The Plan

I’m sure it’s no surprise that the idea of making miniature model coasters to grace many desktops worldwide has been on my mind from the very beginning, or since the Kickstarter days anyway.  However, this has been far more difficult than I had ever imagined.  The learning curve of machining and creating “possible” designs has been steep, to say the least.  Going forward, I will be documenting that process to make these mini models and the tools required for them.

The ballscrews and nuts above will be used to convert my mini manual lathe into a computer controlled marvel.  I know, I know, I made a video about whether or not to conver the lathe to CNC back when I was working out of my friend’s garage.  To make more repeatable and consistent parts (car axles and connections), the computer controlled option is a must.  This will also give me the opportunity to design and install my own parts to ensure the lathe works.  Hopefully I don’t screw it up and create an 80 pound piece of s***.

The rides will be small enough to fit on a desk, basically becoming a cooler distraction than a fidget spinner, and they will be fully working including working brakes and lift.  The cars will be aluminum (aluminium for my U.K. friends) and the structure will be mostly wood.  There will be a few iterations of the product and they will be available on this website’s store page.  More videos will be made to document the process and entice those thrillseakers out there.  

 I’ll go into more detail once things get up and running.  This week I am setting up and calibrating my CNC mill.  

Thanks guys (and gals), 

David