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It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these posts discussing news as 2015 has been pretty slow on the “major scaling news” front. We’ve had lots of accessory announcements, but nothing huge. Heck, using last year at this time as an example, the hobby was caught up in Yeti-Mania. There really hasn’t been anything released in the segment this [...]
Last year I wrote a piece lampooning the seemingly instinctive need many scalers have, particularly noobs, for crazy amounts of suspension flex. I was then taken to task via e-mail (rightfully, I might add) for not really explaining what exactly the ideal amount is. Fret not, as this week I shall atone for this past grievence. While I’m focusing on [...]
Earlier this week Gmade announced they were releasing factory axle tube weights for their Sawback trucks and it got me thinking – hey, I’ve never talked about axle tubes! In all the popular scaler axle housings, the space between your pumpkin gears and axle tip is typically empty, save for the dog bone. The axle tube inserts into this area, therefore [...]
Ever since the moniker of “scaler” was given to an r/c vehicle that closely resembled a full size off-road truck, the term “scaling” has been used to describe the process of going out and running them. But what exactly does it mean? I think the general accepted definition of scaling is “to go out on a trail run or go rock [...]
For my money, one of the coolest things about the scaling genre is that even though it’s become super popular, with so many RTR’s readily available…it’s still a very Do It Yourself (DIY) type of thing. I’m not even really talking about the mass influx of kits. Yes, they are popular, but the same could be said about that in regards to [...]
One of the most divisive subjects when it comes to scaling is what kind of body to use. No, I don’t mean Ford or Chevy, I mean fully interior’d, abs plastic or styrene hard bodies vs. standard lexan shells. Many of the truly hardcore types believe that a hard body is the only way to go for a “true” scaler. A [...]
If you’re sick of standard looking Jeep Wrangler r/c bodies then there is good news on the horizon. Jeep truck bodies are about to invade your LHS! Before getting to the totally new stuff, a longtime favorite is making a comeback – the Pro-Line Jeep Comanche. The Comanche has been out of print for awhile and it’s cool to see PL firing up [...]
I think the most overlooked positive aspect of scaling is how kid friendly it is. There always seems to be a youngster or two tagging along at nearly any trail run I attend, all with wildly varying ages. Heck, my 4 year old daughter loves it when Daddy takes her along to wheel a review rig. The cool looks of a modern scale [...]
It’s summer time and that means vacation. It also means that scaling season is in full swing, what with big events happening all over the country. Heck, Axialfest is just a month away. It’s now common for hobbyists to travel with their scaler while on holiday. Being a landlocked midwesterner, I loved the chance to take my SCX10 to the Florida coast [...]
Aluminum parts can add durability and bling to your crawler but they can run up your parts bill fast. Nowadays you can build popular trucks like the Axial SCX10 entirely out of aluminum/steel should you so choose, so suffice it to say there are a lot of options out there. Today I’m going to discuss what I think you should be [...]
I’m getting close to two years here at Big Squid, and in that time nothing I’ve written has drawn out the gaggle of responses like my column last week discussing the perils of staying in good standing with your local park. Thank you to those who sent in questions, comments, and stories detailing your experiences fighting the good fight. I apparently touched [...]
If you’re into scaling odds are you’ve spent time at the local park hitting up the trails. There is also a good chance that you’ve met the local park ranger. Ah yes, the Park Ranger – Judge, Jury, and Executioner. Much like your significant other, if they ain’t happy then no one is happy (on the trail, that is). See, at most [...]
Before I get down to business, let me take a minute to wish everyone a very happy Memorial weekend. Thank you to those who do, have, or will serve…and especially to those who gave all. Perhaps my favorite r/c announcement of 2015 thus far was made last week (full details here) – Pro-Line announced their new Destroyer monster truck tire. While [...]
Happy Friday gang. This weekend I’ll be heading to my first crawling competition of 2015, put on by the folks at Mark Twain Hobby Center in St. Charles, MO as part of their annual “Demo Days” bash. I’ve been looking forward to this event for awhile and have spent some time this past week practicing on the course (it’s 5 [...]
If you’ll indulge me for a moment, this week I’m going to stand on the top of Mount Pious and make a righteous decree to all below that kits really are the Greatest Thing®. As I write this I’m knee deep in a new Vaterra Ascender build (the pic above is my freshly painted body) and having a blast so [...]
