vtgrrrs
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Posts posted by vtgrrrs
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OK, quick update. I've used the Lunchbox everyday at least once and it's had i'ts fair share of crashes/scrapes due to me learning to drive it and the large amount of concrete terrain where I've driven it. Looks like this now:
Still looks fine unless you begin to get a bit closer.
First up the fiddly rear axle springs/stabilisers snapped, so until I do the 3rd shock mod I used some rubber tubing left from the original suspension. Already this has helped stabilise the handling! Pic below. The top arrow shows the tube and the bottom one shows the location of where the other one is (although not visible). Not totally clear I know.
One of the panels got scraped but has been touched up and with the little help of a small 'Lunchbox' sticker you can't tell. However, whilst doing that repair I got some paint on the already scraped clear window. I painted these black but they look slightly crazed although you can't really tell until you are really close. the window frame on both sides has been slightly knocked too.
Also, the rear bumber has been scraped and lost some chrome but nothing major.
Obviously I'm enjoying it and looking forward to my next model. Quite fancy another starter model, this time a buggy - the Rising Fighter - to cut my teeth on.
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Hi, just wondered if anyone had spare parts available for me to do this mod. Paypal preferred. Thanks!
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Hi, I seem to have snapped the little fiddly axle springs and I've read the 3rd shock solves the problem. The problem is which shock and spring do I use and where do I get it? Thanks
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I've recently built my first RC car - a Lunchbox - and really enjoyed it and aim to build a few more re re's/tamiyas. However, I also fancy doing some racing, and as much as I love Tamiya's I know that unless I spend mega bucks I'm not likely to be competitive. Soooo, this is a long way round of asking if there are any electric ready to run buggies that are raceable out of the box or require minimum upgrading? I noticed the Traxxas Bandit XL-5 looks very tempting at the price but is it any good as a starting point?
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That's good news. It's running pretty straight now after a little bit more fiddling, well almost. I'm really chuffed with it and have already had it out a few times, only problem is it wasn't quite so slippy this morning and it flipped on to it's roof whilst doing a fastish turn so I've scratched the body/paint a bit. Boo Hoo!
Still at least it's proof it's getting used and I've managed to touch it up slightly.I've definitely caught the RC 'bug'
Thanks for all the advice and encouragement!
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Well it's finished! Last night I got everything sorted (chassis, front suspension etc) and today I got the body detailed and attached. Took it out for a run today which was great fun. Couple of (very) minor issues. First up the car pulls slightly off to the side although I've adjusted the steering arms as well as I can. I've adjusted the transmitter set by moving the bias slightly to one side (only a couple of notches) and this seems to have solved it. In fact I think that it may have been the fact that there is a bit of slack on where the steering arm attaches on the ball joint nearest to the wheel. I'm guessing that this kind of thing is quite normal?
Finally, the ball joint and screw that attach to the steering servo seemed to be working slightly loose so I've added a little glue (this only keeps them together and doesn't restrict any 'moving' parts).
Really enjoyed using it! Can't wait to get it out again tomorrow. My 3 year old son thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.
Final pic:
Overall I've really enjoyed building it and despite a couple of minor issues and worries it went pretty smoothly. I'd certainly feel more confident next time. Looking forward to getting my next buggy.
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Ouch! That's bad luck. Hope you get it sorted soon mate.
Yeah, I didn't think I was doing too badly so far as at the minute I'm only getting 1-2 hours an evening to work on it including packing away time etc.
Anyway I managed to get the rear suspension attached, the battery tray and the front steering arms. Cheers for all the help and advice so far. I think it's coming along nicely.
Update pic for tonight:
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OK I'm an idiot. Realised last night that I may have used the wrong battery (i.e not a charged one) mistakenly. However, how it had enough charge to start it originally I'm not sure. Anyway, short story; I switched the battery and got the ESC set up and now the motor works and is obviously correctly lined up as it's working as it should. Phew.
I guess the reason I'm asking so many questions is with it being the first kit I've done and I want to make sure I get it done properly the first time. Also didn't help that some of my parts had been put in the wrong bags/labelled incorrectly by Tamiya. lol
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OK, a little bit of help needed. I tried to set up the ESC but have failed miserably.
Initially I turned on the transmitter and then the receiver & LED flashed once as it should. I pushed set button when in neutral. LED flashed a few times. Tried to set up throttle = nothing. Assumed everything must be ok and connected the motor, nothing although I can hear the power is there.
So I tried again. This time I turned transmitter on then the receiver = nothing, no flashing LED. Nothing except sound of the power being there. Tried pressing the set button, nothing again. Connected the motor. Again nothing, not even the alarm going off and definitely no movement from the motor. However the steering servo works.
Any ideas as to how I can set it again or hints on what I'm doing wrong?
Thanks.
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Next update. Haven't done too much tonight - only the one page. It's starting to take shape now. I've got the gearbox and motor pretty much mounted and hooked up. I really need to see if the motor works and is linked up to the gearbox correctly. Guess I'll have to try and sort out the ESC to do that; I originally turned it on (and the transmitter) without checking out how to do it properly so I guess I'll have a proper look at how to do it at a later date.
Also, it states that once the motor cables are attached to cable tie them securely. Any ideas where I should do this? At the moment only the green and yellow ones (from the motor) are cable tied to the motor. Photo's are below as per usual.
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Yeah, it does. I'll keep it as is for now I think which is probably about the same width away as a single thickness of the card.
edit: I've checked and the card just fits. In fact the 'card' is just paper really so I'm confident that I've managed to do it correctly. Fingers crossed...
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Really? I've moved it a little closer just in case again then (about the thickness of a couple of bits of paper). There does seem to be slight movement though in the prong from the motor that the pinion is attached to which I guess could make the pinion just touch the motor or move further away. Ho hum, I'll just have to see how it pans out.
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Ah right. Mine was touching slightly. I've now moved it about a milimetre away just to be on the safe side. Cheers!
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Another update and this time it's more positive! I took the advice from some of the previous posters and got the shell painted (well, sprayed but you know what I mean). It came out well with no running so I think taking my time paid off.
Assembly has continued with the ESC and receiver being attached to the chassis. The gearbox has been assembled too, although I did find the grease didn't go far! I also managed to get the pinion attached to the motor.
One thing that did seem weird was that I was supposed to position the pinion using the piece of paper. I'm not sure why, so I didn't bother. I managed to line up the 'headless screw' to the flat part when I attached it so I think it will be fine. If anyone can tell me if it was important/purpose of using the paper or card I'd be grateful. I've got a photo of what I'm on about below. That probably explains it better.
Also, I'm quite pleased that I seem to have speeded up a little now I've figured out that two of my parts bags had been mixed up with each other and had been labelled as such. Figuring out what's what seems to be the key to completing the project more easily. Starting to enjoy it!
Finally, pics:
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Well at long last I've got started. It was a bit tricky tonight as my baby daughter didn't get to sleep easily as she wasn't well. Still, a slow start is better than no start.
I must admit it's been slow progress. There's 3 sets of instructions (Lunchbox, servo & radio and the ESC) some which seem to contradict each other slightly. I had to set up the receiver first and the steering servo. Initially I was baffled as I had two servo things and wondered why. Obviously I've now figured out that the ESC is in replacement of one (well I think so anyway). I also had to clip a bit of plastic off too just to get them to fit because I'm using the Acoms unit.
Trying to get the things related to the ESC and receiver fixed together has been a bit of a pain, mainly due to some initial confusion over the labelling of the parts (some of them are labelled very much like others) and then trying to differentiate between the different screws, washers etc as they are all very similiar in size. Again I think that it's my unfamiliarity with doing this kind of thing and the lack of clear cut (imo) instructions.
