Building RC Cars With Kits: Getting Everything You Need

 RC (remote control) toys are self-powered radio-controlled devices that usually make use of a battery or a nitro-powered engine. RC toys work with the help of a transmitter that when you push the controls on it, it sends those instructions through the help of radio waves to the toy. Those signals are sent to the toy's receiver which then sends them to the motors through the circuit. The circuit board communicates every action according to the number of pulses its being sent by the receiver.

If you push the knob on the transmitter (remote) forward, the transmitter will send the receiver 16 pulses which then the circuit translates those pulses into action. For reverse it's usually 40 pulses, for reverse left it's 52, reverse right is 46, for forward right it's 34 and forward left is 28 pulses. While this won't matter as much when it comes to enjoying building an RC toy it is the core information for RC toys. To start assembling one though you'll need to first get a kit.

Kits vs RTR

Kits
For those of you who want to build an RC car a kit is the only way you can go. Kits provide you with all the parts needed to build your own RC cars. You get instructions on how to assemble, paint and glue parts together depending on the kit skill level. Whilst this way may take you more time to get to know your vehicle it will be a learning experience and you'll have an even better understanding of how your RC toy works.

RTR
Ready-to-run RC models are exactly what you'd expect them to be. There's no need to assemble anything just make sure they have enough fuel or charge and you're good to go. Whilst you can instantly take an RTR model out of the box and use it you don't get to learn a thing or two about it or customise it to your liking. What you get is what you will end up with until the end of its lifespan.

Tools

Nut Driver
There are three main tools that you'll need to build your own RC cars with the first one being a nut driver. This type of tool is used to fit various nuts found on your model. Whilst some may recommend a four-way wrench instead, a nut driver is far more convenient to use since the most commonly found nuts on an RC model are 7 mm and 5.5 mm in diameter.

Hobby Knife & Body Reamer
You may also know a hobby knife by the name “X-Acto”. This type of knife is used to trim excess flashing from a moulded part or dig out the dirt form a screw head. With a body reamer, you are able to make holes in the body of the model after you've assembled it. A body reamer makes this action convenient, safer and easier than you were to use a different tool

Sprue Cutter
What is also known as a flash cutter is a tool used to snip the parts off their tree often called “sprue”. A sprue cutter ensures that you get a clean cut without having a nub on the part being left like you would get with a knife or scissors.

Parts

Batteries
There are two types of batteries you can expect your electric RC build kit contain, lithium-based and NiMH. Lithium-based batteries can be LiPo or lithium polymer with the former requiring specific chargers and special care. NiMH batteries are more affordable and don't require special care but are not as efficient and do not provide long runtimes,

Motors
When it comes to an electric RC kit there are also two types of motors, brushed and brushless. Brushed motors are more affordable but they are less powerful and require more maintenance than a brushless one. Brushless motors, on the other hand, are not only more powerful and efficient but they also require far less maintenance which comes at a higher cost. Nitro motors are one and only and although they are not as quiet and as convenient as electric ones they are a lot more powerful.

Speed Controls
In an electric model you will get a part known as speed control. This component is what acts as the vehicle's throttle. Speed controls can be simple and complex too with some that only allow you to control the throttle and others that come with adjustable dead band, linear and exponential throttle response and more.

Fuel
If you decide to go with a nitro-powered RC model you'll get a blend of methanol, alcohol, oil and nitromethane which is the vehicle's fuel. The percentage of each ingredient will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Fuels with more oil in them are known to provide longer engine life and protection against premature failure.

Glow Plugs & Exhaust Pipe
Nitro-powered models will also come with spark plugs in the kit. Unlike electronic ignition systems, a glow plug helps ignite the air/ fuel under compression. The exhaust pipe much like on a real-world car will help the exhaust fumes exit more freely.

Servos
A servo is a part that connects with a system of bellcranks and linkages together with the front suspension in order to send the signal it receives from the transmitter. Servos are made out of plastics or metals and come with internal gearing and motors to allow for varying speeds and torque. 

Pinion & Spur Gears
When it comes to gear reduction, pinion and spur gears are what your RC needs. These components are combined with the internal transmission gears and can be replaced to improve acceleration and top speed.