G Scale Model Trains and Bachman Model Trains

G Scale Model Trains and Bachman Model Trains

When model train hobbyists refer to large-scale model trains, part of the scales grouped into the large-scale trains is the G scale. Its size is considerably larger compared to other types of model trains. In the United States you'll find that the G scale model trains are the largest scales available model train for purchase. The G scale model train was pioneered by Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk, a German company often referred to as Lehmann Gross Bahn (LGB) or "Lehmann Big Train" in English. The company was founded in 1881 and had a USA side of the company called LGB of America.The German company started manufacturing G scale trains in 1981 and eventually started an American branch known as LGB of America.

G scale model trains are usually 1:22 to the actual size. That means that G scale model trains are one twenty-second of the size of the real train prototype. Most other model trains have a scale with a much lower ratio. Another scale in the "larger size trains" is the O scale and it is around 1/2 the size of a G scale train with a ratio of 1:48.

You may have heard of the term Garden Railroading, the G scale model trains are almost always used in garden railroading which refers to the indoor outdoor use of model trains. The letter "G" is also short for the German word groß which literally means "big" which coincides with its German history. Just like other large-scale trains, G scale model trains will run on No. 1 gauge track. Remember that #1 gauge track is identified by have a distance of 45 millimeters inbetween the rails of the railroad tracks.

LGB trains and large scale trains are very durable which makes them perfect for running outside. The railway tracks are manufactured of brass. G scale tracks are usually made of brass. Brass is the perfect substance for running these trains because it conducts electicity very well and needs very little maintanence. Since I've owned several LGB model train setups, I found the only thing needed to keep the train running was keeping the track clean with a soft dry cloth every now and then, occaisionally you might need to rub it down with some steel wool. The G scale model trains could be used for indoor purposed as well depending on the make up of the model train.

If you are considering purchasing a G scale train setup I consider Aristocraft and Bachmann to be amongst the best. Already mentioned is the extreme durability of the G scale trains but it is an important factor to consider when investing your hard earned dollars. Parents can feel assured that their kids will be able to play with it and have a toy like this that will last for many years to come. I have 3 boys and the youngest could barely walk when our first LGB was set up for Christmas, 27 years latter we still have it and it still works great! As a parent you can feel confident that your smaller children will be able to successfully place the LGB train on the tracks, hook up the cars and start the train rolling and when small children try to do that with smaller scales, such as HO scale, it becomes a big mess.

With the amount of time that model trains have been around, train makers have given us different size trains for every purpose. This includes the G scale model trains.

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N Scale Model Trains For Model Railroad Trains

At first upon entering the exciting world of model railroad trains, hearing the words model train scale and gauges running through model train enthusiast’s conversations like it is part of everyday language is kind of intimidating. You might be thinking that building model trains and scenery is way out of your league. But, as your love of trains grows so will your understanding of the terms used within the model train world and all of its elements.

When folks are out to set up their vision of the perfect landscape with the perfect train running through it, they have to consider size. Model railroad trains and train tracks are made by many different people and used for many different things. Luckily, with so many choices, you can find the one that is right for you. In order to ensure any brand of train fitting on any brand of tracks, train makers make trains and tracks according to scale and gauge. When the model train hobbyists are talking about the scale of the train, they are talking about the size. Model train scale is exactly that, a scaled down replica of the life-size or the prototype model railroad trains. It is the ratio and the different letters assigned to the scales reflect the natural differences in ratio.

An N scale train is on the smaller side in comparison to other model train scale models. In fact, it is the smallest of the four most popular scales. The ratio is 1:160. In other words a scale N train is one sixtieth the size of a real train. N scale is a little over half the size of HO. HO scale is 1/87. This scale is preferred by individuals who don’t have a lot of room for their layouts or those who love expansive scenery. While the n scale trains are intended to take up less space in model layouts they also have more detail then some smaller sizes. Rail cars and supplies that are smaller will contribute to a layout size that is easier to maintain and easier to add onto later on. Another advantage of using N scale trains is that the smaller the rail car and tracks, the larger and more beautiful the scenery will appear around them.

Unlike O scale, HO scale, and standard model train scale, some of which have been around for a full century, the N scale trains only came into prominence in the 1960s. The name N scale stands for nine millimeter because it has a gauge of 9 mm between the rails. Gauge refers to the size of the track on which the model trains operate. It is a measure of the distance between the rails of the train tracks. Code on the other hand refers to the height of the rail.

N scale model trains are just one of the many different aspects of building model trains and scenery. It is entirely up to the train building to use whatever train size is best for them. No matter what the size of the train is, the thrill is all the same.

