How Do You Keep Your Rc Collection In Check?

[Skottoman]

I love building my Tamiyas. I will spend hours making them look great, painting, detailing, etc.

But I only have so much room and time in this life for RC cars. I can't keep them all forever! So I find that while I order massive spare parts, so I can fix them, I also need to BREAK them.

Eventually they have to end up in the trash bin, usually just the bodies and tires, but sometimes the entire chassis (after a stripdown for the valuable parts).

How do you keep your RC car collection in check? I'm up to 45 cars now and need to destroy some of them so I can move on.

An RC car will either be sold, or parted for another, or trashed completely. I prefer a good trashing so I got my moneys worth.

What do you do to keep your RC car collection manageable? (I've attached a couple pix of some of my cars reaching TRASH mode)

Cheers,

Skottoman

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[BruiserBrew]

It sounds like you have quite a collection!

It really depends on how and what you are in the hobby for, I suppose would be a fair starting point.

For me, I love building just as much as you do, but I don't like to keep the more modern or re-re's on the shelf. I will certainly keep a few as runners, but most of them will end up on eBay.

Some will say that this is a waste of money, but who says we're in the hobby for money?

I love running the VLB, I've built quite a few of them, and have kept only one. I am debating whether I should build the new ClodBuster or the Buggy Champ next.

I also collect a fair amount of vintage NIB models. Those, of course, takes up a ton of space, but it makes me a happy man!

[treehugger]

mmmm i dont need help breaking them i have been collecting for three months im a rc10 gold pan kyosho mid lazer ultima sort of guy im up to 25 cars and its like a drug i spend hours online sourseing parts and spares buildthem and usally they break after a couple of runs im sort of a speed freak so that explains alot anything bellow 26 on the pinon dosent get ago as soon as i get my digital camera back i will post some pics the first time out with my LWB mid had no belt gaurds i sucked a stone in and lost all my teeth on my new ball diff

[Tamiya1/10]

I have boxes / containers where I keep similar parts like for screws, nuts and bolts in one compartmentized container, which I am sure you can get from your local hardware store; a box for all electricals form motors, servos, receiver etc...; car parts are either by each model or in one mix bin; shelves to put the cars; and each model I list out the hop ups I used and the cost so I know how much I spend on the model.

Is almost like organizing your garage and tools. The system you choose should help you easily find the parts without have to buy it and found out later you already had the part.

[cardesigner]

The system you choose should help you easily find the parts without have to buy it and found out later you already had the part.

So I'm not the only one who's done this?

I've bought so many spares in the past, only to find a box containing all the parts I needed...so I just end up building another car. That means another bodyset, wheels and tires, it's a neverending battle my friends...

[hedge]

How do you keep your RC car collection in check? I'm up to 45 cars now and need to destroy some of them so I can move on.

LOL I have a wife to help with this one. The appeal of an RC car on every shelf in every room of our house to me seems quite reasonable however she does not think its ideal

P

[Blacque Jacque]

Easy, I run out of money each month !!

[paulwoodford]

I find trashing them to control your collection a very strange way of going on - you must have more desposable income than me!!

I only have space for 3 cars in my garage, and with the 1:1 rally car taking up so much space, time and money my RC collection is never going to be anything to speak of.

I have two that I'm pretty proud of though

[Gruntfuggly]

Wife and kids does the job for me...

The system you choose should help you easily find the parts without have to buy it and found out later you already had the part.

Been there a few times...

BTW - don't chuck anything in the bin - Daz will be very cross with you!

[Jonny Retro]

I have a mantra that I use everytime I see a "bargain" -

you don't need another 2 wheel drive buggy

you don't need another 2 wheel drive buggy

you don't need another 2 wheel drive buggy

It works - sort of - I've cut right down on the number of 2WD buggies I buy ... but obviously, it doesn't work for 4WD buggies, monster trucks, touring cars ...

[Origineelreclamebord]

Well I can't keep it in check, and whatever I try, I can't seem to thin down the collection!

It seems that climbing in your career is almost easier: getting more money from your paycheck, buying a bigger home, a nice big on and offroad track in the backyard and even more cars to add to your collection...

[taliesin]

Easy, I run out of money each month !!

Amen, brother!

This is a good thread actually - something I've pondered too. My collection is around 4 dozen now and there's no end in sight. I find a model I like and soon there is a second one [for back-up don't you know] plus spares, tires, bodies, etc.

I run them all [except the few NIB that haven't gotten assembled yet, but they will be built very soon].

I just can't bear the thought of selling any of them though. There are a few that are about to be stripped for parts and allowed to slip away with fond memories, and one that has turned into such a nuisance with fiddley repairs that I'm contemplating shelving with honors - its been a great car but is just failing now. Maybe a new body & some nice wheels/tires and just strip the electronics out of it and call it retired [no pun intended]. Its earned a rest, but it cuts across the grain to give up on it.

Of course, there is an identical spare model in the basement, plus I found a NIB model last week, so....

I admire the folks who buy, build and ebay. Seems sensible, plus I love to buy their handiwork for runners, but I just can't do it. At least not yet - its a goal though. My problem is that I love to run them more than I like to build them. The build is fun, but I HATE paint/decal work. I like to run them and maintain/repair/restore, but turn to ebay for nicely painted shells from somebody who knows what they are doing usually. For all you nice folks who build Tamiyas and pass them on, keep up the good work - there are folks like me who love to give your models a good home!

