Laced Tundra part 1

I wanted to build my son a true Shred The Ledge style truck. So I dialed up my good friend Bert Melchner. Bert has been producing some of the nicest cages and builds on the east coast, so I turned to him for this task of creating a chassis to work with. 

After a few conversations, the ball was rolling, we decided, no brainer, that we’d use the latest CBE RC FAB switchback chassis, the ultra. Bert and I decided on a full truggy style build with the Tamiya Tundra being the body of choice.

After a few short weeks, I had the chassis in my hands. The chassis work was perfect, and the welds looked good, and the bars and rails were straight! Bert of A&M Garage (named after his kids) out did himself, and handed over a fine piece of equipment!

I decided that the perfect skid for this build would be the TJ RC Products flat SCX10 skid. This skid is made of a tough delrin, and is ready for any abuse you throw at it. I have this skid on a few of my RC builds already. 

Up next was converting most of my SCX10.2 over to the Laced Tundra. I took the new 3D printed front CMS/Battery mount in one from Bowhouse RC and planted that right up front. I had to trim a little off the mounts to get it to fit the narrower front end. Zip zip, and donec, Fit perfectly.

I installed the SCX10.2 front shock towers on with no issue with my favorite Boom Racing shocks the Type I 90mm. I stuffed them full of Pitbull Tires shock oil; 33wt. Under neath it all are the new Boom Racing Phat SCX10.2 axles. These will add some extra weight as well as some durability. 

I gave the transmission a refresh in bearings and grease as well as a HD motor mount. The transmission remain mirrored and flipped for this build. As always A Holmes Hobbies motor found it’s way into to the build, a Crawl Master 13t.

With Phat Axle’s all round, type I’s at each corner, this build is taking shape. As well as with all my other RC’s I use Team KNK Hardware monster bag, spacers and locknuts to secure everything down and held into place. 

That really as far as I got for tonight, but tomorrow night, we’ll get more done, if not finished!! Thanks for reading along, 

Return of the Goat/ Chassis work.

I decided to get started on the chassis so I can get the interior started for the Escalade. I devided to bring back the RC4WD R2 transmission that I started the OG Goat with. 

I started with using a blank TJ RC Products Skid. I wanted a flat skid, and a place to throw the transfer case on. The skid is to thick for the SCX10 chassis, so the dremel tool came out, and cut out the bottom plates off the rails. 

TJ RC Products high clearance skid.

After I got the skid fitted I moved to the front. I had to do what I did last time for the R2 trans. I cut out the notches of the frame rails so they would sit flush on the R2. This does weaken the frame rails, but I have run this set up hard before and haven’t had any issues. 

Making room for the bulky R2.

R2 bolted into it’s new home.

After I got the whole thing set up, I threw the front axle back on, and got the shock towers on with some spacers. These are temporarily on there until I decide what to do for the front suspension. This is all mocked up, and I will change the 3-link to a 4-link when it’s go time. 

I have it all set-up and I’m ready to get into the next thing. I need to attach the transfer case to the skid next time I’m in the shop. Making some head way on The Goat, and loving it so far. 

Return of the Goat.

It’s about dang time I start building RC’s again! I’m starting with bringing back a legend in my world, affectionly known as The Goat. I am using fresh new Escalade Hardbody, and will start getting more and more done with it. 

The Goat before the cutting begins.

I started with cutting the ABS plastic out of the molded windows. I decided to cut out all 4 door windows, as well as the windshield. 

Cutting out big sections.

I cut the plastic with some distance between the door frame and where the side view mirror goes. I do this so I don’t cut too much off or into the frame of the door. I then use a dremel with a small sanding drum to get closer to the door frame. Then I finesse the doors with the smallest sanding drum and get them to almost perfect. 

Window frames 90% done.

While I have the grinding wheel out, I also have to remove the old mounting posts to make room for all the new plastic windows or anything else I need a flush mounting spot for. Removing a lot of plastic takes time and patience, which I suck at with both. 

I also use a small exacto saw blade to get the posts off.

So, a small start, but a tedious one that takes a lot of time. I need to clean up the windshield, and sand out the door frames with some 150 grit sand paper and move on to the interior. 

The Goat is started, and I am Pumped! 

Over-Saturation, or Progression?

We see it almost every week, someone new comes out with something old, or so it seems. These people that are trying to cut into a market that has already seen enough chassis to choke a small army. Everyone wants a piece of the pie, wants to leave a mark, wants to put their own twist on an already flooded market. 

