The RC Deep Dive

A must-have hop-up for any of the 6X6 G6-01 and G6-01TR chassis R/C model vehicles by Tamiya are the aluminium CVA (Constant Volume Adjustable) oil-filled dampers that are made for them. However these shocks do not come with shock springs or damper oil. So, in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we spring the physics, chemistry, and physical science do you can pick the correct shock springs and damper oil for your preferred style of driving these legendary 6WD (Six Wheel Drive) radio-controlled model vehicles. 

We have been talking a lot recently about the Tamiya King Yellow and KongHead radio-controlled monster trucks, as they are the most popular 6WD (Six Wheel Drive) bashers that Tamiya sells. However in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we focus on the other diet impressive 6x6 crawlers that Tamiya makes, the Volvo A60H Hauler dump truck and the DynaHead Euro truck. 

If you've made a bulletproof King Yellow or KongHead radio-controlled monster truck with a brushed 550 motor, steel pinion gear, and aluminium CVA (Constant Volume Adjustable) oil-filled shocks, what are the next hop-ups that will strengthen your G6-01 chassis R/C model vehicle? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we direct you to the right upgrades for the ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), servo, and servo saver for this 6x6 monster bus and monster semi-truck. 

The Kong Head and King Yellow radio controlled monster vehicles have a set of hop-ups that one the surface look like they are just for aesthetic purposes. But do these hop-ups have a hidden mechanical upgrade as well? We look through the gearbox, break down the chemistry and physics and revising why might want to get these hop-ups for your King Yellow and KongHead in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.  

Most 1:10th scale radio-controlled model vehicles run on a brushed 380 or 540 motor. But a select few can really benefit from a brushed 550 motor. What is a 550 motor and what makes it so different from a 540 motor and so good for some R/C model vehicles and so bad for others? We uncoil the details and give you all the details on the major and minor differences between these great motors in the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Have you ever been to a R/C model vehicle museum? Do you know where you can find one to visit? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we pull out the map, and drop pins on all of the museums that you can experience that have a focus on radio-controlled model vehicles, both civilian hobby and military grade. 

Do you know where the world's first radio-controlled model vehicle hobby shop was located? Do you know if they are still operating at the same location after 60 years? Do you know what their name is today? If not, you might be surprised with their origin, history and present status. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we unravel the beginnings of friendly local R/C hobby shops 

Long time listeners to the RC deep dive podcast will know that Nikola Tesla's 1898 teleautomoton was the first radio-controlled model vehicle. But there are many inventions along the way to that first R/C boat. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we go over all of them along with his rearing by his Orthodox priest Father and housewife-inventor mother and the reaction from the world to god's many inventions. 

The aesthetics, design thinking, and corporate philosophies of radio control vehicle companies, Tamiya and Traxxas, are as different as night and day. This is truly where beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as some Tamiya R/C hobby enthusiasts might see a Traxxas RTR (ready to run) vehicle and call it an ugly fast blob, while the Traxxas Racer might see a Tamiya radio controlled model vehicle and call it a fragile but beautiful piece of art that belongs on a museum or a shelf oriented by glass. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we lean into the philosophy and design thinking to explain the why behind these stark, deeper than skin deep, differences. 

With this decade seeing a massive increase in militaries using radio controlled rockets, airplanes, and drones, are R/C tanks and 4x4 and 6x6 AWD (All Wheel Drive) off-road model vehicles the next great land based weapon in wars? We breakdown three military industrial complex in various countries' militaries and report back what plans they have for a radio control future of warfare in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

In Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, etc.) Both Tamiya and Kyosho have remained super popular in the radio-controlled hobbyist market for fifty years. While AE (Associated Electronics), Schumacher, Armma, and Traxxas have definitely become popular with a specific crowd in the R/C hobbyist community over the last half century. You will find that many radio control hobby shops have hundreds and hundreds of items from Tamiya and Kyosho stocked in their shops. We explain why in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

While Traxxas and Arrma are there most popular radio-controlled car manufacturers in Europe, in the UK (United Kingdom) and Germany Tamiya still rules as King. Why? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we look at the breakdown of three different distinct markets throughout Europe and why Tamiya continues to rule in GB (Great Britain) and Germany for the last 50 years. 

In Japan you will not find any Schumacher, AE (Associated Electronics), Arrma, Losi, or Traxxas R/C cars, trucks, or buggies, but can only find Tamiya and Kyosho controlled model vehicles for sale. Why is this? We dig into the fascinating logistics, the politics and the culture of Japan and explain by no one has been able to defeat the Tamiya and Kyosho Japanese duopoly. 

