Finally arrived after 25 year wait!
Discussion
I just got out my Tamiya Hornet - had it 26 years and probably not used it for around 24. As it is school holidays and we are moving house, I went through a few boxes in storage and found the car. Then thought I would get it out and have a go at running it for my 5 year old little boy. Charged up the 7.2v original NiCad battery - and it all worked first time.
Unfortunately, my little boy reversed it at speed into a kerb and the back axle broke - so end of play.
So...onto Ebay....and picked up a new axle for 99p delivered next day. Got it fixed up again, cleaned up, then ran it some more great fun. This was a week ago.
Now, I have installed a new aerial for it, installed stainless steel bearings (£5.99 from Ebay and wish I had done that 26 years ago, but it would have been alot more money then!), installed an Electronic Speed Controller (dispensing with the weight of 4 AA cells, a servo and the mechanical controller), and picked up a fast mains/12v charger. Got it all built up last night, but a wire came off the motor and I cannot currently get access to my soldering iron without moving half the garage contents. I am sure it will be much quicker and smoother than before.
Noe been perusing upgrade motors from the likes of Ansman on Ebay (under £10 gets you a 540 15T motor good for 32,000 rpm), but will wait.
It is strangely addictive (as you can guess) and from just discovering in the garage 8 days ago it has had a full rebuild, upgrade and mini MOT.
Good luck with the kit - happy days - and watch out for those nobbly tyres - £12 a pair and I found very difficult to get on. Have fun with the build.
Unfortunately, my little boy reversed it at speed into a kerb and the back axle broke - so end of play.
So...onto Ebay....and picked up a new axle for 99p delivered next day. Got it fixed up again, cleaned up, then ran it some more great fun. This was a week ago.
Now, I have installed a new aerial for it, installed stainless steel bearings (£5.99 from Ebay and wish I had done that 26 years ago, but it would have been alot more money then!), installed an Electronic Speed Controller (dispensing with the weight of 4 AA cells, a servo and the mechanical controller), and picked up a fast mains/12v charger. Got it all built up last night, but a wire came off the motor and I cannot currently get access to my soldering iron without moving half the garage contents. I am sure it will be much quicker and smoother than before.
Noe been perusing upgrade motors from the likes of Ansman on Ebay (under £10 gets you a 540 15T motor good for 32,000 rpm), but will wait.
It is strangely addictive (as you can guess) and from just discovering in the garage 8 days ago it has had a full rebuild, upgrade and mini MOT.
Good luck with the kit - happy days - and watch out for those nobbly tyres - £12 a pair and I found very difficult to get on. Have fun with the build.
Falling Down said:
I just got out my Tamiya Hornet - had it 26 years and probably not used it for around 24. As it is school holidays and we are moving house, I went through a few boxes in storage and found the car. Then thought I would get it out and have a go at running it for my 5 year old little boy. Charged up the 7.2v original NiCad battery - and it all worked first time.
Unfortunately, my little boy reversed it at speed into a kerb and the back axle broke - so end of play.
So...onto Ebay....and picked up a new axle for 99p delivered next day. Got it fixed up again, cleaned up, then ran it some more great fun. This was a week ago.
Now, I have installed a new aerial for it, installed stainless steel bearings (£5.99 from Ebay and wish I had done that 26 years ago, but it would have been alot more money then!), installed an Electronic Speed Controller (dispensing with the weight of 4 AA cells, a servo and the mechanical controller), and picked up a fast mains/12v charger. Got it all built up last night, but a wire came off the motor and I cannot currently get access to my soldering iron without moving half the garage contents. I am sure it will be much quicker and smoother than before.
Noe been perusing upgrade motors from the likes of Ansman on Ebay (under £10 gets you a 540 15T motor good for 32,000 rpm), but will wait.
It is strangely addictive (as you can guess) and from just discovering in the garage 8 days ago it has had a full rebuild, upgrade and mini MOT.
Good luck with the kit - happy days - and watch out for those nobbly tyres - £12 a pair and I found very difficult to get on. Have fun with the build.
Thanks for sharing that Unfortunately, my little boy reversed it at speed into a kerb and the back axle broke - so end of play.
So...onto Ebay....and picked up a new axle for 99p delivered next day. Got it fixed up again, cleaned up, then ran it some more great fun. This was a week ago.
Now, I have installed a new aerial for it, installed stainless steel bearings (£5.99 from Ebay and wish I had done that 26 years ago, but it would have been alot more money then!), installed an Electronic Speed Controller (dispensing with the weight of 4 AA cells, a servo and the mechanical controller), and picked up a fast mains/12v charger. Got it all built up last night, but a wire came off the motor and I cannot currently get access to my soldering iron without moving half the garage contents. I am sure it will be much quicker and smoother than before.
Noe been perusing upgrade motors from the likes of Ansman on Ebay (under £10 gets you a 540 15T motor good for 32,000 rpm), but will wait.
It is strangely addictive (as you can guess) and from just discovering in the garage 8 days ago it has had a full rebuild, upgrade and mini MOT.
Good luck with the kit - happy days - and watch out for those nobbly tyres - £12 a pair and I found very difficult to get on. Have fun with the build.
You're right it is strangley addictive. I got a re release Hornet from my mum for Christmas last year 
Havent played with it much but theres no way im getting rid of it 
It must be a man thing, just like with big cars and computers. There is always a way and a need to make something 'better' or 'upgrade'. It was quite sentimental seeing the inside of the gear box that I have not seen since I was 18 ( I am no 44 ) and thinking 'I built that' - like several lives ago. It is a good testament to Tamiya that they designed and built cars that were fun to build, fun to run, fun to upgrade, and have stood the test of time.
I am stopping at a garage on the way home for some 50p bullet connectors to do a better job of attaching the motor to the ESC. I may then be looking for new tyres, new wheels, replacement body shell........until I have enough parts to build another one.
Have fun.
I am stopping at a garage on the way home for some 50p bullet connectors to do a better job of attaching the motor to the ESC. I may then be looking for new tyres, new wheels, replacement body shell........until I have enough parts to build another one.
Have fun.
Murph7355 said:
Anthony Micallef said:
...
Im probably going to start building it next week...
Next week? Next week!!!?Im probably going to start building it next week...
You should have that built by now and have red spray paint all over your best table cloth, batteries on charge and excuses to send the kids somewhere for the day tomorrow!
Very true and I guess I lose quite a lot of man points for saying that. I dont have any kids (which probably means I have less of an excuse) and my wife is away from Sunday for a few days so I can build it in peace Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff