How has this hobby changed your life?

[Klausen]

Mad Ax: Great write up, which pretty much sums things up. I perfectly agree, about purchasing a new kit vs. buying bearings, electronics and so on.

Back to the topic. RC has been in my life since mid 80's and a couple of years, before girls booz and skateboarding took over. Entered the hobby again in 2002, but always had in mind, that it was hobby I would have when I retired. But in 2002 I bought a Blitzer Beetle, and then it continued from that with a couple more Tamiyas, before I had 7-8 years building the craziest creations of E-maxx's. But Tamiya continued to be a part of my RC world, and within the last 2-3 years I sold all my Maxx stuff, and now I primarely focus on Tamiyas and a bit of Kyoshos.

From a every day perspective, RC takes up quite some time. I check TC and a few other forums as the first thing, more or less every day of the year, I build cars whenever I have some time, and I do my best to always have a few NIB's in stock for a rainy day. I have never understood NIB collectors, but recently the idea has grown a lot in my mind, and I love just having NIB's standing in my home, knowing that if I want to build them, they are already part of my collection.

Money is ofcourse a big factor, but I ussually find the money, if there's something I really need, and we all know which times of the year to focus on (Nürnberg, Shizouka and so on), so know when to save

I have 2 boys on 6 and 8, so ofcourse it is very important to check out the various cars, to build up knowledge of what can be interesting for them

I also have a wonderfull wife, who accepts that it is part of my life, and doesn't limit me in any way. She do not get it at all, but that is also ok, then she have her hobbies, especially baking cakes. I consider this a win win.

When the sun is shining and the wind is low, the south-west of England is simply the best place in the world

Living in Denmark, Cornwall isn't the first place you think of when travelling, but I've been there as part of my job as a fresh produce buyer some years ago for a couple of days, and the weather was excellent. Lovely place. Had the tour from Truro to Lands end.

[Nobbi1977]

1: Time: RC is supposed to be an escape, when I don't want to write music or stories, when I need a break or I'm suffering from a block. But sometimes I get so deep into a project that I don't want to do anything else. As Orbital were once quoted as saying, when talking about video games: "We'd probably have written another album or two if we didn't have the Playstation." I think the same applies here. There's a huge part of me that says if I'm really, really serious about being a writer, I'd get rid of these distractions altogether and turn my studio into the oasis of peace and creativity that it's supposed to be.

I am not the creative type but I think that quality comes before quantity, when you have something you have to put down on paper you find the time. If you make time just to be creative and force the process then often the outcome is not the best.

I am loving this thread, I am glad I am not the only loony with a shelf full of "kids toys"

[markbt73]

1: Time: RC is supposed to be an escape, when I don't want to write music or stories, when I need a break or I'm suffering from a block. But sometimes I get so deep into a project that I don't want to do anything else. As Orbital were once quoted as saying, when talking about video games: "We'd probably have written another album or two if we didn't have the Playstation." I think the same applies here. There's a huge part of me that says if I'm really, really serious about being a writer, I'd get rid of these distractions altogether and turn my studio into the oasis of peace and creativity that it's supposed to be.

There is, of course, another school of thought on creativity that the distractions and the pressure of not having enough time to do what you want are good for creativity. Sand makes pearls and all that. As for me (also a struggling writer of fiction), I find that the more I try to set deadlines or goals for myself, the less I get done. I have to keep it as an "I want to" rather than trying to turn it into "I'm supposed to." This may be why I've been working on the same novel for 15 years, but hey, I'm still working on it...

[Dojo Dave]

Well I've posted on this before, and all that was written was from the heart, in further reflection myfriends no longer come see me in my "Garage", they come to "Dojo Dave's chop shop and customs". When I'm working on a project my wife simply says "Honey are you choppin cars again", I can only respond, "why yes I am". Lol. So to sum it up I have become the chop shop that doesnt seem to ever want to sell its creations.

Peace

Dave

[pUs]

I'd say it's probably changed my life quite a bit, mostly for the good of it. Having raced (with some success in the mid-90s) from I was 12 and ten years forward, I think it's given me a nice drive and competitive ambition, always wanting to move forward. I've learnt the importance of good preparation, and I've also learnt how to deal with losing in a constructive way. Continuous improvements as a totally natural process. I actually think I've put that to very good use at work as a consultant, without really thinking about it..

