casethejoint

Really interesting. So, as you say, both pretty much on scale actually. I guess the 4x4s were just much bigger vehicles (and maybe the scale effect amplifies this visually in some way). No - the 4x4 driver figures are significantly bigger.

Sorry, couldn't resist...

Nice data points! Om paper those seem closer to 1/8th than 1/10th. I'm being less scientific and eye-balling it. Here's a Blazer and an SRB for wheelbase:- ... and overall perception of size/scale:- Not just the old ones:-

They've always seen more inline with 1/8th to me. Just wondering if there's a reason Tamiya called them 1/10

Looks like you put some time and effort into that back in the day. My advice - don't sell it, restore. It's part of your childhood history

Nice! Can't beat a bit of 80's Tamiya Nostalgia. One whiff of blue Threadlock and I'm transported back to 1983

That looks awesome Erich I agree it doesn't need any decals. But I think you should paint the side body trim line (maybe silver per the 1:1).

That looks fantastic - nice work!

>>I'm curious about ultra-sonic cleaners. Do those things work?<< Yes. >>Should we all have one?<< If you do a lot of restos, probably. You can use all the chemicals you normally would (degreaser, deruster etc) in it, as well as water and a tiny drop of washing up liquid if it's just grungy crud. They're brilliant - couldn't do a resto without one now. You can clean just as well by hand but it's horrible and takes ages. Most things come out of my ultrasonic cleaner absolutely spotless within 3-4 minutes. The way they work is the ultrasonic vibrations form tiny air bubbles in between your item and the crud on it, and basically lifts it off. Very very gentle but brutally effective. The other thing I highly recommend is a barrel polisher (some call them "lapidary polisher") with the green cone media (walnut shells for polishing). This gets you pretty close to bead blasting in terms of metal cleaning but without having to have a high CFM compressor. I leave pot-metal type parts (SRBs etc) in these for up to 2 days in green media for a "fresh out of the blister" look and then 1 day in walnut media if I need it shiny. They normally come in three sizes measured in pounds (weight). A 3lb one will take an SRB gear case. The ultrasonic cleaner and barrel polisher are probably my 2 most used (and appreciated) tools when restoring old buggies and cars.

We're not worthy. This is genius.

Excellent - thank you both, knew they must be out there somewhere

There always used to be a few on eBay, but searching (UK) showing nothing. Anyone know if any other online stores still sell these ?

Welcome to the nut house! Great collection of bits. How long until you retire? I'm sure we'd all like to see what you come up with

Absolutely stunning!

Dogbone time.... And then some uprights. Sort of ends up looking a bit like: Then it all drops in with a pin and couple of screws. Nice and easy. Starting to look like a roller.... Front next, pretty much the same thing. The mounts are just sitting in place - makes it a little tricky to get it all together without it falling apart. The manual says to great the inserts on the ends of this pin, but I chose instead to grease the female side as it was a little easier and less messy. Then they drop into place and this blue alloy stay is screwed into the chassis to hold it all together. I love simple design like this. Front uprights. Different colour dogbones, not sure why (different metal?). Again pretty straightforward. Then they drop into the place the same as the rear - couple of pins and stays. "Bit too much blue alloy and carbon on that Tamiya", said no-one. Ever.