Thinking about diving into 1/43rd scale

[qball41]

I'm thinking about giving 1/43rd a try. And I'm looking for input.

I currently have a 1/32nd (scalextric sport) track on a table that is only 2.5' by 12.5'. Rather small and tight for the scale.

I've been hesitant about 1/43 because of car detail. And I don't like HO because the cars seem to be controlled like an on/off switch.

I sometimes run my cars without magnets so throttle control is more important. I'm guessing I can do that with 1/43rd cars as well.

That gives you an idea of what I'm looking to accomplish.

Anyway, my question right now is: Can you run 1/43rd scale cars like Carrera GO and Kyosho Dslot43 on a 1/32nd track so I can see if I like the cars before buying a bunch of track and switching everything over?

[OldDogMotorsports]

we`ve ran the 1/43 drag cars on 1/32 track!

[slothead]

About a year and a half ago I saw a bunch of 1/43 scale cars for sale here on HRW and took the plunge. Then I bought more cars, bodies, and both complete cars and custom parts for some scratch builds. But, I could just never get into it. While some of the stuff I had was realistic, most lacked the detail you mentioned. Plus, guide pins rather than guide flags, not a lot of parts, including tires to choose from, and the lack of quality led to me losing interest. I ended up giving about $400 worth of stuff away just to get it off my work bench.

While I had it I did run the cars on my 1/32 scale routed oval, that wasn't an issue. It has a slick surface and the smaller cars might have been better on a track for magnets. While everything we rave over here on HRW could be considered toys, the quality and selection of 1/32 scale stuff suggests to me they are being marketed to adults, while the 1/43 stuff felt like kids toys to me. Yes, the $50 - $100 a nice, or well tuned 1/32 scale car can cost is pricey, but I feel I'm getting my money's worth more than I did with $10 1/43 cars.

But, as we do a good job remembering on these forums, to each his own and if you're having fun nothing else matters.

Slothead

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Well, I think Slothead has the issue well in hand, but it should be mentioned (I'm under false colors here, I am 1/32, very little 1/24, and I am too arthritic for detailing HO), that extraordinary 1/43 stuff has been on HRW many times, and the detail work has been exemplary. Its all in what you do with it, like everything in slot cars. With 1/43, you look a little deeper to find good bodies and decals, but it definitely can be done, and done well. Like I say, its all in what you do with the materials available.

[LloydL]

Hi qball41, as has been said, RTR 1/43 cars, excluding Kyosho Dslots, are toylike in comparison with what is available in 1/32 scale.

If you like to scratchbuild, 1/43 is a fantastic scale. If you were to take a look at some of the proxy races over the last four years or so, you will see some some great models, and workmanship that you would normally expect in the larger scales.

But, if you usually buy your cars ready to run, you could be frustrated with what is out there.

As for running on the larger tracks, many of the proxys are run on big tracks, some of them wood, and a well set up 1/43 car can be very impressive. But it does require time and patience to get results.

The 1/43 crowd are very friendly and will willingly help you get started in what is a great fun area of slot car racing.

That's my 2 cents worth, I am sure you will get other suggestions as well.

Regards, Lloyd.

[qball41]

Thanks for all the input. I really like the Slot.it cars in 1/32nd... especially the Porsche 962 and 956 models.

I'm thinking that 1/43rd would give me more track with a better variety of turns, longer straights and turns that don't have to be so tight for the size of the car. But I need to try the cars out to see how they run, so I will try one on my 1/32nd track and then make a decision which way to go.

If I do go 1/43rd, I will probably look to use resin kits to build the Porsche 962/956 that I like. I'm sure if I go that route, many people here with be VERY helpful!

[Gameover]

Welcome to qball!! I started with a 1/43 go carrera track and cars. I fell in love but wanted more. The parts are out there but few and far between in my eyes. So I purchased a 1/32 carrera track and cars. I ran both for a few months. I just recently got rid of all my 1/43 track but kept my cars as my kids still run them on my 1/32 track. The size of the 1/32 track does limit what you can do in small spaces and I fully understand that as I'm redoing my entire basement to make room for a new bigger 1/32 track. I think you have the right idea by buying a few 1/43 cars to play with as they are very inexpensive and you can always sell them here if you choose to stick with the 1/32. Plenty of help here all you have to do is ask :).

