for him.

Do you folks, ever clean your braids, or do you simply replace them? And, at what point do you replace and/or clean them? Is it when they just look dirty? Once a month? Once a year? I have cars that are several years old, and they still have the original braids on them. They are dirty and ugly to look at, but the cars still "seem" to run okay.

[HomeRacingWorld]

[waaytoomuchintothis]

What your friend probably bought was de-soldering braid. In the early 1960s that was the only replacement braid we knew existed where I lived. I'm sure that the manufacturers of slot car stuff were selling exact replacement braid back then, we just didn't know about it. We never had any problems with it, but it should be said... we were 14 year olds. We thought Beatle Boots were cool.

The variance in widths you have seen is more about how the owner has massaged the braids to a shape he think has the best advantage. Personally, I say the more contact area the better, since electricity conducts only on the surface, not the core of wire. So, to maximize surface contact, I slightly collapse the braid against itself making it contact area fatter, so that no matter what position the guide is in, it is in direct contact with the track contacts, or copper tape in most cases.

About "dirty" braids... If you run on home tracks that are powered by auto batteries, the power supplied is not consistent and clean like a proper power supply, which results in tiny arcs that leave an ash deposit in the braid and sometimes on the copper tape. It cleans up fairly easily with a couple of drops of braid cleaning fluid. People also use tooth brushes to get a better clean faster.

Feel free to ask questions as this goes along. Everybody learns this kind of thing the same way.

[Flytoo]

Thank you all, for the quick and very informative responses, as well as the link to SCC! BTW, I am easily confused, so I appreciate the "keep it simple" suggestions. As for the 1960's, I'd love to tell you, that they were waaay before my time, but the truth is, I actually owned a pair of Beatle boots! Do I need to turn in my HRW card? :lol: All joking aside, I really do appreciate the help!

[Flytoo]

Oooooh, forgot to mention, I have experimented with cleaning a couple of braids in the past. I used De-Ox-Id. (But I wasn't smart enough to grab a tooth brush.) Anyway, that De-Ox-Id, is great, for cleaning electronic contacts. I get mine at a local PC store. My biggest problem with the cleaning, is they tend to spread out. Perhaps, I'm just too rough with my cleaning procedure?

[HomeRacingWorld]

[Ember]

I like Inox MX3 for cleaning my braids. And SCX Pro was my favourite braid, soft but long wearing. MB Slot would be next in line.

[Florida_Slotter]

I use slot car braid on my slot cars. The braid I use is nice and flexible and let's the car sit with all 4 wheels on the ground, evenly. If the braid you're using does not do this, you might find that you are causing yourself some problems.

As to when should you change it . . . . . depends on whether it's a race car or a having fun with car.

When I'm racing seriously, then I always put on fresh braid prior to the race. It would make me feel really bad to lose a race because my braid were worn out.

[Flytoo]

You all rawk! Thank you so much for all of the info and links. (As well as the reminder about the spare braids coming with Scaley & Carrera. Honestly, I had totally forgot!) That info on how to convert double braids to single is gold, GOLD, I tell ya! I think I'm gonna order some SCC braid, (although, down the road, I'm sure I'll try the other brands mentioned...Yeah, I'm just that kind of a guy). Then, my next major slot project will be: a clean, polish, lube, and replace those cruddy braids, on all of my cars.

[HomeRacingWorld]

A good oil change and tire rotation is always a good idea :)

Sometimes we forget to clean these toys and it's amazing how much better they run when we do.

[Flytoo]

I should have posted this pic when I started this thread but, better late than never:

/Users/raylingua/Pictures/iPhoto Library.photolibrary/Previews/2014/06/28/20140628-103341/QZ95nCMMT2iSysqjMEyBiQ/IMG_0073.jpg

I wish I could say that this braid lash up, is a rare thing at my house, but I try not to lie any more than I have to. :oops:

[Flytoo]

Sorry. Apparently I'm as good at posting pics as I am about replacing braid.