Newbie's first car
01-11-2011, 01:55 AM
#1
Newbie's first car
Hi everyone. I have always wanted to build my own rc car but never had the time or money to dedicate on the hobby. So now I got some cash and I got some spare time and i want to build my first rc car.
I don't plan to become a competitive racer, I only want to have fun building it and occasionally run it with friends.
So to cut the long story short, I know pretty much nothing about rc cars and I don't even own the necessary tools for the job. The only experience I have is from a little mechanical engineering background and from an rc car i helped a friend build when i was young (like 15 years ago).
I have been flirting with the velox v10 for a very long time, I think it looks h0t
Could you guys help me get started? Give me a list of things I need to buy and where to buy it from. I am in the UK (London) and I would prefer to buy things online locally.
The other thing I need is a bodyshell that is prepainted and predrilled and ready to install. I got no facility to do my own painting or drilling or any sort of heavy work. All i got is a workbench in my room (living in a flat).
I don't plan to become a competitive racer, I only want to have fun building it and occasionally run it with friends.
So to cut the long story short, I know pretty much nothing about rc cars and I don't even own the necessary tools for the job. The only experience I have is from a little mechanical engineering background and from an rc car i helped a friend build when i was young (like 15 years ago).
I have been flirting with the velox v10 for a very long time, I think it looks h0t
Could you guys help me get started? Give me a list of things I need to buy and where to buy it from. I am in the UK (London) and I would prefer to buy things online locally.
The other thing I need is a bodyshell that is prepainted and predrilled and ready to install. I got no facility to do my own painting or drilling or any sort of heavy work. All i got is a workbench in my room (living in a flat).
01-11-2011, 02:02 PM
#2
Some of the competition oriented cars like the Velox may be too advance for a newbie to build or play with. I suggest getting a lesser kit like the HPI cars.
The problem with the competition cars is that they all use pillow ball suspensions. They're great because they allow for much flexibility in adjustments. However, this makes it complex for the newbie because it requires a proper set-up station to do it right. Not good because of the added cost of the set-up station.
The reason I suggest the HPI is because parts are ubiquitous for them and that they use simple C-hub suspensions that makes things easier for newbies to adjust and set-up. All you'll need is a turnbuckle wrench to adjust the tie rods.
The problem with the competition cars is that they all use pillow ball suspensions. They're great because they allow for much flexibility in adjustments. However, this makes it complex for the newbie because it requires a proper set-up station to do it right. Not good because of the added cost of the set-up station.
The reason I suggest the HPI is because parts are ubiquitous for them and that they use simple C-hub suspensions that makes things easier for newbies to adjust and set-up. All you'll need is a turnbuckle wrench to adjust the tie rods.
01-11-2011, 02:06 PM
#3
Tech Regular
If your buying from the uk get in touch with Dave at DH Modelsport, there the uk distributor for shepherd! They will see you rite
Just reread your post, parhaps a full blow car is maybe alittle extreme, unless that really what you want.
What part of London are you, maybe we can talk you into racing at club meetings every now n again.
If you decide on one of the more budget cars get in touch with mb models, he will give you one of the best deals in uk!
Just reread your post, parhaps a full blow car is maybe alittle extreme, unless that really what you want.
What part of London are you, maybe we can talk you into racing at club meetings every now n again.
If you decide on one of the more budget cars get in touch with mb models, he will give you one of the best deals in uk!
01-12-2011, 09:56 AM
#4
I would suggest buying and building an Associated NTC3 Factory Team Kit and dropping at mild motor into it. The stock Associated holds a tune well and will do 50 all day. if you want more speed, you can alway upgrade to another motor later on.
01-12-2011, 10:19 AM
#5
01-14-2011, 10:53 AM
#6
Thanks everyone. Good advice. At the moment I have ordered an electric car to get me acquainted with the assembly process of these beasts. I will see how that goes and act accordingly.
01-24-2011, 06:26 PM
#7
Ok, so my electric car gets delivered tomorrow.
It is a Tamiya M3 GT2 58449 model. Well excited about it!
Any advice for the first build?
