R/C cars: try not to say the words "scale speed"

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > R/C cars: try not to say the words "scale speed"

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Great thread timing, my kids and I have been watching a few of these big RC cars in the park and I've been feeling that little itch to pick one up.

I'd assume the electric are much quieter than the gas? I kinda like the horrible shrieking the little gas engines make, but I imagine the neighbors wouldn't.

Also, how water-resistant are these? I'd love to throw one around in the mud. When I was a kid I had one of those cheap Radio Shack RC trucks, and we caulked up every orifice and took it to a shallow stream and had a lot of fun.

# ¿ Apr 27, 2009 11:38

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# ¿ Apr 27, 2024 15:48

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

TheFrailNinja posted:

I currently own a Traxxas Nitro Rustler that I've been trying to sell for years. I paid $360 for a starter kit, and I'm looking for $150 if anybody is interested. This hobby costs wayyy too much for me.

Tell me more. What's the condition, what does it come with, does it need anything, etc.

I think it's a bit much for a beginner truck, but the price is tempting.

Edit: Holy poo poo, where can you get these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmqUllDUsc4&NR=1

Sloppy fucked around with this message at 09:08 on Apr 28, 2009

# ¿ Apr 28, 2009 08:57

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

TheFrailNinja posted:

What's your e-mail? I can take pictures of whatever you want to see.

Awesome, sloppy123 at gmail

Although I'm probably leaning more toward something electric just for less fuss and mess.

# ¿ Apr 28, 2009 12:22

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

kuffs posted:

Holy poo poo it's custom http://www.scale4x4rc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11849

Wow, that guy is utterly amazing.

# ¿ Apr 28, 2009 20:33

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Laserface posted:

Oh loving christ Traxxas, WHY do you have to release 1/16 scale Brushless Slash and Revos this month? I just got out of this loving hobby

Which of these would be more suitable for mud-boggin? I assume the Revo because of the bigger tires? I don't really need tons of speed, I just want to drive around in streams and cow shitholes and throw crap everywhere.

# ¿ May 2, 2009 10:49

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

compressioncut posted:

Stuff

I live vicariously through posts like these

If you don't mind me asking, what exactly does that $500 go toward if you already have the car, radio, and spare parts?

# ¿ May 18, 2009 20:07

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Is that new HPI waterproof like the Slash?

# ¿ Aug 4, 2009 01:15

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Is there such a thing as an R/C demolition derby? Because that would be awesome to watch :v:

# ¿ Jul 30, 2010 15:05

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

After many months of lurking this thread and lusting, it looks like I'll finally be able to get my own R/C car sometime in the next month or two. From what I've gleaned I'm leaning strongly toward something waterproof Traxxas (because I love mud/water), offroad, and brushless. The Slash is an obvious choice, but I'm wondering how it does it really loose stuff like soft sand with it's narrow tires. Would one of the other trucks like the E-Maxx, E-Revo, or Summit be better?

I'm probably going to try to pick up something on Craigslist to save some money and get parts with it. Is there anything to look out for in terms of wear and damage like when checking out vehicles?

So excited :woop:

# ¿ Sep 17, 2010 04:57

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Does this seem like a good deal for a used 2WD Slash?

http://salem.craigslist.org/tag/1954311541.html

# ¿ Sep 18, 2010 20:50

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Hypnolobster posted:

It looks pretty good, but he's going to want at least $400 for it, and it's going to be completely undriveable. Flipping over backwards constantly is only fun for a little while.

He's asking $330. Is the motor more than I'd want?

# ¿ Sep 18, 2010 21:16

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Hypnolobster posted:

Just keep in mind that it won't be water/mud/snowproof anymore, which (for me, anyway) is a major bummer.

That's a dealbreaker for me, for sure. What about the new motor makes it not -proof anymore?

# ¿ Sep 18, 2010 23:27

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

krushgroove posted:

I didn't want to harsh your buzz about your Xmods but I was wondering why you had them after experiencing Mini-Z cars

Just wondering if any non-racers actually like this body style?

