SPONSORED ARTICLE
The key to having continued success with your RC vehicle each and every time you head out to race or bash is to properly maintain your prized ride. Take the time after running to clean and inspect your vehicle. As your vehicle ages, parts like drivetrain and suspension components will wear and lead to unreliable handling and breakage. It is also a good idea to check all the fasteners to see if any have loosened or broke. You can make this chore much easier with Tamiya maintenance equipment to keep vehicles at peak performance. Below are a bunch of Tamiya products that will aid in the process of maintaining a RC car or truck and these high-quality items will give you a great idea of what it would be like to be a pro racer.
TRF Car Maintenance Stand—#42371
The TRF Car Maintenance Stand is very functional for when you need to work on a RC vehicle like a touring car, rally car, buggies and even the Tamiya Comical models. Crafted in aluminum that was then given Tamiya’s iconic blue anodized finish and completed with a TRF and twin star logos on its side. Soft pads run along each edge to keep your ride from sliding off the stand or moving around during a wrenching sessions. The holes in the top of the stand are perfect for holding shocks or differentials. Tamiya made the TRF car stand to be compact to take up a little bit of space in your pit area or when stowing it away. It measures: 6.30×3.94×1.65in. (160x100x42mm).
TRF Aluminum Parts Tray—#42292
Although this TRF Aluminum Parts Tray seems like such a simple item, yet once you use one you will realize how useful it can be. It is ideal during a kit build and when doing maintenance to keep screws, bearings, washers, E-rings, nuts and other small items from getting lost or rolling around at your work area. The tray is masterfully constructed of aluminum that is anodized in Tamiya’s brilliant blue and measures 4.33×5.51 inches (110x140mm). There are three different size recessed areas that will contain the tiny parts and keep them separated. A handy scale is marked on the tray where you can insert a screw head into the indentation so that you can determine its length. The finishing touch is the white TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) printed on the tray.
TRF Parts Storage Box—#42302
There are always extra small spare parts like screws and nuts when you own an RC car and they prove invaluable when you need to perform a repair or general maintenance. The key is to keep them someplace where they won’t get misplaced or lost. This TRF Parts Storage Box is a great method to keep small parts organized. Inside of the TRF parts box, you will find three sets of eight-compartment storage cases. This gives you 24 storage sections to store all kinds of small hardware. Tamiya utilized a semi-transparent material for the box to make it easier to find the parts you are looking for.
TRF Aluminum Tool Stand—#42335
We like our workbench and pit area to be organized, especially when it comes to the tools that you are constantly reaching for. A great solution is this compact TRF Aluminum Tool Stand which was designed to hold seven of Tamiya’s most used TRF tools. It can hold TRF hex wrenches, box wrenches, Tamiya camber gauge, turnbuckle wrenches and long-nose pliers. There is also a small area to keep small screws and parts. A welcome feature is that the tray is magnetized to keep the tiny metal fasteners from getting lost. And instead of having the entire tray anodized in the typical Tamiya blue, Tamiya anodized it in black and finished it off with blue anodized chamfering followed by the TRF log laser printed on the front face of the tool stand.
Tamiya Molybdenum Grease—#87022
Inspecting the inside of the gearbox should be part of your maintenance routine in case dirt and/or water has entered into it. After you have the gearbox cleaned out and checked the gears for excessive wear or breakage, you will need to lube the gearbox. The grease shown here consists of Molybdenum disulfide that has anti-friction properties. The gearbox will spin more freely thus maximizing your drivetrain efficiency. You can use this grease on metal as well as plastic gears.
TRF Fluorine Coating Liquid—#42280
In order to get the optimum performance out of your RC vehicle, reducing friction on the parts that need to move smoothly is essential. To help achieve this goal, Tamiya developed TRF Fluorine Coating Liquid that you apply to suspension and drivetrain components. This bottle comes with 10ml of the liquid that can be applied with the brush that is attached to the cap. Once applied the parts will move easier thus making your car operate more efficiently.
Tamiya RC Model Body Reinforcing Clear Tape—#54784
Polycarbonate bodies can take quite a beating and develop cracks. Use the Tamiya RC Model Body Reinforcing Clear Tape to go over the crack and keep it from getting worse. It also works as a preventative measure on areas of a body that are prone to damage. Since the tape is clear it would take away from the looks of the body. This tape can also be used on the hard ABS plastic bodies as well. It is 35mm wide and the role is approximately 20 inches in length.