On this Labour Day (everywhere in the world except the United States of America) a.k.a. May Day a.k.a. International Workers Day we are tackling the political and social stereotypes of Arrma equals libertarian, Traxxas equates to conservative, and Tamiya is equal to liberal. And what are the stereotypes of Kyosho, AE (Associated Electronics), Schumacher, and Losi? We break down the political science that has led to these sometimes harmful stereotypes made up of dividing political and social barriers and hang them up on the May Pole in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

There are multiple types of hobby tweezers for applying decals, handling electronics, picking up small parts such as tiny set screws e-rings, c-rings, spacers, bushings, etc.. However, did you realise that the same tweezer should not be used for all those jobs? In fact, using the same set of tweezers for all three jobs can actually make each of those jobs much more difficult. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we unpinch the confusion and layout which brands and models are the best for the R/C hobbyist and enthusiast's tweezing needs. 

There are a lot of different types of paint brushes from natural hair paint brushes to synthetic fibre paint brushes and from round paint brushes to flat paint brushes and in this episode of the RC deep dive podcast, we plan to spread out the information of which type of brush you need to use on your R/C model vehicle whether you are painting with clear lexan polycarbonate soft plastic body shell or an ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) hard plastic body shell.

There are a lot of different polycarbonate scissors for R/C model vehicle body shells. However, there are some serious differences between each brand and model. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we cut open the truth behind this essential hobby grade tool and let you know exactly which brand and which model you need based off the type of radio controlled car, truck, buggy, van, jeep or bus body shell that you are cutting.

Sprue nippers or side cutters or side nippers or sprue cutters are different names for the exact same tool. However, there are huge differences in the different types. There's a double blade or double-sided and there's a single blade or single-sided version of this must-have R/C hobby tool. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we cut through the nonsense and tell you which brands and models are the best for the radio controlled model vehicle hobbyist or enthusiast. 

Every R/C hobby enthusiast needs to have both needle nose pliers and shock pliers at their work bench. But which hobby-grade brands and models and the best to use on your radio controlled model vehicles? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive We grab the sources firmly and uncover the best options available for you and your radio control model cars, trucks, buggies, vans, busses, tanks, and keeps. 

There's a false economy that tells you that cheap screws, nuts, and washers are a good deal, but in fact, they are not good for your R/C model vehicle at all. From poor steel quality to bad design tolerances, these cheap screws, washers, and nuts could end up cost you a lot of trouble. So what do you need to do? From Yeah Racing to Team KNK Hardware we review the best options for all of your screwing needs in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. Happy driving! 

In a previous episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we mentioned that to make the King Yellow and Kong Head bulletproof, you needed a hardened steel pinion gear and a high torque 550 brushed motor. A listener asked us which brand and model of opinion gear and 550 brushed motor that we recommend for the G6-01 chassis model vehicles. So today we present the answer in a special extended length episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

The GH2 (Grasshopper II) and Rising Fighter R/C buggies come with styrene hard plastic body shells. Besides the body shell of their discontinued chassis mate, the Super Hornet, what Lexan polycarbonate bodies are available for these three legendary radio controlled model vehicles. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we uncover the options and give you the best choices for your Grasshopper II, Super Hornet, and Riding Fighter radio control buggies. 

What can we as individual R/C Hobby enthusiast and as The wider radio control hobbyist community do to be better stewards of the environment? On this Earth Day, we explore the possibilities that what each one of us can do and what we can do together, even what the radio-controlled hobby shops and hobby manufacturers can do to help make this a better world for everyone in the current generations and the generations to come.

What are the proper ways to dispose of your clear Lexan polycarbonate soft plastic radio-controlled model vehicle body shells and the ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) hard plastic chassis when they become broken and no longer of use to you the R/C hobbyist enthusiast? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast We dig into the physical science and the environmental science to give you the correct answer to these burning questions. 

When your tires or your wheels on your radio-controlled model vehicles are no longer usable, how should you dispose of them properly? Is it possible to recycle these parts, or maybe upcycle or downcycle them? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we recover the options that you have for giving a new life to your RC car truck, jeep, van, or buggy's nylon wheels and rubber tires. 

