getting started

[karmilwm]

How do i get started building my own rc cars

 

[WickedFog]

Do you mean building a kit? Or building one from scratch?

 

[karmilwm]

Do you mean building a kit? Or building one from scratch?

Either one but I would prefer building one from scratch.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Welcome to RCTALK.COM!!!
Are you looking to get a plan or ideas???

Check this build out!

Thread 'WWII Willy's Jeep Born into a Jeepney Bus'

Dec 29, 2024

During ww2 america used these vehicles called willys jeep
Correct me if I'm wrong but i think these jeeps are all over the world
I could be wrong tho
ANd after ww2 they just left these jeeps all.over the country
Among these countries is the philippines
Filipinos turned these willys jeep in to a mini bus called jeepney
Jeepney is what you use to get around the city in the philippines
They comes in all sizes decorations color paints etc.
You can google JEEPNEY

With my porject I'm using a chassis for the d110

THESE JEEPNEY ARE THE MODEL
FOR THIS BUILD

...

• ARRMAgeddon
• Replies: 82
• Forum: Scale RC

• 
• 
• 

He built a boat from scratch too!
Do you have any idea what you'd like to build?
Any materials, parts or tools you already have that would make it easier? 3d printer, mill or lathe...???

 

[nino]

Scratch building an RC that looks good AND works well requires a lot of skill, tools and time. Most of them are scale looking crawlers. Maybe check out Scale builders guild forum and YT channel for a start.

 

[WickedFog]

Here's one way to make an RC car from scratch.

Build Thread Post in thread 'Luke66's MKUltra 3D Printed RC Race Buggy Build.'

Jan 7, 2025

Cut some more hinge pins today!
Looks so much more complete. Also ordered some more parts.

Here’s what’s coming:
Shocks,
Bearings,
Turnbuckle rods,
Pillow BALLS,
Servo,
Diffs,
What I need:
ESC/Motor,
RX.

So close!

• luke66

• 

And Here's another

Post in thread 'Fangdango! V8 drag car'

Jan 7, 2025

I will have a booth at Motorama Feb 15-16 in Harrisburg PA. This car, along with Invader II, and several others from our team will be on display at the booth, so if you're going be sure to stop by in the main hall!

• johnnydmd

• 
• 

 

[karmilwm]

I am mostly wondering what parts I need and where to get them, to build my own.

 

[CertifiedMike]

If you're just starting out, buying a kit and building it yourself is prob a smarter route to take.
If you are just looking for parts, look up a hobby shop on line and check their parts... millions of rc parts out there!
Having a plan and some ideas of what you want to build will save you sooooo much time!

 

[karmilwm]

If you're just starting out, buying a kit and building it yourself is prob a smarter route to take.
If you are just looking for parts, look up a hobby shop on line and check their parts... millions of rc parts out there!
Having a plan and some ideas of what you want to build will save you sooooo much time!

Thank you so much. You just saved a lot of time and money!

 

[CertifiedMike]

A Slash is a great beginner platform! Lots of parts and lots of ways to modify a Slash. Lots of ppl here own them. Plenty of advice to be found here on the forum.
Another idea I like is the Arrma Gorgon.
I own a Gorgon so I can say personally, its been great without upgrades. I run it on 2s battery.
Its not as fast as a Slash but its big and tough and runs over stuff that a Slash can't run over.
What is your budget?
Whatever you just said, triple that!
I'm just kidding but it is better to buy the best kit you can afford, then start upgrading it.
Don't buy a junker with plans to make it great... it will cost a fortune and is unlikely to ever be 'better' than a good quality kit.
The Gorgon and the Slash can be hopped up but the Slash is an infinitely more flexible chassis right now. Can be a drag slash or sct or buggy ( jato) etc... Gorgon is also the Arrma Fury I think, and ppl like that one too.

Thread 'With an $800 budget , what would you get?'

Sep 18, 2024

If you had $800 for an electric RC vehicle (any type) , what would you get?

I figured I’d start a new thread since this topic strays from the Traxxas thread.

• PainKiller
• Replies: 1,514
• Forum: Electric RC

• 

Here's a good thread to read. Gives you some ideas of what to expect getting into rc.

 

[karmilwm]

I am 14 so I don't have a job ,so my budget is not super high, so I will probably wait several years to really get into rc.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Understood... There's a few ppl here that are in VERY similar situations as your's!!!
I laugh because @DavidB1126 is a young person like yourself, also on a tight budget and is currently the owner of a Slash!!!
There are other young ppl here who run Slashes and budgets too.
YOU CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!!!
He will get a notification about this too now so I'm sure he'll drop in to say hi at some point.
Go get a pen an write this down, then check the site out and bookmark it!!!
jennysrc.com
They are a budget friendly alternative to hobby shop prices. They take kits apart and sell the pieces cheap!
I think Black Friday (other holiday too) sales are worth waiting for.
I got some CRAZY low prices on escs and a motor from HobbyWing.
Other ppl bought nice Vanquish kits and Reefs servos!!! Associated Trophy trucks were absurdly cheap too!!!

