Beginner help Please

[Vaughn]

I have been into modelling, (aircraft, boats), for some years, but my son
wishes to try IC powered cars.

Where is the best place to get kits, as these are usually cheaper than pre
built ones, for the beginner to the hobby? I see no problem in building as
they should be no more problematic than aircraft, but where to find the
kits. Most are complete with Radio already to run?

I live in the UK, and hey help most gratefully appreciated.

Vaughn

[ftupetK]

In article <d6hHc.929$cF4.607@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net>,
"Vaughn" <vaughn.lucock@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> I have been into modelling, (aircraft, boats), for some years, but my son
> wishes to try IC powered cars.
>
> Where is the best place to get kits, as these are usually cheaper than pre
> built ones, for the beginner to the hobby? I see no problem in building as
> they should be no more problematic than aircraft, but where to find the
> kits. Most are complete with Radio already to run?
>
> I live in the UK, and hey help most gratefully appreciated.
>
> Vaughn
>
>

The ready to run, AKA as RTR are really the best bang for your buck.
They are made especially for beginners.

[Susie]

If you can get yourself along to the NEC Birmingham this weekend you will
have all the choice in the world.

"Vaughn" <vaughn.lucock@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:d6hHc.929$cF4.607@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net...
> I have been into modelling, (aircraft, boats), for some years, but my son
> wishes to try IC powered cars.
>
> Where is the best place to get kits, as these are usually cheaper than pre
> built ones, for the beginner to the hobby? I see no problem in building as
> they should be no more problematic than aircraft, but where to find the
> kits. Most are complete with Radio already to run?
>
> I live in the UK, and hey help most gratefully appreciated.
>
> Vaughn
>
>


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[Bobby Shaftoe]

"Vaughn" <vaughn.lucock@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:d6hHc.929$cF4.607@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net...
> I have been into modelling, (aircraft, boats), for some years, but my son
> wishes to try IC powered cars.
>
> Where is the best place to get kits, as these are usually cheaper than pre
> built ones, for the beginner to the hobby? I see no problem in building as
> they should be no more problematic than aircraft, but where to find the
> kits. Most are complete with Radio already to run?

I find the high performance engines in car nitro kits a lot harder to keep
in tune than the nitro engine in my plane. This could be because of
specific things about my set up and it's not a problem, just requires a bit
more patience.

The other thing I find with the car is that (foregoing crashes) they're a
lot less reliable than the aircraft. Things tend to bend, break and wear
out much quicker, probably because they get more abuse in a shorter space of
time.

> I live in the UK, and hey help most gratefully appreciated.

There are plenty of local clubs around. If you're lucky you could be near a
decent track and have all the help and support of your local club. If
you're interested it's well worth investigating this first as your local
track might only run one particular class of car.

HTH,
Bobby

[Vaughn]

All great points.

But I love building, and after completing my degree, I want a project I can
do with my son, so this looked a good start.

As for clubs may be a good idea, but he is very shy, so getting a car,
letting him have go and get some practice in I think is the best start.

good point on the bit wearing out, still I think this would be a good way
in, so I may see if I can get to the Birmingham show, but if not, can anyone
recommend a kit car as opposed to the ARTR, or very pricey pro racing kits.

Again many thanks for the help

Vaughn

[Nigel Mellor]

"Vaughn" <vaughn.lucock@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:3jlHc.1856$pB1.1316@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> All great points.
>
> But I love building, and after completing my degree, I want a project I can
> do with my son, so this looked a good start.
>
> As for clubs may be a good idea, but he is very shy, so getting a car,
> letting him have go and get some practice in I think is the best start.
>
> good point on the bit wearing out, still I think this would be a good way
> in, so I may see if I can get to the Birmingham show, but if not, can anyone
> recommend a kit car as opposed to the ARTR, or very pricey pro racing kits.

The reality is that the kits are aimed at the serious end of the market, for
people who intend to race rather than just run for fun for a couple of hours on
the nearest field or car park.

Kits typically include more expensive upgraded parts and you must supply the
engine and radio equipment yourself. By the time you have completed the build
you will have spent at least twice as much as you would on the RTR version but
you will have a superior, race-ready, competitive car.

If you want to build a car but don't want the expense of the pro-kit version
then buy an RTR, dismantle it and rebuild it yourself. The RTR versions usually
come with the same or similar build instructions and diagrams as the kit
version.

Remember that the RTR versions are built very quickly using cheap labour in poor
working conditions. Rebuilding the RTR yourself will do no harm, threadlocking
and carefully adjusting all the critical components can only improve things.

[Dan405]

"Vaughn" <vaughn.lucock@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:3jlHc.1856$pB1.1316@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> All great points.
>
> But I love building, and after completing my degree, I want a project I
can
> do with my son, so this looked a good start.
>
> As for clubs may be a good idea, but he is very shy, so getting a car,
> letting him have go and get some practice in I think is the best start.
>
> good point on the bit wearing out, still I think this would be a good way
> in, so I may see if I can get to the Birmingham show, but if not, can
anyone
> recommend a kit car as opposed to the ARTR, or very pricey pro racing
kits.
>
> Again many thanks for the help
>

Well, kits usually come without engine and radio gear as Nigel said, but are
around the same price as RTR's often because they usually have lots of
upgraded parts. I would recommend getting a RTR kit, and then as Nigel
suggested, giving it a good going over to make sure its all set up and put
together right. Then once you and your son have mastered the basic's,
maintenence etc, you can look at upgrading and adjusting your machine.