How do you properly dispose of your used R/C shock damper oil when you are changing from one oil to another, such as changing from Tamiya yellow #400 to softer silicone damper oil like Tamiya's red #200? There's a lot of conflicting misinformation out there on many forums, so in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we cut through the noise and get you the actual solid scientific evidence based facts about the proper disposal of this non-biodegradable HHW (Household Hazardous Waste) using the CID (Collect, Identify, Deliver) method. 

In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we go over exactly how you should properly dispose of your radio-controlled model vehicle battery when it's no longer of use. You use vintage NiCad, the classic NiMh, the super safe modern Tamiya standard LiFe, or the exceptionally powerful but potentially dangerous LiPo battery in your radio controlled car, buggy, or truck, we give you the real options that are best for your battery type. We even get into how to dispose of single use alkaline and lithium ion batteries that you use in your radio transmitter. 

Tamiya famously has often made their static models into radio-controlled model vehicles, such as the Porsche 934 Turbo RSR in 1976. But have they ever done the reverse and turned legendary R/C land vehicles (such an the Sand Scorcher, Frog, Grasshopper, Hornet, Hotshot, Lunchbox, Neo Fighter, etc.) into static models with glue together styrene hard plastic bodies? Why it why not? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive we dig into the business decision behind these models. 

Did you know that your radio controlled model vehicle's radio transmitter can act as a controller for a R/C car or airplane flight simulator on your desktop or laptop PC (personal computer)? In this special extra long episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we walk you through the process, what cords you will need, with some basic FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), set-up, and troubleshooting of your radio control car and flight simulators with your radio transmitter. Happy virtual RCing! 

Tamiya's 6x6/6WD (Six Wheel Drive) R/C  legends, the King Yellow monster bus and the Kong Head monster semi-truck are great bashers and crawlers, but not without their flaws. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we crawl over all the details to help you make your G6-01 chassis, suspension, motor, and gearbox bulletproof for non-stop bashing and crawling radio-controlled model vehicle adventure wherever you run them. 

We had a listener reach out to us and tell us that their son who has a Tamiya Grasshopper II Black Edition R/C and he is getting tired of it breaking when he takes it for some hard bashing either off school staircases or skateparks. So the listener asked us what within the Tamiya lineup radio controlled model vehicles are available that would be a more bulletproof, indestructible bashing car. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we give them, and you, the answer along with the hop ups necessary to make them as strong as possible for bashing. 

Large urban drainage ditches were designed to let excess rain water flow away. However, they also, by their very design, make for an excellent place to run your radio controlled model vehicles whether you are bashing, racing, drifting, or crawling. In this episode we unlock what skateboarders have long known but but RC enthusiasts are just beginning to discover, the amazing urban drainage ditch as a recreational utopia. 

The Tamiya GH1 (Grasshopper), Hornet, and Super Storm Dragon 1:10th scale 2WD (Two Wheel Drive) R/C buggies can swap bodies with one another, but what other bodies are available for these three vintage and rere (re-release) legends? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we uncover the connections that expands your options of both Lexan polycarbonate and styrene plastic body shells for your Grasshopper, Hornet, and Super Storm Dragon radio controlled buggies. 

Tamiya have a variety of EVO or Evolved/Evolution R/C model vehicles, but what exactly does this mean? The Hornet EVO and the Top Force EVO are evolved versions of their namesakes, but exactly how they evolved due each model is completely different. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we dig into the three different types of EVO model buggies that Tamiya has and compare them to one another.    NOTE: We do not have the new Lunchbox EVO yet, so we did not compare this at the time of recording this daily podcast episode. 

What makes Tamiya's dirt four-wheel drive series so special in the hearts and minds of many R/C model vehicle enthusiast? What are the difference between the different generations of the DF-01, DF-02, and the DF-03 chassis? Why will there never be a DT-04? Which radio-controlled model vehicle kit was the first on each chassis and which was the most popular? And which hop-up parts can fit multiple generations of the DF (Dirt Four-Wheel Drive) series? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we get dirty, and get you these generational answers. 

Why are the downtown multilevel parking garages such good places to hold R/C model vehicle races and other radio controlled hobbyist community events like bashing, crawling, and drifting on weekends and evenings when they are empty? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we answer the question of what is it about these structures, exactly, that makes them perfect for all of this? 

