The RC Deep Dive

Many people like to use an airbrush to paint their radio-controlled model vehicles' Lexan polycarbonate or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) body shells. But which is the best airbrush for each type of plastic, and is there any all in one airbrushing solution? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we review and rate airbrushes and find the best solutions for R/C car, truck, buggy, jeep, van, bus, tank, plane, boat, helicopter, and drone hobbyists and enthusiasts. 

Some people prefer too use airbrushes to paint their radio-controlled model vehicles' Lexan polycarbonate or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) body shells and some people prefer to use Tamiya's spray paint rattle cans. Why such a disparity? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we look at both the positives and negatives of each method and answer which option is best for you, the R/C car, buggy, truck, jeep, van, bus, or tank hobbyist. 

While the reres (re-releases) of the Tamiya HotShot family of 4WD (four wheel drive) R/C buggies had some serious updates over the iconic vintage originals, there are still a lot of hop-up options available for this entire family of icons, both for the vintage and rere editions. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we rank them and put them in tiers of necessity to build the ultimate 4WD buggy. 

[NOTE: We still strongly recommend the MIP (Moore's Ideal Products) Super Ball Diff for the HotShot family even though it is difficult to find s...

The HotShot Family of 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) radio-controlled buggies were iconic and each new family member was an improvement upon its previous kin. But when Tamiya re-released these R/C buggies they made massive improvements both family-wide but also to each individual radio control model vehicle too. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we break down each of these major improvements to the reres. 

In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we look at the chemistry behind the physics and give A to F grades to the big 5 radio-controlled model vehicle hobby lubrication manufacturers, AE (Associated Electronics)/Team Associated/FT (Factory Team), Hudy, JConcepts, 1Up Racing, and Tamiya/TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory). The analysis utilizes a grading system (A-F) based on six distinct vectors: Reputation, Innovation, Affordability, Availability, Durability, and Longevity. 

[NOTE: Although new products from most of these companies are now made mostly in buckets rather than squeeze bottles, there are still squeeze bottles in distribution warehouses and i...

A listener challenged us to act as the hypothetical General Manager and Head of Scouting for the newly formed "Shizuoka Drivers," American football team. We have been tasked with an unprecedented challenge: building a complete, 11-man starting offense from the Tamiya vintage and rere (re-release) radio-controlled model vehicle catalog. This is not a "dream team" based on aesthetics or popularity; this is a professional roster build that we draft in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

It's the 40th anniversary of 7 iconic Tamiya radio-controlled cars, trucks, and buggies and in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we celebrate and break down all seven 1986 hobby grade R/C model vehicle kits: the 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) off-road buggies, the Super Shot, the Boomerang, and the Bigwig; the 2WD (Two Wheel Drive) monster truck and car, the Blackfoot and the Super Beetle, the 2WD buggy, the Falcon, and the on-road progeny of the Tamiya F chassis, Road Wizard F1 (Formula One).

Gimbals, often called sticks on an R/C radio transmitter are a mystery to people who learned on pistol grip radio transmitters, but in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we explain exactly how legacy gimbals work and how the new modern gimbal sticks work differently, along with how you can upgrade them to work even better for your radio-controlled model vehicles. 

There's only one way to truly get all of the air out of your silicone damper oil in your radio control shock absorbers and it's the Tamiya Extra Long Shock Oil Air Removal Tool, but it only works if you use it right. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we take you through how to use this tool and teach you the physics of how and why it works so well. 

It may look like free weights for curling, but it's a secret weapon for cornering grip on your radio-controlled car, truck, buggy, van, jeep, or bus. Why is the Tamiya Camber Gauge praised over both digital camber gauges other analog camber measurements tools? We get into why and how it works so well in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Cheapest and best aren't always equitable, but when it comes to skateboarding launch ramps that are good for radio-controlled cars, buggies, trucks, jeeps, vans, and busses. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we take the measurements and give you the advice for the best and budget minded options for your air launching needs when bashing your vintage and re-release R/C model vehicles. 

You might think that an elementary or primary schoolyard is a great place to run your radio-controlled model vehicles, but it's actually a really bad idea. Why? We go into the real dangers not only for your R/C car, buggy, truck, jeep, van, bus, or tank, but also for you in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

We had a listener ask about how to properly drain your silicone damper oil out of your R/C buggy's Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers before changing your oil's cSt (centistokes). They asked because the process can be very different on Tamiya's TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers because of the materials used in the manufacturing of these radio control model vehicle racing shocks. So, in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we go step by step exactly what to do and what not to do, telling you exactly why. 

These days a lot and of men and women don't want to have a stag party for their bachelor or bachelorette party the night before they get married. Instead, they want the party to be focused around their hobbies or interests. In this episode of RC Deep Dive podcast we go through multiple great options for making an incredible bachelor /bachelorette or even a birthday party for a radio-controlled model vehicle enthusiast that they will enjoy greatly and never forget.  