Personally (although i'm probly biased ;) ) i'd recommend a 1/8th scale
buggy, i have found them easier to work on than 1/10th and harder to break.
Also, they are at home on grass, dirt or tarmac, assuming you have a couple
of different sets of tyres, so they're a bit more versatile than a road car
for example, that will only run well on smooth ground. Perhaps something
like the RTR Kyosho 7.5, or the Thunder Tiger EB4, or Hyper 7? All have
plenty of optional and upgrade parts available, and there a loads of
different engine and tuning type parts for 1/8th buggies available. I can
vouch for the durability of the EB4 (my mate has 2), and although i've never
run the Kyosho, they have a very good reputation, as do the Hyper 7s.

I have seen the odd EB4 on ebay, selling as a rolling chassis, or a kit, to
which you could then add your own engine and radio gear, but budget quid a
few quid for these things. I would also highly recommend using Ebay.com and
buying from the states, where everything is MASSIVELY cheaper, full RTR kits
and everything come MUCH cheaper. My LHS has the basic Hyper 7 RTR kit in
for £250, which isn't bad at all, if i didn't already have a well hopped up
buggy, i'd be tempted, fit a .26 Picco 7 port, Ofna 086 pipe, centre spider
diff...sorry, slipped off into dreamland ;) Also, have a look on
http://www.maxbashing.com which has a very good forum, and is a nice site to
use, and if you're lucky enough to be near the track, then even better :)

HTH

--
Dan

[Vaughn]

"Dan405" <dan405@danontherunspam.com> wrote in message
news:2l69vlF965agU1@uni-berlin.de...
> "Vaughn" <vaughn.lucock@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:3jlHc.1856$pB1.1316@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> > All great points.
> >
> > But I love building, and after completing my degree, I want a project I
> can
> > do with my son, so this looked a good start.
> >
> > As for clubs may be a good idea, but he is very shy, so getting a car,
> > letting him have go and get some practice in I think is the best start.
> >
> > good point on the bit wearing out, still I think this would be a good
way
> > in, so I may see if I can get to the Birmingham show, but if not, can
> anyone
> > recommend a kit car as opposed to the ARTR, or very pricey pro racing
> kits.
> >
> > Again many thanks for the help
> >
>
> Well, kits usually come without engine and radio gear as Nigel said, but
are
> around the same price as RTR's often because they usually have lots of
> upgraded parts. I would recommend getting a RTR kit, and then as Nigel
> suggested, giving it a good going over to make sure its all set up and put
> together right. Then once you and your son have mastered the basic's,
> maintenence etc, you can look at upgrading and adjusting your machine.
>
> Personally (although i'm probly biased ;) ) i'd recommend a 1/8th scale
> buggy, i have found them easier to work on than 1/10th and harder to
break.
> Also, they are at home on grass, dirt or tarmac, assuming you have a
couple
> of different sets of tyres, so they're a bit more versatile than a road
car
> for example, that will only run well on smooth ground. Perhaps something
> like the RTR Kyosho 7.5, or the Thunder Tiger EB4, or Hyper 7? All have
> plenty of optional and upgrade parts available, and there a loads of
> different engine and tuning type parts for 1/8th buggies available. I can
> vouch for the durability of the EB4 (my mate has 2), and although i've
never
> run the Kyosho, they have a very good reputation, as do the Hyper 7s.
>
> I have seen the odd EB4 on ebay, selling as a rolling chassis, or a kit,
to
> which you could then add your own engine and radio gear, but budget quid a
> few quid for these things. I would also highly recommend using Ebay.com
and
> buying from the states, where everything is MASSIVELY cheaper, full RTR
kits
> and everything come MUCH cheaper. My LHS has the basic Hyper 7 RTR kit in
> for £250, which isn't bad at all, if i didn't already have a well hopped
up
> buggy, i'd be tempted, fit a .26 Picco 7 port, Ofna 086 pipe, centre
spider
> diff...sorry, slipped off into dreamland ;)

Just one point, if buying form the states, what about import tax, as I've
heard that after having to pay this the cost is nearly the same as getting
it here, but with less hassle?

Having never purchased on ebay, and from the US, not sure how to go ;-[

Thanks again Vaughn





Also, have a look on
> http://www.maxbashing.com which has a very good forum, and is a nice site
to
> use, and if you're lucky enough to be near the track, then even better :)
>
> HTH
>
> --
> Dan
>
>

[Nigel Mellor]

"Vaughn" <vaughn.lucock@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:5CwHc.1400$jZ4.229@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net...
> Just one point, if buying form the states, what about import tax, as I've
> heard that after having to pay this the cost is nearly the same as getting
> it here, but with less hassle?
>
> Having never purchased on ebay, and from the US, not sure how to go ;-[

In theory, something as valuable as an RTR car or kit should be liable to
both import duty and VAT.
I have contacted HM Customs & Excise and they have informed me that
mixed-material motorised working scale model kits are subject to 9% import
duty (TARIC code 9503809000). Spare parts and components attract the same
rate of duty. All-plastic motorised models seem to have an additional 4.7%
duty.
VAT is then chargeable on the declared value + import duty.
The Post Office will then apply a charge for dealing with the HM Customs &
Excise procedures on your behalf.
Make sure your purchased item is well insured for air freight as RTRs and
kits are packaged in huge flimsy boxes.
US radio sets operating in the 75MHz band cannot be used legally in this
country. 27MHz FM might be OK but I would check first.