How do I hyperlink to a rimshot sound effect? You’ll just have to imagine the joke-punctuating percussion, I guess. Yes indeed, I’m literally wrenching on little things whenever I can spare the time, radio-control cars in particular. I’m into all types of RC vehicles, and also have a stack of plastic models and LEGO Technics kits to get to, maybe when I retire.
But for sheer putting-stuff-together fun, RC is what I enjoy most. With very few exceptions, all the components of radio-control models go together with nuts, bolts, and screws, so it’s very rare that an assembly mistake can’t be undone—as opposed to, let’s say, when you glue a valve-cover on upside down on a static model. And when you’re done building your RC car or truck, you get to drive it! The electronic gear that moves the model is waterproof these days, so you can really get down in mud, snow, dirt, and dust, just as you would with a full-size off-roader.
In recent years, realistic 1/10 scale trail-trucking has really taken hold of the RC scene, and it’s a whole ‘nother kind of radio-control experience. The trucks are geared very low (the ratios are numerically high, that is) to favor realistic 4X4 climbing and crawling—not frenetic, high-speed crash-and-bash action. And because the speeds are lower, the models can be much more authentic both in technology and styling. I’m big on the Traxxas TRX-4 series of trail trucks, which you can get ready-to-run or build up from a kit as shown below. You can follow the whole build here if you like, and if you’d like to see every step, here’s the build manual.
The level of functionality built into the 1/10 scale models is truly amazing. Multi-speed shifting transmissions, locking differentials, 4-wheel steering and “dig” systems are available as stock equipment on some models and accessories on others, and rugged aluminum and steel parts are plentiful. A dream 4X4 build that might cost you $100,000 as a full-size truck might be a $500 project in 1/10 scale—and you can build it at your kitchen table!
So that’s what I’m up to … what are YOU wrenching on, full-size or otherwise?
I hadn’t done it in over 20 years but I started tinkering with RC planes again about a year ago, although it’s also the first thing shuffled to the back burner when time or money dictate. They’ve been on the back burner since the middle of winter due to a seemingly endless parade of home improvement projects, and will likely stay there for a while as I just had a project follow me home this past weekend!,
After a lot of talking, a couple months of inquiring/negotiating and a month or so of waiting for weather and schedules to work out I drove 1100 miles (round trip) this past weekend to pick up a dream car of mine, a 42 Buick Roadmaster Sedanette. I haven’t and won’t be able to jump into the project for at least a few weeks if not months, but I’m looking forward to what could be the biggest automotive challenge I’ve faced. The biggest not just due to some of the scarcity of unique parts I’ll inevitably run into, also due to everything on this car needing a lot of attention.
There is a strong overlap between car nuts and RC nuts. So far I have gotten 4 of my RC friends to start autocrossing with me. Its funny, but I spend more on RC car tires then I do on my season long autocross season (including at least 2 national events).
RC is something I loved as a teen and glad I was able to let go of. So many options as a big kid hobby. I’ve almost retaken the dive into the world with Traxxas many many times over the last 15 years or so as a friend keeps trying to entice me. So far I’ve resisted. Articles like this, make it all the more hard…
That said, I’m not wrenching yet, but getting the things together to wrench on my new motorcycle when it finally arrives from Sweden (Husky!). Different pannier racks, GPS mount and associated wiring, and a phone mount. Plus soft bags for the rack, tank and tail. All the fun incoming for some moto-camping and such.
Mostly wrenching on my mountain bike right now. Between the usual annual maintenance activities and the stuff I deferred last fall (because I’ll have plenty of time over the winter to do it, yet here we are in the spring and none of it is done), I have several nights worth of work on it.
All my free time has been taken up by wrenching on my new house. It’s not “mine” per se as we’re renting, but it needs a lot of little things sorted out before we can move in, and then I need to do a bunch of hole filling and touch-up painting at the old house. I hate moving.
I got hurt. 🙁 So, nothing for now. This sucks because it’s great everything weather right now, and welp.
Damn, Stef. I hope you heal quickly
Thanks! Me too. I’m mostly irritated that this is prime tube weather and I’ve got a broken finger I can’t get wet. Good bike weather, too—can’t grip anything with that hand for crap.
Very sorry to hear that – hope you’re back in it soon. 🙁
Yeah. Today’s follow-up for my fall was a little better, but they buddy-splinted my broken finger to another one, and I’m stuck mostly typing with 8 fingers (and making an absolute crapload of typos compared to usual as a result). Sorry to everyone I owe work to—this garbage hurts, yo.
Good stuff.