However, I think I'm starting to get the knack of it and have the steering servo attached to the chassis along with a couple of other bits. Only slight worry is that when the radio and receiver are turned on the servo starts off very slightly to one side. Is this normal?
Anyway, progress pic from day one below:
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My gift to myself as I've been such a good boy this year. My first 'proper' RC car too!
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Well, having finally decided I wanted to dip my toe into the world of RC cars. Having no adult experience with them (as a kid I always wanted a Tamiya but instead had to make do with Nikkos etc - which I was grateful for at the time. After all my parents didn't have a lot of cash), I had to decide which model.
In the end having deliberated for a few months I narrowed it down to something like a Sand Viper, a re re of the buggies I used to crave as a kid or a Monster Truck. I eventually decided on the Lunchbox as it was reasonably cheap, was one of the ones I wanted as a kid and would be great fun for bashing with. If I want to take things further, which I inevitably will, I'll go for a re re and then later maybe a raceable buggy if things get serious.
Anyway, after a few beers on Sunday night I took the plunge and ordered a deal & paint from Goldstar Stockists and some rechargable batteries (and charger) from ebay. Total cost about 160 including 3 batteries and fast charger.
I am rather pleased and surprised to say everything arrived today. Here are a couple of pics. Feel like a kid at Christmas. I'll make a start in the next few days, although I am busy over the next few days as you can imagine with having a young family.
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Think I'll start a Blog now it's all arrived!
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I'll definitely get some pics up once I've got the kit. How long would you expect a first timer to take to put it together?
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Really excited; just ordered my Lunchbox after much deliberating. Can't wait to get it! Decided to get it as I thought first and foremost it would be fun and reasonably easy for a beginner like me to start with.
Already thinking that once I've got it built and played with it I might get a rere buggy, then after that a buggy for racing should I get the bug that badly.
In the meantime I can't wait until the 'Box arrives!
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Why don't you just turn up and pay your entry fee? Crazy idea, I know but it *might* work
Seriously though, just pop along I can't imagine there being too much of an issue as to who can and can't go.
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I actually live in the UK (near Durham) so the Tamiya meets sound great. When I said I'm pleased the kits aren't taxing it wasn't because I don't want to spend time building it, it's because I don't want to get it wrong or break it.
Most of the time I'll run the car on dirt & light gravel but occasionally grass and tarmac.
I think I'll go for the Sand Viper initially and take it from there.
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Hi guys thanks for the advice so far.
I'm aware that the Tamiya models I'm interested now won't cut it competitively but I thought they may help me hone my skills. Indeed, it might just be that I'm quite happy just bashing about rather than racing.
I think I'll probably get a buggy; either a Sand Viper if it's quite robust or I do fancy that new Tamiya (cheers for the link qatmix). I must admit though I am a little bit puzzled by the chassis suggestions as I'm not sure what DT-02 etc refers too.
HunterZero, I'm pleased to hear that the building of the models is not too taxing.
Ideally I think I'll probably get a Sand Viper/Rising Fighter as my first buggy, a Lunchbox as it looks so cool and then a more expensive buggy for racing if/when I want to race. It's a shame that it doesn't look as if Tamiya do one.
Do clubs or events run Tamiya only races or Classic Tamiya Model only races?
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I can't really make my mind up betweena Lunchbox or a Grasshopper for my first buggy/truck. If I got the 'Hopper I'd no doubt upgrade the motor pretty soon. Mind you this will be the first one I've ever built and would only be used for bashing although in the future I wouldn't mind a go at racing at some point in the future.
Still at least it's proof it's getting used and I've managed to touch it up slightly.
Repro Decals Anyone?
in Vintage Tamiya Discussion
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What about Lunchbox decals? Can you do them? Anyone else?
Best thing to do is do a sample sheet both on and off a shell. Get some pics and let people know what they are like. If they are decent, I'm positive you'd be inundated with requests/work.