Visit Guide For Model Trains and get a FREE 10 Day course that will help you to understand the basics of model railroading and some of the more advanced aspects of model training.....it's free! You can find the Complete Guide to Model Trains also, which is a more in depth instruction for getting your layout and train set up in 7 days!

Remote Controlled Car: Batteries Not Included

If you want to customize your own a remote controlled car, then a remote controlled car kit is the perfect accessory for you.

But which one is the best for you? First, let's look at the different components of the vehicle.

Chassis, the skeleton and main foundation of the automobile. Without it, there's no vehicle. The chassis is usually made of aluminum and may sometimes include carbon fiber reinforced polymer parts.

Suspension helps absorb any shock when running over rough terrain and after an RC car lands from a jump. Its main parts include oil-filled shocks and springs.

Drivetrain is responsible for making it move. This includes the axels, engine/motor, gears and wheels.



The Glow Starter is responsible for enabling the Glow Plug to ignite the fuel that powers the engine.

A nitro and gas ones have engines which uses fuel to operate. An electric vehicle uses a motor powered by batteries.

There are dozens of remote controlled cars out there. You can choose from European, American and even Asian brands. But no matter what brand you buy, they all have one thing in common: accessories.

Batteries are necessary, especially if you have an electric unit. Nickel cadmium or Nickel hydride are the required batteries and usually needs an output of 7.2 volts in order for it to run. This makes it run for about 10 minutes but will also depend on the driving conditions, whether on-road or off-road. Batteries are also required for the radio transmitters to run. This part requires around 12 volts to be able to operate with maximum power.

RC car tires are either sold separately or come in the original package you purchase. They are all different and vary according to the type of vehicle and the surface the car will run on. All the RC cars have their own preferred line of tires.

a. Drift Tire are for drift racing and composed of rubber and a special resin compound that ensures RC tracks will not be damaged. These are usually mounted on touring car wheels.

b. Bowtie tire are designed for hard-packed remote control auto tracks.

c. Ribbed tire provide great grip and most often used on the front wheels.

d. The All Terrain tire are multi-purpose tires and works good on any terrain. They are used both on the front and rear wheels.

e. Street tires are needed to achieve best performance when running on hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete. But the work doesn't stop there. It may be fun buying all this stuff.

But if you don't know how to take care of your remote controlled auto, then it will be all for nothing.

Remote controlled cars, whether nitro or electric, have to be properly and regularly maintained to ensure a smooth and long run every time it is operated. Always allow at least 30 minutes to perform maintenance.

Inspect it and make sure there is no physical damage. If there is physical damage, assess what is needed to be able to repair it. If there is no physical damage, clean it off with a clean towel. Use a small brush to clean off what the towel cannot.

If you're not going to be operating your vehicle for some time, drain the fuel tank. Failing to do that can build up condensation in the fuel tank and can seriously damage the engine.




Clean and oil the air filter and don't forget to add after-burn oil to keep the cylinder head lubricated for maximum performance.

Check tires for any damage. Check if there are any loose screws. Check the suspension. Check your batteries. Failing to do any of these will result in your automobiles poor performance.

All these things are important when owning a remote controlled car. So be sure that you're ready for this kind of responsibility when you decide to get one.

Andy West is a writer for Nitrotek, an online distributor of sophisticated and well made remote controlled products. From remote controlled boats to a remote controlled car, you can find it all at Nitrotek.co.uk. For more information visit them today.

Radio Controlled Boats...Gift Guide and FAQs

I have collected the most frequently asked questions about radio controlled boats that gift givers have asked me so they can get their heads around the vast array of choices.

Are all Radio Controlled Boats Ready to Run (RTR)? Broadly, radio controlled boats come in three different types of packages; RTR kits, ARTR kits, and Assembly kits. RTR or ready-to-run need little or no assembly. Some small adjustments may be needed depending on the make of boat e.g. batteries in the boat and transmitter and fuel but they are essentially ready-to-run. They are perfect for the novice enthusiasts. ARTR or almost-ready-to-run involve partial assembly by a person who is either familiar with radio controlled boats or willing to dig into the manuals and videos about the product. Assembly kits are obviously more advanced. They come with all the parts needed to prep the boat for running but they must be assembled. The level of assembly varies but generally you need to be pretty advanced to be able to do this.

So just to be clear...are most RTR boats complete and ready to run? Some RTR boats have battery packs chargers and everything else included in the price however oddly some described as RTR boats often require you to buy a battery pack for the boat and batteries for the transmitter so check carefully. I always make it clear what is required for my boats. I think some people define RTR as "its all included and you open the box and go" and others define it as "ready to run after you add the power packs". So forewarned is forearmed.

How are they Powered? Radio controlled boats are made in three main types: electric, nitro, and gas versions. Electric are more popular because they are so easy to operate. Nitro boats use Nitro-methane fuel and gas boats use a regular car gas and oil mix.



How Easy are they? I find that the faster the boat the better skills you have to have. To control the boat you have to make minute changes on a radio transmitter to make the boat do what you want it to do. Doing this at 20mph is far easier than doing it at 50+mph. If you have a huge space and nobody else around you can let loose but more often than not other people are around. Even though small they can injure and do damage if they hit somebody and something. So beginners usually start with electric boats. The bigger and more expensive nitro and gas boats also need maintenance and tuning so you also have to be prepared for that. If you don't want to tinker with an engine stick to electric at least to start and get a feel.

What are these boats like? Electric is the least expensive and easiest to operate. They do however get slower as the run time progresses and the battery power is depleted. Nitro boast are mid price range, fairly easy to operate and nitro engines deliver say 25 mins of run time per tank and it s all at full power while there is fuel in the tank. Gas boats get the highest speed and use simple pull start engines that run on regular car gas mixed with 2 cycle oil. They run for up to 45 minutes on a tank.

How fast do they go? This gets asked a lot. This will vary a lot depending on the boat and how or if you tune them but you can expect electric boats to get between 15-20mph, Nitro boats between 30-35mph and gas to reach 40 to 45mph range. There are boats that are fine tuned to go well over 100mph - but that's obviously an expert level.



Can I run them anywhere? How well do they run in ponds rivers etc? Radio controlled boats can run on rivers, ponds, the sea and even pools. However they face a big problem if pond or sea weed is in the water. Radio control boats use rudder and propeller systems that are submerged into the water and they get snagged by the weed. Now this is similar to real boats except that the real boat engines have a great deal more torque and can generally cut through or break the weed (but not always). A boat running in weeds will bog down and most likely get stuck - the moral of the story is to run in clear water which will give you so much more fun.

What are the most common accessories for boats? Most electric boats require at least one and sometimes two 6 cell 7.2V battery packs. And you will need a charger to recharge them once depleted. Nitro boats require special nitro fuel and a starter kit to get the engine going. Gas boats use regular auto fuel mixed with 2 stroke oil. Refer back to the second question about RTR boats and what that really means.

We have a hand picked selection of the best radio controlled boats. Come visit us!

Rc Planes - What They Are All About

Radio controlled planes are model planes that are controlled remotely by use of a radio device. The radio device is held by the pilot. The radio device, commonly known as remote control, sends signals to the receiver that is built within the airplane. This receiver controls the servos of the plane depending on the position of the joysticks of the transmitter.

There are many types of RC planes available. These planes are designed to match the experience of the pilot. For those who are just beginning to fly, Park flyers and trainers are ideal for them. Then there are glow plug engines, electric powered and sailplane aircrafts for those who have advanced more and for the expert pilots, there are jets, pylon racers, autogyros, helicopters, 3D aircraft and other planes which can be flown for competitions and pose more challenges while controlling.




The park flyers are so called because they can easily be flown in a large public park and some models are docile enough to be controlled in an enclosed place like a gym. There are also bigger types of park flyers that require bigger open areas to fly too. The trainers too are very user-friendly planes. They are easy to control and fun to learn with. The advanced types like glow plugs and electric powered planes have solid controls, but the more complicated the controls are, the more fun one has. The expert planes are used even for professional competitions. They are also equipped with more complicated controls, but are fun to fly.

RC planes come in three forms, the ready-to-fly, almost ready to fly and the Balsa kits. The ready to fly ones require very little assembling after they are bought. What one can fix are may be the wings, and the ammunition. The almost ready to fly are not fully assembled and so the buyer has to assemble most of the parts. And the kits come as chips and parts which one has to assemble from scratch. Assembling of the kits can take a few hundred hours to thousands of hours, depending on the size and type of the plane you have bought.



RC planes are fitted with ailerons on their wings, which assist in turning them while in flight. Some models of RC planes use the combustion technology and use gas in their engines. The electric models use batteries. The batteries used on these planes are not the ordinary ones we can get in any shop but more powerful types, which can last for many flying hours. There are three main types of batteries one can use on the model planes. These types are Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH), Nikel-cadmium (NiCAD), and the latest type in the market, the Lithium Poly cells.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model planes and model helicopters. You can find the best marketplace for model planes and model helicopters by visiting the best sites for model planes, model fighter planes, and model helicopters.