I like it, but it needs different wheels and tires to be really cool (from a purely aesthetic standpoint)

# ¿ Sep 26, 2010 20:13

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

May I bother you guys for a little advice?

I have a computer worth around $150 posted to Craigslist. A guy offered me an HPI super nitro rs4 for it. He had the following to say about it:

quote:

Everythings alluminum except for the shock housings, it was all plastic, tons of spare parts, 2 speed transmission, tuned exhaust, upgraded motor (was .15 now .18) 2 remotes, about 3/4 gallons of gas, 2 sets of spare tires, hi speed servos, 4 bodies and tools and spare parts

I've always wanted to get into R/C but it just hasn't happened, so this seems like it might be a way to do so. I really wanted brushless, but he claims this is worth a lot more than the computer and I could probably trade this for something else pretty easily.

The car in question:

I'm tempted, but don't want to get boned if it's not as sweet as he makes it out to be.

# ¿ Aug 25, 2011 04:16

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

kuffs posted:

that car is sunk_cost_fallacy.jpg

Yikes. Thank you very much

# ¿ Aug 25, 2011 06:11

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

I've read some people use WD-40 on metal bits after running in water/mud. I know from riding motorcycles/bicycles that WD-40 is NOT a suitable chain lubricant, isn't that a bad idea on R/C cars also? Would bicycle chain oil be suitable for ball joints and so forth?

This is probably just the first in a torrent of beginner questions, so apologies in advance. Goon Powderific sold me his 1/16th Slash VXL, I'm cool like you guys now :dance:

# ¿ Apr 17, 2012 15:57

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

powderific posted:

Glad you're enjoying the slash! Did you get the battery charger worked out?

I won't have a chance to work with it more until this evening, but I think with the directions I can sort out what the issue is.

# ¿ Apr 17, 2012 21:42

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

My daughter rules.

Afterward she nailed the most perfect full-throttle jump of the evening :toot:

Also, do I need to use a special glue for the bead-lock, or will regular crazy glue work fine?

# ¿ Apr 22, 2012 03:57

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

I took the Slash to the BMX park today. They were in the middle of redoing it with a Cat loader, so we had to stick to a rougher, half-finished side, but my god that was fun.

For some reason the plastic hinge on both my battery compartments has broken. I think I get too much mud and crap in the joint, so it stresses it when I squeeze it shut. Is this common, or am I just excessively abusive? I duct tape it up now and works pretty well, but I'd prefer a tighter seal against water.

# ¿ May 21, 2012 00:10

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

jonathan posted:

Just after posting that I realised there are 4s batteries that people use for top speed runs. Like this guy from my area who does 5 mile blasts with his car using a gopro camera. And drives behind it while controlling it somehow.

One of his cars he films doing over 100mph.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npVJ-keA6M8

That video lead me to this guy driving his Rustler in traffic :psyduck:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0cAgHpU_Dg

# ¿ May 22, 2012 05:15

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

I thought I heard a slightly unusual sound my last run but chalked it up to paranoia.

Turns out a tiny pebble worked its way past the skid plate and did this to my drive shaft:

I think I suck at this hobby

Sure is fun though.

# ¿ Jun 7, 2012 05:10

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

powderific posted:

A scale crawler is the ideal RC for me. Fast stuff can be really fun, but I don't have a lot of space and racing is an extra commitment I can't take on right now. Crawling over stuff with the SCX10 can happen in my backyard whenever I feel like it. And somehow the crawling feels like exactly what I always wanted my crappy toy R/C stuff to do when I was a kid. It's great because it can be challenging and relaxing at once.

I've really been enjoying your Slash, but I'm starting to realize the same thing...I like just screwing around in my back yard or in the woods, and the Slash doesn't really fit that. It doesn't do well at low speed in grass or on asphalt and really needs firm, smooth dirt to stretch its legs. The only really amazing place I found locally was the public BMX track, but R/Cs can't run there unless I go early in the morning when nobody is around.

