How to Make a Remote Controlled Vehicle
Building a remote controlled vehicle is a time-honored hobby. In fact, building these toys can be fun and educational. Even so, these vehicles require diligence and patience to build, since they involve small parts, wiring and electrical components. Following a set list of procedures is essential for building a remote controlled vehicle that is nice to look at and maintains complete functionality.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- RC car kit
- Handsoap
- Liquid thread lock
- Ruler or calipers
- Grease
- Receiver box
- Foam rubber
- Paper
- Pencil
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Painter's tape
- Decals
- Sealant
Instructions
-
-
1
Look through the manual that comes with your kit. Note steps that include different sized or multiple screws and the appropriate ones they call for. Add a little hand soap to the screws when tightening them in place. This can help prevent the threads from stripping.
-
2
Use liquid thread lock when screwing together metal components. This will keep things nice and tight when the remote control vehicle is running, as the vibration can loosen nuts and screws, loosing them inside the vehicle and causing damage.
-
-
3
Use a ruler or calipers to get the measurement of tire rods and shocks to confirm their length. Never guess these measurements, as these parts must be the exact right size or else they will not fit. Dry run these parts to confirm there correct fit before securing them. This will save you time and effort if you've made a mistake.
-
4
Apply grease to all parts that turn, spin or pivot. This will prevent too much friction on moving parts. Be careful not to apply too much grease to these parts, however. When running for the first time, the parts could fly off the chassis of your remote control vehicle.
-
5
Look at the illustrations provided with the remote controlled vehicle kit before installing the receiver box to prevent mistakes. Insulate the receiver box from vibrations by filling it with foam rubber to dampen vibration experienced in long run times. Make adjustments to the placement of the receiver. Take care in avoiding the motor or engine of your vehicle to avoid signal interference.
-
6
Wash all parts that will require painting to help the paint adhere to the surface. Draw out designs and ideas with a pencil and paper before applying paint to avoid mistakes. Paint in one color and allow it to dry before moving to the next. Remember to use painter's tape to give you sharp, clean lines or racing stripes. Apply decals to the body after the paint is dry, and finish off with a thin coat of gloss or matte clear sealant to protect your hard work.
-
7
Attach the finished parts to the chassis and secure them tightly. Attach the body making sure everything is tight and in place to avoid vibrations that can result in reception problems and loss of performance.
-
8
Test-drive your remote control vehicle in conditions it will be regularity used in. Look for any drifting or issues with performance. With the results of your test-drive, fine turn and make adjustments as needed.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Decide on the type of remote controlled car you would like to build. Many kits come in different body, styles and skill levels. Also decide on a workspace that is clean and easily maintained, like a garage or extra room.
Gather all the tools you'll need and organize them to make finding them later easy. Remove all the parts from the kit and organize them in groups by type.
References
- Photo Credit rc-modell image by andreas from Fotolia.com
