Lessons Learned
- Thread starter The Iceman
- Start date
- Nov 24, 2011
- 3,903
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GravityX said:Kinser Racing said:
Good deal! Glad to have you back.
Thanks GX! I'm glad to be back!
G
Guest
Guest
Just discovered this gem of a thread and thought I'd throw in my experience, hopefully saving someone a buck or two and from pulling their hair out like I did...
-Don't soak bearings in alcohol unless you want rusty bearings
-Don't set your balsa fendered car on a table next to a 4" candle that is resting on a candle stick and can be easily knocked over
-Don't drink too much or at all when attempting detailed work
-Don't use slide guides/side glides- way too soft
-Don't place your blocks of wood next to a fireplace to remove moisture
and then store them in ziploc bags expecting the moisture to stay out after removal.
-Don't waste your money on diamond polish/paste for the axles
-Don't insert pipe cleaner in wheel bore without using the protective tubing
-Don't ever use super glue near a wheel, especially the thin CA that will run right into the wheel bore
- Don't waste your money on derbyworx products or Max Velocity(sorry but the wheels I bought have gouged bores and hubs and are unusable, same with all the Royal Ranger bushings and products, they don't fit or work)
- Avoid Model Expo, ordered two V blocks with clamps and only got one clamp, they were basically like tough luck- sucker
-Don't buy the big green book unless you have a PHD in physics and have a deep understanding of trig and calculus.
-Don't soak bearings in alcohol unless you want rusty bearings
-Don't set your balsa fendered car on a table next to a 4" candle that is resting on a candle stick and can be easily knocked over
-Don't drink too much or at all when attempting detailed work
-Don't use slide guides/side glides- way too soft
-Don't place your blocks of wood next to a fireplace to remove moisture
and then store them in ziploc bags expecting the moisture to stay out after removal.
-Don't waste your money on diamond polish/paste for the axles
-Don't insert pipe cleaner in wheel bore without using the protective tubing
-Don't ever use super glue near a wheel, especially the thin CA that will run right into the wheel bore
- Don't waste your money on derbyworx products or Max Velocity(sorry but the wheels I bought have gouged bores and hubs and are unusable, same with all the Royal Ranger bushings and products, they don't fit or work)
- Avoid Model Expo, ordered two V blocks with clamps and only got one clamp, they were basically like tough luck- sucker
-Don't buy the big green book unless you have a PHD in physics and have a deep understanding of trig and calculus.
The Eccentric said:
That's make sense... alcohol attracts moisture.
This is what "Dry Gas" is all about. Attracts the moisture and then, I use this loosely, allows the moisture to be burned off.
G
Guest
Guest
Pretty lackluster event but thankfully no wheels were on it. In my haste of reaching for something my elbow knocked it right on top of the left rear fender. I learned why I glued the thin birch veneer on the inside edge that wraps around the tire, the balsa cracked but the veneer just flexed and held it in place. A dab of CA and a bit of balsa filler and it's good to go. Had the birch not been there it would of been a total loss. If it was a GEE fender we wouldn't even be having this discussion, them things are tougher than a 2 dollar steak!
Normally I'm careful with candles so that they don't tip over and start a fire but this candle is battery operated so I never even viewed it as a weapon of mass destruction for a PWD car. It could've been a lot worse!
Normally I'm careful with candles so that they don't tip over and start a fire but this candle is battery operated so I never even viewed it as a weapon of mass destruction for a PWD car. It could've been a lot worse!
- Nov 24, 2011
- 3,903
- 30
- 48
- 13
derbychip said:
Haha I did that once, didn't even notice until I was installing the axles and realized the cant was upside down the night before the race. Best I could do was build its body upside down,had to write with a sharpie on the bottom (race this side up paint side down) lots of laughs until I still beat everyone in the adult division. Told the dads I was handicapping myself for their benefit.
IAE Racing said:
Thought you might enjoy a visual aid. I crack myself up, but at least I got the last laugh.
Crash Enburn said:
It's a tiny piece of silicone tubing. Looks like the tubing used to retain bearing wheels. You slip it over the wire of the pipe cleaner to lessen the chances of scratching the bore.
G
Guest
Guest
John includes a small piece of flexible tubing in his wheel bore polishing kit. Looks a lot like aquarium airline tubing, just a lot smaller. I use a leatherman to pull out about 3/16" of cotton, then crimp the newly exposed wire end into a fine point. About a 1/4" chunk of tubing slips over the sharp wire end. No more scratched bores!! I find it helps to prepare a dozen or more before prepping , compressed air helps fluff them up and removes any loose fibers.
*BR and I must've been typing at the same time-oops
*BR and I must've been typing at the same time-oops
I used to include that but I don't anymore. The problem with the tubing is that it will collect polish and when you pull the wheel off after buffing it will reapplicate causing you to have to buff again. You have to watch this or it will slow you down.
G
Guest
Guest
Thanks for the heads up John! It's amazing how the little details on these cars can have such a major significance.
