MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Ace!
I bought the Ampro gearbox brace which does the same thing. No more slap.
I've left the front suspension alone because I rather enjoy the silly handling.
Some tyre foams improve the grip and roll problem no end, as do proper shocks.
Next up for mine is a front chassis brace between the shock mounts - I'll just use some threaded bar and ends from some turnbuckles.
It might make it more fun, it might just show up more issues. 🙂
Battery on charge right now.
The chassis brace is the next thing on my list. Need to find a way to do it neatly as all the versions I see online use the tops of the shock mounts after they've fitted damped shocks, not an option on the stock ones. Not changing them either as, like you, I like the slightly wayward handling. It's not a Lunchbox if it doesn't bounce around a bit!
Foam inserts aren't something I've thought about, the grip on tarmac is limited by the tyres flexing under load so it would sort that out but I'm wary that it'll mean the grip off-road might suffer. Seeing as I've shortened the shock stroke slightly all-round the extra give in the tyres should help it find grip over rough ground. Will see how it goes once I've got the paint on the shell finished and given it a few runs.
Sorry, didn't explain that properly.
I've left the geometry and front arms alone but fitted proper oil damped shocks with adjustable preload.
Not cheap, but they really are good.
I fitted foams which take up about 2/3 of the tyre volume. They allow the tyres to absorb smaller bumps but limit weight transfer and roll.
I have to try quite hard to roll it, even on tarmac with a Sport Tuned motor.
I posted some details about the shocks and foams a couple of pages back, but if you can't find it let me know and I'll message you.
I've considered the Ampro double wishbone front suspension, but I like it as is.
Tough too. I can't seem to break it.
I understood fine and have seen your earlier posts, just don't want to start going down the upgrade rabbit-hole!
Currently eyeing up an yellow ballpoint pen case as a strut brace, add some mounts to either side and I reckon it would work and look tidy.
Apologies for mansplaining 🙂
Took the opportunity of the first visit to my Dad's since lockdown to pull my two old nitro cars out of storage. I think it must be around 18 years since they have seen the light of day.
Have ordered the bits to get the 1/8 scale buggy going again, but am thinking about converting the truck to electric if that turns out to be feasible.
(Hotshot for scale!)
I had a 1/8th nitro buggy years ago, bought it 2nd hand without knowing what a monster it was. Had to start it off a table with an electric motor and rubber wheel in it, then hang on as it careered off into the distance! Was good fun for a while until I started it without turning the radio on... one screaming OS engine and seconds later bang, one seized OS engine. In the I flogged the lot and went kart racing (screaming 100cc 2-stroke motor and bang, holed piston - sounds familiar!)
Dammit, shouldn't have re-opened this thread.
Might have to get my never used beasty down now.
Go for it 🙂
Due to this thread i have been looking for a cheap R/C car for LittleMissHall and I've asked my mum to post down my r/c cars and kit....... Roll on for when my stuff arrives
Well the Lunchbox is finished!
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Considering I haven't done any painting of models for a very long time I'm happy with the result. Plenty of prep with primer coats, more prep, a few coats of Tamiya TS55 dark blue, a few days to fully dry, apply decals, let them shrink slightly then a few coats of lacquer to protect everything a bit more and it's looking better than I thought I could manage. The dark blue looks black indoors and out of direct sun but you see the blue coming through in direct sunlight. Might give the lacquer a rub over with some compound just to really shine it up, it's got a slight orange peel finish but definitely no worse than on a car, but don't know if it's worth the bother when I'm guaranteed to get it scratched the first time out! It's raining now so won't be running it for a few days but cannot wait to go down the local park with it!
Chrome wheels are on order and I might get a second shell and paint it the box art yellow as a show shell. Now just got to wait for more cars to come back into stock so I can choose what to build next. Definitely something 4WD and more of a racer than this one though.
Lovely.
Heli-Tape the edges. I have one that I taped and one that I didn't. The one that I didn't looks a right state.
Uhhmmm I tuned in early to this thread and then faded away as upgrade mania took over from building plywood ramps.
I'm back as my teenage daughter is really keen on tech and design at school and I'd like to build one of these with her, then elbow her aside and hog it for the ragging around outside obvioulsy.
We'd decided on the Lunchbox but looking at recent threads it seems as thought they ain't that great at the actual driving bit unless they're modded. Are you guys modding because its really needed or you just having too much fun?
If the Lunchbox is a bit crap then what would be the best option for beginners to this that aren't interested yet in anything bar the standard build?
Also a general question, when I were a boy etc etc the radios were two stick types, most seem to be these wheel types now. Why is this and is there a downside to asking for a shop to supply the stick version?
