RC Model Toys Galore
Posts tagged Cars
A Beginners Guide To Remote Control Cars
Aug 13th
Any parent knows that young boys love playing with cars, In fact, they are one of the most popular toys available and have been for countless years. But as children get older and harder to please (over three years old say), the ‘push and go’ model cars get a bit boring and many kids develop a longing for something that moves on it’s own! Remote control cars therefore fit the bill nicely and that is why they are growing in popularity, year after year. And it’s not just kids driving the trend, but adults too! There is a whole plethora of information about the hobby on the web, but little for beginners and that is why I wrote this article.
When trying to make sense of all of the different remote control cars available, a good place to start is understanding that there are two grades of remote control cars (or Radio Controlled cars as enthusiasts call them). The two different types are hobby grade cars and toy grade cars and both can provide hours of fun and enjoyment, for the right person.
Toy grade remote control cars are ideally suited to younger children because they cost less and if your child’s interest fades, you will not have spent the earth. Toy grade remote control cars are also safer for younger children, as they are generally not as fast, compared to say a petrol or nitro powered car (these can hurt if they hit you at 60 km/h!). Toy grade cars have other benefits too, such as;
Unbelievably detailed replicas are available, suitable for little & big boys who want to own their dream car. Many are officially licensed by manufacturers like Range Rover, Land Rover, Audi, BMW, Ferrari etc. & they are generally cheaper than the replicas you can buy in most car show rooms. Generally, they do not need to be built and are ready to use from the box. They are an ideal gift & are cheaper than most hobby grade remote control cars. They are safer for younger children (generally three & up) compared to faster hobby grade cars.
A great selection of toy remote control cars is available on Ebay. Some of the best can be found by clicking here.
Hobby grade remote control cars are different. They are more expensive, but offer several benefits if you are looking to take your hobby more seriously. For example, spares are often available & you’ll be able to make repairs yourself (or even get your car serviced in a specialist shop). Hobby grade remote control cars are also generally faster, as they are powered by either high performance electric motors, petrol or even nitro engines! For this reason hobby grade remote control cars are not suitable for younger children, as they can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h. In fact, most reputable brands recommend that nitro powered cars are only suitable for teenagers and adults, due to their speed and the toxic nature of nitro fuel. You can also upgrade a hobby grade remote control car to make it faster, stronger, more adjustable or just to make it look better. Some even have optional bodies that you can replace whenever you want.
If you decide to opt for a more expensive hobby grade remote control car, you will have a few decisions to make, such as;
On Road Versus Off Road…
The most popular type of remote control car is the Off-Road Buggy. These normally have larger tyres with spikey treads, full suspension & go on almost any terrain. On-Road cars are usually lower, have slick tyres & sleek sporty bodies.
Kit Form or Ready To Run…
Some hobby grade remote control car companies specialize in producing kits that you can put together yourself. Although this can be rewarding if you have the patience, it is not really an option for younger children, as some models may require a small amount of finishing, for example bodyshell painting and fitting. Kit form remote control cars can cost more at first, but they can also be more durable and therefore economical in the longer term.
Electric, Petrol or Nitro Powered…
Electric remote control cars are typically powered by rechargeable NiCad, nickel metal hydride or lipo batteries. Electric models are the entry grade within the hobby class cars & this power source is considered to be safer compared to petrol or nitro powered models, particularly for younger drivers. They are also quiet and can be used indoors.
Petrol remote control cars are normally powered by small 2-stroke engines, similar in capacity to chain saw engines. They can be faster than electric models, but they are not particularly suitable for younger drivers. Petrol power is often used for larger cars.
Nitro remote control cars are usually powered by model 2-stroke engines that run on specially formulated model fuel, which is available from specialist shops and websites. They require more user knowledge, and are also not suitable for young children, as they are seriously fast and nitro fuel can be dangerous stuff! Nitro powered remote control cars can also be more difficult to start.
Scale – Big, Medium or Mini…
A whole plethora of different sizes (or scales) is available and it doesn’t really matter which you buy, unless you intend on racing your car at a club in a specific category. Generally speaking the huge monster sized 1/5th size cars are petrol powered and are not really suitable for children due to their bulk. A good option for most and probably the most common sizes are either 1/10 or 1/12 scale. These cars are widely available with either a nitro or electric power source, and are small enough for most to carry. Smaller ‘mini’ sizes are also now quite common too, particularly in 1/18 scale.
