Mad Ax

I too dream about things I want, but usually these things aren't RC and they have legs rather than wheels [] There is one burried in my shed looking for a new home! and of course while we're here reminiscing the times we spent wandering around the LHS "looking but not buying" all those now-closed LHS owners are bitterly remembering all those kids who used to come in, wander around, waste everyones time and wander out again without spending any money []

Unfortunate for you, but fortunate for all those LHS owners who had basements stacked to the vaults with NIB kits (ooh, nostalgia again!!) Fortunate for all those poor rainforests too, I expect. Someone said they use trees to make paper, although how they operate the machines with their thick branch arms I'll never know[:^)]

cheers, found [] Just gotta wait until he's back off holiday [] still no rush - got the Pumpkin to build first

Re: motors and turns, generally speaking the less "turns" the more power the motor will make, with a trade-off on run-time. i.e. a lower turn motor will make your car go faster, but the battery won't last as long. Also the fewer turns in the motor, the more strain it puts on the ESC, hence ESCs get more expensive as the turn rating reduces. Most hobby shops will sell an unlimited ESC for around £40, which will handle any motor you choose to stick in it. I bought a no limits ESC with my Dark Impact from the word go, so I know I can throw in any motor I choose without worrying about extra expense. Try it on stock power for a bit anyway, if you haven't used an RC for a while it'll take some getting used to. The slower it goes, the less damage you'll do when you crash it [] Ax

cheers for the advice, seen some dirt cheap re-re chassis on ebay, looks like there's enough there to rebuild most of the car with new components! Only thing I can't find is new tyres - anyone know of a place to try for Grasshopper rear tyres? Anything but those paddle wheels won't look the same []

Not as yet fuggly - will see what I can do. Also looking at potentially restoring it since it was my favourite of all my early cars. I thought abought buying a re-re Hornet in a month or two when I've got some more money, but re-re parts are so cheap at the mo I'm thinking of a resto anyway... Might have some pics next week, unless I decide to restore.

Simple question - anyone know if the chassis component for a re-re Grasshopper is different to the original model? I have an original grasshopper at home that suffered a major impact back in 1997 that finished it off for good. Looking at a possible rebuild, I've noticed I can buy a new re-re chassis for less than £10 (and probably enough spare parts to fix any other damage I come across. I was thinking of selling it, but this could be quite a fun project over the coming months. According to the manual the original 'hopper could use hump-packs or racing packs - does the same apply to the later chassis? Cheers []

This isn't a For Sale thread - just getting an idea of what my stuff is worth, as I need to clear some space. Got a few old bits and pieces lying around that I've collected over the years. First up is an original Grasshopper. This was given to me as a complete but well-used car, and in the time that I had it, it got used harder. The rear tyres are so thin they feel like paper. ISTR the shell is complete but scratched, and needs repainting. The chassis is complete, but its life came to an end when a big roll smashed off the front left suspension tower - so it needs a new chassis tub. The rest of it needs a complete rebuild - all the nylon bearings are worn so the wheels are sloppy. I've also got a few hump-packs with it - they were rebuilt with new cells back in 1996-7, but ideally need rebuilding again as I probably didn't do a very good job. Next is a Mardave Ministock. This is the early model with the hard plastic shell. Complete, but worn. The rear wheel / gears were quite badly worn, although it still works they don't mesh very well, and the rear axle is bent - although since the rear axle is just an iron bar it would be an easy fix. Thirdly - not really vintage, but not something I really care for any more - I have a Kyosho Sand Master nitro car. Last time I got this out of the shed it was complete and 100% working - just needed setting up, I couldn't seem to get the brake and throttle to adjust properly (although I was probably being an idiot at the time). It hasn't been out of the shed in at least 3 years and probably needs the carb cleaning out and setting up again. The flywheel gear is a bit worn, but otherwise it's complete and seen very little use. I have all the original bits from the kit, incl. the glow starter and charger. I *THINK* I still have a Mud Blaster, somewhere, although last time I looked in the shed I couldn't see it anywhere - which leads me to believe that it may well have been sold. The Mud Blaster was my first (and until last month, only) NIB purchase - but I never really liked it. I always regretted not getting a buggy, as being a hamfisted idiot I rolled it on a daily basis and ultimately ruined the shell. Underneath, however, the spaceframe chassis is untouched. This would be sold as an "incomplete project" as I seem to recall that I may have cannibalised some of the parts (prob just steering arms) for the Grasshopper. Finally, the ultimate vintage pride, I have an original Hi-Lux. This was a chance find - a guy renting a property from family left without paying the bills, and left the Hi-Lux (along with a brand new stereo system) behind. Sadly it was without battery pack or radio gear, so I never got the opportunity to see the 3-speed in full action. The shell is present but has some scratches, one of the spotlamps is missing, the interior and driver is missing, the front grille and bumper is missing. The chassis is complete, however there is no motor, and the front left swivel hub is damaged - I got the car running once with an old radio set and a taped-up battery pack, but a servo died on its maiden voyage and the left wheel clipped a fencepost and smashed the hub. This is frustrating, since it's the only thing stopping the car from working. Please note that ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE WITHOUT RADIO. I'm guessing the Hi-Lux is worth something to somebody who is interested in restoring it. If I devoted some money to it I could do it myself, but TBH I think I'd rather sell it and put the revenue into increasing my collection - I've got a Super Clod and a Hornet on my wishlist. The other cars, I'm not so sure. If they're not worth anything I may hang on to them, rebuild them and use them myself, or I may just stick them on ebay for the sake of it. The nitro car I'm in two minds with - it's a nearly-new car, so should be worth me fixing it up and getting out with it again, but TBH I find nitro is too messy, noisy and temperamental for the sort of places I usually play. If anyone is interested in any of the above then make me a sensible offer [] or keep your eye out in the For Sale forum - once it's ready to go I'll put a post up there for each car. Cheers []