What is the future of the radio-controlled model vehicle hobby and the enthusiast community? Would you believe that self-healing and self-configuring R/C cars, trucks, buggies, vans, jeeps, busses, tanks, planes, boats, helicopters, and drivers may happen in our lifetime? Not to mention the more immediate future of smart predictive robotic telepresence. We get into all of this, looking at the past while predicting the future in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. What will future radio control model hobbyists think of us and our technology of today? 

What is JConcepts and who founded them? How did they become a highly respected 3rd party aftermarket hop-up option shop and  manufacturer for both R/C racing and for vintage and rere (re-release) Tamiya radio-controlled model vehicles like the Clodbuster? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we dig deep into the successful business model of the iconic JConcepts! 

In many Tamiya's vintage and rere (re-release) radio-controlled model vehicles, open differential gears, there are 3 spider gears to help your wheels spin at different speeds when necessary, like when turning. Tamiya tells you to grease them with their standard Cera (Ceramic) Grease HG (High Grade). However, the R/C hobbyist community had found a better option, Tamiya's AW (Anti-Wear) Grease. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we walk you through exact how and why to pack your open diff spider gears with this thicker grease. 

You're sitting down or standing at your R/C workbench to build, restore, hop-up, or repair your vintage or rere (re-release) radio-controlled model vehicle, for some reason 1980's hardcore punk rock or new wave alternative EDM (Electronic Dance Music) just seems right. Why? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we breakdown exactly why this music helps you psychologically focus on the task at hand. Putting you in the right state of mind for wrenching your radio control car, truck, buggy, jeep, van, bus, or tank. 

[Here's our R/C hobby workshop wrenching digital 1980s h...

Radio-controlled model vehicles are featured in many non-fiction books and some great fictional manga series. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we use the Dewey decimal system, dig deep into the card catalogue, search the Library of Congress in the copyright office, and use the national inter-library loan service, and get you the extant R/C novels and pass on whispers about a future series from the best-selling epic fantasy author of "The Vhaidra Saga" novel series from a recent book selling and signing event hosting best-selling authors. 

A listener asked us to see if there was a connection between earth-based religions or paganism: Wicca, Nature Worship, Old Gods Worship, Lilithianism, etc., and those in the hobbyist community who build, bash, crawl, drift, race, speed run, and wrench vintage and rere (re-release) radio-controlled model vehicles. So, in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we investigate any perceived or actual connections, if they exist, between these two groups. 

Beast Wars completely transformed the Transformers but while it was originally hated by many G1 (Generation One) purists, it has been hailed by many in the modern age as some of the best characters and stories ever in the Transformers universe, in both comic books and television shows. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we investigate which of these cybertronic characters with primal beast forms' DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid) match up with the classic vintage and rere (rerelease) Tamiya R/C cars, trucks, buggies, vans, jeeps, busses, and tanks. 

There's nothing that can destroy a community faster or not completely than jealousy. Unfortunately there have been pressures inside the radio-controlled hobbyist community. As such, there can be no tolerating of the predator of competitive jealousy in our community. How do we fight this community crushing fear and anxiety that causes elitism,  gatekeeping, and weaponised misinformation. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we find out how our triangle of values: Nostalgia, Quality, and Collaboration can save our R/C hobby. 

In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we dig into the vintage golden age and the modern rere (re-release) age and the very different philosophies that have guided three different radio-controlled model vehicle companies from not only 3 different companies, but 3 unique continents: Asia's Tamiya, Europe's Schumacher, and the Americas' AE (Associated Electronics). 

Radio-controlled model vehicles have become popular as ring bearers with R/C hobbyist, but how do you pull it off? And which radio-controlled car, truck, buggy, van , jeeps, bus, or tank should you choose? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we break it down into tiny steps where each step is of supreme importance to pull this off correctly and safely for everyone! 

In a previous episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we mentioned how R/C Dekotora and Deco 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) has getting some women and girls into the radio-controlled model vehicle hobby. These three disciplines are interesting as they have buying to do with speed or power, but simply have to look with beauty of the customized design. But in this new episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we dive deep into the Japanese customizers who have made a new radio control enthusiast genre wildly popular. 

How do you keep your R/C hobby decals flat, pliable, colorful, and the glue adhesion moist? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we go over how you can keep your radio-controlled model vehicle decals in archival condition even though many aggressive manufacturers say that radio control body shell decals and chassis stickers are only good for 6 months to 2 years maximum! 

We all know staying hydrated is important, but how much water do you actually need when building, bashing, crawling, drifting, racing (off-road or on-road), speed running, and wrenching your radio-controlled car, truck, buggy, van, jeep, bus, or tank? We bypass government suggestions and go straight to the anatomical and material science, signing into physical and chemistry as we help you calculate exactly how much water you as an R/C model vehicle hobbyist need based on activity, heat, and humidity. 

It can be hard to get important cardio exercise when spending all day building a radio-controlled model vehicle kit. But it's important to take the time to stand and walk. Science has called all-day sitting the new smoking and not only does it hurt your physical health, especially your heart and circulatory system, but also your mental health as you age. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we explain why it's so important for R/C model vehicle hobby enthusiasts to get out and walk at least 5 days a week and exactly how many steps you...