Radio Controlled Cars: Uses And Types Explained

Radio Controlled Cars: Uses And Types Explained

Radio controlled cars, or R/C cars, are a model car powered through a radio control system or remote control. A transmitter, with either a joystick or a wheel with a trigger, sends inputs to the vehicle's internal receiver. The receiver transmits the signals or instructions to the electronic speed controller, causing the wheels to move or turn. There are simple ones available that just stop and go. And there are advanced models that are specifically built for competitive racing.

There are usually two categories of radio controlled cars: toy cars or hobby cars.

Toy vehicles
Toy models are the pre-assembled vehicles found in the most common discount store or retail store. These are usually the ones referred to as merely a kid's play thing. This is the cheaper type, about $50-$100 cheaper than the hobby models. They're easy to operate and relatively safe. They usually resemble real autos and have specific features that most hobby models don't have, including working lights, sounds, windows, doors and hoods that open and interiors that look like the real thing. Some even have radios and MP3 players included in the coupe.

They do, however, suffer from poor design, construction and performance. Once broken, the spare parts needed are not available to fix it. Motors are usually weak, since it's powered by cheap alkaline or Ni-Cad batteries. This usually gives them a maximum speed of about 10 to 15 mph. Steering only follows three directions, straight, full left and full right, and two speeds, fully stopped and full power. These automobiles are limited to on road use only. There are ones that are being advertised for use off road but usually deliver a minimal performance. The industry is constantly coming out with new types, but honestly for a child this car is the best buy for your money.

Hobby Cars
There are two kinds of hobby automobiles: nitro-powered models and gas-powered. Nitro-powered offers several speeds: maximum power, medium and a slightly slower speed. A nitro-powered engine is powered by fuel and may be refueled and back to action in a matter of seconds. These cars are air cooled and you do not have to worry about having to take a break for the car to cool down. Nitro-powered operates similar to a full-sized fuel vehicle and in turn, with the exhaust containing more unburned oil, coats the chassis, which will need lots of cleaning.

Cleaning is relatively easy, with just an air blower and some alcohol. But to be able to maximize the potential of the hobby radio controlled car, proper maintenance is needed. Mechanical wear is also more likely with nitro-power because it can be driven for a longer period of time. Higher speed collisions are also more likely because of the ability to maximize the vehicle's speeds. But always remember, because of its strong design and components, nitro-powered models are more durable than its electric counterparts.

Gas-powered automobiles run using pre-mixed gasoline and oil. They're more expensive than nitro-powered and electric automobiles, with a retail price ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. They're bigger and needs more space to operate freely. They don't have very fast speeds but they do have high power and uses less fuel to run. The also require less tuning and last longer than the nitro-powered radio controlled automobiles and electric vehicles. While both great buys, beware: you must operate with caution. Always read the manuals provided and supervise children playing with such devices.

Who knew buying a radio-controlled automobile can be so complicated? As with everything you want to buy, you have to know what factors you want to prioritize when choosing what item to buy. Is it durability? Easy maintenance? Price? Design? All these factors have to be considered carefully before you can decide what kind of radio controlled cars you should buy.

By: Andy West

Nitrotek, is an extremely reputable online distributor of the best variety of remote controlled vehicles. From remote controlled boats to radio controlled cars, you are sure to find what you are looking for! Visit Nitrotek.co.uk for more information.

Why Choose Gas RC Helicopter

Why Choose Gas RC Helicopter

Decision on what type of rc helicopter to buy depend on you. But with a more reflective mind, you can arrive with a right selection. Now, if you are thinking of buying a gas rc helicopter over electric rc helicopter, then here are the things you should know…


Let us begin by discussing briefly the electric rc helicopter.

Most, if not all rc helicopter novices begin with electric rc helicopter for several reason. Electric rc helicopter is cheaper than gas powered. It is also easier to fly since it does not require an engine. And finally, electric rc helicopter produces no noise and no smell.

With these reasons, you can draw a conclusion that those who buy electric rc helicopter want convenience more than real experience.

Although there is nothing wrong with it, electric rc helicopter is not for people who require more than just simplicity.

Now we ask: Why choose gas rc helicopter?

Forget about the price since gas rc helicopter does not come cheap. Also, forget about the noise because it comes with the engine, the sound cannot escape your ear. But here lies the answer to the question.