Generally speaking, hobby grade remote control cars are sold at specialized hobby shops or websites. A great website for beginners is www.remotecontrolcarsdirect.com where you can find more information, videos, and details about magazines and clubs.
In summary, whichever type of remote control car you decide to buy one thing is guaranteed regardless of your age, you will have lots and lots of fun!
The author is a remote control (and Radio Controlled)car fan!
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Tips in Repairing Radio Controlled Cars
Aug 5th
When a person buys a car from a dealer, the only way to make the vehicle last for 5 years or longer is through proper care. This can be done visually or brought to the shop after reaching a certain mileage for preventive maintenance.
The same thing but in a smaller scale is done for Radio Controlled cars. This should be done after each run that will usually take 30 minutes to an hour. Here are a few tips on repairing Radio Controlled cars.
1. First, a visual inspection should be made over the entire vehicle. This will make it easy for the person to identify any cracks, leaks or broken parts that have to be glued or replaced.
2. Radio Controlled cars using batteries should be disconnected and recharged. Those that use oil should be drained to prevent condensation to build up inside that could damage the engine.
3. The suspension of most Radio Controlled cars endures a lot of beating after engaging in hair pin turns, long jumps and various terrains. A person can make sure this is still in good condition by pressing on that section of the vehicle and by adding oil to the shocks.
4. The jumps and spins may also cause some screws to come loose over time. The individual should have a screw driver nearby to tighten them. Those that appear secure should be given a coat of thread locking compound to make sure they stay in place.
5. Radio Controlled cars use rubber tires. After a few spins, they will develop some cuts and gashes which occur due to the quality of the road. If these are no longer able to maintain a good grip on the road, the individual should have them replaced at once with new ones from the hobby store.
6. If some paint has chipped off or holes have developed around the Radio Controlled car, the hobbyist can fix them using some paint and a pack of glue.
Once all of these are done, it is time to end the maintenance check using some paper towels and a toothbrush. These will be used to remove any dirt or dust that has accumulated in the undercarriage or in those hard to reach places of the Radio Controlled car.
The Radio Controlled car is a not just a toy but a machine that requires a lot of maintenance. A person must learn how to take care of it to be able to enjoy playing with it every time it is taken to the race track.
The above article was written by Nicole Steffanson on behalf of Baby Gift Station, an online baby gifts store featuring Diaper Change Caddies, Diaper Changing Gifts and other Baby Gifts Baskets and Keepsakes.
Nitro Radio Controlled Cars – The Nitro Powered Hobby That Leaves the Others in the Dust
Jul 28th
Nitro Radio Controlled cars are similar to your garden-variety toy store Remote Controlled cars, but with some significant (and awesome) differences, the main one being these babies have a small fuel powered engine in them, and some are capable of speeds of up to eighty miles an hour!
Are you looking to get into Nitro Radio Controlled cars, or are you an experienced racer looking for the best deals on kits and parts? We’ve got the best deals on RTR cars, Kits, parts and accessories.
Nitro Radio Controlled cars are a great hobby for those with the need for speed, but without the budget to hit the track in a for-reals race car. They range in price from just a little more expensive than a high range electric RC car, to many hundreds more. With some care and patience and willingness to learn how these cars tick, they can be quite easy to own and maintain as well.
Nitro Radio Controlled cars are called such because they run on a fuel known as nitro, which is a mixture of Nitro Methane, Methanol and oil. You can purchase the fuel from hobby stores or order it online.
Getting into the RC car hobby is not as difficult as it might seem. Ready to Run (RTR) kits are widely available in hobby stores and online, and there’s a wide range of resources online and in print on how to maintain, repair, modify and soup up your RC Car. Many RTR kits come with complete care guides, DVD’s on care and maintenance, and tools and other accessories.
As the engines are quite simple, their functionality can be easily learned, and this makes it a great hobby and learning experience for both kids and adults, making these cars a great choice of hobby for the whole family. They do go like the blazes though, so kids under 12 should always run their cars under the supervision of a responsible adult. Getting involved in Nitro Radio Controlled Cars is a great hobby and learning experience for anyone, young or old.
A dedicated nitro Radio Controlled car enthusiast.