Fat Freddy

All my instincts lean toward bearings. Remember how exotic “ball race kits” were back in the day? I’ve always swapped bushings for bearings but it just struck me that maybe for this particular application they aren’t so much of an upgrade. I think these are rubber shielded. I won’t replace any of the inner bearings which won’t get wet and muddy, I’d expect them to last years. So that’s 3-1 to the bushes so far.

I’ve mostly been fine. All the tracked stuff has arrived on time. Had an issue with the Leccy bill though. Started getting threatened with debt collectors before it even arrived (10 days late), but as a customer who’s never missed a payment in over 20 years, that says more about how the energy compare changing than it does about strikes. If it helps the posties win, I can cope with a few late letters/parcels. Hope you don’t get “ripped off” @.AJ.

Welcome to the forum Sam.

Basically sums this hobby up 🤣

2-0 to the bushes 👍

So that’s Bushes 1- Bearings 0

The transmission on my Element Enduro has started to sound a bit noisy so I decided to investigate. After ruling out the rear axle and the front diff, I had a look inside the gearbox. I really couldn’t see anything wrong except a bit of corrosion on the outer bearings which carry the…..( as I’m writing this I realise I don’t know the correct terms for what I’m describing 🤦‍♂️🤣)…. bits that the drive shafts bolt to. (?) It’s a fair bet that these two bearings are the culprits. I’m pretty sure I have some correct size bearings to replace them, somewhere, but while I was looking, I found a bag of bronze bushings that had come with a kit ages ago. I’d swapped them for “proper” bearings at the time. It crosses my mind that bushes don’t rust and it’s not as if crawlers need to move fast. Whilst they do offer more resistance than a bearing in good condition, it’s probably less drag than bearings which are binding badly enough to create a loud screeching noise. So, what do you folks think? Bush or bearing? (btw, I’m not proposing to swap all bearings for bushes, just the ones that are most likely to be exposed to water and grime).

Fantastic. Next level stuff. 👏

Returned my (still un-named) driver to his cab after a few days of mutilation. I didn’t like the angle he was holding his whiskey bottle. So hacked a chunk out of his arm. Then nearly sawed his thumb off so I could make him hold the bottle without double sided tape. Changed the colour of his hat and gave him a medallion. Also hung an air freshener from the rear view mirror. The screen is so scuffed you can barely make him out😂 Baffled why I spend so much time on stuff nobody will ever see. 🤪

Thanks Stormy. Really impressed with Orlandoo Hunter. Think I might get another of their kits. Just can’t decide which. Another Landy, a Jeep Rubicon, a Ford F-150 (with IFS!)? Or even a military truck with leaf sprung suspension in 4x4 or 6x6(!) versions? All in 1/32 scale, the mind boggles 🤪 (No, I’m not on commission from them 😂)

Not sure if this is in the right place? @Nick? Its a video not a picture, and probably more of a scale model than a rock crawler. Can anything this small really be considered a rock crawler?

A new Dremel, on warranty after the other overheated, made a loud graunchy noise and slowed to a halt. Incredible service from Bosch (who knew they owned Dremel?). I was sure it was out of warranty, so was really gutted, but when I checked it had 2 weeks left 😁👍. Couldn't find a receipt, so phoned the company I bought it from, who gave me a number to call. When the person on the other end answered and said "Bosch" I thought I'd been given the wrong number. She then apologised that the Dremel had failed (!) and said they'd send a courier to pick it up. Next, she apologised again... that it was too late, so they couldn't get a courier to me that same day!! I was told to pack it up WITHOUT the box or any attachments. They picked it up Thursday, I got an email this morning saying it was unrepairable and they'd send me a replacement within 5 working days. Then this arrives today, complete with carry case and alĺ the attachments I already have!! Absolutely gob smacked and hugely impressed with Dremel/Bosch.

Oooh! Who does a Capri shell?

Crawling with a tiny truck on the moors often means you spend time stood completely stationary and wildlife doesn’t notice……til you reach for your camera.

My first ever RC was a Hornet, back in the mid ‘80s. Absolutely loved it. Really nice to see people still getting fun from them. Getting a re-re is definitely on my shopping list but too many other projects on the go and apparently I already “spend far too much on those toy cars!”

I know there’s a time difference between different parts of the UK, but didn’t realise it got dark so early in Newcastle!

Did more bending and screwing. Wasn’t happy with how my homemade rock sliders were turning out, so added this extra bit. Still not finished but happier with how they look now.

Very nice 👏

Looking great that. Just oozes quality. 👌👍

Messed about with bits of metal, cutting bending drilling and tapping. No proper plans or drawings, very few measurements, just a vague idea in my head and sort of making it up as I go along. Started out making “rock sliders” but not sure the reality looks as good as I imagined. Might stick with the plastic ones? Or try a variation on the idea? Then got distracted and started making a roll bar for my flat bed! So finished neither job! Reckon I’m doing a good job of ruining this truck as I keep adding weight high and to the rear. Exactly the opposite of what it needs.😂 Now I have to put it all on hold as we have someone staying for a couple of nights and apparently they “won’t want sleep surrounded by bits of your toy cars”, so I have to tidy the spare room 😠 I’m 58 and I’m sulking because I’ve been told to tidy my room 🤣🤣

That looks like fun.

Do you though? Imagine driving a full size car the way we drive our RCs. It’d be terrifying 😵‍💫

Great pics. 👍

I didn’t have you pegged as a tights wearer.

Interesting, thanks. I’d need to be 100% sure he’s actually given it to me before I start selling parts. My Mrs reckons he’s just waiting for me to say I’ve given it the once over and he’ll ask for it back, but I’m not so sure. I’ve tried asking, but he never gives a straight answer, preferring vaguely cryptic comments and leaving you to figure out what he means. 🤷‍♂️