And I totally agree with wanting something that fulfills my childhood R/C dreams. I started out with those lovely turn-in-reverse, wired controller cars and made it all the way to the Radio Shack R/C monster trucks that could kill a set of D batteries in 30 minutes. We caulked ours up so we could run it in the stream, it was awesome, but it was never as fast or powerful as my imagination wanted.

We'd also build motorized Lego vehicles with ultra-low gearing, dig a deep mud hole in the flower bed, and then see whose vehicle could crawl to the top without flipping over backward. Regular wheels would get filled with mud and just slide down, so we'd build swastika-shaped 'wheels' out of bricks that could really hook into the dirt.

Hmm, anyone want to buy a 1/16 Slash? :v:

# ¿ Aug 4, 2012 17:28

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

InitialDave posted:

So, anyone here like R/C? And crawlers? And Lego?

That's awesome, though the issue with Lego R/C is the motors are totally gutless. Now if some creative person would build one with a nice brushless setup, that would be pretty sweet.

# ¿ Sep 6, 2012 20:22

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

yaffle posted:

Seems like this belongs here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyXXC5Lpo04

That's a pretty cool piece of design, I really wanted to see him flog it over some jumps or cars or something though.

# ¿ Oct 16, 2012 22:43

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

The SCX10 Honcho is the crawler you guys are in love with, right?

Is this a good price for what it comes with?

http://eugene.craigslist.org/tag/3392202539.html

# ¿ Nov 7, 2012 16:30

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Deedle posted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8gJY53SmJY

Came across this on youtube, a 1:10 scale BRDM-2 entirely handmade out of metal. I'm not really sure on how to describe just how awesome that thing is.

That led me to another showing some of the incredible detail level and welding that went into making it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtVfgjavtSo

Edit:

The Youtube black hole then took me too something new: R/C tanks and fire :psyduck:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghdu114m4OQ

Sloppy fucked around with this message at 21:53 on Apr 25, 2013

# ¿ Apr 25, 2013 21:42

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

I want to get some sand tires for my 1/16 slash and I've never changed tires before. Should I just get a second set of wheels, or try to remove my current stock tires? Does anyone have a particular type to recommend?

Also, since the Slash is 4WD, should I get four paddles, or paddles on the back and ribs on the front? The stock tires already throw too much crap up inside, I'm worried paddles would just fill the truck up with sand.

# ¿ Jun 17, 2013 19:20

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

krushgroove posted:

Sounds like it's a 1/16th or around that size rock crawler. They're fun but because of the size, yeah they're not as versatile as a 1/10th scale rock crawler. I think the scale fanatics see them mainly as toys - set up a stack of books and it'll climb over them but it might not be anywhere near as good in real terrain outside.

I use my 1/16 Slash mostly for crawling hiking trails. It does pretty well :v:

# ¿ Sep 5, 2013 16:46

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Fucknag posted:

Dunno if this has been posted in here before, saw it in the youtube thread a while back. This guy hand makes bodies for his offroader out of wood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Dvap18PLc

That's amazing workmanship, but I cringed so hard when he actually took it crawling.

# ¿ Jan 14, 2014 17:20

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Somewhat Heroic posted:

A Kyosho Blizzard DF-300

Wow, that thing is awesome. There is a serious lack of Blizzard mud action on Youtube, maybe you can rectify this...

# ¿ Dec 26, 2014 19:07

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Hoping you guys can steer me a bit:

I'm looking to get back into R/C. I had a 1/16 Slash a few years ago and it was fun but I want something a little bigger and more crawly. I've been looking over the various Axial options and they all look amazing. I don't really need the scale stuff although I don't mind it. The Wraith, SCX10, and Capra all look really fun but the chassis differences aren't clear to me. Is there a good flow chart somewhere, like 'if you want this, buy this'?

