RC Chase video

I love these RC "movies" people are making recently. Some are better than others. The production in this one is good but the content could have been better. I can't really judge until I produce some videos. That won't happen any time soon since my director/cameraman/producer is on the other side of the country.

Make Your Own Parts

If you're like me and you run old R/C cars you have probably run into the problem of not being able to find parts. Especially plastic ones. Now a company over in the UK has come up with a solution. They take a bunch of chemicals and mix them into this stuff they call Plastisteel. The name sounds very 80's so I am intrigued.

Nothing is easy so don't expect to start turning out parts like a Play-Doh Fun Factory. You have to make a mold of the original part so you probably need to do that before you break it. It seems painstaking but the result is worth it.

A tutorial on making RC parts with Plastisteel

So if you happen to e building a NOS kit that you plan to run it might be wise to make some molds of the plastic parts so you can always have some spares. You can also modify the molds to make modified parts, like modifying an A-arm to take a different upright or mount to a different chassis. The possibilities are endless.

Awesome Little Video

People have been very creative with their RC videos lately. The special effects are a bit much for me but the overall clip was pretty darn good.

Yokomo Gets Funky!

I like front wheel drive RC because its challenging. The physics of of motion work against the front engine front drive layout. As the vehicle accelerates its weight shifts from the front toward the rear, reducing the amount of traction by reducing the amount of weight over the front wheels. That means chassis setup and driving skill are very important to to getting the most out of a FWD RC car.

Ballistic Brushless Bashers and a Nitro

RC monster trucks are one of the best parts of this hobby. If you haven't driven one, do it now. Wasn't that awesome? I told you. RC monster trucks started out electric but when they added nitro things took off. The trucks got bigger and gained a few gears too. Now its time to go back to electric with brushless trucks. The sound is gone but the power has been doubled. I still prefer nitro for the play-all-day aspect but I cannot fault these brushless supertrucks.The HPI Savage XS and the Robitronic Hurricane. The nitro is the good ol' Kyosho Mad Force. This truck is older than your kids but its been continually refined and now it is just as awesome as you remember and nowhere near as lame. One of these days I'm gonna buy a Mad Force. Just wait and see.

hpi 5t onboard vid

1/5th scale is pretty cool looking. On board video is awesome. That means this video is awesome cool looking!

Thunder Tiger MT4 G3 Monster Truck 2011 Video

Continuing the theme of big tire trucks we have the new brushless Thunder Tiger supertruck. It is painfully apparent I need to convert one of my old big tire nitro trucks to brushless. These things are insane! Every second of the video I am expecting the truck to disintegrate into a million tiny pieces. It doesn't and I get further impressed. Take a look for yourself.

Thunder Tiger present the latest version of our monster truck. Brushelss system with incredible power and a ton of fun!

Specification:
Wheelbase(mm / in.) 360mm
Weight(g/ lbs.) 4180g
Length(mm / in.) 532mm
Width(mm / in.) 434mm
Height(mm / in.) 240mm
Motor IBL40/20 2000Kv brushless motor

The all-new MT4 G3 is ready to convince your neighbors that the brushless power rules! Powered by the high torque IBL-40/20 2000Kv brushless motor and twin battery packs, the MT4 G3 can pull wheelies, back flips and get air off the jump easily!

The differentials of the MT4 G3 are equipped with steel spiral bevel gears to help it handle the brutal torque of the IBL40/20 2000Kv motor. The MT4 G3’s 3mm rigid aluminum chassis and brace are securely mounted and the brace cover features vents to keep the batteries and electronicscool. The MT4 G3 features full CVD drive shafts and high quality bearings to deliver maximum efficiency to survive from the outrageous torque and abused operation. In addition to this, the ACE RC cougar 2.4GHz radio system is also included right in the box to give you the most long-range, convenient and reliable radio control.

Features:

• Compatible with most ST-1 series parts
• Heavy Duty Steel Diff Ring/ Pinion
• Adjustable Steel Turnbuckles
• Compact Molded Chassis Brace And Cover
• New Concept Monster Truck Body
• CNC Machined Aluminum Motor Mount
• CNC Machined Steel Pinion Gear
• Equipped Front/Rear/Center CVD Drive Shafts
• ACE RC Brushless Power System for 1:8 Scale Car
• Center Drive Shaft Guard For Cable Protection
• High Current Super Deans Plugs Included
• Anodized Aluminum Oil-Filled Shocks
• 17mm Aluminum Wheel Hubs
• Rear, Center and Front Fluid Filled Differentials
• S2008MG Metal Gear High Torque Servo For Steering

o Ready Set- The new MT4 G3 is offered in a completely ready to go form. All components are pre-assembled, all you have to do is to add your battery packs of choice for the club’s smack down. The MT4 comes equipped with an ACE RC BLC-150C race spec ESC and super torque 2000KV motor combo, front, rear and center CVD universals, all fluid filled differentials, 17mm wheel hubs to mach up its powerful output.

o Transmission- The front and rear transmission of MT4 is the same as the nitro ST-1, which comes equipped with a hardened steel differential rings that makes stripping a gear a barely mission impossible. All the diffs contain a full set of steel diff gears and diff fluid inside in combination with full set of bearings throughout the drive train to ensure the most smooth power transmission.

o Suspension- The front and rear suspension uses the same race proven composite nylon suspension arms as the nitro ST-1. The shock bodies are made of anodized aluminum with quick adjustment clips for ease of changes. The shock towers are made from 4mm thick aluminum plate with multiple shock mounting positions and the whole chassis is strongly stiffened with a compact molded chassis brace and cover. You can also fine tune for the optimal camber and toe setting with adjustable turnbuckles and suspension blocks for your demanding cornering and overall handling.

o Brushless Power- The power system is equipped with a powerful 150A ESC and a 2000KV super brushless motor that will give MT4 G3 super fast speed and huge torque. But the most important thing is that the ACE RC brushless power system enables you a longer play time due to less friction in the brushless motor comparing to other RTRs. Other multiple protection features, like low voltage cut-off protection, over-heat protection, throttle signal loss protection, motor blocked protection and splash/dust proof cover are just making the ESC bullet-proof.