For now, I think there is no check, other than running out of money, but that's only a temporary condition. Spoken like a true Tamiya addict. Hi, my name is Taliesin, and I have a Tamiya problem....

[Skottoman]

Well, I guess I have about 12 cars in runner condition, the rest are NIB or in parts. I only have so much space to store built cars, the NIB are in the basement. I have never sold a car on Ebay, nor do I plan on it. Just not enough $ to justify. I'd rather drive and THRASH it!

As far as parts go, I have boxes for each chassis with all the spares, and now boxes for the "used" spares for each chassis...

I TRASH the cars so I have to eventually throw them out and then go "shopping" in my basement for a new project to fill that space in my cabinet that only holds 12 cars.

So I guess I keep about 12 at any given time, problem is my NIB collection in the basement is growing as I keep "Planning" on projects, then get distracted by a new project, etc.

I think I have an F201 project that I was going to do with all new parts from 2006 that is now about 14 down on the list of cars to build because of NIB's!

I am now at the "TRASH AND DESTROY" phase, where I don't need to buy tires, I need to go out and drive more and BREAK some stuff so I have more room for another NIB to be built!!!!

It's very hard to keep the collection under control, and of course if there is a SS re-re, I will be getting 2 of them. WHy 2? Dunno, I got 2 Buggy Champs, and haven't even run the first one yet!

I'm Skottoman, and I'm a Tamiya Addict. Trying to keep my collection in check!

Cheers,

Skottoman

[kaiser]

lol, i don't have this problem....yet!

i got out of rc 10 years ago, i sold everything i had. mostly race grade buggies and equipment.

i have only built/restored 5 cars since i got back into rc, but i am into tamiya only now. (i need to stay away from race bred cars or i'll get sucked into racing again)

also now that we have a baby my purchasing has slowed and i'm now concentrating on modding what i have.

[Tamiya on the Brain]

"I'm Skottoman, and I'm a Tamiya Addict. Trying to keep my collection in check!" - that's gold Jerry.....Gold!

That is the first step in your recovery - admitting you are an addict.

Hmmmmm this fits TC quite well I think

* admitting that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion; - i.e skottoman :P

* recognizing a greater power that can give strength; - Mr. Tamiya

* examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member)

* making amends for these errors; - never running a brushless setup on a beach and launching into salty water

* learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior; - buy more....buy more

* helping others that suffer from the same addictions or compulsions. - this is why we are here I suppose

Wow Skottoman - that is an interesting approach to keeping your collection in check.

Gabe

[Skottoman]

haha.... that was funny!

I'm a happy Tamiya Addict, I just need to keep my "numbers" in check. Only have so much room and time in this life...

I do it by destroying my cars, just curious how others do it...

Cheers,

Skottoman

[Leethal Driver]

The wife does it for me.

[markbt73]

I'm actually really picky about what I buy. I never got into the buy/sell/repeat loop on eBay - that way lies madness, I feel. I'm not afraid to buy something used, and I've certainly sold plenty of cars in the past, but I don't get a vehicle unless I can see at least a couple possible "lives" for it. I'm more interested in the components of the vehicle than the picture on the box. I just rip it apart and turn it into something else when I feel the need for something "new."

[taliesin]

Actually, Skottoman has a point: sooner or later you need to cull the herd somehow. I don't necessarily THRASH my Tamiya models, but upon honest reflection there are quite a few models that get "lower case [thrashed]". Not enough to outright destroy them, but I go through a powerful big heap of tires and the occasional spare parts.

So long as tires and spares are available, and reasonably priced, I will keep restoring/repairing the models. But some of the buggies are, alas, nearing the end of the cycle. When tires or spares cost enough to make me hesitate real hard before reaching for the wallet, then the end is nigh. Happily, there seems to be a boat-load of Tamiya parts still floating around out there, so the herd can rest relatively easy for now.

Disturbingly though, I keep finding more and more "new" models that I don't already have one [or two/three] of. Makes it hard to stop the acquisition madness when there are new shiny things out there to buy and play with.

I'm blaming it all on the R/C media hype. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Skottoman]

I just realized as I was staring at my cabinet of RC cars...

If I were into off-road buggies... I'd have a better chance of breaking them!

For me, I prefer on-road cars, (I only have about 6 off-road, the rest are on-road) and I've been driving them long enough to not crash them, so it's more difficult to break on-road cars than off-road.

I guess I need to start jumping my on-road cars to break some suspension arms or shocks or something...

Cheers,

Skottoman

[slam_it_sideways]

My budget keeps it all in check for me. What I aint got I cant spend.

[taliesin]

My budget keeps it all in check for me. What I aint got I cant spend.

What is this so-called "budget" thing of which you speak?? I am not familiar with this thing.

[RobertvonGoess]

Definition of "Budget": It is something you always want, but you typically do not have.

[NJhopper]

I don't keep mine in check

They just sorta keep showing up

[terry.sc]

Keep it in check - what's that?

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...368&sid=297