Ta
@cb, I had the same thought about the new (to me) Transmitters, and was adamant I would have a Stick type, but most transmitters are the wheel type, and actually in use they are great, don’t miss the old style at all, plus there is not a huge choice of 2/3 Chanel stick transmitters.
Any of the Tamiya buggy kits would be great as a first car, but don’t kid yourself, as everyone else has found, you will upgrade it. Personally I love the look of the Lunchbox, but obviously it’s not designed to handle, but is great fun to drive.
cb - the Lunchbox is an old design but it's fun in standard form. It responds really well to simple mods so could be fun for your daughter to understand the design flaws and figure out simple solutions. If you want something more performance-orientated or a more involved build then there are better models but as something to build and mess around with the Lunchbox is a good option. All my mods have been for free with spares that were in the kit (I'm not counting the bearings as that was done during the build and is definitely worth the few extra pounds), I'm avoiding the hop-up rabbit hole on this one deliberately as making it handle perfectly would remove it's loveable charm.
As someone who originally went into engineering design during school and college I'd say building stuff that was perfect is less interesting than building things where you can see how to improve it. Depends on your daughter's thought process but worth thinking about.
The engine is alive! Needs a part or two for the drivetrain, but we're over the first obstacle.
Youngest_oab is still loving his lunchbox.
Yes it has the responsiveness of a wet fart, but that is some of the fun.
I think he's going to rebuild his old machine as well.
reluctant - that's a good way of looking at it, she gets to understand the concepts rather than just following instructions. Now I need to re-read 1100 posts to find all the necessary upgrades!
I can recommend the Mad Bull if you want an easy build (way less complicated than our Grasshopper) combined with "Looney-Tune" handling and performance. I guess that it is similar to the Lunchbox in that respect.
Excuse the quick post just want to be able to find this again in my post history as eldest now wants to burn some savings on a proper RC car.
Also a general question, when I were a boy etc etc the radios were two stick types, most seem to be these wheel types now. Why is this and is there a downside to asking for a shop to supply the stick version?
Back in the 80's and 90's, the uk, japan and europe all used to use stick transmitters. The american racers all used wheels.
Before RC cars came along America had a big slot car racing scene which some of the early rc firms were involved in. The wheel transmitter design is what you get when you modify a scalextric controller to add steering.
We’d decided on the Lunchbox but looking at recent threads it seems as thought they ain’t that great at the actual driving bit unless they’re modded. Are you guys modding because its really needed or you just having too much fun?
Some people don't appreciate the design intent of the lunch box.
The lunch box and midnight pumpkin were designed to wheelie. They were not designed to corner well.
With the original mechanical speed controller in the 80's you had 2 throttle speeds. Full speed made the car wheelie.(at least with a fuly charged battery.) Low speed allowed you to steer.
The car is designed with a high centre of gravity and rearward weight bias which maximises weight transfer and encourages the front wheels to lift off the ground under power. It is fitted with a wheelie bar.
A lunchbox will never handle well because of the high centre of gravity and lack of weight on the front wheels.
I'm speculating, but a lunchbox fitted with modern electronics might not wheelie as easily as the designers intended. - The reason being that modern nimh cells are much heavier than the old 1200 nicads that the car was designed for. On the other hand modern electronics are much smaller and lighter and probably fitted lower down in the car. A bit of lead fitted up high at the rear of the vehicle could solve this if needed.
Running a lunch box in low grip conditions will result in wheelspin instead of wheelies.
Basically buy a lunchbox if you want to do lots of wheelies with relatively low power. Buy something else if you want a car that handles well.
cb
SubscriberAlso a general question, when I were a boy etc etc the radios were two stick types, most seem to be these wheel types now. Why is this and is there a downside to asking for a shop to supply the stick version?
I quite like a twin stick but tbh the wheel types are ergonomically very good, just as intuitive to use, probably better for fine throttle control but most of all, you can just walk along with it in your hand and throttle on, and tweak steering if you need to, if you're out trailing or just driving distance or whatever- not an option at all with the twin sticks.
I’m speculating, but a lunchbox fitted with modern electronics might not wheelie as easily as the designers intended. – The reason being that modern nimh cells are much heavier than the old 1200 nicads that the car was designed for. On the other hand modern electronics are much smaller and lighter and probably fitted lower down in the car. A bit of lead fitted up high at the rear of the vehicle could solve this if needed.
