Get your own Free Home Page
A Glossary of Useful Words & Terms
Go to: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
| A | airgap | difference between the armature dia. and the i.d of the magnets; total or per side | |
| airgap tool | tool for sizing/checking airgap and/or installing/reinstalling bearings and bushings | ||
| align (brush hoods) | to center the brush hoods in a symmetrical, 90° relationship with the centerline of the armature | ||
| altered | generic term applied to various coupe and roadster configurations run in specific "altered" classes | ||
| analyzer | common name for DC power supply used to break in and test motors | ||
| arc | visible electrical discharge; most commonly seen from motor brushes or car-to-track braid contact | ||
| armature | the 3-poled device which carries the current-carrying windings and commutator around a central shaft | ||
| armature slug | steel or aluminum cylinder mounted on shaft to | ||
| axle (rear) | the shaft that carries the driven gear and rear wheel/tire assemblies | ||
| axle, hollow | hollow steel or stainless steel rear axle | ||
| B | balance | achieving or possessing a state of rotational equilibrium; "in balance" | |
| balance (verb) | to recondition the rotating mass of an armature via material removal | ||
| ballast | additional weight added to bring a car up to a specified competition minimum | ||
| batteries | commonly, the automotive, truck, or marine batteries that supply the track DC voltage | ||
| bearing, axle | commonly, the low-friction ball bearings permitted for the rear axle in some classes | ||
| bearing, motor | commonly, the low-friction ball bearings permitted in a motor for the armature in some classes | ||
| bracket | race grouping where cars compete using individual dial-ins via a handicap or delayed start | ||
| brackets (race) | commonly, refers to the entire grouping and competition of a bracket race | ||
| braid, guide | the copper braid pieces mounted in the guide which ride on the track braid and conduct current to the car | ||
| braid, track | the two strips of braid, commonly copper, on either side of the slot that convey power to the car | ||
| break | to incur a mechanical failure that prevents a car from starting or completing a run | ||
| break rule | provision in most rules to permit a 60-second pause for emergency car repair before starting a race | ||
| break-out | to run under (quicker than) a bracket or index dial-in | ||
| brush | carbon/copper/graphite | ||
| brush hood | endbell hardware component the brush rides in | ||
| brush tool, aligning | device for symmetrically aligning brush hoods to 0 degree offset from arm shaft center | ||
| brush tool, radiusing | device for cutting brush face radius to match commutator diameter | ||
| bushing, axle | oilite or bronze "button" or sleeve the axle turns in; serves as the "bearing" surface | ||
| bushing, motor | oilite or bronze "button" or sleeve the armature turns in; serves as the "bearing" surface | ||
| C | c-can | generically, name given to motors with specific, common can size; most commonly, groups 10 - 20 | |
| can | stamped and formed steel housing that carries the magnets and to which the endbell is mounted | ||
| can end | the end of the motor where the gear is mounted and where the motor screws are inserted | ||
| can tool | tool for checking the size and reconditioning the shape of the motor can | ||
| ceramic (magnets) | generic term applied to all non-cobalt magnets; refers to nature of ("ferrite") metal oxide composition | ||
| charger (battery) | commonly, an automotive-type battery charger used to maintain, recharge, or boost track batteries | ||
| chassis | core structure or platform of the car, to which all other components are added or mounted | ||
| chassis, steel | chassis produced by chem etching, laser or EDM cutting spring steel sheet | ||
| chassis, wire | chassis utilizing piano wire for major structural components | ||
| class (a) | generically, any individual competition grouping within a race or competition | ||
| class (b) | commonly, reference to heads-up or specification-restricted race grouping | ||
| click box | commonly, a reference to the controller relay system that bypasses controller resistors and wiring | ||
| clip, lead wire | bent metal form interposed between car braid and guide to form an accessible lead wire soldering point | ||
| clips, magnet | wire or stamped metal retainers which mechanically maintain magnet position in a can | ||
