Stilli

Generally speaking, you are going to get clobbered with import duty (20%) with any goods over the value of £50 and the courier is going to charge an administration fee to collect this from you. That would bring your price from China up to or even above that of the UK supplier, so unless the price is less than 50% of the UK price it is not worth the effort and it is good to support our local suppliers. There are some exceptions to this and certain Chinese suppliers manage to get round this excise duty, but I don't know how or if it is legal. I only shop abroad if I can't get it here.

The Ryobi one is the only cheap one that I know of with a good adjustable clutch, it's a bit underpowered for conventional wood screwdriving but great for RC work, not too fast so won't burn out your plastic part threads. I have one and know several others that also use one. Got mine from B&Q, bought it in store but it is available slightly cheaper if you shop around. The only downside with this model is that the battery is built in so you don't get a spare. http://www.diy.com/departments/ryobi-4v-li-ion-cordless-screwdriver-csd4107bg/173971_BQ.prd?gclid=Cj0KEQiA2b20BRDj4buduIG-y9EBEiQAhgMGFU0ZKKKjAdoZWPh4RNiCCgT2-3xnxAui1ZWJ7ssnG-oaAhl98P8HAQ&ppc_type=shopping&ecamp=SEAPLA173971_BQ&ef_id=VngZsAAABH38TjUg:20160108090653:s

SMC from the USA, best Lipos available and even with postage still cheaper than good Lipos in the UK. You have to email them to send you a PayPal Invoice and quote for shipping, excellent service too. http://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/category&path=67_78

Fastrax do a Fluorescent Orange in their range of spray paints and I usually buy mine from JE Models Online: Fastrax Fast Finish Polycarbonate Paint (Fluo. Orange/150ml)

Don't make the mistake of going cheap on tools, you will regret it and only have to replace them at more cost. I like Arrowmax as they are good quality and not overpriced, Hudy tools are great also but more expensive.

I would suggest that not much is going to change in a few years and maybe you should consider racing. An hours drive is not really a big deal to get several hours enjoyment and racers regularly travel much further than that to get to meetings, it can't hurt to try.

They are my go to supplier for everything RC, the only time I go elsewhere is if they do not stock what I want and I need it in a hurry. There prices are very rarely beaten, stock is very good, service is very quick (next day most of the time), response to email is very good even on weekend or out of shop hours, if they haven't got what you want in stock they will get it asap. They have an online store as well as the shop and eBay store and will take orders by email or phone, email is better than phone as they are too busy to spend a lot of time on the phone. Highly rated, everything a supplier should be.

Yep, did that. It is down for maintenance apparently. Long time thought as it was down all day yesterday.

Anyone know what's happened to Petit RC? I haven't been able to access their site for two days.

I have broken the lower steering arm plastic part a few times and wonder if anyone has a stronger alternative suggestion, either an Alu replacement that fits or 'Beef it up' ideas?

Until someone who knows what they're talking about replies let my shed some light. Pinion and Spur (the larger gear) are a team used in combination to give a certain gear ratio and as long as the pitch (distance between the teeth) is the same any available size pinion can be used with the same spur to give the required gearing ratio. Different sized spur gears can also be used to the same effect but it is more usual to start with changing the pinion to 'up' or 'down' gear. I am not familiar with the specifics of your car/motor combination but if for example you fitted a motor that works at higher revs than the existing one you have then you may need to 'gear down' (by fitting a smaller pinion) as the car may not handle the way you want and the motor may overheat while under stress from a too high gear ratio. You can try it and see, if the car lacks acceleration, has a very high top speed and the motor overheats then you need to gear down by at least two teeth on the pinion. If people are recommending a lower gear ratio then that is probably why.

Higher the number, thicker or heavier the oil. Given the same shocks and parts thicker oil will stiffen the shock action and vice versa for thinner or lower weight oil. Ex from Petit RC Handbook: "Shock oil is the simplest, most universally used adjustment to the shock. Using thicker shock oil will help to slow down the suspension motion of the car. Lighter oil will do the opposite, letting the suspension react more quickly to the demands of the track. Thicker oil is often used when track conditions are smooth and hard packed and traction is high. In these conditions suspension movement detracts from the handling of the car. Thicker oil is also useful for controlling the car when landing off big jumps (off-road) or when hitting big bumps at high speed (on-road). When the going gets rough (off-road) or bumpy (on-road)

I have a mains powered Dremel which is great for use at home but am looking to get a cordless model for my pitbox. I would be interested to know which models you guys are using, are the cheaper models any good, what are the pros & cons and your recommendations?

Get into (or back into) racing. You'll get all you are missing, somewhere to run your cars (at the club/track), competition to keep your interest up and great camaraderie. You'll probably learn a thing or two as well in spite of your vast experience. I must be the worst driver at our club at the moment but I'm a hell of a lot better than when I started about 7 months ago.