(Part 3) Top products from r/radiocontrol

Step 1: Buy a multimeter. I prefer the Fluke 87v http://amzn.com/B0002YFD1K Sure it's $387, but it'll pay for itself eventually.

Step 2: You'll need to take apart the charger. A good set of screwdrivers would definitely help. http://amzn.com/B000NZ5QG0 It's only $40. Wiha maybe isn't the best, but I like them and they do offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Step 3: Once you open it up, you can start testing it with the multimeter. Inevitably, however, you'll probably have to solder something. Hakko is a popular brand for good reason. This one is under $100 AND it comes with wire cutters: http://amzn.com/B00AWUFVY8

Step 4: After you put it back together and find out that it's still not working, buy a replacement charger.

O wow I need to read better. I'm sorry about that. Good call on getting him the MIP :)

I just did a bit of looking around and I found these ones from Wiha(they make awesome tools and its US made)
Link


Looks like they have a few different sets. (depending on if you want ball ends or not.)
Link

You'll have to double check to make sure these are the correct physical size, but knockoff brand batteries can work just as well as the Tyco / Mattel, and be a lot cheaper.

I found this charger with 6v battery on amazon for $20.


Also, wow, that Incredible Hulk truck is $300 on amazon? Hopefully thats some renegade bot pricing, you could get a starter hobby-grade rc for that kind of money.

We got a few Syma 107/8/9s for the office and everyone really liked them. The ones that shipped earlier took the worst beatings. After a week or so I decided I liked it enough to get something more badass so I got the Blade MSR

It's obvs. way more expensive but man, it's a totally different ballgame. It's taken me about a week of flying to not constantly lose control but I'm finally getting the hang of it. It's way more responsive and powerful and it's great to have removable batteries (I bought a few extras).

Highly recommend it. I've crashed it in my apartment tonnes and so far only broke a part of the landing gear (it comes with two anyway).

Check out LiPo batteries. They make the RC experience much better. They run longer, provide more power and they are just better in every way. Here is a great battery for your stapmpede to start with. Here is a simple LiPo charger I would invest in these two items to make your RC experience MUCH better. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I have one, works great, however it was a little confusing for me at first, but now that I get the menus it is great.

I picked up one of these for my power supply and I was going to just clip off the cigarette lighter and solder the thing together with the charger, then I realized I can get one of these and now I can use the charger in my car too. The power supply may be a little weak, since I can only charge at 5.8Amps max, but it works for me, and was cheap.

I also picked up this and this now I can charge just about anything.

Check Here. Most places charge $10-$20 for the test. This is the go-to book to get your technician test. Be sure to take plenty of practice exams here, and you'll be just fine!

This is the one I have. It's pretty decent.

All electric..I used a solution called corrosionX, i wouldn't suggest soaking you're motor in it though. Just the ESC and servo.

Pinion gear puller

I'm sure you can make your own

You don't need a rotor head to mount propellors to a shaft. Use a prop collet adapter or something like that. Like this.

Those blades are not meant to run directly from the motor. They'd spin WAYYYY too fast like that. Heli rotor heads are geared down before the main shaft.

Edit: Also, if you don't have any way to control pitch, those blades are 100% useless.

To add to that. A fire resistant container doesn't have to be expensive at all. Something like this should be fine.

Yes, these are quite common and much lighter than bicycle cables. They're sold as 'flexible push rods' or 'control snakes' by companies like Dubro

http://www.amazon.com/Du-Bro-852-Micro-Push-Rod/dp/B0006O4HZO

http://shop.dubro.com/p/48-flex-cable-assembly-qty-pkg-1/aircraft_push-rods-accessories?pp=48&sort_selection=recommended

http://shop.dubro.com/p/48-lazer-rod-qty-pkg-2?pp=48&sort_selection=recommended

They use a plastic outer and either a thin metal inner, a plastic inner, or sometimes a thin metal inner and an intermediate plastic sleeve to reduce friction around bends.

There are various ends. Either a metal fitting screws into the inner plastic tube, or a threaded metal end is crimped/soldered to a metal inner, or you just make a Z-bend in the inner wire.

You should be able to find everything you need - but you shouldn't need a lathe to make your own. A M2 tap and die is pretty cheap.

This is what I use. http://www.amazon.com/3010-Liquid-Masking-Film-16/dp/B000X4J7UW It is a huge bottle so it will last you for ever. I put three thin coats on it and its best to let it dry over night. Im real chill about it and do one coat a night. I like taking my time so I don't fuck up. painting a body usually takes me over a week from mask to decals. I have pics of it with the final coat on but dont want to post till im finished because it still has the outer over spray protector on it (with a shit ton of over spray on it.) and there's no decals yet or spoiler yet. I am actually not too pleased it came out a little too white. oh well. I reddit at work so It will probably be monday by the time I can post it finished. thanks for the feedback

Pretty sure it's hard to fuck up an "all in one" package

http://www.amazon.com/Multiplex-Modelsport-USA-Power-Pack/dp/B003ZLCJ3M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371593931&sr=8-1&keywords=fun+cub+power+pack

• Himax 3516-0840 Brushless Outrunner
  
• 36 Amp ESC
  
• 13 x 4 Prop & Hub

Get a prop balancer. This is what I have been using for almost 10 years: https://www.amazon.com/Top-Flite-TOPQ5700-Powerpoint-Balancer/dp/B0015H1FAG

Directions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0ae1A0gAw

Try not to lol to hard at me.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BFG20E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Purchased the kit last week, it's shipping internationally so it'll still be a while. Decent sized kit, from what I'm told. I was wanting to put a single motor in it attached to a vector cone to steer the vessel. Does this seem feasible?

look up free mods like removing bump stops on the shocks and moving the battery up front. those alone will give you more stability over rocks, and a bit more articulation as well.

Battery Relocation

Bump stop removal: Just cut the rubber on the shock shaft with a hobby knife.

I also bought the metal link and steering kit from axial: HERE

AND

New shocks. the stock ones are pretty crap after a while. I got these, and love them. I think i acttually got the 95MM shocks though, not the 103MM.

4Pack LiPo Battery Checker - RC 1-8S Battery Tester Monitor - Low Voltage Buzzer Alarm - with LED Indicator - for Lipo Life LiMn Li-ion Battery (4PCS Old BX100) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VNW4MXL