[LloydL]

You can always start with one of these kits, they are lightweight an make good slotcar bodies:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KENWOOD-Porsche ... 2599f4e397

Regards, Lloyd

[pfuetze]

Kyosho DSlot cars will run on 1/32nd track, even without magnets. They got a guide blade and are nice to scale, even got a nice 962 in 2 liveries.
All 1/43rd cars need work to run good on a wood track.
SCX compact offered great cars, (scale, guide bladed) but they are out of business, maybe will come back.
Artin and Carrera are toys with guide pins and too big wheels (BTW, all slotcars are toys!). A SlideGuide (or similar) can be added easily.
If you want the most varity of track radii, go with Carrera Go!track.
If you want specific cars, you will need to build them from plastic kits or resin bodies.

[masmojo]

Just to add to what's already been said.

If you run @ home, Have limited space (or want to run a more complex track in your available space) and are not afraid to build/modify your own cars then 1/43 is an excellent choice.

Now, if you are looking for an EASY scale, this ain't it! The offerings from the extinct D-slot and SCX Compact lines can still be had (and Kyosho offers a couple versions of the model you like), but just about everything else out there will require some work to run satisfactorily especially without Magnuts.

NOW, if you want/like realistic scenery and nicely landscaped tracks, it does not get much better then 1/43.

I used to encourage people to join this scale, but we don't have the support of the Major manufacturers, so It's only very few guys who like to work on the cutting edge and do something original that tend to stay here. Most everything in 1/32- 1/24 has been done, it's tried and true, RTR's are Plentiful and the larger sizes are easier to tackle from a modifying/scratchbuilding perspective.

Also, if people try it and they can't/don't hang with it for some reason, they throw negativity down on 1/43 which is not helpful either.

Honestly, I would suggest the best way to enjoy promote this scale is to NOT do it exclusively; build your track in 1/32 but also with an eye towards something that might work good for 1/43 as well, then you can run both scales and have fun with both.

Maybe? Heck I don't know!!?

[ourwayband]

Just my 2 cents here..I run 1/32-1/24 on wood +plastic.I've also been having fun with 1/43,no mag with weigh added on carrera 1/43 track.The cars will run on your 1/32 track but to me are more fun on 1/43 carrera.You can set up a nice layout in a small area..The 1/43 SCX cars with the guide blade run much better non-mag with a little weight than the carrera or artin do because of their pin system..The carrera run great in stock form and are fun,but that is with the stock mag.Kinda depends on what you want.Like the rest have said,buy a couple of the 1/43 cars and play around with them.It's all about the fun..Heck I'm even running artin non-mag..You just need a variable power supply to adjust for the different makes..


Rusty

[masmojo]

When using a 1/32 track keep in mind that what is a REALLY tight turn in 1/32 in not so bad in 1/43 and Vice-versa. A good challenging 1/43 track using 1/32 track will be like a Rally track for 1/32 cars! BUt, short of routing or using 1/43 track that is your best bet!

[slothead]

I raced 1/43 for awhile with my grandson, it just wasn't for me. When I got up to about a dozen cars I considered building a 1/43 routed track, then thought "what am I doing, you already have thousands of dollars invested in 1/32 stuff". There probably was more stuff available than I knew of, It just didn't make sense for me to start over so to speak. I've been racing 1/32 cars since my first Strombecker set 50 years ago.

Years ago I raced HO on a 4 lane 4' x 8' oval and had a blast doing it. What scale is ideal depends on what works for you.

Slothead

[masmojo]

[qball41]

Thank you all for the input!

I've been playing with some track planning software and realized that for my space, 1/32nd track or 1/43rd track doesn't really make much difference. (My space is 2.5 feet by 12.5 feet = real narrow!) With 1/32nd track It requires LOTS of radius 1 curves!

So.... I've decided my 1/32nd track will work fine and I will try both 1/32 and 1/43 cars and use the ones that I think work best. Who knows... with 1/43 cars on the 1/32 track, maybe borders won't be required, that would be nice!