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.

Idea Stealing Number 2

Look at this! More and more RC bodies are coming with headlight buckets. Some look alright some look not so much. This is a slick little idea for those bodies without chrome plated light buckets. The idea is you go to your local craft store and buy some adhesive metallic film. Cut it to fit in your light buckets and viola! instant awesome. This effect could also be had with transparent colored film and chrome buckets.

Your shocks are all squishy

You have trouble getting all of the air out of your shocks. You think we don't hear your shocks from here? I don't have that problem because I build my shocks ON THE MOON. No air to muck up my shocks. For those of you who do not have a Nissan 240sx that transforms into an X-wing fighter you will need one of these from Tamiya:

RC Damper Oil Air Remover Tamiya Item #53710

Optimizes damper performance by removing air bubbles in oil easily and quickly. Can also be used for a damper stand.

No that one is discontinued. But you can still find it. Those that can't try this:

RC Damper Oil Air Remover - Super Long   Tamiya Item #54152

When assembling your dampers, this air remover offers you a faster way of drawing out the bubbles to help save you time. This item can be used for machines such as 1/8 Nitro that use long dampers.

• Air remover X 1pc.
• Pump x 1pc.
• Sticker x 1pc.
• Instruction manual x 1pc.