To some this is a bad thing, to others this is a great thing, and some just don’t care, they’ll use whatever they want. Some say the stock chassis are good, and they aren’t wrong. Some say these new chassis are basic, and they aren’t wrong, while others love the new aspects of all these new chassis. These newer chassis incorporate things many builders and drivers are looking for. Some are made for super scale RC’s, while some are built for comps, while others are made to be built anyway you want. 

I hear it all over social media, people complaining about someone putting out a new chassis and why do we need another new chassis. I saw one post go in an ugly direction over it, and it was sad to watch fellow rc’ers tear this guy apart for even thinking of doing his own. 

Why? Why can’t we as a collective hobby have more options? Is it so bad that people want to push the hobby forward? Try their hand in making something people may actually want? Should we just be stale and use only what the popular companies produce? Why can’t we? I want to build a comp RC, and the stock chassis will work, but why can’t I build a comp rig with a chassis specifically made for comps? 

Yes, I can agree that cookie cutter chassis that have one minuet change or an extra hole drilled into the chassis from another is borderline unacceptable. I’m talking about the ones that are really unique from the other, someone spent time and testing in their idea, so they have a place in our hobby, and fill in a void that was actually missing; chassis choices. 

This thought process can also be applied else where, you know where I’m going.. tires… why do we need more tires, and tire companies? We should all use the tires made for this hobby from Tamiya from the 70’s. Why do we have so many options? Progression is why. We built trucks that out preformed the tires, so tire companies had to step up, make new tires that fit the driving styles and builds for us all. This why we all have bragging rights as to what tire works best, with no clear winner. The same mindset can be added to all aspects, why new motors, new bearings, electronics, etc, we are over-saturated at almost every point of RC.

Progression only pushes the hobby forward. Over-Saturation can happen, and when it dries up, what’s left is the solid and quality products we’ve come to know and love. I personally love what people put out there, even if it isn’t anything I would use. They are trying and who am I to dump on their parade and ideas? I will support these ideas, these concepts, as they are just more doors to be opened to lead us into something big, unique, and fun. If we continue to choke out the ingenuity and fun of this hobby, it will surely fail. 

Just remember, we all have a place in the RC community, whether you’re a driver, builder, promoter, designer, painter, electronics genius, owner of a company, run a competition, or are just here for the fun, no one is better than the other, and instead of tearing people down, how about we try to build them up and support them. We can be the example to many others, and who knows, maybe that guy/gal has a million dollar idea we all want! 

#yearofthesleepinggiant #progression #sharethefun #sharethetrails #sharethehobby #newbreed

Switchback Chassis Year end review.

Switchback chassis year review.
I have finally had a few moments to sit and review this two planker chassis from CBE RC FAB. I have the 1st gen version of the switchback, and I had one hell of a year with it. There’s something to be said about having something for a year, and to use it that long that isn’t attached to our hands with a screen and facebook on it. 

I started off the year with deciding to dedicate the switchback chassis to the grueling run of the 48 Hour Challenge event we run on Memorial Day weekend every year. The build went together with minor issues, and was ready for the 48 Hours. 

48 Hour Set up –
CBE RC FAB:

Switchback Chassis

Shock Gear Set

Titan Winch

STL Winch

Rock Biter bead locks

BPC:

Battery Tray, Motor Guard

Boom Racing:

Phat axle front with Aluminum knuckles and C-hubs and a rear phat axle with aluminum lockouts, one piece aluminum links, Type I shocks, Aluminum Transmission case, pineapple steel gears, Krait wheels.

Holmes Hobbies:

13t Crawl Master
Pitbull:

Rock Beast

33wt Shock oil
Scalerfab.com:

Pro Series style stinger
Powershift RC Technologies:

Front Light buckets, rear lights, rock lights, 

The Switchback last the 48 Hour challenge like nothing. It faced a plethora of weather including a downpour for about 30 mins straight. 

Up Next was the RCEC Mini Tour. Two days of hard wheeling from MA to NH. Same set up as above. We climbed big rocks, and found some mud to play in. We ran the course at Route 106 on Sunday and had a blast doing that!

Up next was the PA Shred The Ledge where Anthony Kaplon took her as a rental, and treated her as such. The rocks were big, the tumbles were mighty and the driveshafts snapped with the new grip of the Pitbull Rock Beast XL’s. The only change to the Jeep was a new set of 0 degree steering knuckles from Boom Racing. The Switchback Chassis made it through with no issues.