Serious rc pilots prefer noise and price over silence, economy and most of all convenience. The complexity of the engine makes it more attractive to those who want to enjoy the real experience of flying a helicopter. You never saw an electric full size helicopter, didn’t you?

The there is one thing that rc pilots are conscious about, that is the closeness of the rc to the real helicopter.

Another thing that set gas rc helicopter apart from the electric one is the level of respect and concentration required on flying each and every time. Since it involves gas and an engine, rc pilots take it more seriously. Added to this is the type of thrill that is involve every second of flying.

One last reason is that, gas rc helicopter is the best thing you get before you move to ultralight helicopter. Thus, one you have a gas rc helicopter, you don’t have to require yourself to upgrade unlike if you have an electric rc helicopter. But in the case you want to upgrade to ultralight, you can easily get familiar with flying since you have already been with an engined-helicopter.


And oh, before we forgot, gas rc helicopter teaches you the basic of the helicopter flying more than any type of rc helicopter around.

About The Author
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on RC Helicopter & other useful information, please visit http://rc-helicopter.articlekeep.com.

How To Get Started Flying RC Airplanes

How To Get Started Flying RC Airplanes



For thousands of years man has dreamed of flight. Nothing has amazed people as much as flying machines have in the past century and there is still more to come. What is even more amazing though, is the progress in personal flight toys. You can fly everything from a miniature helicopter, to a one 20th scale Cessna, which you can build at home yourself.

The more amazing thing about today’s RC airplanes is the fact that anyone can fly them, and some airplanes are very easy to fly. For example, I bought a $50 Hobby Zone airplane and the controller had two controls, one that could steer the plane left or right and then the second was throttle (speed) control. How can you get any simpler then that!

As easy as it can be, it still can be difficult for beginners to get started in this hobby. Since I now have the knowledge that every beginner should know, since I was a beginner once, I wanted to share it with other people so everyone can enjoy the RC airplane hobby.

The first thing a beginner needs to know is their power sources. RC airplanes can be powered either electrically or by an engine that runs on fuel called nitro methane. This is very important when deciding on purchasing your first radio controlled airplane. You need some knowledge of both power sources, as they both have their pros and con’s. First I would like to state that for all beginners’ I recommend an electric RC airplane over a gas RC airplane. Why? Because an electric airplane is cheaper, like under $100 cheap, and much easier to operate. In fact, all you have to do is plug in the battery and flick the ON switch. They are also much quieter and produce no fumes in the air. Plus not much maintenance is required besides keeping it in a cool, dry place.

A gas powered RC airplane has its advantages to of course. If you are a realist and what an authentic looking and sounding remote control airplane, then an airplane with a gas engine is what you want. An RC airplane with a gas engine is bigger and bulkier then an electric R/C airplane, so it is more to scale and realistic. It also sounds like a real airplane does, and is kind of like a real little miniature airplane since the engine requires fuel, tuning, and other adjustments. These types of airplanes cost a little more and take longer to assemble. Plus, they require much more maintenance and you have to continue to spend more money since you need special fuel, oil and some other small accessories.

Now that you pretty much know what type of airplane you want to purchase, let me help you get it running and teach you some tips and tricks that you will find handy out on the flying field.

If you have never flown a model airplane or a real airplane before, then you might have some trouble taking off, flying and landing. The first thing to remember is that you need a good open field to fly at, unless of course you have a slow flyer or park flyer, which can be flown in small areas like indoors or parks. A good local flying field can be located online by searching through a search engine, like Google, for a local club. Flying fields always have a club, and they are usually full of friendly people who are willing to help you learn.

Most of these clubs have flying instructors that will either help you for free, or charge you a little money. Either way you will have a guide that can teach you a lot. You also can be sure that if something goes wrong with your airplane, people will be there that have the knowledge to fix it.

Another way you can learn to fly is of course teaching yourself, but that can be costly if you crash a lot. If you are going to teach yourself, I suggest you start off with a cheap $50 electric RC airplane that has only left and right steering control and throttle control. These types of airplanes can take off from a flat surface or can be easily hand launched into the air by applying full throttle.

After you get started, there will be no stopping you and the rest will come naturally. There still is some other much needed accessories that I suggest no beginner go with out. Like a good RC airplane book, a field box, a car charger for an electric plane, and extra batteries for your transmitter. With all these tips in mind, start your flying experience right and keep the wind at your back.

About The Author

Michael Cottier has been flying RC airplanes most of his life and can help you get started in the hobby with his website, no matter what age the pilot is. Just go to: http://www.rc-model-airplanes.com/.

