What are /r/tamiya's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Since I don't know what country you are in, I'll make the point that you really do need screwdrivers that are JIS (Japanese industrial standard) not "English" Phillips-head style. The Tamiya screws -look- like Phillips head but they aren't and you'll go mad trying to avoid stripping screwheads if you don't have JIS tools.

All Tamiya kits have a fair level of complexity, but they also have some of the best build instructions you can find anywhere. The trick is to go step-by-step, don't open parts packets before they are called for in the instructions, and have a small tray to hold the screws and such so they don't roll away on you. One of the wonderful things is all of the illustrations of screws on the sidebar of the manuals are IN SCALE so if you aren't sure you have the right length screw just hold it up against the manual.

When it comes to installing "E" clips, do it inside a large clear plastic bag. That way you can see what you are doing, but when the clip goes "Ping" and tries to fly away it'll still be in the bag, not halfway across the room under a set of shelves or lost in the carpet pile.

I've never built one of their big trucks, but if it's anything like other kits you will wind up with some extra parts and screws. This is normal because Tamiya has a unified set of molds and some of their trees cover multiple models.

Its a tt-01e. Effectively its very similar to a TT-02. Actually you have an easier time finding a LiPo battey for tt-02 because of the chassis bracing. Your chassis has more room than mine.

There are plenty of LiPo options available that fit. Venom, Reedy Wolfpack and the one I have which is an "Amazon" special but plenty of Tamiya builders use (https://www.amazon.com/GARTPOT-4000mAh-Battery-Hardcase-Associated/dp/B07J5C6J9V).

Those are just a few. If you join the Tamiya Facebook groups youll find there are other options as well.

Mine is a 4000mah 50c 2S and it worked beautifully. Fits snug and just fine.

For something like the lunchbox it -should- work, but the "rubberized" style works even better.

This is my personal favorite tire glue.

It all depends on how much you want to spend.

I highly recommend the FlySky FS-GT3B as a budget radio. It has all the settings you would ever need for a basic 2 or 3 channel setup as well as 10 model memory. They're about $35 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/GT3B-2-4G-Flysky-FS-GT3B-Transmitter-Receiver/dp/B00LP1LYAI

As far as steering servos, the Hornet is small, light and RWD, so no need to get a super powerful servo. I've had good luck with cheap ones from Amazon like this: https://www.amazon.com/Miuzei-Torque-Digital-Waterproof-Control/dp/B07HNTKSZT

Highly recommend these, I’ve build 4-5 kits with them and they are fantastic! Almost zero tiny leftover after snipping off parts, I think I only had to sand like 2 parts on my last kit that had a little bump. Wish I got them way sooner:

https://www.amazon.com/Cutter-Lightweight-Klein-Tools-D275-5/dp/B000GTMZHG

Hi, bin auch aus Deutschland. Diesen hab ich gekauft. Finde ihn perfekt für Tamiya Schrauben. Vessel Schraubendreher

I highly suggest taking your time and taking it apart and reassemble it carefully, usually solves the issue. It’s so easy to get distracted and mess up a step, I’ve built a bunch of these.

I’ve had really good results with blue marine grease:

https://www.amazon.com/Dynamite-Marine-Grease-5-oz/dp/B00XUM0OQK

I learned if your gonna use a 550 size motor get a mini servo like this RC Digital Servo, SPT4412LV 12KG... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T7GW6ZM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share or if you’re just gonna use a 540 motor use the regular size servo. Esc lengths can difffer.

Thank you so much! I’ll look into those item numbers. Also I saw the tamiya steering upgrade on amazon Tamiya 54752 (OP1752) RC TT02 Steering Upgrade Parts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MV4NV57/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KKQWSZ64WPZREY68809B?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 is that worth it or can I use the tt-02s steering upgrade?

I don’t know about Tamiya, but, I use toe nail clippers for my tabletop gaming (Mantic, Warcradle, etc.)

I have something like this, but, cheaper:

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Podiatrist-Clipper-Thick-Ingrown/dp/B08WK572Z3/ref=psdc_17242866011_t1_B079ZDKNSR

I don't have a TBLE-04S, but from what I've read they have a smaller heatsink than the 02's and a fan (TFU-01 or look-a-like) is definitely recomended. But they have the same functions so will definitely work. I have read the 04's are more sensitive, but this could be anecdotal and related to the smaller heatsink.

I spent <£30 on a Surpass Hobby Blue 540 13.5T Sensored Brushless Motor in April 2021 from Amazon. That one is no longer listed, but these look identicle:

Perfeclan 540 13.5T Sensored Brushless Motor

Longzhuo 540 13.5T Sensored Brushless Motor

It looks like the prices have gone up a bit since. There are several duplicates on EBay for about the same as the lower priced one.

I only got that motor as a first step, and thought I'd need to replace/upgrade after a few months, but it's still going strong a year later.

ZOSKAY 1X DS3218 Update servo 20KG Full Metal Gear Digital servo Baja servo Waterproof servo for Baja Cars(Control Angle 180) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MU7TQV8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_9DPGK9DX6MVE0EGT3RQA?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1

This servo.

Oh, you mean these? That's a reasonable price, as far as I can reckon. I always thought they'd have to be super mini or something because the stock friction shocks seem so short

Oh also, with Tamiya everything is Japanese (obviously), so get yourself a JIS Phillips head screwdriver. It will fit much better than a standard American one.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Sunflag-Screwdrivers-Made-Japan-Perfect/dp/B085KC6X57/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&amp;keywords=jis+phillips+head+driver&amp;qid=1635648208&amp;sr=8-8

Great to hear. I may order this Apex RC Products 23T for JR/Airtronics/KO Blue Aluminum Dual Clamping Servo Horn - 2 Pack #8004 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076TX6Y11/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_0P2Q4G39PW8G4N2X9FCX

Hi All,

Thank you for the very helpful advice!

I am from the USA, living in Mexico City during COVID-19. I looked a Tower Hobby and they do not ship internationally. Any suggestions for venders that ship internationally ?

ebay ? AllieExpress ? Horizon Hobby (I just emailed them about shipping to Mexico Ciy) Other ?

For now, I am thinking a TT-02 chassis car (whichever car is the least expensive and ships to Mexico City) and the Flysky FS-GT5 $70.

Any reason not to proceed with the TT-02 and the Flysky FS GT5 ?

Thank you !

Dear u/TTACcollector,

Thank you ! Thank you !

Sounds like a TT-02 is a good option, I assume I will be crashing a lot getting started, and maybe the aesthetics of a painted body is less important (?). Just do the minimum and learn to drive?

Yes, the Flysky FS-GT5 looks like a great option for less money.

Sounds like a TT-02 is a good option, I assume I will be crashing a lot getting started, and maybe the aesthetics of a painted body is less important (?). Just do the minimum and learn to drive ?

Any suggestions for a TT-02 kit that could be used with both smooth tires and knobby tires for rougher surfaces ?

Very much appreciated,

Cheers

https://www.amazon.com/CenryKay-Battery-Detector-Detection-Indicator/dp/B07QNPM2VD. This is one example, if you Google for 'lipo voltage alarm' you'll find them everywhere. Just plug in the battery's white sensor plug in the pins labeled 1-2 and it will display the voltage. I use velcro tape to just stick the sensor to the battery itself. An alarm will/should sound once the cells fall below safe voltage, telling you to stop driving.

I looked online and found this. https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Electric-Drive-Model-tamiya/dp/B0077K0WM2. Seems like the transmitter, receiver, steering servo, ESC, battery and charger is included. Or am i wrong? Sorry for asking so much.

Hi there,

I have this equipment in my TT-02 and love it:

Rx/Tx - Flysky Fly Sky #GT3B-2.4G FS-GT3B Digital 3CH 2.4Ghz TX & RX LCD Transmitter & Receiver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LP1LYAI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_Kb-7FbDXKV30V

Servo - https://www.ebay.com/itm/25KG-Full-Metal-Gear-High-Torque-Waterproof-Digital-Servo-with-25T-Servo-Arm-/174444859654?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

For future reference, use an adhesive specifically designed for clear parts.

On to what id do here:

Take some ot these: https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Finishing-Micro-Mesh-Grades/dp/B01LZF7VXI

(They also make more stick looking ones if that's more your thing)

Start at the lowest number and work your way up. Sanding the whole thing down, yes will make it look worse as you're sanding on clear. It's ok, this is supposed to happen.

Once you got it smooth as silk use one of two products (well, I prefer these 2, but some folks may have other solutions): Tamiya polishing compound set, or the Novus polishing system.

For Tamiya, don't be fooled by the label, just start at course (in this case, course is relative), follow the directions, use micro fiber cloth to polish it up and get it dry again. Then do the same thing with fine and finish (or extra fine?? Im not at my station).

Or, you can use the same polishing technique with Novus 2 and 1 (3 exists, but is more or less properly course and is good for actual auto glass, not model plastic)

Good news is, none of the products I've mentioned are particularly expensive, and the polishing compounds will last you a good long while, so it's a worthy investment.

You can use thin superglue, but the slightly rubberized stuff works better. Personally I really like the Bob Smith glue for tires.

As for your power-plant, 7,700Kv is a LOT of speed to plug into a TT-02 Chassis. You'd probably be better off down in the 3,000 to 4,000kv range. At bare minimum you should get the Yeah Racing aluminum motor mount because it's slotted (not just pre-drilled holes) and that will allow for a wider adjustment of different pinion gears.

If you are going to run the 7700, you'll probably need to get an aluminum prop shaft as the plastic one will wobble and vibrate and probably self-destruct pretty quickly, as will the plastic diff gears. As I understand it the "speed demons" out there get the metal parts bag A from the DF02, 9400152 (you need two of them ) and plug those parts in to handle the power.

Here is a good article on running brushless in a TT02, note they talk about putting a 3,800kv motor in.

Look up: Tamiya Fine Spec 2.4G Electric RC Drive Set. It is a starter set of the transmitter, receiver, ESC, servo, and 7.2V battery (1200mAH I believe) and a basic charger.

Here's an example on Amazon. Hobby stores/sites, eBay etc. also sell this set.

https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Electric-Drive-Model-tamiya/dp/B0077K0WM2