If you think you can clean your R/C hobby microfiber cloths in your washing machine and dry them in your electric dryer like any other towel, cloth, or clothing, your going to destroy your microfiber cloths and possible your radio-controlled model vehicle in the process. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we describe exactly how and how not to wash and dry these dispensable part of the radio control hobby, giving you the material science, the physics, and chemistry behind the whys of this specialized laundry. 

In some places of the world, it has long been considered very rude to wear a hat inside of a home, a business, or a place of worship. So why is it not only accepted but encouraged in many R/C clubs, racetracks, and hobby shops? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we investigate the social norms, changing moralities, and codified rules in radio control racing that answers this question, explaining the whys of this cultural norm both inside and outside the radio-controlled model vehicle hobbyist community. 

To most people the Tamiya Lunchbox 1:12th scale R/C monster van is just a fun wheelie machine, but UK Monsters, the people behind the Clod Shop hop-up options, have dinner the same thing to Vanessa's Lunchbox as they did with the Clod Buster and Super Clod Buster, and fixed every imperfection and by using all the hop-ups they offer, you can actually turn this radio-controlled monster van into a bulletproof basher! 

Tamiya Plugs are the worst battery connector in the R/C hobby, so why does Gens Ace only use Tamiya Plugs on their 7.2v NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) R/C batteries and not something better like genuine Dean's Connectors? It doesn't seem to make sense at first. But once we dug deep, it actually priced to be a very savvy business decision. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we share that research on their business sense and strategy with you. 

If you've ever built the vintage version of a Tamiya radio-controlled model vehicle like the 1:10th scale Frog R/C buggy, and then later built the rere (re-release) version, you'll notice that the instructions are in a completely different order and the new way isn't nearly as logical as the old way. Why? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we investigate what made these changes and why kit builders prefer the vintage analog hand-drawn instructions over the digital CAD (Computer-Aided Design) created reres. 

The Tamiya Clod Buster and it's rere (rerelease) Super Cloud Booster is one of the most iconic R/C monster trucks for both bashing and crawling, whether with it's stock Lexan polycarbonate body shell or the super popular alternate Grave Digger body from Parma PSE (Parma Speed Experts). However this radio-controlled legend is most famous for the huge amount of hop-up options that were made for it. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we dig into some of the numerous hop-up option manufacturers that were created to solve the deep flaws of radio control icon. 

Which Tamiya radio-controlled model vehicle is the most indestructible, bulletproof basher? Some night say it's the Agrios TXT-2 4x4 Monster Truck. Others say it's the Super Clod Buster 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) Monster Truck with the right hop-ups. Still others say there's no reason to go 4-wheel drive and that either the Lunchbox, Midnight Pumpkin, or the Neo-Fighter Buggy DT-03 with the correct hop-up options. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we look at all of the options and see which R/C car, buggy, truck, or van meets all the tests. 

Shock absorber damper shaft O-rings absolutely should be coated in AE's (Associated Electronics') FT (Factory Team) Green Slime or 1Up Racing's Blue O-Ring Grease Lubricant. But when you upgrade to Tamia TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) X-ring 50a durometer hop-up options, do you still need to use one of these damper lubes? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we investigate the material science, physics, and chemistry of these products and give you the definitely answer for what to use and what not to use when you hop-up your Tamiya TRF Buggy Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers on your R...

Black female racers, including Carrah Tompkins, Makenzi Harbuck, and Taeylor Laforest, are demonstrably successful competitors in high-level radio-controlled disciplines. In S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), coding, roller skating, and skateboarding there are groups promoting the interest amongst black girl such as Black Girls Do S.T.E.M., Black Girls Code, and Black Girls Skate. The radio control model vehicle hobby doesn't have a Black Girls R/C group yet. But in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we argue that the infrastructure is already there and it could easily be done with...

If you've taken the time to get an adjustable or a stand-up R/C model vehicle hobby workbench, you don't want to put just any bar stool or high office chair under there for the times when you need to sit and do intricate work. In fact, you need a chair that is ergonomically and biomechanically correct both when you're sitting up straight and when you're leaning over your project or it could cause back and neck pains as well as headaches. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast We rank the five best drafting chairs to...

Scientists have recently figured out that sitting too long can actually shorten your life and as such you may have moved to a stand-up R/C hobbyist workbench or an adjustable one so you can split your time between sitting and standing. But standing on concrete is horrible not only for your feet but for your ankles, your knees, your hips and your spine! So that's why you need a anti-fatigue mat to stand on when wrenching at your bench. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast We rank the top five anti-fatigue mats and explain The...

In previous episodes of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we've talked about why 24" deep and 72" wide are the perfect measurement for your radio-controlled model vehicle hobby workbench. We've also covered the ideal height For standing up at your R/C hobbyist workbench in another episode. So now we put it all together and find the top five workbenches for radio control model vehicle enthusiasts and help you find your perfect R/C workbench no matter what your budget is.