I was in my LHS AGAIN yesterday - sorting out my order for a new chrome pumpkin (picking it up tomorrow - soooo excited - was supposed to pick it up this afternoon, but something far more important has come up*) Got chatting to the guys who worked there, and were nostalgically remembering the days when I used to collect those Tamiya 1/24 (?) 4x4 cars and trucks - the miniature versions of their RC cars. I recall buying a Super Astute 1/24, and coming back a week later to see the 1/10 Super Astute on the top of the pile above the counter. Then, a year later, I got given some spending money just before Christmas, and bought myself a 1/24 Midnight Pumpkin, all the while drooling over the real thing - again, on the top of the pile above the counter. Yesterday, while sorting out the options and accessories for the new Pumpkin, I looked up at that same pile above the counter - and what did I see next to the Double Blaze and the ubiquitous stack of Subaru Imprezzas..? A whole stack of re-re cars - Hornet, Grasshopper, Frog, Lunchbox. Almost brought a tear to my eye [] The guys who work there are such a good bunch, too - since I got back into RC a month ago I must have been in there 6 times, every time it's service with a smile, stop for a chat for 40 minutes or more. The boss even advance-warned me not to turn up after 4pm today, because he's closing early to go and watch the England world cup football match [] As long as hobby shops keep good stock, good customer service and a good central location (a tourist town like Bath helps a lot) they will remain competitive, IMO *5'4", blonde

I reckon you all just had kids so you can share your RC addiction with someone who really appreciates it, who isn't an internet persona on the other side of the globe [] []

If I spent any time trying to decipher the meanings of any of the unreadable texts that I read on the internet every day, I'd never get any work done... I'd personally write this one off as another "internet wierdo" and get on with something far more interesting, like playing with RC []

I'm glad you got through the construction with no problems. I tried to build one a few years back, but found it very difficult without an instruction manual. At first I thought there must be something wrong with the tools supplied, but when I spoke to my Dad (who apparently was into the same thing when he was younger) he told me that it was just a matter of practice. He gave me several magazines which had some graphic construction diagrams - these helped a lot. Sadly I get to the bit where it says "using the help of an assistant" and fall flat on my face []

So, what was the build like? Did it take a long time to put together, and were all the necessary tools and instructions included, or did you just have to work out for yourself where all the bits go..? Did you build it on your own, or did it require the help of an assistant..?

My parents were much the same when I was living at home. Virtually every time we had a clear-out, Mother Dearest would put my near-complete Hilux in the "throw away" pile... It's still at their place in the shed, we're having a clear-out on Saturday... God help them if it gets thrown anywhere!

Already started - I was looking through the catalogs yesterday, saying: I'll have one of those and one of those and two of those And then I'll get one of those but fit one of those to one of those...

Had to run an errand tonight, and I knew I'd be driving past an area that might potentially be a good area to try out the Dark Impact, so I bundled it into the car and set off. Around 9pm I found myself driving past Priddy Ponds, a forresty commission area near Bristol. There's a huge gravel car park, thankfully unlocked and totally deserted at 9pm. A huge expanse of gravel, dirst, complete with ramps, grass banks, puddles, and mud paths. I had expected the car park to be locked, or packed with cars with steamed up windows, but no, it was empty. In fact the only people I saw all night was a girl walking along the roadside, and a farmer passing with his tractor. Thoughts on the Dark Impact? Well, I've never owned a 4wd RC before, but I can see that I've been missing out. Levels of control are so much higher than the 2wd buggies and trucks I'm used to from my youth. I'm having some trouble getting the shell to fit over the unlimited ESC, and since I've never been a fan of buggies (even ones as gorgeous as the Dark Impact) I'll probably fit a Stadium Raider shell or similar anyhow... The shock mounts will need adjusting to give greater clearance over the bigger gravel sections, and I'll probably go for a hotter motor for extra speed and power too... If the weather's good, I might be back on Thursday night, and again next week with a newly-built Midnight Pumpkin and a fast charger [] Haven't had so much fun since I was 15 years old

At a guess I'd estimate that spacer gives approximately .5 - 1 inch roughly thereabouts perhaps maybe If the kit was going to cost £100 new, then I'd source a 2nd hand M01/2 and rebuild it, but at £49 for the kit it's probably cheaper to buy the M04L and shorten it in whichever way I need... At a guess I'd say it'll be fine without that spacer, just a case of "try it and see" []