IBL40/20 Powerful B/L Motor:

• Outer Diameter: 40mm
• Length: 74mm
• 2000 KV
• Continuous Current: 75A
• Peak Currenty: 150A
• 5mm Heavy Duty Shaft
• Sensorless

BLC-150C Performance ESC:

• Output: Continuous current 150A, burst current 950A.
• Input: 6-18 cells NiMH/NiCd (3300mAh or higher) or 2-6 cells LiPo.
• BEC Output: 5.75V/3A (Switch mode built-in BEC).
• Resistance: 0.0002 Ohm.
• Motor Supported: Sensorless brushless motors
• Suitable Brushless Motor:

Contents:

• Pre-Assembled Chassis
• Pre-Printed Hi-Flow Dynamic Body
• ACE RC 1:8 Car Blushless Power System
• Cougar 2.4GHz 3-CH LCD Transmitter and micro receiver
• 8kg/cm Metal Gear Steering Servo
• L Hex Wrench Set
• Cross Wrench for Changing Wheels

Kyosho Nissan Leaf

Nissan seems to have found a niche with Rc versions of their real cars. The first was the old GI Joe 300ZX commercial, that was followed by the fun Sentra commercial, and now it's this. I don't think this is a commercial but who knows. What I do know is they look like fun. The scale is a mystery. They look like D-nano size but I think they're Mini-Z's. whatever they are, they're cool. Check out the video.

RC Videos Are Radical

So I've been debating adding a video page to this blog. I have a lot of cool video's but I don't want to get a cease and desist letter or even worse, a bill. Of course while my peers were watching Sesame Street and Electric Factory I was watching Smokey and the Bandit and Cannonball Run so I do what I want until I get caught. I need some more HD space before I can edit and upload, that is on it's way from China so we'll see what happens. In the mean time check out these pretty cool promotional videos from Tamiya.

Slot Cars, New Retro Fun

Slot cars were a major part of my life while growing up. From AFX Magnatraction to Tyco Magnum 440 X2's and everything in between. Long before I could afford an RC I was racing Tyco HP7's around a figure 8. When I got bored I made the "sock" layout. Later I got the Tyco Pit Stop set with the Magnum 440X2 indy cars and began racing with my friends. We all began building and acquiring different cars to race with. Some were lucky enough to score AFX G-Plus cars, others ran highly modified Tyco manum 440 chassis. The only rules were no open wheeled bodies. I think we added Cam-Am bodies to the banned list. I eventually ended up with an AMRAC Porsche as my race car. We battled all over the neighborhood and had a great time. We learned about cars and magnets and brushes. A great time was had by all.

Kyosho is trying to rekindle those nostalgic feelings by jumping into the slot car arena. I'm not fully sure I like the size but from what I see it's pretty cool. I've also included pics and a vid from the awesomest (should be a word) slot track in the world. It's called White Lake Formula 1 Ring.

HPI Savage Flux 2350 Video

Every RC hobbyist can appreciate stomping around with a big wheeled RC truck. Yes I said "stomping around", the Tamiya Blackfoot was my first RC. Anyhoot, This video is of the new Savage with some brushless motor from a Toyota Prius or something.

This morning I had to decide between going to work and shooting another snow video. I chose wrong. Tomorrow I will not make the same mistake. I'm putting batteries on charge tonight. The plan is to bring it into work and let my boss play with it after the video shoot. Then he may not notice how late I am.

This big ol' truck makes me want to finish my super trail truck. It's more like a redneck truck but that phrase is a bit prejudiced so I really don't want to use it. I need to find a new nickname for lifted big tire trucks. Watch the video and feel inspired.

Snow Bash Video!!!

My Redcat. People talk trash about them. I bought it because I wanted a crawler but didn't want to dump a bunch of money. I fell in love with it and upgraded it to be a "woods truck". I moved the lower links to the innermost holes to shorten the wheelbase. I used Venom creeper wheels and tires with HPI Geolander inserts which are a smaller diameter. That gives me a soft tread for traction but some cushion for hard landings.

The servos were upgraded to a Hitec HS645MG up front and a standard Futaba in the rear with an alloy servo horn up front and a short plastic one out back to limit the rear steering throw. I did a behind the axle conversion to the front steering and a high steering mod to the rear.

I also made a four-link for the rear and a three link up front to eliminate the bat wings.


The powertrain has been upgraded to dual Traxxas XL2.5 esc's and Titan 380 motors with 8T pinions and huge capacitors to keep things balanced and avoid Clod-stall.

I also cut the bottom of the chassis to allow me to use a stick pack in it.

I topped it off with a Parma Escalade body. I freaking love this truck. It is extremely tough and too much fun. Watch the video.


Now that you have enjoyed that, here's some shots from an after rain bash this summer.