Last on the big list of duties was Shred The Ledge at Field and Forest behind the wheel of my Daughter Chloe-Mae. She had never rc’d longer than 2 mins ever, and took on the toughest course in RC. I changed a few things on the Jeep, and here they are.

Boom Racing:

PHAT XR MOD Axle
Pitbull:

Mad beasts
Powershit RC Technologies:

Wireless winch remote

In a full year of abuse the CBE RC FAB Switchback chassis held strong, and true. With the steel axles underneath the chassis, the holes never bored out, and the rails remained straight and true. They came to me raw, so they are covered in surface rust and is perfect for what I’ll be doing next with it. I am a huge fan of this chassis, and the options that come with this builders chassis are limitless. 

If you’re looking for a beast chassis then look no further than the Switchback Chassis. It is battle tested, and is under many RC’s you see out there. There are only a few chassis on the market that I support and use, with CBE RC FAB’s Switchback Chassis being at the top of that list.

48 Hour Challenge Build part 1

It’s that time of the year where I start my build for the 48 Hour Challenge. Last year’s 48 Hour Challenge we used Axial Racing’s CRC JK Jeeps. These Jeeps were bone stoack, minus a few changes, like Pitbull Tires, battery relocation, and Team KNK Hardware. Some waterproofing and winches were added, and we went for it. We succeeded and so did the Jeeps. 

  
This year is a little different, and we are building new rigs, and some are bringing bone stock rigs. There were four drivers last year, this year, who knows!! 

This build series I’m doing is going to be the accumulation of past experince and new build setups. 48 Hours give’s you a long time to know what works, what needs to be changed, and what is total garbage. So, I am using some staple sturdy products, and trying some new stuff. I will start with the chassis, and start from there.

This years platform is based of CBE RC FAB, chassis called Switchback. I wanted to use this chassis for a few different reasons. The tuneability in this chassis is huge. It has tons of options for the builder in you. It can be used for the wroncho style builds, stocker, class 1, modified; so many options.

Switchback V1

This is the first version of the Switchback I am building off of, version two is almost released as of this writing. As you can see the chassis has a ton of tunibility and options for your building needs.

I also required some of CBE RC FAB’s newest release of shock towers. These new designs which I call – Ritz men – are beefy, big, and ready for real work. These towers are also made for tons of adjustability.  

 

With everything coming together fairly easily, I decided to make things a tad more difficult by adding a front motor/transmission mount design. I selected the R2 Transmission from RC4WD for these duties. I’m not 100% if these transmissions are capable of withstanding 48 Hours of abuse, but I am going for it. The R2 transmission bolted perfectly to the Switchback   chassis, and I was able to mount the shock towers right into the transmission too.  

 

RC4WD R2 mounted to the front.

  

The rear shock towers by CBE RC FAB.

 

So, with last year in mind, and remembering that the plastic was getting fatigued by the end of the 48 hours, I decided to go with metal links, 12.3″ solid one piece links to be exact from Boom Racing. The links are on their way. I like the one piece design for long runs, as rod ends and plastic wear down and may make the days longer by having to fix them. One piece, bolt up, and forget. 

I also have to have serious sturdy armor for the old Jeep body. So I went with ScalerFab’s pro series bumper. I am a fan of these bumpers, and how well they are built and how strong they are. 

Scalerfab.com pro series bumper

This is as far as I have gotten on this build. Waiting on some parts and pieces to get the next wave of building underway. Thank you for reading and following, and we’ll see you on the trails!

Wheels down, throttle open,
Trevor 
 

Feeling a little great..

I can’t believe that in two days I with three other awesome people, Rob, Randy, and Kolton will be attempting history, while raising money for a great guy fighting a horrible disease. 
I am blown away with the support from my family, friends, sponsors, RC Community, and you! All the comments, shares, financial donations to Marc, and donations to give away at the 48 Hour Challenge. 
If I can just focus for one second on one thing with out to much gripe… We are making history!! That’s kind of cool! Who get’s to say they are making history!? Sure, I know it won’t be on the History Channel some day, but it’s something my kids can look at and be proud of! Something that we did first, our names will be known as the first to do this! Haha 
I’m just excited that in such a short time, we have accomplished so much as an RC Community here in Vermont. It all started from some of my posts on youtube, to what it is today, almost a year and half later.
What could possibly be next after this biblical sized event you ask? Well, let’s just say Rob and I have the wheels turning, and if can do this next event…. Oh man… Legendary status continues.  
So, with two days away, I’m giving an early thank you to EVERYONE that has helped us out and continue to do so!! You are the greatest!!!