Something to consider... a used rc isnt necessarily a bad option for a budget minded person.
I have bought a few off ebay. Some were good deals, some not so good. They were banged up and need lots to make right.
I have bought a few on craigslist and were fantastic deals!!! BE CAREFUL MEETING ANYONE WHEN THEY KNOW YOU HAVE A POCKET FULL OF CASH!!!
Meet at the police station to be safe!!! Bring an adult or 3!!!
Be sure to ask lots of questions BEFORE you buy things.
We can help guide you from 'not great deals' to 'better' within reason. We might even find you someone here who has a Slash for sale... never know!
Things to think about and start collecting now could be some basic tools.
I bet you could find a person or 8 here who might have some extra allen keys they could send you to get you by for now.
David can give you a 'necessary tools' list for the Slash I bet!

We even have this!!!

WTB Thread 'The "Unwanted And Free RC Stuff Thread!"'

Sep 18, 2024

This thread is to serve as a thread for sending out unwanted rc stuff to people for free. I think some of the newer guys or people sourcing out parts can benefit from this!

• Lukedavis
• Replies: 218
• Forum: Classifieds

• 

 

[Doom!]

Welcome aboard, your on the right track, always do your homework before buying anything. I agree with the others start with something basic, be it a kit or a Ready to Run and learn how to upgrade/ maintain it before you get to ambitious.

 

[DavidB1126]

I laugh because @DavidB1126 is a young person like yourself, also on a tight budget and is currently the owner of a Slash!!!

Slashes are super fun cars. Or the whole Traxxas 2wd lineup of that matter. Technically @luke66 is younger than me. @karmilwm , look at his Traxxas MM builds, they are pretty cool. He's also doing up a 3d printed car which is linked above. Or you can also build up a car to Jenny's RC (also mentioned) I'm currently building up a Typhon 6s just from parts.

I spend more money on radios and tires than actual car maintenance and upgrades lol. The struggle of racing. Tires over here, tires over there, you have a set of tires in your pocket too.

 

[TeknoJ]

If you're just starting out, buying a kit and building it yourself is prob a smarter route to take.
If you are just looking for parts, look up a hobby shop on line and check their parts... millions of rc parts out there!
Having a plan and some ideas of what you want to build will save you sooooo much time!

I also highly recommend building a kit or 2 so you have a live reference for parts needed. A rock crawler and even a go-fast type of vehicle would be ideal, 2 different rigs showing you 2 types of part groups, if you can spare the that is. You don't have to get 2 of them right away but both of these platforms will help you understand your end goal.
It kind of boils down to the question that we always ask every newcomer here: "what are you looking to do with it and what terrain are you running on?"
My first scratch build was my first 1/10 crawler, and I used parts that are scx10/10.2 compatible parts. I did not manufacture anything myself though. I will have to design and 3d print a skid for the transmission I want to use but that is another chapter. A kit is a very good start for you right now. You will learn what tools you need, how to properly strip screws and hopefully remove them, and get an introduction to carpel tunnel.

 

[RetroThutmose]

I am 14 so I don't have a job ,so my budget is not super high, so I will probably wait several years to really get into rc.

Ah man, get a slash 2wd kit. It's pretty cheap and a great platform to start with. The slash can be converted into many kinds of cars and trucks.
These are some of my slashes

 

[Lukedavis]

Slashes are super fun cars. Or the whole Traxxas 2wd lineup of that matter. Technically @luke66 is younger than me. @karmilwm , look at his Traxxas MM builds, they are pretty cool. He's also doing up a 3d printed car which is linked above. Or you can also build up a car to Jenny's RC (also mentioned) I'm currently building up a Typhon 6s just from parts.

I spend more money on radios and tires than actual car maintenance and upgrades lol. The struggle of racing. Tires over here, tires over there, you have a set of tires in your pocket too.

Yall always forget about me lol. I have a slash mid motor build somewhere on here... first version was modifying the stock chassis.

 

[Lukedavis]

oh and i'm 15. we got a couple youngins in here. Also welcome to the forum!

 

[luke66]

Y'all always forget about me lol. I have a slash mid motor build somewhere on here... first version was modifying the stock chassis.

You gotta come around more!!

Welcome in @karmilwm ! I'd 100% Recommend a Traxxas Slash. I started my RC journey with one and have no regrets. If you want something with a little bit more toughness but a bit less upgradeablity a Arrma Fury/Gorgon/Vorteks2WD would also be pretty good to start with and save a couple pennies. If you want some crazy TRX Slash build ideas, you can check out my RC Showcase. Not too crazy but still cool. I'd also recommend a BL-2s. The brushless motors last MUCH longer. I had a Slash XL5 and I spent like $150 on new motors over 2-3 years.

 

[DavidB1126]

I had a Slash XL5 and I spent like $150 on new motors over 2-3 years.

Ah the famous titan motors, definitely don't last like a Titan lol