| cobalt (motor) | generic term used to describe all motors utilizing "cobalt" magnets | ||
| cobalt (magnets) | commonly, generic reference to samarium-cobalt material used in high-performance motors | ||
| com | commonly, shorter version of "commutator" | ||
| com lathe (machine) | device for precision resurfacing and retruing copper contact surfaces of a commutator | ||
| commutator | polarity-switching, 3-segmented, insulated copper device at one end of the armature; also: "com" | ||
| controller | manually-actuated variable-resistor device used to regulate track power supplied to car | ||
| D | DBC | popular manufacturer of optical-sensor-based track timing system | |
| diaplane | projecting front horizontal lip on a body; utilized for stability and airflow control | ||
| deslot | to come out of the slot during a run | ||
| dial | to select a specific e.t., most commonly during a bracket race | ||
| dial-in | the specific e.t. selected, most commonly during a bracket race | ||
| donut | the rubber portion of (most commonly) the rear tires | ||
| doorslammer | generic term applied to coupes/sedans with "doors" | ||
| dragster | commonly, term used to describe dragsters or dragster-type cars | ||
| E | endbell | nylon, phenolic, or anodized aluminum fixture containing bushing and carrying brushes and hardware | |
| endbell end | that end of the can/strap motor that retains the endbell | ||
| endgap | total amount of arm shaft freeplay between the inner dimensions of bushings and spacer ends of arm | ||
| endplay | total amount of arm shaft freeplay between the inner dimensions of bushings and spacer ends of arm | ||
| epoxy | single or multi-component adhesive used to bond wires to armature stacks, magnets to cans/straps | ||
| epoxy (verb) | commonly, the act of gluing magnets into cans or straps using various high-strength adhesives | ||
| F | flex | commonly, the beam-deflection or bending nature of a specific chassis | |
| float | commonly, the amount of free play a mounted body is permitted by its attachment method | ||
| flux | commonly, the liquid or paste metal prep solution used to facilitate complete and proper soldering | ||
| flux (verb) | the act of applying a flux in preparation for soldering | ||
| flux, magnet | a quantity expressing the strength of a magnetic field in a given area | ||
| funny car | generic term applied to highly-modified fuel coupes or replicas of current full-size cars | ||
| G | gauss, magnet (a) | the scientific unit of measurement of magnetic induction field | |
| gauss, magnet (b) | commonly, term used to refer to generic or perceived magnetic field "strength" | ||
| gauss (verb) | also commonly, term used to refer to the act of measuring magnetic field strength | ||
| gauss meter | electronic or electro-mechanical device used to measure internal or external magnetic field strength | ||
| gear, pinion | the smaller gear soldered or pressed on the armature shaft at the can end of the motor | ||
| gear, spur | the larger driven gear that set-screws to the axle | ||
| glue | most commonly, the friction-coefficient improving semi-fluid applied to track/ties to enhance traction | ||
| glue | commonly, any adhesive used to secure one item or component to another | ||
| glue (verb a) | to prepare car and/or track via application of traction-enhancing "glue" (see above) | ||
| glue (verb b) | to utilize an adhesive to retain an item or component | ||
| group | conventionally, the "category" of a motor, e.g., "Group 12" or "Group 27" | ||
| guide | the "shoe" that rides on the track braid and in the track slot; has threaded post for attachment | ||
| guide nut | nut that retains the guide to the chassis | ||
| guide tongue | chassis projection to and through which the guide is mounted | ||
| H | handling | generic term for how the car "behaves" and the way in which it makes its runs | |
| hardshell | common nickname for model-kit based cars and classes | ||
| hardware | as a group, the metal or other components on the endbell which hold the springs, brushes, etc. | ||
| heads-up | race where both competitors leave the line at the same time; also refers to non-index/bracket classes | ||
| hone | generically, a device for precision-grinding a surface, usually round or radiused | ||
| hone, magnet | diamond-coated rotating device (see above) which precision grinds magnet i.d. bore | ||