Tamiya Electric Screwdriver Set (PT01)—#74089
The Tamiya Electric Screwdriver Set is one of the ultimate maintenance items on this list. It is very well made, has many features and is quite spendy. If you are one of those hobbyist that has to have that cool tool or product, then this is the item for you. Tamiya spec’d a 7.2V Lithium-ion battery to power the screwdriver which can make quick work of assembly or maintenance tasks. It features 21 adjustable torque settings that utilizes a clutch mechanism so that a fastener won’t get over tightened into the chassis. Easy to reach forward and reverse buttons are positioned on the side of the screwdriver and can be accessed when the screwdriver is in its pistol grip or straight positions. Speed can be adjusted using a high/low selector switch mounted on top of the driver. A welcome feature is a LED light that helps to illuminate the area you are working on…perfect for tight deep spots on a chassis. The built-in Lithium-ion battery can be completely charged in approximately 30 minutes with the included charger. Lastly, Tamiya includes a soft case to store the screwdriver and five bits.
TRF Damper Pliers—#42276
The TRF Damper Pliers are one of those tools that can do many tasks well which is a bonus and all of the tasks revolve around the assembly of shocks. Although this tool is small, its compact design with specialized shapes and openings in the tool make it an RC shock Swiss army knife of sorts. The TRF Damper Pliers can be used to hold 3- and 4-mm piston rods, the plastic adjusters/shock ends, it can securely hold the shock body for when screwing on the shock cap and to check the straightness of shock shafts. The final task that makes these Damper Pliers so useful is for inserting or removing the balls into and out of the shock ends. The chrome post holds the ball while the other side of the pliers pushes the shock end onto the ball. Tamiya gives this tool its signature bright blue anodizing and tags it with a white TRF logo.
Tamiya Ratcheting Screwdriver Pro—#74152
The Tamiya Ratcheting Screwdriver Pro is very helpful when performing maintenance tasks and even aids in speeding up the process. Inside the handle lives a ratcheting 72-tooth gear which gives this driver a super smooth motion. The key advantage is the ratcheting mechanism that eliminates the need for you to re-grip the tool as you tighten or loosen a screw. Located mid-handle, you will notice there is a red tab that allows you to switch between the tightening, loosening and the lock modes. Just below the tab is a Quick Rotation grip that is molded in a blue rubber material. This allows your fingers to spin the grip while the rounded end of this tool rests in the palm of your hand. It is a speedy way to adjust loose screws.
Each Ratcheting Screwdriver Pro comes equipped with a four inch long PH2x100mm bit for use with Phillips screws and works perfectly for JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) 3-5mm screws. In case you did not know, the JIS hardware is what is found in Tamiya kits. It is machined from chromium-vanadium steel for extended durability and is magnetic. The hex shank end will work in a1/4-inch drive so it can also be used in an electric screwdriver. Tamiya offers other bits for the Ratcheting Screwdriver Pro including a short Phillips style bit, a 7mm box wrench bit as well as a 2mm hex bit and a 2.5mm ball end hex driver.
Tamiya Long Nose w/ Cutter—#74002
Tamiya’s Long Nose w/ Cutter pliers are a multi-function tool with cutting blades at the back of the jaw, perfect for cutting wire and plastic. The large opening ahead of the cutting blades is handy to hold larger round objects so they don’t slip while the long slender nose allows these pliers to hold small objects securely. Tamiya used durable steel construction and completed them with a quality finish so you know they will last. They make a great addition to a pit box because they perform more than one task.
Tamiya Modeler’s Knife Pro—#74098
A good sharp hobby knife like this Tamiya Modeler’s Knife Pro is a great tool to always have on hand. This professional knife is ideal for cutting custom shapes into the tape masks as well as score the body when trimming off excess polycarbonate. It comes as a set that includes three straight blades, two curved blades and two chisel blades. Tamiya built the handle out of a super comfortable elastomer grip and uses a metal chuck to secure the blade. When not in use, there is a protective cap for the knife and a plastic spare blade case to store the additional blades.
For more information about Tamiya products, visit: TAMIYA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