Model Helicopters You Can Fly

Flying radio controlled Helicopters is more difficult and challenges the flying enthusiast in more ways than a radio-controlled airplane does. You need to put in a lot of practice but the rewards are worth the effort. Most pilots or beginners prefer to train on a simulator or seek an instructor to learn flying. Radio controlled helicopters are expensive and nobody would want to risk a crash on their maiden flight. It is recommended that beginners check out the helicopter ground school to learn more.



Radio controlled helicopters are available as 'full kit' in which very few parts are assembled and in kits with almost 90% or more parts assembled. Some kits have the helicopter assembled excluding only the radio and the engine, while other kits have the engine, gyro and radio assembled. It is recommended that you look for a package deal that includes the radio, engine and gyro, as this is the best setup for a beginner.

Nitro gas powered remote controlled helicopters make a very realistic sound and are preferred over electric powered ones. Also the nitro-powered helicopters can be flown for longer durations; all you need is to fill in more gas. On the other hand electric powered helicopters will fly for 8 to 10 minutes before loosing power. You need to have an additional pack of batteries or have to recharge the batteries.

The only advantage the electric powered helicopters have over the nitro gas fired helicopters is that they are super quiet. In case you intend to fly often in areas that have noise restrictions then the electric powered helicopter is the best option otherwise stick to the nitro gas powered model. The Mini Electric RC helicopter is ideal for indoor and year round flying.

The Reflex XTR 'Next to Reality' Flight Simulator or Radio Control Dave Brown RCFS 2001 Flight Simulator is a cost effective way for beginners to learn to fly a radio controlled helicopter. Crashing model helicopters is an expensive proposition and flight simulators will pay for themselves in the first 30 seconds of use. Simulators closely mimic the real conditions and helps new pilots learn how to react to the controls.



Some people want to get started with the real thing and are not interested in simulators such people should consider the .30 size radio controlled helicopter as it is relatively inexpensive along with the repair kits.

Some models, which are recommended for beginners, are Dark Knight RC Electric RTR Helicopter, Radio Control * Thunder Tiger Raptor V.2 RTF Helicopter 49 BB Pro Mod Engine-TTR 4839-A11. These helicopters are belt driven and are more precise than helicopters that have torque rod driven tail rotors. Performing 3D maneuvers is easy with belt driven tail rotors.



Start with the Raptor 50 model and when you have gained some experience try the Radio Control*Thunder Tiger Raptor 50 High Performance Helicopter Kit w/ Engine- TTR 4851 K 11 which is slightly bigger and expensive. It has a larger rotor disc; parts are compatible with the Raptor 30. it is more powerful and has a real cool muffler. However the Raptor 50 is worth the investment.

By: Victor Epand
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model planes and model helicopters. You can find the best marketplace for model planes and model helicopters by visiting the best sites for model planes, model fighter planes, and model helicopters.

Finding the line! RC Car Racing To Win!

Finding the line! RC Car Racing To Win!

by: Todd Levi

What's the point of practicing from a racers perspective? I mean, why waste all this time and car wear? Yeah, right! Practicing is one of the core components to becoming a good driver. This is the time where you get to discover how your car, and your driving style adapt to a new track or layout. Take the first few laps slow, think of your car going from corner to corner hitting your target spots. We will call them targets because it's a target that you will want to place the inside front tire of your car on every lap. These targets are normally a few inches from the edge of the board at each corner. The distance out from the board where you aim to target is dependent on your skill level. Remember: the goal is to drive such that your inside tire passes directly over all of these target points every lap. The more confident you become of your targets location and the better you get at judging these targets, the more your lap times will drop.

Tip: Always remain on or outside your targets. If you find yourself going inside your target then two scenarios will have happened: 1. You are finding that you crash a lot, or 2. You may have become a better racer and need to set your standards higher (or targets closer to the board). It is important to remain outside your target to ensure you are hitting your target well (not dodging in or mistakenly missing your target).

The best line to drive on entirely depends on finding the best set of targets to hit on each corner. During those first practice laps, don't even try to go fast but simply concentrate on accurately placing the car within a foot of your targets. With each lap you will develop confidence of the location of these targets and a feeling of how to place your car near them. You will begin to drive a tighter line with the eventual goal of consistently hitting every target point on every lap. The most important thing to take away from this sort of practicing is to commit to memory all of these targets so you can make judgments and alternative routes when there are pile ups, lap traffic or corner marshals in the way.Your trying to get a feel for the line you want to take.