Some people add the stick-on wheel weights to the rear of the bathtub chassis to help it pop up on low power. I'm finding that mine is able to pop at will if you're hard on the throttle but easy to keep down if you squeeze it, nice to have the choice at almost any time. I have noticed that the wheelie tops out at a lower height since adding the brace mod to stop the rear suspension slap but it still goes a few metres before coming back down. Plus side is it does lovely controllable power slides on gravel with a side order of lift-off oversteer. Would be ridiculous with more power. Anyway, battery is charged so I'm off for a play.
Oops...
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Just a wheel nut working loose thankfully, threads look fine. Back home to get it fixed, with added loctite, and the battery should be fully charged ready to go back out after some early lunch. Will take the little socket thingy with me this time!
Oooops. The Mad Bull has "crapped a wheel" a couple of times. On the first occasion I stripped the whole transmission trying to work out what was going on.
I carry the little spanner thing with me now.
Same happened to me last week. Thankfully found the nut and had the tool with me. Now bought a spare pack of wheel nuts just in case.
Lots of parcels this week. Truck wheels for the truggy conversion. Front truck tyres to go with the rears I have. New rear tyres to replace the crappy kit tyres. Ball connectors to replace the step screw for the shocks. Paint for a new shell (still to arrive).
Just stripped and cleaned them after a couple of months of fairly heavy thrashing.
Grasshopper - Motor pinion had moved resulting in a lack of drive (hence the strip down) and damage to the Tub that has been patched up with Epoxy.
Mad Bull - Front shock has all but failed around the lower joint due to my son repeatedly driving it into kerbs. - New ones on order.
Spares and repair so far have cost about £12 and a load of glue. Can't grumble at that.
Just a wheel nut working loose
Don't they have Nyloc nuts anymore, or are modern motor/battery combo's powerful enough to spin those off?
They are Nyloc. TBH I'm surprised that more doesn't fall off them!
It's back from the dead after nearly 20 yrs.
Apologies for the fingers on the lens but the camera man is only 7!
Can't beat the smell of nitro!
Got the heads up on stock of the Associated Rival MT10 I've had on pre-order for ages at another shop being in-stock at Modelsports. Turns out the importers gave all the latest stock to them instead of sharing it across other shops. They have been fine about it although pretty peeved at the importers and refunded my money so ordered with Modelsports this morning and it's coming tomorrow apparently - woo hoo!
Excellent.
Just ordered 2 servos from Modelsport and a radio from Rossmod.
2CV should be ready by Sunday night.......
Aaaaand have found somewhere with stock of the Blitzer Beetle in........talk me out of it will you?
Seeing as I just had the same issue all day after having another blast of the Lunchbox in the woods and succumbed to the 'Want!' demon, I won't be talking you out of it at all. I now have 1 box of fun on it's way from ModelSport. This is more addictive than bikes!!
Get it ordered, the economy needs your support.
🙂
I might have to get rid of the buggy first, just to free up some space. Either that or actually clear out the garage (shudders).
Your Lunchie looks ace btw, as does Matt's, hope you're all enjoying them.
I do feel a bit guilty recommending the Lunchie to everyone, but it does make me giggle like a child every time I use it.
I don't want to spoil it, reckon I've got the balance just right atm. Silly, but almost competent.
New body shell odered for the Mad Bull after a particularly freakish crash last night. Entirely my fault and it cost me £10 inc P+p so can't complain.
Ho hum.
If I put a brushless motor in it would I need to upgrade my batteries? Asking for a friend obvs.
Recently picked up a Traxxas TRX4.
I thought I would give crawling a go, but wasn't sure if it might be a bit tame.
It is so addictive!
That traxxas looks epic
If I put a brushless motor in it would I need to upgrade my batteries? Asking for a friend obvs.
no but a 3s lipo + brushless would be hiarious. you may need a different pinion too. better driveshafts ? dampers definately. it would be like a very out of control rocket ship! haha
Came across a bunch of guys running a trial competition with model crawlers the other day. Had little flags marking the course and a nan with a clipboard judging - just like the real thing. Looked good fun.
No need to change batteries if going to brushless, but there are a lot of other good reasons why installing a brushless system in a Mad Bull would be a bad idea.
The mabuchi motor has been the least powerful 540 sized motor you could possibly get for at least 35 years and literally anything else will be faster. The mad bull is a very basic vehicle and not designed to handle massive amounts of power and you seem to be getting breakages at current power levels.
Many of the current brushless motors would not be used for racing even in unlimited classes because the sheer amount of power is too difficult to control. 3.0t brushless motors exist because beginners will always ask to buy the most powerful motor possible. It's invariably an expensive mistake.
If you really must go brushless then I would suggest 13.5t as a maximum. (Higher t numbers are slower) The value of 13.5t assumes you are running a basic nimh or 2s lipo set up with no timing boost on the speedo as that can increase power output significantly (whilst being less efficient and running much hotter.)