It is a Tamiya M3 GT2 58449 model. Well excited about it!
Any advice for the first build?
01-24-2011, 07:33 PM
#8
Take your time to read through the instruction book, a couple of time if necessary. Ensure you have the right tools at hand and most of all ENJOY. Some of the pleasure of RC CARS comes from opening the box for the first time and the build. I would also advise that racing is a hell of a lot more rewarding than car park bashing. Car Park bashing is easy and absolutely anyone can do it. Getting these things around a track is a whole other story. That's just my opinion.
01-25-2011, 05:08 PM
#9
set up station required for competition
Some of the competition oriented cars like the Velox may be too advance for a newbie to build or play with. I suggest getting a lesser kit like the HPI cars.
The problem with the competition cars is that they all use pillow ball suspensions. They're great because they allow for much flexibility in adjustments. However, this makes it complex for the newbie because it requires a proper set-up station to do it right. Not good because of the added cost of the set-up station.
The reason I suggest the HPI is because parts are ubiquitous for them and that they use simple C-hub suspensions that makes things easier for newbies to adjust and set-up. All you'll need is a turnbuckle wrench to adjust the tie rods.
The problem with the competition cars is that they all use pillow ball suspensions. They're great because they allow for much flexibility in adjustments. However, this makes it complex for the newbie because it requires a proper set-up station to do it right. Not good because of the added cost of the set-up station.
The reason I suggest the HPI is because parts are ubiquitous for them and that they use simple C-hub suspensions that makes things easier for newbies to adjust and set-up. All you'll need is a turnbuckle wrench to adjust the tie rods.
01-26-2011, 08:10 AM
#11
right then. it is all done. the assembly took just a few hours. i found it very easy.
it took forever to cut the shell and apply the stickers though and i have done a poor job at it.
it is however now ready to run now minus the paintjob on the shell but i don't have the equipment or the area to do that so it will remain transparent.
the only thing that has left me scratching my head at the moment is a bunch of screws i got spare. there is too many of them and i have gone back and forth in the instructions to make sure i didn't miss anything. is this normal?
i know it has some spare parts for add-ons and other after market modifications but there's just too many screws laying around here and nowhere to use them.
it took forever to cut the shell and apply the stickers though and i have done a poor job at it.
it is however now ready to run now minus the paintjob on the shell but i don't have the equipment or the area to do that so it will remain transparent.
the only thing that has left me scratching my head at the moment is a bunch of screws i got spare. there is too many of them and i have gone back and forth in the instructions to make sure i didn't miss anything. is this normal?
i know it has some spare parts for add-ons and other after market modifications but there's just too many screws laying around here and nowhere to use them.
01-26-2011, 03:48 PM
#12
Normally there are a few extras in case you misplace some.
Painting is easy, all you need is 1 can of colour and even just a car park to spray it in. Remember the paint goes on the inside of the body if you decide to do it. Also wash the body out well with soap and warm water first so the paint sticks.
Well done on your first attempt.
Pictures???
Painting is easy, all you need is 1 can of colour and even just a car park to spray it in. Remember the paint goes on the inside of the body if you decide to do it. Also wash the body out well with soap and warm water first so the paint sticks.
Well done on your first attempt.
Pictures???
01-26-2011, 04:01 PM
#13
yeh, i am working on piccies now 
Thanks. The only thing that bothers me is that i really did a bad job with the stickers. Most of them are not aligned properly and the big ones have bubbles and kinks in them
I won't paint it. I don't even have a garage. I live in a flat. I think it looks cool transparent anyway so I will leave it like this. Maybe if I can find a ready made shell, I will buy one as an alternative spare but my searches so far have returned nothing. Seems to be DYI or not at all.
Thanks. The only thing that bothers me is that i really did a bad job with the stickers. Most of them are not aligned properly and the big ones have bubbles and kinks in them
I won't paint it. I don't even have a garage. I live in a flat. I think it looks cool transparent anyway so I will leave it like this. Maybe if I can find a ready made shell, I will buy one as an alternative spare but my searches so far have returned nothing. Seems to be DYI or not at all.
01-26-2011, 04:39 PM
#14