Get comfortable with the targets locations and then you can start to build on your driving skills. When you drive through a corner decide how well you took it in accordance with your target and speed. Pay close attention to the sticky section of the track and then branch out. Focus on the ares of the track that require the most attention. While you are practicing, spend your time thinking about the two or three corners that you need the most help with and only worry about those corners until they feel comfortable. It's a good idea to constantly evaluate your performance in each corner while you're racing, and with each lap try to get closer to your target while carrying as much corner speed as possible.

It is important to use your race heats and main to improve upon your target/speed strategy. Use these races, just like you do practices, as tools to help you become a better driver overall. Even evaluate your lap times with the heat posts to see how consistent you where.

About The Author
Todd Levi of TeamDogFight.com has been racing RC cars for years. Visit our new RC site at http://www.teamdogfight.com.

Choosing the best micro or mini remote control car...

Here's a great article I found on choosing the best micr rccar and mini remote. Click on the Blog title to go to the full article or the link is at the bottom

When people ask me which car is best, there really isn't a good answer because each micro remote controlled car has its own strengths and weaknesses.

With that said, I'm going to describe the cars in my radio control car collection and point out the stengths and weaknesses so you can decide which one is best for you.

Hobbico MicroSizers (1:64 Scale - Approx 2" in Length)
Also known as Tomy Bit Char-G in Japan.
Strengths: Inexpensive, Durable, Lots of Mods, Small Size
Weaknesses: Limited Range, Short Driving Time, No Proporational Steering or Speed, Only 4 Available Frequencies

I think I'll always have a soft spot for the Tomy Bit Char-G remote control car. There's something about the MicroSizers cars that are just fun. The compact size (about 2") allows you to set up races in a very small area such as your kitchen floor. Its simplicity is also part of its charm. The car and controller can fit in the palm of your hand and with just a couple AA batteries and a smooth surface, you're ready to go.

Although the Tomy Bit CharG cars don't have proportional steering or speed, I've always been happy with how the Bit Char-G cars handle. I wish the Bit Char-G cars would drive for longer than 4 minutes, but that's still enough time for a good race. The standard controllers aren't as sophisticated as the ones for the DigiQ or Epoch Indoor Racer, but they're adequete. The special "booster" controllers that can be purchased separtely aren't that much more sophisticated and the range is even worse than the regular controller. However, they do have a "booster" button that allows you to drive at a faster speed along with a switch that allows you to drive any of the four available frequencies from the same controller. Anyone that has fun with a Hobbico MicroSizer, will want to look into the faster motors that can be purchased (available motors: 1.0, 2.0, 2.2, 2.6, 3.0 and 3.8).

Radio Shack also sells a version of this car called a ZipZap. You can read more about Zip Zaps at the forum.

http://www.microrccars.com/

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RC Racing USA - Painting Your Lexan RC Car Body With A Rattle Paint Can

Whether a pro or just starting off this article on painting with spray cans will be helpful.

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RC Racing USA - Painting Your Lexan RC Car Body With A Rattle Paint Can: "How To Paint Your RC Car Body Using Only Spray Cans And No Airbrush

The tool that you will need for this How To:
1. Liquid soap
2. Water
3. A pencil
4. A clean towel
5. Masking tape � Use fresh tape
6. Xacto knife
7. Lexan paint
8. Permanent marker
9. Denatured alcohol � (You can get this at any hardware store, usually in the paint section).
10. Steel wool, wet sanding paper, or a scotch brite pad
11. Unpainted Lexan body
When you have all these tools you are ready to begin.
Prepare the body for paint
Wash the inside of the body with liquid soap and water. Then rinse off all the soap, and dry completely with a clean towel. Find the window masks that came with your shell and stick them on the inside of the body using the window lines as reference points. Firmly press down on the edges of the window masks with your finger nails to ensure no bleeding of the paint. Once the windows are masked off take the steel wool, fine wet sandpaper or scotch brite padand scuff the inside of the body until it becomes cloudy. This step will help ensure that the paint adheres to the body and won�t be noticed after the body is painted. (If you are using chrome paint do not include this step, this will cause the chrome to have a brushed finish). "

