How to straighten rubber dolly track? (Kessler) at DVinfo.net

Lloyd Ubshura · July 9th, 2010, 03:59 PM

I have 30' (x2) of rubber track from Kessler that WILL NOT pull out straight. It spends most of its time in a 3x3 box coiled up and whenever I pull it out it will never ever ever lay out perfectly straight... nor even close. It's always got way too many mini-curves it it that will show up on a tight shot on screen.

Any suggestions? It's a lot day here so I got it laying out in the grass pretty straight to heat it up... but I don't know if that's going to fix the problem.

Suggestions please!?!? I almost think that the cheesy PVC way would have been better... at least straight, but then again I need 30'.

Bob Hart · July 9th, 2010, 10:51 PM

You might need to revise your storage method. Ideal would be if you had an environment where you could hang it vertically from one end and only coil it to travel in the box.

On location you might be able to force it straight by running hotwater through it if it is hollow, plugging one end and leaving it connected to a high pressure water source until it sets into a straightened condition.

Olof Ekbergh · July 13th, 2010, 05:38 AM

How about driving stakes or pegs in the ground, and attaching the rubber track to them with short line. and then pull and tie line tight to stretch the track straight. That should keep it very straight. You may even be able to adapt tie-down belts with ratchets to do this as a permanent feature.

Just a thought.

Lloyd Ubshura · July 13th, 2010, 08:49 AM

Thanks. You're both on the right track! (Get it?!?)

I laid it out in the hot sun and it seemed to work out a lot of the kinks. But it's not perfect yet.

It's solid so the hot water idea night not work running THROUGH it, but I'm going to try it in the bathtub at the hottest temp. and let it sit for a while to heat up and then stretch it out (maybe hang it from the roof or try to pull it.).

I'll report back.

Bob Hart · July 13th, 2010, 09:50 AM

If you could go safely onto a corrugated iron roof with the tracks and a steam cleaner, lay them in the corrugations and give them a cookover with the steam jet and straighten them let them cool and reset there, might be an option.

Get some advice on how hot they can be allowed to get. I have been known to get things wrong and have blotted my copybook of recent times through being too much of a know-all.

July 9th, 2010, 03:59 PM	#1
Lloyd Ubshura Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 204	How to straighten rubber dolly track? (Kessler) I have 30' (x2) of rubber track from Kessler that WILL NOT pull out straight. It spends most of its time in a 3x3 box coiled up and whenever I pull it out it will never ever ever lay out perfectly straight... nor even close. It's always got way too many mini-curves it it that will show up on a tight shot on screen. Any suggestions? It's a lot day here so I got it laying out in the grass pretty straight to heat it up... but I don't know if that's going to fix the problem. Suggestions please!?!? I almost think that the cheesy PVC way would have been better... at least straight, but then again I need 30'.

July 13th, 2010, 05:38 AM	#3
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	How about driving stakes or pegs in the ground, and attaching the rubber track to them with short line. and then pull and tie line tight to stretch the track straight. That should keep it very straight. You may even be able to adapt tie-down belts with ratchets to do this as a permanent feature. Just a thought. __________________ Olof Ekbergh • olof@WestsideAV.com Westside A V Studios • http://www.WestsideAVstore.com/

July 13th, 2010, 09:50 AM	#5
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	If you could go safely onto a corrugated iron roof with the tracks and a steam cleaner, lay them in the corrugations and give them a cookover with the steam jet and straighten them let them cool and reset there, might be an option. Get some advice on how hot they can be allowed to get. I have been known to get things wrong and have blotted my copybook of recent times through being too much of a know-all. Last edited by Bob Hart; July 13th, 2010 at 09:51 AM. Reason: error

July 9th, 2010, 10:51 PM	#2
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	You might need to revise your storage method. Ideal would be if you had an environment where you could hang it vertically from one end and only coil it to travel in the box. On location you might be able to force it straight by running hotwater through it if it is hollow, plugging one end and leaving it connected to a high pressure water source until it sets into a straightened condition.

July 13th, 2010, 08:49 AM	#4
Lloyd Ubshura Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 204	Thanks. You're both on the right track! (Get it?!?) I laid it out in the hot sun and it seemed to work out a lot of the kinks. But it's not perfect yet. It's solid so the hot water idea night not work running THROUGH it, but I'm going to try it in the bathtub at the hottest temp. and let it sit for a while to heat up and then stretch it out (maybe hang it from the roof or try to pull it.). I'll report back.