Lunchbox Blog

[vtgrrrs]

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.

[DudeWalker]

Great first car. You'll have a ton of fun with it.

[tamiya monkey]

Just got my son one for christmas, they are great fun to run, might be worth looking at doing the 3rd shock mod, check on forums theres plenty of help and advice on here for that.

have fun and merry christmas.

[Jonny Retro]

My #1 tip would be to spray the bodywork before you start on the chassis; if you can leave the sprayed shell a week before handling it, so much the better.

[DudeWalker]

^ what he said. Paint (and dry) and build at the same time.

Install bearings as you build.

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

Agreed,

A completed chassis before the shell is done usually results in a rushed paint job

[Jonny Retro]

Agreed,

A completed chassis before the shell is done usually results in a rushed paint job

You mean using the wrong colour paint? Like pink?

[bigoggy]

the lunchbox is a great model to start with. you will really enjoy it.

@jonny retro, whats wrong with pink?

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

I bought it like that

[Blacque Jacque]

That's no excuse

[Olly_Lunchbox]

Thats almost exactly what happened to me.

I had a Lunchbox as a kid and whilst browsing eBay one day I spotted them, bought one on an impulse and now, 10 months or so later, I am sitting next to a pile of half a dozen runners and a dozen "projects" such is the curse of Tamiya addiction and eBay!

You'll definitely have fun with it though and I'm sure it'll be the start, or re-start, of an addiction.

[vtgrrrs]

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:

[tamiya monkey]

Your doing great, as for screws, in the manual it shows a picture of the screws (on the page your on), they are the exact size of the screw you need so just lay the screw on the diagram to make sure its the right size, i built one for my son christmas day and found it a nice build. be sure to ask for help if you get stuck.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Keep the pics coming!!, The lunchbox is a great, fun truck!

The steering servo should centre itself when you turn everything on, so if it's off centre you may need to remove the servo saver and straighten it!!

Good luck!, any more questions just fire away!

Oh and you were right about the extra servo, it was originally used with the MSC!, and my local hobby shop sell an adapter piece to use with the acoms kit and ESC so that you don't have to trim the tab on the ESC but it doesn't matter as long as you plug it in the right way round!!..

Good luck with the build!!

[balongbalong]

yup its cheap and a fun basher

[vtgrrrs]

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:

[wolfdogstinkus]

I think the paper is just to stop the pinion gear from touching the side of the motor!,

Should be fine!, good luck with the build!!

[vtgrrrs]

Ah right. Mine was touching slightly. I've now moved it about a milimetre away just to be on the safe side. Cheers!

[Jonny Retro]

It's also about getting the alignment of of the motor pinion right on the spur gear in the gearbox ... it's not super-critical on Lunchkins, but 1mm is way too much of a gap

[vtgrrrs]

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.

[wolfdogstinkus]

i think the book says to use the card from the screw bag!

And as Jonny Retro says it must line up inside,

[vtgrrrs]

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...

[vtgrrrs]

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.

[vtgrrrs]

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.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Is the ESC plugged in the receiver the right way round?