This is a very cool toy! Basically, the heater unit melted plastic that you injected into metal molds. Once these cooled, you split them apart and cleaned up the rough edges and built some Hot Wheels of your own. I never had this set as a kid, but I had something similar that built tanks and other army vehicles. It must have been a cheaper version because the molds were plastic and the plastic pellets were a lot softer. The HW Factory's molds are made of die-cast as you will see below. My problem with my set was the lack of new plastic to mold new vehicles, or I couldn't wait long enough for all the plastic to melt in the heater or for the mold to cool... Due to my lack of patience, all the "rejects" ended up as material for new vehicles. By the time I quit playing with mine (the heating element died), all my vehicles were the same dark, yucky brown color. These type of toys were really pretty dangerous and I doubt if they would be allowed today. The melted plastic sticks to fingers and causes a little pain... You learned pretty quick what not to do or your parents took you to the hospital. I have bought 2 of these sets recently and I am going to make some cars pretty soon. Hopefully, I will remember what to avoid...
Ok, I have built a couple cars with the help of my friend, Ted Gray. It was a little more difficult than I thought, but the cars were worth it. I am looking for more plastic and have a couple leads, but am down to checking some craft stores. The first small craft store I went to looked at me like I was an idiot... I also have an add-on pak that allows you to make a trailer w/indy car and pickup truck with a camper. Unfortunately this came with only one of the 2 molds required to make the vehicles... So - if anyone has the mold to make the camper top and vehicle bases, please contact me! I am also looking for plastix refill packs for the Factory. They will be used, so package condition is not too important. Click on the pictures if you want a larger view.
Update
- There is a company called Toymax
that is now making pellets that can be used in place of plastix. They are
making the plastic in: Purple, Lime, Green, Yellow, Red, Green, and Tan.
They cost $4 for 48 pellets. The pellets are smaller than the standard
ones Mattel used, so a new ratio will have to be determined. I haven't
ordered any for myself yet, so let me know if you are successful. Call
them at 800-222-9060 to order yours! I also have found another Indy Trail
set, so another one isn't needed, unless you have a single mold you want
to donate... :)
| The heating unit. | One of the molds. | The plastic. The clear was for the windshields. |
The car choices listed on the front of the instruction manual.
The front of the Indy Trail Plus Pak instructions.
Ok - now you have seen the main components, all that is left is to plug in the heating unit and get busy. I couldn't bring myself to use the beautiful redline tires that are included with the factory, so I used some wheels and axles leftover from customizing. The first step was cleaning the molds and making bases. I took some time to clean out the heating unit with paper towels after it warmed up. Even doing this, stray color showed up where it wasn't wanted. Note the metal piece that adds the strength and weight to the car. This is how it would look with the redlines, but I just couldn't...
Then you wait for the plastix to melt completely in the factory. Next, the mold halves are put together and clamped, stuck under the factory and the mold is filled. Once it cools, it has to be popped out of the mold and trimmed.
Once the base, and body are done, the windshields are made. Note the impurities in the windows.
Here are pics of the one-of-a-kind prototypes.
Note the stray color in the front of the Spirit. Ted's car, the Hot Pipes, has mismatched wheels, a factory error that is sure to make his car more valuable in the future!
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