If your kit uses plastic bushings they will need to be replaced with ball bearings to avoid melting.
You may need to change the pinion gear to match the motor.
Fair point. I'll leave it as it is.
New body shell will be here in 6 weeks, so it gives me plenty of time to a) Think about the paint job and b) Look at the large blob of epoxy that is the current one whilst contemplating the errors of my ways.
Buggy has been great fun, often use it on the road outside. 15mph top speed (garmin attached to it) but the corners and acceleration are what's fun. More top speed would need more space at the minute
Also now running an Axial scx10ii for some crawler fun. Really enjoying building courses in the garden and messing around. Haven't actually managed to get out with it yet but will do soon. Garden is way too small for the buggy, let alone anything genuinely fast, so crawler is a great option
Well, it's here! Lovely model, seems a shame to get it dirty! Just waiting on a lead to connect the battery to the charger that I didn't realise I needed then it's time to bash 🙂
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This arrived yesterday:
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Should keep me out of trouble for a few days. This one's going to get a few hop-ups, definitely the shocks when they're available again. Just got to decide how far to go with it. Will be working in handling before going down the brushless/lipo rabbit hole, doing that should stop me buying any more for a while. Can't wait to get the table cleared, some tunes in and settle in for a few hours with the tools.
That Lancia is lovely, I really should stop entering this thread 🙂
Awww man. Don't go posting pictures of that Lancia, I've just had a clear month on my credit card!
I'm going to be so nervous doing the decals, don't want to mess it up!! It was between this or the Zakspeed Capri. Seeing as I saw the Lancia live at the '89 RAC and the Capri was before I was born the Lancia won.
I’m going to be so nervous doing the decals
I naively thought they’d be die cut. How I cried when I opened my first build.
You utter, utter bastards!
I've got it all spec'ed up now and in various on line baskets.
Will have to empty them all before I do something daft and it is 6 months until Christmas and my birthday. M** F***.
What paint do you use for the inside of a polycarbonate shell? Does it have to be Tamiya? Asking for a friend.
I’m going to be so nervous doing the decals, don’t want to mess it up!!
Scalpel with a new blade will cost you about a fiver from your local model shop. As easy as using a pencil, but a gazillion times sharper. Do it on a cheapo chopping board, or you can get a model maker's cutting mat for not very much and they look cool.
Yep, dangerous thread.
I've had to stop going to the Modelsport website after I got an email saying Bigwigs were in stock. I'm somewhat shocked they are only £199 - I thought back in the day they insanely expensive, but that's the same price as a Hotshot and less than a Supershot. I need to stop looking...
Seen a Lancia for £105. Have buried my wallet in the garden.
how good is a 4wd RC rally car on grass... ?
asking for a friend of course!
I had a set of MIP hex speed bits arrive today, what lovely bits of kit they are
I don't always buy expensive, depends what it is and how I'm going to use it
For tiny little hex bolts good quality bits make a huge difference. And these bits also mean I can use them in a ratchet screwdriver or an electric one. The 4 hex bolts on the waterproof RX box on my crawler would near give you RSI if you had to open and close it with a normal hex key
Hoping to get started on my Blitzer Beetle this weekend 🙂
Had lots of fun with my Grasshopper which now has working spot lamps & tail lights 🙂
What paint do you use for the inside of a polycarbonate shell? Does it have to be Tamiya? Asking for a friend.
It does not need to be tamiya, plenty of other brands exist they are all pretty similar and most model shops have a selection. just make sure the paint is intended for polycarbonate. (It needs to be a specific type of acrylic paint that will flex with the shell, enamel will flake off.)
Main things to watch are:
Wash the shell first to remove the release agent from the mold.
Get the right sort of masking tape from a model shop. The stuff you buy for house painting has too thick an adhesive layer and will allow paint to get underneath
(Most shells come with pre cut window masks these days, so you may not need masking tape at all if your design is 1 colour )
how good is a 4wd RC rally car on grass… ?
Assuming it's 10th scale the answer will be that it's rubbish. The wheels are too small and they also grip roll a lot as the width is narrow to match the real car. Better off with a truck or a buggy if that's what you want to do.
Well I started building the Lancia last night. One thing that stumped me was the motor wasn't engaging with the main gear when installed. Checked instructions on the holes to use and it still was missing my a millimetre. Took me nearly an hour to realise that the instructions said the supplied pinion gear was 19t not the 22t the instructions said was supplied as standard! Not bothered as I can play with gearing when it's up and running but a little bit annoying.