I worked with my son to change the brake pads and the oil on the STS on Sunday, and I swapped the starter on the MGB on Monday night, so I think the fleet is happy for the moment. I was able to take the B out to the local MG club meeting tonight. There were lots of B’s, an MGA, and a few other British makes in attendance.
You’re doing a little wrenching, and I’m hitting the books: doing some maintenance on a five-volume set of Automobile Engineering books from the American Technical Institute. 🙂
The books are from 1918 and the covers were quite literally turning to dust, so I used a rattle can of a matte clear coat called a fixatif to make them… not do that. (Oddly enough the can was made by Krylon.) Now that the coating is dry, each volume will get a mylar cover; then I will be able to read them, which will be nice.
I had the 1930 set already, but the 1918 version has a section on electric cars and a section on steam cars. There is also a section called – I kid you not – “Shop Kinks”. 🙂
I feel you should write a post on the “Shop Kinks”. Guaranteed clicks on that one!
I ripped my Castle swapped Traxxas Maxx around tonight. Amazingly the 3D printed front bumper held up to cartwheeling and getting dug into the dirt. What a fun truck.
Earlier this week I finished up a “wing on a box” foam board plane that will be flown soon.
Lookit those little truck guys go! You could get a tilt-shift camera lens and really mess with folks.
The local body guy had to drop the headliner in the Outback to clear out the sunroof drains, and now the sun-block panels below the sunroof don’t slide into place right.
Trying to decide whether to fight with that or hop on the tractor and mow a couple acres of pasture.
Oh, and the tractor needs a transmission seal replaced, which means unbolting the front half from the back half.
Hey Pete, did you ever see this article I posted last year? I’ve been wanting to get some more RC content on here, maybe we should gang up on David.
As for wrenching plans, this weekend I tackle the valve cover gaskets on a leaky VQ35DE. Give me strength…
I just added a link to the article, thanks!
I finally got the passenger side aircon blower out of my Jaguar this past weekend, which pretty much required tearing the most of the passenger side dash and things under it apart. Unfortunately the blower fan motor inside the unit is squealing and penetrating lubricants didn’t help, so it seems the motor can’t be repaired. Since that part is apparently not replaceable on its own I have to order an entire blower unit. Cost on those range from 175 for a well-used unit to 500 for a rebuilt unit with a year warranty. The good news is that even though the part is not cheap I’m saving a bundle on labor costs at the mechanic.
Awesome hobby Peter. I have a customized Lunchbox myself. I designed and built a 3d printer so I can print bodies for it!
Wrenching… my buddy leant me his aerator. Both tires were both tubeless and FLAT. I ordered some tubes, and installed them after work today. One inner bead did not fully seat, and I don’t care. The tire was so dry-rotted that I got too nervous to go any higher in pressure to seat it. I probably could seat it if I deflated it fully then oiled it up and reinflated it.
1987 Volvo 245 DL air conditioning blower motor. For those who know this is a real bear of a job.
Ouch, yeah, not fun. Any work inside a dashboard is not nice work, by default. Good luck.
Heh – see my comment doing the same thing on a 1988 Jaguar XJ6. It’s a bear, alright.
So, after a few years driving mostly new PHEV/BEV vehicles, I picked up a ‘12 Nissan Frontier this week. Stick shift, 4×4, not a screen in sight…I love it.
Never worked on cars, but interested in trying to tackle some of the basics. Ideally I’ll keep this truck until it dies, and probably buy an EV commuter at some point to take the bulk of the miles.
My wife teaches at a community college, so I can take classes free there – they have an automotive service certificate that seems like it will teach me more than enough. Thoughts on that plan / anything else I can do to learn the basics of car maintenance?
I love EV’s…but hearing the rumble of the 4.0L V6 in this thing, and driving stick really has me feeling stoked about this truck!
Great plan – I did basically the same thing…went to night school.
Biggest thing I liked about it (aside from everything I learned) was being able to work under knowledgeable supervision AND access to all sorts of tools/equipment I didn’t own. And they had access to AllData (or SomeData as my teacher used to say) which helps on weird stuff.
I also liked the used oil filter crusher. So much fun to operate.
The ac on my wife’s Subaru isn’t working. The ac compressor clutch won’t engage so I guess I’m buying a vacuum pump, manifolds and some recharge cans. I’m hoping it’s just out of refrigerant, but I’m sure I will need to install a new compressor. It doesn’t look to be too difficult but the parts are super expensive
Don’t forget to charge it with nitrogen and let it sit overnight >before the vacuum step. Buy a spray bottle of blue bubbles to check for leaks then rather than have them with expensive refrigerant.
Not as crucial as when soldering the system together, but still extra peace of mind.
Also, immediately tape open ends of lines to minimize trash/moisture. Vinyl tape-not Blue Frog tape