Apart from that it probably also landed me my first "proper" job, since one of my mates at the club also happened to be an IT manager at a big company. I ended up working there for 6 years. Great hobby, lots of good memories for both me and my father. Thanks for a nice thread!

[danb1974]

Still got a bulky CRT television set, a 19" computer monitor, a chinese smartphone and a pathetic compact photo camera, _but_ I have 6 cars and 4 micro helis

[Sayer]

Well let me put it this way, I've been doing web design/development since I was in the 10th grade and finally at age 37 shelled out for Adobe Illustrator CC - and it was so I could draw a chassis to be cut out of CF for an R/C project. (I guess we know where my priorities are)

[IBIFTKH]

I'm another who can't imagine who I'd be without this hobby.

From a young age I always built static kits and this eventually led me to RC's. My first car was a Sand Rover, bought new in '83 or '84. I saved for ages kit and still remember the excitement of driving to the shop with my dad to buy the kit. And declining his repeated offers to help me build it!

Keeping that car operational was difficult at times. Being at the end of a long, slow parts supply chain meant creative thinking and patience were often required. There were no clubs, no other local owners, no internet to turn to for help so I had to learn to repair and maintain it myself. I think that led to a sort of self-sufficient streak which was later applied to maintenance, repair and modification of bikes, 1:1 cars and homes.

I've been in and out of the hobby at various times in my life. I was hugely into slot cars for nearly a decade, again modding and building customised cars. I even hand built a 100ft+ routed 3 lane track, complete with scenery, in my garage. But the buzz faded and I sold up, returning 'home' to RC's a few years ago.

And I'm happy. There's so much to this hobby, so many aspects to enjoy. I love the tinkering, the maintaining, adding hop ups, building, painting, modifying; it's a hugely creative and satisfying hobby for me.

It suits my daily routine too. I'm disabled due to lower back/spinal issues. Even on a good day, by early evening I can barely walk, it's just too painful. So I tinker, or paint or do something hobby related. It gives me a way to be creative and at least mentally active, maybe even useful, when otherwise I'd just be stuck in front of the idiot box.

[whahooo]

It saved me from heroine abuse, it makes more sence to put my hard earned money in to RC-kits than into drugs.

The time i´ve quited heroine i started to buy Rc-kits and vintage RC´s, i had so much fun and so little money, it dindn`t make sence to get into old manners.

And now i`m a happy healty person.

So i would say, it pretty much changed my life a lot.

[Dojo Dave]

It saved me from heroine abuse, it makes more sence to put my hard earned money in to RC-kits than into drugs.

The time i´ve quited heroine i started to buy Rc-kits and vintage RC´s, i had so much fun and so little money, it dindn`t make sence to get into old manners.

And now i`m a happy healty person.

So i would say, it pretty much changed my life a lot.

That my friend is frickin' amazing.... well done so when you walk past the rc shop do you sweat!! Please dont take offense I have several friends who are dealing with past demons and it is nice to see your life turn around with a passionate hobby.

All the best Dave

[Supa Ryda 90]

it changed my life quite in better, i always had the passion and the interest for the rc and since i practice this hobby by the age of 16 , i've seen a lot of things and lot of opinions, learned things and taught things, something like recive and give, now i'm 25 and everytime i play around with my tams , i always think, how it was back in the day when i was a kid, playing and fouling around, thinking about the modls i've broken and the techincs i've learned to repair them. All the money i've spent ahahahahahhaa the most hot point of this comment, but despite all, i'm happy as badword to do it and i'm grateful to my dad that introduced me to this hobby. bye !!

[Mad Ax]

I've just realised that I made a whole protracted and personal post about how RC has affected my life but never once mentioned the amazing mates I've made.

It started with Tamiyaclub and some meets in Somerset and Bristol and went on to racing in Wiltshire. Some came and went, some still post here from time to time but don't bash much any more, some go to events all over the country, some are now racing more than bashing. But there's still one or two who I meet up with regularly, whether I pop to a local club for a chat or they come to my gaff for a barbecue. Mates I wouldn't be without for all the NIBs in the world. I feel quite guilty to have neglected to mention them in my original post.

Indeed, I met one guy quite a few years back at a Tamiyaclub bash, he was a key guest at my wedding a month ago, and was also the driver of the clod-bod scaler that delivered the rings to the ceremony

[Kevin_Mc]

I thought your Clod ring puller was excellent btw, don't think i ever posted in the thread but i watched with interest.