Thank you!

Trevor 

  

How I do work.

Event planning – The plan Part 1

I just wanted to explain something, a few things need to be shared with some that just don’t get it, or don’t understand how events go, or for the ones that want to know how to do events.

I have been doing events for about four years. I have held some, promotional events, fundraisers, competitions, RC events, etc etc. I’m still learning, still pushing, and I thought I’d share my limited experience with you. Why am I doing this? There are some people, who don’t get it, maybe have a misconception on reality, and what really has to happen. Others have asked what I do? How I do it? Where can they get started? So this is for anyone who wants to know!

Most of what I do can be applied to most events that you may want to do, from casual to business. 

I’ll break down certain things as ‘Individual’ or ‘team’ for certain steps. 

Individual means you’re doing this event yourself.

Team means, there’s a few of you doing this event.

To start: 

Everything starts with an idea.

Individually – 

Form that idea into reality by thinking, dreaming, living the idea(s) so it forms into one solid idea. The best events, are the ones you think about, work through, and decide on. 

A team –

Take all the idea’s, bounce them around, pick out the ones you like, and start forming around those you have decided on, and pick them apart until you have one solid idea. Teams, make sure you surround yourselves with, thinkers, givers, and that they have a willingness to compromise. Nothing tears an event/business apart faster than pride, misunderstanding, and greed. 

So now you have the idea, the “event” the; This will be AWESOME! You’re ready to start, you are going live with your idea. 

You have the idea, Now what? Everyone’s application is different, but this is what I do. I use these steps and work, build, and launch my idea. Put the plan in motion so to speak.

Place – Where can I do this?

I’ll take my RC back ground and share that with you. When I plan an RC comp, I need a place to go, a place that will accommodate the amount of people coming, i need parking. I need amenities, I need a place to drive RC’s, I need a place for camping for the long weekend.

I have been lucky and been able to most of my comps on private land. For those that don’t have that option, you’ll need to find the appropriate channels to go through for use of public land. Mostly through hearings, and voting will you be allowed or not.

Date –

Once I have the spot on the board, and 100% committed, I decide on a date. Now this is where you want to pay special attention. For whatever event you’re doing, RC, fundraiser, party, etc etc make sure you don’t double book locally. What I mean by this is, if someone is doing an RC event on xx/xx/2015 in a few towns over, don’t do your event the same time. It pulls people in several directions, lines are drawn, and friendships strained. So plan when there is no other event going on that is like the event you want to hold yourself.

Rules –

If your event has some type of competition form, you will need rules. This is also part of the initial planning process, and idea forming. You can alway adapt rules from other types of events that are successful and work. Or you can make your own set of rules that are different, stricter, laid back however you want to do that. Total freedom in creativity is an awesome feeling. My suggestion is once you feel good about the rules, move forward and post them up early so people can prepare, and find the grey area that you didn’t think of. Competitors are always trying to push the edge and get the advantage. It’s up to you as to how far you’ll let them. 

I hope this helps, in the next blog I’ll cover sponsorship in depth, as well, as getting help, and the legality of your event(s). Covering your back, as well as the people coming to your event.

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps!! Get that idea formed, and move forward!!

Trevor

Why I love RC.

Why do I love RC’ing so much?

I get asked by a lot of non-rc’ers why I like rcing so much, and several other types of questions like:

What redeemable value is there? Why do you do or go to all these events? Can you make money from it? What life lessons are you learning from this? What is the purpose? Don’t you feel stupid when other adults see you play with toys? And the list goes on. I won’t answer every question directly here, but hopefully give you some clarity and reasoning.

I am by nature a very active person. My motor has been running on high octane since I was a little guy. From rocking my crib to the window, and flipping outside to go play, to riding BMX like a motorcycle. I’ve done all the extreme sports, skateboarding, inline skating, snowboarding, skiing, down hill mountain biking, I was an athlete, and a machine. I never stopped, and I LOVE the outdoors, from hiking, snowshoeing, climbing, running, hunting, off-roading and just walking. I never stopped. Which made me very passionate with whatever I was in love with doing in that moment in time. 

