New editions to the family

[godale03]

Hey Guys,

Well I got the call from the LHS that my 5 year old stepson's and my Xmas presents had come in. I bought my stepson an Associated 18B and I bought a FT 18T with a Tekin brushless system. I hope that we will be able to bash around the mini's in the driveway and have some real fun. He has showed a little interest in RC so I figured I would start him off with something small and relatively inexpensive in the 18B. The other benefit would be that if and when he breaks something I can actually fix it, whereas if I bought him a car from Radio Shack or Toys R Us I would not be able to fix it if it broke. I hope he likes it. I also hope it also leads us to some bonding time. He is my stepson and we don't have alot that we do together... I am hoping RC can help bridge the gap. I just thought I would share. Have a great day guys.

Tom

 

[HeartBreak]

I think you're doin a great thing there, godale. You definately made the wisest selection in the RC18's, as they're little tanks. Mine, I've yet to break it (if you don't count wearing out the stock motor).

You may want to check the gear lash before you turn over the 18b. When I got mine, it was tighter than a drum. You'll need patience when setting the lash. It's a little trickier than a nitro, simply because of the smaller teeth.

Other than that, out of the box, they're awesome.

And, I gotta add; you're bein a great stepdad. There are a lot of guys out there that will ignore the stepson/daughter, but even more out there that man-up, just like you. Bravo, dude :thumbup:

 

[NCNitro]

That's awesome man! Great way for you to get to know each other better, and bond. Let him help ya fix it when it does break too.

 

[FastEddy]

See, And you didn't design and indoor track when remolding the basement. Time to tear it all up and do it again

 

[godale03]

Thanks guys... I appreciate the info and the kind words. Heartbreak.. you are right... there are alot of deadbeat stepdads out there and I do not want to be one of them! I was looking for something that he and I could do together that does not involve turning on the tube and veggin out... which is ok sometimes but it is not really bonding. The wife was a bit apprehensive... only because he is only 5 and may not be into it. She just doesn't want me to be disappointed if he would rather play with the spiderman toys. I figure even if he is not "into" it like I am... at least it will give us something to do together. It also is a spring board into a great hobby if he does like it. We can upgrade his buggy together and maybe even race them. NC.. your right... it would be even more fun to let him help wrench on them too.

Tom

See, And you didn't design and indoor track when remolding the basement. Time to tear it all up and do it again

Oh man don't say that! LOL One renovation was bad enough! I am still dealing with the contractor about the little stuff. An indoor track would be sweet though... maybe I can find foam tires for those things and just use the space I have now? :whistle:

Tom

 

[HeartBreak]

They do make foams for 'em, I can't cite the part numbers off the top of my head, but associated makes 'em. Pre-mounted and the works. I gotta warn ya tho; vacuum thoroughly... The axles on these things suck up hair faster than a flo-bee.

 

[godale03]

They do make foams for 'em, I can't cite the part numbers off the top of my head, but associated makes 'em. Pre-mounted and the works. I gotta warn ya tho; vacuum thoroughly... The axles on these things suck up hair faster than a flo-bee.

Thanks for the info... I will check them out. Thanks for the info on the carpet... I have burber carpet installed and it does fuzz up quickly. Take care my friend.

Tom

 

[HeartBreak]

Here's the tower link to the foams;

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJSU8&P=7

They're for an 18T, but they'll fit the 18B's axles. The only catch here is the gear ratio. It might be geared a little high for these tires.

 

[godale03]

I think I just might have to order a set of those.... you know for those rainy days... kinda like today!

Tom

 

[digger]

Great gift for the step son. He should remember that for a long time.
Good luck with it Bro.

I'm trying to figure out gifts for the grandkids. Both are girls....
Figure I'll be in the floor playing with dolls and putting on make-up. The little 5yr old was fixing my hair last time I saw her.

 

[godale03]

Man... I have been there.... that is why I cut all my hair off! LOL Actually we had a 9 year old girl that ran 1/10th electric at my LHS 2 years ago and she was a fantastic driver. It was funny to see 30 year old guys getting beat and frustrated by a 9 year old girl. It is a shame they had to move out of the area. I was going to get her to teach me how to drive! LOL

Don't count out the girls.... they may be RC drivers in the making! I hope all is well in good ol WVA....


Tom

 

[Plaidfish]

hey tom, an easy indoor setup is to take a mid-weight blanket and tape the edges on the carpet (temporarily while you drive of course....then drape em over the couches and chairs....you just made an 1/18th scale mountain range for the lil buggers.....I wouldn't recommend running the brushless setup indoors, but the stock setup rocks......scoop the tops of the blankets to or put pillows underneath to change the setup....my buddies in NYC got into beating on mini-Ts in thier apt a few years ago and started building up to the mountain ranges.....fun as hell.....and the only thing I would say is a must on teh stock setup is the RPM bumper, cheap and it saves you from snapping A-Arms too easily.....

 

[godale03]

Cool man... thanks for the info. I will have to do that. I hope the little guy likes it. I will pick up that RPM bumper as well. He likes to run into things... ALOT! LOL I think those little guys will be fun as hell this winter indoors. My goal is to get an 18T that looks like yours Plaid.. that thing is sweet looking! Finally a ride I can actually afford to upgrade to aluminum parts! LOL Take care my friend.

Tom

 

[ImBroken]

Check out these lil bumpers... I have recently got a few bumpers from these guys for my winter RC10T4 project, and they are really nice... Give em a try...

TBone R/C

 

[godale03]

Man they look sweet! I will have to check this site out in a bit more detail after work. They have some nice looking stuff. Thanks for the info.

Do you have any pics or links to your T4 project? I have a FT Kit still to build at home and I was curious as to what kind of things you had in store for your project.

Have a great day!

Tom