I like the idea of assembling a kit, but it seems those mostly come without electronics? I'd rather have everything bundled up for my first go, but those all seem to be pre-assembled, although that's not the end of the world.

# ¿ Sep 5, 2020 00:32

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Thanks guys, very helpful. I was assuming I'd spend around 400-500 based on used prices I've seen. The TR-4 looks sweet too. I'll head down to the local hobby shop and check them out in person.

# ¿ Sep 5, 2020 21:13

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Follow-up question: I see people complaining about the TR-4 eating servos. That was a problem I had with my Slash but just assumed I was beating on it too hard and that the more relaxed crawler style would have less issues. What kind of experience have you guys had?

# ¿ Sep 6, 2020 20:12

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Alright, I ordered a TRX-4 Sport kit :awesome:

Now I need to figure out what electronics to buy. Looking around at what other people are doing, does the following seem ok?

Transmitter: Thinking about just picking up the same one that comes in the RTR bundles since all the ones people are recommending on other forums are $200+ and I'm entry level and don't need anything fancy.
Receiver: Suggestions?
ESC: Hobbywing 1080 brushed
Motor: HH Trailmaster Sport 550 21t (seems to be out of stock? Looking for an alt)
Servo: ANNIMOS 20KG Digital Servo
Battery and charger: Just some basic Traxxas stuff?

# ¿ Sep 11, 2020 02:06

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

evil_bunnY posted:

I'd skip the traxxas radio, they don't even have basic features like endpoints. Get a GT3-B or whatever.
QR 1080 are excellent for the money, so are holmes cans in general.
For charger I'd grab a ISDT 608AC, and a pack from CNHL or Gen's ace that'll do 70C or better.

Super helpful. Thank you!

# ¿ Sep 11, 2020 23:03

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Thanks for all the crawler advice guys. I finished up the TRX-4 build today and had a total blast. The hiccups were minor, and I learned that spray-painting is hard...but I'm satisfied for my first try.

# ¿ Sep 27, 2020 23:28

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Somewhat Heroic posted:

I will be taking some glamour/posed shots for a couple of weeks before I get after running it too much. They are only this fresh once so I am going to build up a bank of media I can use for social media stuff with work.

That's amazing, and hilarious. Is the Dixie cup bit a sticker? I had some graphic ideas for the TRX (Beavis head on the hood) but didn't pursue it since I assumed it would be a one-off custom print sticker with face adhesive and I was impatient.

# ¿ Sep 28, 2020 23:31

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

mattfl posted:

Hey r/c guys, maybe you can help me out here.

I'm trying to source some springs for a 3d printing project I'm working on

Have you looked on McMaster-Carr? I didn't look up your exact specs but they've rarely let me down for other weird stuff.

# ¿ Nov 3, 2020 19:15

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

mattfl posted:

Got a friend with a 3d printer?

https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=scx10&type=things&sort=relevant

My 3d printed Jeep is roughly the size as those SCX10's and I've printed out a bunch of parts for it

https://imgur.com/gallery/GUC59v8

That's gorgeous. The scale is done so well that the last photo is kind of a mindfuck. Scale hood clips would push it over the top.

# ¿ Feb 17, 2021 17:41

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# ¿ Apr 27, 2024 15:48

Sloppy: Apr 25, 2003; Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

Snowmankilla posted:

With the grain of salt that I also got into this poo poo for the Pandemic... I had this same conversation and got the Trx-4 sport. One of the ideas I saw online was that for a first crawler simpler is better. Easier to build, maintain, and run. I love mine, and had a blast building it.

Same, the kit is super fun to build and I've never felt limited by not having the different speeds. The permanently locked differential get a little weird when you cross some pavement or whatever, but for most uses it's no biggie.

It's also way bigger than I expected, coming from a 1/16 Slash. Feels like an invincible monster truck that is only defeated when it does the upside down turtle.

# ¿ Feb 22, 2021 19:31

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > R/C cars: try not to say the words "scale speed"

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