Any good - well, I guess so I'm only just getting back into RC myself after about 9 years off, there's lots of new competitors on the market that weren't popular in the UK 10 years ago but for electric RC I don't think you can beat Tamiya - simply for parts availability. Shop around before you buy that kit tho - look here, for example: http://www.goldstarstockists.com/playtime/tamiya-onroad.htm The same kit is available for £129, plus a dedicated model shop will be able to help you with spares, upgrades and advice if you decide to modify later on. I'm sure some other more experienced peeps will be able to give you more advice on exactly which model to go for based on exactly what you want to do with it []

Do you know if an M04L can be converted to a shorter model easily..? AFAIK the BMW M roadster is still in production and is darned cheap (NIB bare kit - £49 from a UK website)

Sounds excellent [] Pressumably modding some big chrome 1/10 touring car wheels to fit the chassis would give the effect of my lowrider having huge douce-dubs, too (provided I can get them under the arches and drop the chassis to it sits low to the ground...) What kits were popular with the M01 or M02 chassis..? Anything still in production, or will I be sourcing parts from the Bay?

Just thinking aloud here, I'm guessing this is because the Pumpkin shell has a shorter wheelbase than a regular 1/10 shell - therefore the M chassis is the only one short enough. Now... Most M chassis are front-drive - correct? For purposes of authenticity, and because this is supposed to be a US-style lowrider replica, I want a read-drive chassis. The BMW "M" roadster and Honda S2000 use a M03L chassis - modified for rear-drive and longer track. I'm guessing, therefore, that the length of the M chassis can be modified by using hybrid parts - i.e. length of a Mini Cooper or Suzuki Swift, but rear drive setup like the BMW... Looks like this will be a fun project []

COOL vid - forgot just how mad those monster trucks are... Bouncey bouncey bouncey bouncey fun fun-fun fun-fun !! []

Going to get me a new model later this month, but need to make my mind up what to get. I have a plan of what I want to do over the following months, but can't decide what to buy to do it. I've currently got a Dark Impact, which I intend to use for a bit of off-road racing when I get around to it. I want a few others, but can't make up my mind... Option 1: This month - buy a Chrome Pumpkin, and buy a lexan shell - probably a Twin Detonator / Stadium Raider type shell. Build it and run it as a fun / stunt truck for wheelies, jumps and general messing around outside. Next month - buy a rear-drive tarmac chassis that will fit the Chrome Pumpkin shell. Buy some deep chrome rims and build a shelf-queen Pumpkin lowrider. Can anyone advise me what sort of chassis to look out for to fit the Pumpkin shell? Benefits: Pumpkin chassis should be excellent for jumps & wheelies Pumpkin lowrider will look fantastic and make me feel very proud Drawbacks: Pumpkin chassis is a bit slow and primitive compared to modern trucks, and isn't 4x4 Lowrider will be too tidy to use for any kind of racing Might be difficult to find a rear-drive chassis that will fit the Pumpkin shell, as it's quite short Option 2: This month - buy a Double Blaze. Build it and run it as a fun / stunt truck for jumps and general messing around outside. Next month - buy a touring car, so I can go tarmac racing. Benefits: Double Blaze should be very quick if used with hot motors and hop-ups Blaze is 4x4 - better for racing around on loose surfaces Can go tarmac racing Drawbacks: Blaze may not be quite as good for stupid stunts as a Pumpkin chassis, being that it's a bit heavier and weighted more as a stadium truck than a stunt monster truck I've always wanted a Pumpkin since I was a kid, and will probably regret it if I don't get one Summary I'm an indecisive wally with too much time in which to dream about owning dozens of Tamiya cars and not enough money to own them all... So, have yourselves a good discussion and let's turn this into a "virtual shopping list" for me

Aah, sweet nostalgic memories [] Kinda puts me in mind of the type of shop you'd expect Harry Potter to visit Incidentally, I popped in the shop yesterday to check the book price on a chrome pumpkin, and although it's a lot lighter and tidier than it always was, it was no better ventilated. We're having somewhat of a heatwave in Bath at the moment, and there was sweat running down our faces as I stood chatting to the shopkeeper. After 10 minutes we could bear it no more, and stepping outside into the cool breeze of the street was like being reborn []

Actually still got most of my old stuff, even though I don't consider myself a collector (in fact - I'll probably be selling all the old stuff soon), but my first Tamiya was a Nissan King Cab that my cousin bought new, and sold to me after a year of heavy abuse. I kept the Cab for about a year, ran it until the tyres split and the batteries failed, then swapped it for a CB radio. I never missed the car - it was wrecked and needed a complete overhaul with mostly new parts - but with it I gave an early 90s Futaba radio set that looked absolutely gorgeous, in a retro kinda way... Lots of chromed plastic, big round dials around the stalks, proper needle-type battery meter. Looked so much better than all the black plastic + LED modern stuff you get today...