It was 3am by the time I sorted that out and did a few more stages. I wasn't rushing, definitely taking my time with plenty of tea breaks etc but a bit worrying that 4 hours can fly past like that!
Think I'm addicted to the building stage.
Think I’m addicted to the building stage.
Yeah me too. I love faffing about and changing bits.
Got my eye on a Renault 5 turbo, Beetle rally and a GMade crawler.
Had word from nursery that they are restarting in a few weeks, so might mean I’ll be the only person in the house two days a week soon. The bliss of a perfectly quiet house and new kit(s) to build in solitude.
OK, I'm sold on the Lunchbox. To save me from 1200 posts and to learn from others that have already indulged...
Do I just buy the 'kit' from Howes models with the fast charger, plus the upgraded bearings? Or should I also get a second battery?
Any 'consumables' that I should get ahead of time with a view to inevitable crash damage?
For a Lunchbox. You will wreck the shell quickly. First you'll scratch it when it flips or rolls, then you'll crack, then smash the windows, then the bodymounts will fail. If you want a photo of it looking nice, take it before the first outing.
Depends on how long you want to play with it at a time. Mine runs for a good 30 minutes on a 3000mAh battery but the last 5 minutes or so it's getting a bit sluggish.
Got my original Optima up and running. New ESC, radio gear, motor and lipo. Needed new wheels & tyres as the original sand supers were totally knackered.
It's pretty rapid and great fun to rag around.
uhhmmm been recommended the Rising Fighter rather than the Lunchbox - any thoughts?
Both...?
rising fighter is very different ot the lunchbox - where are you looking to take them.
the lunchbox is primarily a wheelie machine but you can adapt it a bit.
he rising fighter just is a normal buggy.
in terms of fun and offroading the lunchbox offers a wider range of terrain just because of the monster truck wheels.
Got my original Optima up and running.
That's a lovely looking thing.
Current obsession is looking at silly-priced Tamiya Avante's on eBay.
Nearly hit the phone! (reverse comes in handy as well) This thing is such a blast to run, more than enough on 2S so far and good run time.
uhhmmm been recommended the Rising Fighter rather than the Lunchbox – any thoughts?
Both…?
Both, obviously. 😉
I've got a Grasshopper (with a 540 motor as in the Rising Fighter) and Mad Bull. The Grasshopper is similar to the Rising Fighter and the Mad Bull leans more towards the Lunch Box, but without the ability to pull wheelies.
if i had to pick one it would be the Mad Bull as has better off road capabilities. On road they are evenly matched for pace.
One is a laugh, the other is an absolute hoot.
I need to stop looking at this thread. I have no time to build or drive an RC car, I'm supposed to be saving for a new house and I'll probably end up getting divorced if I spend a load of money on one.
But it's payday...
New house = new garden = new play area!
That's already earmarked for a mini ramp / boulder wall / Wendy House 😉
I'm just training mini Monkey so when she's a bit older she'll want one for Christmas.
Quick chat with offspring - Lunchbox, barings, spare battery and stick controller (I iz old skool) on the way. Guy in shop said that he'd sold over 600 lunchbox kits during lock down!! Probably 300 via here!
£70k+ turnover on one model alone, not to mention all of the ancillaries!
A question, and I'm probably teetering on the edge of an expensive rabbit hole with this but I'll say it anyway...
Has anyone got a radio controlled tank?
Harry_the_Spider
SubscriberA question, and I’m probably teetering on the edge of an expensive rabbit hole with this but I’ll say it anyway…
Has anyone got a radio controlled tank?
Oh I was so close to one of these Leopard 2
But then I realised how big it was!
So I got a FTX Kanyon instead.
Great fun building courses in the garden and be able to drive it out of the house and into the garden while sat indoors having a beer. Legal drink driving 😉
It is however bloody massive.
Never mind eh?
Finished trimming and prepping the Lancia shell this afternoon:
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Looks amazing even without paint! Can't wait to get cracking on it but that will be saved for when I've got plenty of time to get the window masks correct and 2-3 hours to apply a few layers of paint. Then it's on to the 120+ stickers I've got to cut out and apply!!
Don't mention things like tanks. I'm struggling enough to not get one of the big rigs and a trailer and oaint it in Team Lancia colours. My mind says it would be awesome to drive the Delta out of it at the local park but I know it would look properly awful.
Buggy or stadium truck is next I think.
A question, and I’m probably teetering on the edge of an expensive rabbit hole with this but I’ll say it anyway…
Has anyone got a radio controlled tank?
No, but I came so very close to buying the Kyosho Blizzard several years ago.