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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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Chevys – Classic Radio Control Models and More
Aug 10th
As far as variety goes, there are about as many RC cars as there are models of the real thing, and probably even more. Take for instance the Chevy. There is no lack of RC models available if you go for the classics in this arena; or for their sports car line, like the Chevy Corvette.
Chevy RCs are definitely more for the collector than the racer, unless you custom-make your RC racer to have the body of a Chevy, that is. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular Chevy RCs:
Muscle Machines 1957 Chevrolet
This comes in pretty big at a 1:8 scale and is truly a classic. Accessories included are the charger, battery pack, and features working headlights, a decidedly detailed interior, custom wheels, and super glossy paint. Average price is between $60-$80. Other Chevy Muscle Machine models available are the 71 Camaro and the Camaro Z28, also in 1:8 scale and similarly priced to the 1957 Chevrolet.
1969 Chevy Camaro Z28 RC Electric Car
Made by Playmaker Toys, this 1969 Camaro model is produced at a 1:18 scale and features working head and tail lights, and is a four-function car (as in forward, backward, left, and right). This is definitely for the real Chevy collectors out there, and at $30-$40, it’s not a bad deal at all.
1998 Chevrolet Corvette GTS IR Control Mini RC Car
For the mini RC fans out there, this Chevy is for you. It features a body that is all metal, racing tires made of rubber, and a miniature Corvette engine. The remote control wristwatch doubles as just that, a watch, and the mini RC car itself claims to mimic everything that its real nemesis does; this is probably because General Motors itself is said to have licensed this baby as a true 1:32 mini RC. This has a MSRP of $49.95 to $69.95 but can be bought at less than half that price at many online hobby stores.
Chevy truck models are also available as RCs – such as the Chevy SSR RC Truck and the Chevy 4×4 Monster Truck. Average prices for RC trucks are a little over $100, but if you’re lucky, some websites have them on sale for as much as 50% off.
Many Chevy owners who have at one point in their lives owned a classic are thrilled when they find model RCs that resemble the very cars they once owned. So, whether you’re just a beginning collector of classics, or if you’re a seasoned collector looking to expand your line of cars, then the Chevy is definitely the way to go.
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.
Who Else Wants to Know Where to Buy Radio Control Car Parts?
Aug 6th
Before, it was just a little boy’s toy. But now, with so many almost-real cars available on the market today, radio control cars are already considered as toys for the big boys.
Generally, radio control cars are classified as nitro powered and electric powered. Hence, these cars are being operated by powerful mechanisms that require different parts in order to function effectively.
For this reason, when a certain radio control car part fails to function normally or stops working, it is important that you replace them quickly. Repairing them could be worth your wait but you can never afford another break down after a series of repairs.
It is better to buy the parts as soon as possible in order to avoid further problems. Besides, you do not just have to buy radio control parts for immediate replacement. It is better to have a continuous supply of the radio control car parts on hand to avoid embarrassing dilemmas while you are on the race track.
If you do not know where to buy radio control car parts, here is a list of some tips to get you started.
1. Buy online
Many websites on the Internet cater to radio control car parts and accessories. You just have to find the site that can give you the parts that you need.
Keep in mind that not all websites can give you the same radio control car parts or the same prices so it is best to shop around and compare catalogs.
Shopping for radio control car parts online can give you a first-hand comparison of the different prices and manufacturers so that you can choose the best parts with the best deals without having to spend time, money, and effort to find the parts that you want and end up in vain.
2. Buy at auction sites
You can also buy radio control car parts at auction sites such as eBay. When you buy on eBay, you can expect to get first-rate deals on radio control car parts.
3. Hobby shops
These stores may have the best line of radio control car parts. There is no one that can give you the best parts than those who are into the same hobby themselves. Keep in mind that expertise is always the best guide in buying quality items.
So the next time you worry about where to buy radio control car parts, just check in these three venues and you will surely find the right stuff for your cars.
The above article was written by Nicole Steffanson on behalf of Baby Gift Station, a Baby Footprint Keepsakes & New Baby Gift Baskets online store specializing in Baby Einstein Gift Baskets, Baby Handprint Footprint Kits and other baby gifts and couture.
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Radio-Controlled Boats and How to Construct Them
Aug 1st
For some reason, being able to control a miniature boat as it skims over the water of a local lake is something that many people find very appealing. It doesn’t matter whether you are a kid or an adult; Remote Controlled boats are universally fun. On top of that, nothing is more fun than undergoing a huge and daunting project, and eventually seeing the results come through. Therefore you should consider building a Remote Controlled boat on your own, out of materials that you can buy from any local craft or hobby store. If you are here, you have likely already considered this prospect. It is more than possible, and probably easier than you would think.
Since you have taken the more interesting route and decided to build your Remote Controlled boat rather than buy one pre-made, you will have quite a few more challenges facing you that you wouldn’t have run into otherwise. However, all of the hard work that you put into your Remote Controlled boat will pay off in the end, and you will feel like you have really accomplished something when you take it out to a lake for a day and it is able to successfully navigate the treacherous waters. You will probably be frustrated along the way as your boat falls apart, or even sinks into the water never to be seen again. However, if you persevere you will be glad that you did.
Unless you have experience in the construction of boats, you will probably want to use plans that someone else has created. You can find plans for remote control boats all over the place – on the internet, in magazines, or in books. You may even use the plans for a full-sized boat, and make a scaled model of it. As long as you are confident that the motor and radio components will not interfere, this is a good route to take. Regardless of where you get your plan, you will need one that is utterly clear in every aspect. Even the slightest typo or misreading could result in your boat sinking, or spinning in circles struggling to stay afloat.
As you build the boat, you will need quite a few supplies, first, the wood is a very important part. If you are using custom plans, wood is probably the material you will be working with. You can find quantities of light wood such as balsa at your local hobby store. You should always get extra, since a wood that light is prone to snapping when you least expect it. The wood is held together using glue, and you will start with a hull-shaped structure then plate it with sheets of wood. After it is all done, you caulk the holes and cracks with some sort of putty, then spray it all with a sealant to make it waterproof. After that, you are free to paint it however you see fit.
The motor equipment on a Radio Controlled boat must have more attention paid to it than other Remote Controlled projects like cars or planes. If even one droplet of water gets into the electrical components, your entire project will be ruined, and you will have to buy new (possibly expensive) radio equipment. Waterproofing the motor equipment is fairly difficult, and you should always test it with no electricity involved before you actually go out on your maiden voyage. It is usually accomplished by having the motor extend an arm through a waterproof sealant that will prevent any water from getting in.
There are many parts to the process of creating a Radio Controlled boat, and each one needs to have close attention paid to it. As long as you can invest this time, you should have a great experience. You don’t want the little sailors in your boat frantically tossing things overboard as they try to stay afloat, do you?
A quick guide to allergic reactions to wasp stings can be found at the Wasp Stings website. Visit the History Of Swimming website for a short guide to long distance swimming. Interesting info on sea turtle habitat can be found at the Turtle Habitat website.