| hone (verb) | to utilize a hone; most commonly refers to the act of magnet honing | ||
| hook up (a) | commonly, to attach a controller to track lane control terminals | ||
| hook up (b) | also commonly, term used to describe presence (or absence) of traction | ||
| hub | the axle attachment point of a gear or wheel, through which the setscrew is tightened to the axle | ||
| hubs | commonly, term used to refer to rear wheel/tire assembly | ||
| I | index | the e.t. minimum against which a Class is run; generically, used to refer to cars in those Classes | |
| L | lamination(s) | the multiple 3-pole stampings which are assembled together to make the core or stacks of an armature | |
| launch | commonly, the initial or starting portion of a drag strip run | ||
| launch (verb) | commonly, to perform only the starting segment of the run to observe performance | ||
| lead | material most commonly used for ballast | ||
| lead wire | the wire that conveys power from the guide to the motor | ||
| lexan | polycarbonate material most commonly used for quality slot car bodies; generally .007"-.020" thick | ||
| lift | the act of purposely slowing a car to avoid going faster than a set index or bracket dial-in | ||
| light | singularly, one of the timing system indicator bulbs | ||
| light (verb a) | to trigger or illuminate one or more starting sensor indicator lights | ||
| light (verb b) | to have a significantly better reaction time than an opponent, achieving a starting line advantage | ||
| lights | commonly, a reference to the complete starting light sequencing process | ||
| M | magnet(s) | commonly, the ceramic or cobalt magnets used for field generation in a motor | |
| mask | adhesive material applied inside a clear body to prevent paint from covering an area, e.g., windows | ||
| mask (verb) | commonly, the act of using masks in preparation for body painting | ||
| match (magnets) | sorting and selecting, via gauss meter, etc., magnets possessing similar or identical field readings | ||
| mount, body | the chassis provisions or projections to which the body is actually attached | ||
| mount (verb) | commonly, to attach the body to the chassis | ||
| O | o-ring | generic industrial rubber or elastomeric rings used as front and wheelie-bar tires | |
| open | generic reference to open Class or Group 7 motor | ||
| P | pan | flat chassis projection/area; frequently used to carry ballast | |
| pass | common name for a drag strip run | ||
| pin | common straight pins, slightly bent, used to mount bodies | ||
| pin (verb) | to attach the body to the body mounts of the chassis via pins | ||
| pole, magnet | the positive/negative or north/south orientations of the field of a magnet | ||
| power supply | a variable DC voltage supply capable of running motors for break-in and testing | ||
| power supply, track (a) | generically, term used to refer to the rating and amperage capacity of track power batteries | ||
| power supply, track (b) | specifically | ||
| pre-stage | to illuminate the first of the two normal starting line staging lights | ||
| push button | commonly, an on/off push button switch sometimes used in lieu of a controller to operate cars | ||
| Q | quads | two-segment magnets | |
| R | rail | commonly, term used to describe dragsters or dragster-type cars | |
| rail(s), chassis | the chassis components connecting the motor portion to the guide-mounting segment | ||
| ratio, gear | numerical ratio achieved by dividing the number of teeth on the spur gear by the number of the pinion | ||
| reaction time | time between the illuminating of the last countdown bulb and triggering of track power by the controller | ||
| red light | common indicator that shows a competitor has reacted faster than the specified start time interval | ||
| red light (verb) | to react quicker than the specified time interval after the last countdown light has been illuminated | ||
| relay, controller | device which, when activated at "full" position, bypasses all resistors and wiring in a controller | ||
| retainer | generically, any device used to locate or position a component, e.g., magnet, wheel, etc. | ||
| retainer (body) | small, flat-faced collars used at tubing ends to distribute loads and prevent body break-through | ||
| ride height | dimension between body and/or chassis and components and the track surface | ||
| rim | that thin cylindrical portion of a rear wheel to which the tire/"donut" is glued/attached | ||