RC Racing USA - RC Car Gearing Overview

RC Racing USA - RC Car Gearing Overview: "Gearing A Basic Overview

On an electric car, there are 2 Gears on your car that you need to worry about changing: the Spur Gear and the Pinion Gear. The Pinion Gear is the one attached to the motor, the Spur Gear being the gear the pinion comes in contact with. On a Nitro vehicle, you might have 4 gears...2 for the 2-speed on the motor and 2 for the 2-speed on the 'drive train'.
Changing the Pinion or Spur Gears will result in much different results.
On the Pinion Gear, the higher the number of teeth, the faster (top end) your car will have, but you will lose acceleration. The lower the number of teeth, the faster your car will accelerate, but you will lose top end. More top end usually results in less run time, also.
On the Spur Gear, the higher the number of teeth, the more acceleration the car will have, but the less top end. The lower the number of teeth the more top end you will have, but you will lose acceleration.
Changing the Gearing
On an electric car, the Pinion is changed by loosening the screws to the motor (or, in some cases, removing it from the car) and then removing the Pinion. Slide the new Pinion on, re-install in car (if applicable), and adjust the Gear mesh.
To change the Spur requires a little more work. Depending on the vehicle you own, it could be as easy as removing 2 screws or disassembling a whole portion of the car. See your instruction manual for the procedure as it applies to your vehicle."

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Mini Rc Cars

Mini Rc CarsMini Rc Cars
By Allan Wilson


Did your heart ever palpitate for fast driving? Did you ever imagine your hands controlling an extremely speedy car? I f so, then you should definitely experience the gravity and true charm of mini RC cars.
Mini RC cars have climbed up to the top position in the chartbusters of favorite pastimes or hobbies. These extremely speedy and exciting mini RC cars offer a complete range of fun, frolic and excitement, within small and restricted arenas of racing. Since the mini RC cars are quite small in size as suggested by their title, the mini RC cars can be easily designed and masterminded in your rooms or garages. However, one should not get fooled down by seeing the outer appearance of a small sized mini RC car- rather the impact of the size has no influence over the unbelievable range of it's speed, which at times touches over 20 mph."

Just getting started with RC or want to help teach a beginner, go to RC Cars and Trucks now!

RC Car Videos - Radio Control Zone - The Ultimate Online RC Car Community

RC Car Videos - Radio Control Zone - The Ultimate Online RC Car Community: "RC CAR VIDEOS
Videos are offered in either streaming Windows Media format (which play immediately when you click them), or as downloadable zip-compressed files (which must be saved to your hard drive and 'unzipped' before you can play them). Click here for more information on viewing video files."

RC Driver Magazine - Article - All About Speed Controllers

RC Driver Magazine - Article - All About Speed Controllers: "All about speed controllers
by Gary Katzer garyk@rcdriver.com
Few things in the industry have evolved over the years as much as the speed control. What started as a large, power-robbing wiper / resistor setup is now a highly efficient fully electronic unit roughly the size of a mini post-it pad. Electronic speed controls receive signals from your radio and receiver and translate them into motion with an infinite range. It�s not too technical at all. Read on to understand the differences between mechanical speed controls and electronic units.

MECHANICAL SPEED CONTROLLERS (MSC) WHAT IS IT?
A Mechanical Speed Control (MSC) is a mechanical device that regulates vehicle speed. RC History lesson: MSCs were originally based on slot car speed controls. An MSC for an RC car is made up of several components similar to those found in a slot car control. These include a contact board with wiring and wiper arm and, to fit it to a car, a throttle servo and mounting bracket. Early MSCs often included a four-cell AA battery receiver pack, but in recent years most have included battery eliminator circuitry (BEC) that powers the receiver with current taken from the drive pack.

The MSC�s job is to deliver power from the battery to the motor in gradations so that you have the ability to reduce or increase vehicle speed. The position of the wiper arm on the contact board (a kind of resistor) increases or reduces the amount of power that gets to your motor. When the wiper arm is at a slow speed position, the MSC burns off a certain amount of energy as heat that is lost through the resistor. This process is relatively inefficient, reduces run time and doesn�t offer as smooth a throttle response as an electronic speed control (ESC).

MAINTAINING AN MSC
While most enthusiasts eve"

Ok, I just wanted to start things off by recommending a great place online to purchase RC cars and trucks, its called Hobbytron.com You'll find a fantastic collection of RC cars and trucks at excellent prices, you can click on the Hobbytron for RC cars or Save 5% at HobbyTron.com on 3 or more items. Coupon code: SAVE5 (Except Lego Mindstorms, Savage 25, T-Maxx, Revo)click on the banner below.
Don't forget to check out my ebook. "RC Cars and TRucks for Beginners" at http://www.rccar-truck.com/ you can also begin reading parts of the book online by going to this webpage for RC Cars online.

Welcome to the new RC CAR and Truck Blog

Welcome to my new blog for rc cars and trucks. I'm just getting started and found a great book for Starting with RC cars