I’ve always been into rc’ing, every since I knew what tires were. So, naturally I rc’d as often as I could, and could afford. Hell, I bought an RC on my honeymoon! Haha

Now that I’m older, and my body, mostly my knees, can not handle those activities anymore. I also realize I need to save my knees for my driving job at UPS, which is a physical job. So, with that being said, I can’t do those things that I love so much, because it hurts, a lot. I’m not going to lie, I get tore up emotionally when I see a beautiful powder morning, or a cool fall day to skate, or  anything for that matter. I have fallen into a bit of depression about if I’m being honest. 

Insert Remote Control’s. This is what has happened. I’ve transitioned into rc as my full blown hobby. Not having a bunch of other stuff to do, has really allowed me to commit to this hobby. Why? It’s low impact on my body, I get to build, work, design, and use everything that encompasses RC. I still get that community of like minded-people that are into what I’m doing as they are doing the same thing. I can still conquer crazy things, just ones that don’t destroy my old ass. 

Why do I love RC? Because it’s the next chapter in my life that fits who I am, and what I can do. I’m passionate enough for 10 people. I get to help others learn, progress, and push, as well as keep others guessing as to what’s coming next. A wise man (Brian Parker) coined a phrase, G6 Life Style, and for me it is an RC Life Style and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The amount of people I’ve met and befriended has become immeasurable, and I’ve only just begun. 

If you think for one second that this RC adventure is actually about me, then you truly don’t know me, and I hope you put down your rock, and come hang out with me.

Much Respect to everyone who has helped me, supported me, and continue to do so. I hope to return the favors, as well as pay it forward. 

Yes, I do Love my RC’s and everything that comes with it. 

Trevor

  

old becomes new

I sit here at my computer desk listening to Downset at 2:30 am on October 3rd and I’m struck once again with some serious stuff. The opening track on “do we speak a dead language?” album is called “Intro” and it starts of with wind whistling and howling through what seems like a canyon, then you hear some wind chimes and a woman softly singing in the back ground; then comes these words with an unforgettable voice: “We must come to see that the end we seek, is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience, that will be a day, not of the white man, not of the black man. That will be the day of man as man.” Then crushing heavy guitars come in with thundering emotional vocals screaming; “EMPOWER! EMPOWER!” ….and the goose bumps and a shot of adrenaline kicks in. As I listen to this guy (Rey) scream his guts and heart out I’m blown away again as I was in 1996 when this album first dropped. 

 

As I listen again renewed, evolved, removed and plugged into my faith I see Downset’s messages so much clearer than before and I get inspired, with lyrics like this; “I will love God of “Zion” with all my heart and you will hate me for it, intentions will be so helpless and you will hate me for it, I will love through resurrecting eyes and you will hate me for it, Self exultation is the opiate of the masses. Your world is against the spirits.” From the song called: Against the Spirits.  

 

Many more songs on this album will and have influenced many people, myself included. It reminds me of what I’ve been lacking in my life, a positive motivational word from my heart. I mean, I write from my heart and the lord’s hand, but I have missed my place in writing from my heart for my social responsibilities. As a Christian everything is the same for me but with a new lens. The bands like Downset and Rage Against the Machine were the ones that catapulted me into writing about the injustices in societies, democracies, corporations and anything else that made me “angsty.”  

 

I fed off the racism that was and still is prevalent in my generation and the bands that sang against it. They sang from a different place then your top 40 radio show. That’s why most hardcore and punk music has heart and passion. These bands are not singing about the chicks they are hooking up with or the money they are making or commercials they are in or some cool slang word they came up with. That stuff is easy to write and easy to follow when you’re a slave to the media fed industry. I’m a little grrr about it actually. So much talent and heart wasted away by media repression. No one wants a good powerful story against the corporations that pay them to tell us what we want. 

 

I digress; I have a desire once again to write in other ways, more positive, more aggression through progression. I’ve been a little worried about what I write lately and too worried who I might offend. I realize now, that I needed to hold back for a little bit and let God dictate what I was to write and I feel that God has opened that old door he once shut. I feel that I can handle that old door with my new perspective that is always evolving. So the gloves are off people, the bare bone white knuckles are back and there will be some intriguing blogs, quotes, and statements coming. Not like JT bringing sexy back, but like TR, “Bringing angsty back…”

 

“We are guilty of judgment, seeing what we only want to see, these false idols fall from their pedestals in self-moral supremacy, blame the inside of another to falsify your true identity, ignite the fire that burns desire we have become what we have feared, indifferent, intolerant.” T.R.