During the golden age of R/C, the 1980s,  Tamiya's two plastic model mascots, Moko-Chan and Rabbi-Kun guided builders on novice to advanced techniques from painting to proper tool usage to electronics. Who created these two mascots for Tamiya and what products were made staring this uber popular pair? We open the manga and give you all the details in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

What tools, parts, and supplies should you pack in your radio-controlled model vehicle field repair tool kit? Which tools, plays, and supplies should you not bring to the field? What items belong only in your field box or bag and not on the home R/C workbench or workshop? We give you a packing list for bashers and crawlers in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

You usually don't think of what is in your first aid kit until you need it. But what you need in your R/C hobby workshop, out bashing or crawling is different for each place. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast We go over at the horrible injuries some people have suffered and what first aid kit items could have helped to them at the time of their injuries. With this knowledge, we hope to help you prepare a proper first aid kit for the workbench, bashing, and crawling. 

How many calories do you burn building, bashing, and crawling your radio-controlled model vehicle? How many steps per hour does a typical basher and crawler get from running their R/C car, truck, buggy, van, or jeep get? We measure the distance, clock the speed, do the physical science, and get you these answers and bite in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

It's not only fashion but function that matters when you are building, bashing, racing, crawling, drifting, or just running your radio-controlled model vehicle. So what type of clothing marks of both boxes for each genre of the R/C hobby? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we dug deep into modern fashion and fabrics and pick out the items you need in your closet for both only style, but also comfort and functionality. 

Interestingly, the radio control hobbyist community and the skateboarding community have found many connections and R/C companies have launched collabs with skateboard companies. How many of them do you know? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we go over them and an interesting usage of skate wheels on radio-controlled model vehicles! 

In the 1980s, the vintage Lancia 037 rally car on the ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) Chassis was simply called the "Lancia Rally"  by the R/C hobbyist community. Those that were active in the radio control enthusiast communities at that time still call it that today, even though Lancia has made many different rally cars over the last 50 years. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we answer the question about why this abbreviated nomenclature stuck and why did the 1983 Audi Quattro Rally Car not get a similar shortened name like the "Audi Rally"?

Many of the pioneers of the golden age of R/C are getting old and some are developing disabilities. Many new devices have been created in recent years too help radio control enthusiasts with disabilities to still be able to build, race, bash, crawl, and drift their beloved radio controlled model vehicles. In today's episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we go into all the details about how those that are differently abled are able to prosper in our beloved hobby thanks to the dedication of nanny in the R/C hobbyist community. 

You may already know that on your Tamiya Frog R/C buggy you could put the Subaru BRAT or the Lancia 037 Rally car body on it with included parts that come with your Frog. But Tamiya has other bodies that you can put on your orv chassis as well! Not only that, but a number of third party aftermarket hop-up makers have made similar and wildly different Lexan polycarbonate bodies for the Frog. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we go over each of these options explaining how easy or difficult each are to purchase and use. 

Everybody knows the 1982 Willy's Wheeler and the 1984 Mitsubishi Pajero R/C short utility vehicle wheelie machines And how tamia had the Mitsubishi Pajero and Montero take a more serious scale look after that. But in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we look at all of the short utility vehicles that Tamiya has made since those original two classics in the 1980s during the golden age of radio-control. 

In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we go over the very serious health dangers of not using a respirator when painting dyeing, glueing and sanding your radio-controlled model vehicles on your RC Hobby workbench. We also go over how to find the best respirator that is good for all of these needs to keep you healthy, safe and strong.

Aluminium Rear trailing arms for the ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) chassis like those made by RcAiDong have suddenly gotten harder to find domestically and seem to only be available as shipped direct from China. But in an age of a global trade war and high tariffs what does that mean for you? The RC enthusiast who's trying to hop-up their Frog, Blackfoot, Subaru BRAT, or their vintage 1983 Lancia 037 rally car? We investigate your options in this episode of the RC Deep Dive Dive podcast. 

Yesterday was our 365th daily episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast and so as we begin our second year of daily R/C hobby podcasting, we are going to reveal the up-to-now anonymous real persons behind the podcast:  Nikko and his daughter, Ai, both from Japan.  Ini, originally from Nigeria, and his wife, Gemma, both of the Netherlands.  Nik from the USA (United States of America).  R.C. from India. We also introduce Ai's creation, our new mascot, Mina Suzuki, who has been in some of our previous RC Deep Dive podcast daily episode thumbnails, but will now feature prominently in most episode thumbnails. 

In the 1980s it was a golden era for both radio controlled cars, trucks, buggies, Jeeps, and vans, but also for skateboarding. Professional skateboarders like Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Gator, and Rodney Mullen became household names. But what were the golden era R/C cats that hatched their personalities and style? We ride the lines that connect them in this 365th episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.