Tutorials

Written from personal experience — what works, what doesn't, and why.

01

HO Slot Cars 101 — What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Track formats, power supplies, car brands, and the questions everyone asks when they're just getting into the hobby. A no-fluff starting point.

Beginner Buying Guide
02

Understanding Track Systems — Plastic vs. Routed Wood

The two main track types, their tradeoffs, which brands are compatible with which, and when it makes sense to go the custom routed route.

Beginner Track Building
03

Setting Up Your First Layout — Planning, Space, and Wiring

How to plan a layout around the space you have, route power correctly, and avoid the most common mistakes first-time builders make.

Beginner Track Building Wiring
04

Pickup Braid — Cleaning, Replacing, and Getting Good Contact

The braid is the first thing to check when a car runs rough. How to clean, reshape, and replace it, and what to look for in aftermarket options.

Intermediate Maintenance
05

Motor Tuning Basics — Brushes, Armatures, and Break-In

What's actually inside an HO motor, how to break one in properly, and when it makes sense to swap brushes versus replacing the whole motor.

Intermediate Motors
06

Weight Distribution and Traction Magnets — Finding the Balance

How downforce magnets affect handling, why balance matters more than raw magnet strength, and how to tune for your specific track and driving style.

Intermediate Handling
07

Routing a Wood Track — Tools, Templates, and Getting Clean Lines

Everything needed to go from a sheet of MDF to a routed track surface: router bits, depth settings, curve templates, and sanding to a smooth finish.

Advanced Track Building
08

Painting and Scenery — Making Your Layout Look Like a Real Circuit

Track surface paint, curbing, runoff areas, and simple scenery techniques that make a big visual difference without requiring artistic skill.

Advanced Scenery
More tutorials in progress — check back soon.