| rims | commonly, term used to refer to rear wheels | ||
| roadster | commonly, used to refer to any older, open drag car | ||
| roll, slow | the act of slowly driving the car down the track, usually for the purpose of applying glue | ||
| roll-out | calculated distance based on the circumference of the (rear) tire | ||
| roll-out (verb) | the act of slowly driving the car down the track, usually for the purpose of applying glue | ||
| run | commonly, term used to refer to a completed pass down the strip | ||
| run (verb) | also commonly, the act of making a pass down the strip | ||
| S | screw, endbell | screw(s) that attach the endbell to the motor can, usually 4 in number | |
| screw, hardware | screw(s) that attach the hardware to the endbell, usually 4 in number | ||
| screw, motor | screw(s) that attach the motor to a mounting tab on the chassis, usually 2 in number | ||
| screw-in (motor) | a motor capable of being attached to a chassis via mounting screws and without solder | ||
| screw-in (chassis) | chassis constructed or modified to take a screw-in motor | ||
| sensor (track) | electronic (induction) or electro-optical (light beam) devices used to initiate and trigger a timing system | ||
| setscrew | small headless fastener with internal hex drive used to attach gears and wheels to the axle | ||
| setscrew, hollow | fastener (see above) with hex drive broached from end to end; slightly lighter weight than solid | ||
| scale | weighing device used to check class cars for specific class weight compliance | ||
| scale (verb) | the act of weighing cars, frequently during technical inspection | ||
| scale car | commonly, a car which has been built to maintain a more replica-like proportion and appearance | ||
| scale tire | commonly, larger rim and tire diameter which is proportionally more correct in appearance | ||
| SDRA | Scale Drag Racing Association, national sanctioning body for slot car drag racing | ||
| shaft (armature) | the steel core shaft of an armature over which the stack laminations and commutator are pressed | ||
| shunt (verb) | to install shunt wires | ||
| shunt wire | additional bypass wires/braids from the hardware lead wire attachment points directly to the brushes | ||
| singles | magnets of one-piece or single-segment configuration | ||
| slot(s) | the actual recess which directs and restricts the travel of the car and into which the guide fits | ||
| slug (a) | commonly, name frequently applied to cylindrical airgap/bushing tool (see "airgap tool") | ||
| slug (b) | shaft-mounted steel cylinder arm mass substitute placed in magnet bore when magnets are zapped | ||
| solder-in (motor) | a motor which must be soldered into a chassis to be mounted | ||
| solder-in (chassis) | a chassis into which a motor must be soldered to be mounted | ||
| spacer, armature | aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, or phenolic washers on arm shaft used to take up end play or float | ||
| spacer, axle | aluminum, bronze, phenolic, or plastic washers on the axle used to adjust clearances and wheel track | ||
| spacer, guide | steel, phenolic, aluminum, or delrin washers that adjust guide height relationship to chassis | ||
| spin | commonly, reference to tire "spin" during acceleration | ||
| spoiler (a) | properly, a front (by diversion) or rear (by trim or downforce) air control device | ||
| spoiler (b) | commonly, used to refer to the rear trim/downforce air control device | ||
| spring(s) | the coiled tensioning device(s) which maintain(s) brush contact with the commutator | ||
| spring cup | cylindrical device, frequently aluminum or phenolic, around which spring is retained and pivots | ||
| stack | commonly, term used to describe the pole lamination(s) assembly of an armature | ||
| stage (verb) | the act of positioning a car at the starting line and properly triggering the staging lights | ||
| stage rule | during an event, the time limit imposed on an individual for preparing the car and track to race | ||
| staging light(s) | those lights which indicate that car has been properly positioned in the start line sensors | ||
| strap | light-weight, minimal, "U"-shaped motor housing; most commonly found in cobalt motors | ||
| T | t.q. | the top qualifier, car or driver, in a class | |
| t.q. (verb) | the act of making the lowest e.t. qualifying run in a specific class | ||
| tab, hardware | the flat surface of the endbell metal hardware to which the lead wires are soldered | ||
