Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Apr 15, 2021 18:30:20 GMT
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In one of the only occurrences that I can remember of a Facebook ad being of interest, it suggested a new book about signwriting by Joby Carter, who does the signwriting for his family's travelling Steam Fair. Mine arrived yesterday, and it's got nearly 400 beautiful colour illustrations of Joby's work, some of which are applied to their vintage Foden wagons (retro link ahoy!). Have a look and order your copy here: www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/shop/books/signwriting-tips-tricks-and-inspiration/I think I'll be having a go at a house number sign as a start.
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Last Edit: Apr 15, 2021 18:32:00 GMT by Del
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Mar 16, 2021 11:53:59 GMT
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Dad was a mechanic and AA patrol (he's a bus driver now) and was practicing bangernomics back in the early 70s. In order, I remember: Singer Chamois, that was supposed to be resprayed red but turned out orange. FD Victor saloon in blue, which he bought to earn a few extra quid minicabbing. HB Viva saloon, ostensibly blue, but with a red door and a pale blue bonnet. FD Victor estate in bright red, probably the most expensive car he bought. Mk1 Triumph 2000,which knackered its gearbox i in about a month. Mk1 Escort estate, bright yellow, which led to lots of jokes about it being an AA company car. Then he switched to bikes, after my parents divorced.
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Mar 13, 2021 20:45:47 GMT
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You used to be able to get 1.5v rechargeable batteries. I bought them for my last digital camera It very clearly states in instructions not to use rechargeables, but I can't see how the electronics would know the difference?!
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Mar 13, 2021 16:51:44 GMT
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What about those paint marker pens?
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Mar 13, 2021 16:26:27 GMT
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Sorry Rich, but that's all Greek to me 😄 The batteries drop into a box that then clips back into the car. Does that mean that I can substitute a LiPo for that? Dodged the showers and bashed it around the garden. It handles the pebbles and gravel well, but it doesn't like the big tussocks of weeds. That won't be a problem though, as they're all getting killed soon!
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Mar 13, 2021 13:55:48 GMT
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I notice that everything is screwed together which was a surprise. I hope that means that it should be possible to change shocks etc. later on. It’s 4WD too, which apparently is easier for beginners to learn with on the wheel-and-trigger. I’ve had a quick whizz around the living room floor and it’s good fun, but let’s see what it’s like in the back garden. What I didn’t check was the battery. 6 AAs, 4 in the car, 2 in the controller. And it won’t take rechargeables. This might get pricey!
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Last Edit: Mar 13, 2021 13:59:59 GMT by Del
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Mar 13, 2021 10:35:36 GMT
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So when I started looking into these basic cars, I found that most of them were either supercars or monster trucks. Supercars aren't suitable for the garden and monster trucks just leave me cold, I'm afraid. The only buggies that I could find that were a decent size were one at Smyths Toys that didn't have great reviews, and this one at John Lewis. Most of the others were very small, looked very fragile, or were from companies that I'd not heard of. This one is 1/24, looks well-built, and is from Carrera, who's well regarded for their slotcars, so I'd hope that their RC is as good. Photos will follow later...
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Mar 12, 2021 17:52:07 GMT
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My Argos (actually John Lewis) buggy has arrived, so when it finally stops raining for a decent length of time, I'll give it a bash around the garden and see how I get on.
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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I’ve moved since then but not far away, I’m in Roade now so will gladly take you up on that offer when we’re allowed!
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Thanks for all the advice. I am completely new to RC, so I think the ‘Argos’ idea is a good one. There seems to be some well-regarded RTRs for less than £50, and even some of those seem to be upgradeable, so I think I’ll start there. Not sure about sticks v wheel. Might have to pop along to the local model shop after lockdown, to see if I can try a couple out.
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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It certainly looks like Tamiya are the best value for kits. So the question then comes down to which car. Apart from styling, is there any real difference between any of the 2wd buggies?
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Feb 28, 2021 12:19:47 GMT
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I was hoping to come in under a ton for a kit and basic radio gear. But then I thought if I spend that on some decent radio gear, and maybe £60-80 on a car, then I can buy more cars later, and just need a receiver for each one (seeing as I can only drive one at a time!). The back garden is all paved and the driveway is concrete and gravel, so need a car that won't panic when it sees a bump, hence leaning towards buggies.
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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I've wanted to build an RC car since I was a kid, but even as an adult with disposable income, the Tamiya kits are a little pricey. I've had a look through the WPL thread, and they look interesting, but I'd really prefer a buggy. Are there any companies that do kits for cars similar to the Hornet or Grasshopper, but a bit cheaper or is Tamiya's Rising Fighter about the best value that I'll get? I very much want it to be a kit rather than ready-built.
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Last Edit: Feb 28, 2021 9:49:08 GMT by Del
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Feb 26, 2021 19:23:28 GMT
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Blimey! A Quantum! Fiesta based 90's kit car I quite like these. I keep an eye on them on eBay, just in case.
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Feb 25, 2021 20:53:22 GMT
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Thanks for all the info. I don’t intend to lay concrete, I was just going to add more slate chips to stop the car sinking into the soil. I have realised however that the grass verge might be awkward, as I don’t want to be driving across that as I turn in (the parish council maintain those). It won’t be any bother with the Panda but it might be tight with a bigger car. I think I might knock down the pier to give a bit more width, pull up those dead hydrangeas, and cover that with chips, then at least I can reverse in at an angle and not have to squeeze out of the driver’s side!
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Feb 22, 2021 19:31:53 GMT
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Cheers Colin, thanks for the info. I think I’d be able to drive in and swing around without clobbering the lampost and reversing out shouldn’t be a bother. But it might be if we get a bigger car...
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Feb 22, 2021 17:40:07 GMT
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Our driveway is very narrow, as can be seen by the fact that our modern Panda only just fits between the piers. There’s about an inch clearance between the mirrors and the cap stones. You can also see that I can’t bring the car any further back, as I’ll whack it on the corner of the house (as well as there being a drainpipe just to the left of where I was standing). All the other properties on our side of the road have removed the wall, and a number already use the garden for parking. We already have a dropped kerb, and the garden is covered with slate chips. Could we just knock down the wall, pull the plants up, and stick the car on there?
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Feb 17, 2021 17:58:57 GMT
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Feb 10, 2021 21:09:26 GMT
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My '72 Dormobile had a square plate.
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