| tab, motor | the plate or projection on a chassis to which a screw-in motor can be attached | ||
| tag | commonly, a reference to the identifying label required on the windings of most Group armatures | ||
| tech | that portion of a race during which cars are inspected for safety and conformance to class rules | ||
| tech (verb) | the act of inspecting a car to determine suitability for competition and rules compliance | ||
| thump | commonly, reference to strength of the "cogging" effect of motor's magnetic field on armature | ||
| timing system | electronic/electro-optical system which calculates/displays reaction, e.t., speed of a competition or run | ||
| tire (a) | commonly, reference to the rear tire/wheel assembly | ||
| tire (b) | commonly, reference to the front o-ring used on the front wheels | ||
| tire truer | a special file or common emery board used to modify the shoulder or o.d. of tires | ||
| tire truer (machine) | motor-driven device used to cut, sand, or grind tire sidewalls and/or o.d. | ||
| track (a) | commonly, the racing surface or structure itself | ||
| track (b) | also commonly, the store or slot car shop where the "track" is located | ||
| track (c) | the dimension between the centerline of the left and right front, rear, or wheelie bar wheel/tires | ||
| tree, Bracket | ".500" tree; three-light sequence, .500 of a second apart, used to start bracket and some other races | ||
| tree, Christmas | generically, reference to the entire timing system light assembly | ||
| tree, Pro | ".400" tree; two-light system, .400 of a second apart, used to start heads-up or index classes | ||
| tree (verb) | commonly, to gain a significant starting line advantage via significantly better reaction time | ||
| Trik Trax | popular manufacturer of induction-sensor-based track timing system | ||
| true (commutator) | com reconditioning via turning, resurfacing, polishing, and cleaning | ||
| true (tire) | initial sizing or reconditioning of tire surfaces/o.d. via grinding/regrinding or cutting/recutting | ||
| U | upright | the vertical chassis segments which hold the bushings/bearings | |
| V | voltage | commonly, reference to nominal available total voltage provided by track batteries/power supply | |
| W | wind | commonly, term used to describe an armature by the number and gauge of wire "winds" it has | |
| wind (verb) | reference to the custom or production manufacturing of armatures | ||
| wing (a) | properly, a separate, distinct (and usually detached) aerodynamic control and downforce device | ||
| wing (b) | commonly, used to describe rear spoiler | ||
| wing (c) | term used by slot car road racers to generically describe any air-control device | ||
| wheel (a) | properly, the central (usually metal) component of a wheel/tire assembly | ||
| wheel (b) | commonly, term used to describe the wheel/tire/"donut" assembly | ||
| wheel, wheelie bar | smaller-diameter wheels on wheelie bar assembly used to absorb launch shock & CG transfer | ||
| wheelbase (a) | dimension from centerline, front axle, to centerline, rear axle | ||
| wheelbase (b) | dimension from center, guide, to center, rear axle | ||
| wheelie bars | commonly, term used to refer to the entire chassis segment/axle/wheels/tires assembly | ||
| Z | zap (verb) | to recharge and/or reorient the magnetic field strength and/or polarity of magnets |
Go to: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Note: this Glossary originally started out with about 12 to 15 words, to which I added the words, terms and phrases I could recall using or encountering referring to slot car drag racing. It now has about 215 entries, and, at that, probably still isn't very complete. But you know one of Unc's favorite motos: "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing."
These entries weren't borrowed or lifted from anywhere; I made them up from memory as I went along. So if your definition and mine differ, send me yours. If it works better and fits in the one line available, I'll use it. Use the e-mail, below. Likewise with missing words and concepts.
Otherwise, they're all reasonably close to accurate. Some appear redundant because they are redundant. Others take more space than one thinks they should. Try describing the appearance, function, and location of a slot car armature's commutator in thirteen words some time.
© 1998 UFIE f_eubel@juno.com
This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page