Exo Terra Buggy

I've been working on my Axial Exo Terra Buggy.  A 4WD R/C off-road buggy from the same manufacturer as the SCX10.  This is an awesome kit.  It has plenty of scale details, even details based of off and offically licensed from actual racing parts.  It even has an actual roll cage with body panels instead of just a full molded body shell.

The assembly process took a long time, but it was fun.  Getting the shocks together was my only snag (I'm not a fan or putting shocks together).  You can call me a geek for this, but I did take pictures during the process.  I might put them into a small video of sorts.  With this buggy, I ended up getting my first brushless motor setup.  It took me a little time to decide, researching on how brushless motors are rated, but I finally decided on the green of Castle Creations with a Mamba Max Pro ESC plus NeuCastle 4600KV motor combo.  I also picked up an extra Airtronics receiver for my MX-Sport 3ch 2.4GHz radio.  Didn't want to run my first brushless motor setup with the standard AM 75Hz radio band.  For the main body panels, I chose a metallic blue paint.  I did do one mod during the build: added 2 light buckets to the hood panel.  Unfortunately I did this after painting.  I don't really recommend doing that if you can help it.

After getting it together, electronics installed, and painted, I finally took it out for it's first run.

During my first run, the brushless setup was not bad.  I was actually expecting it to be a little to fast for me to handle.  But it wasn't.  I picked a lower KV motor to get the slower speed, and I don't have Lipo battery packs yet.  The battery I did put in is a Venom Group 5000mAh 7.2v NiMH pack.  And I'm using the stock gearing setup.  This actually seems like a good way to ease in to brushless, especially after reading up on how fast brushless motors can be.  I had fun driving.  Now I need to find some dirt to drive on.

Since the first drive, I have added a light kit.  That took a little bit of time to install.  I had to watch the wire routing and make a few holes bigger.  And this brings up the major downside of this buggy.  any kind of internal maintenance will be a lengthy process due to the roll cage.  To me this is definitely more designed to the basher/scaler over the full on race pro.  Mainly due to something breaking which give you some increased bench time.  I also added an Axial hub cover set.  It covers the screws and nuts that hold on the wheels, and I picked up a black set to match the wheels.

Over all, I recommend this kit if you like off road 4wd buggies, scale details, and assembling your R/C models.  But I do suggest having some R/C kit building experience first before tackling this R/C assembly kit.  If I get an opportunity to, I may pick up another one.

October so far...

Well I have started my October celebration.  Movie views so far:

1. Ghostbusters 1 and 2 (and i'll watch them again closer to Halloween)
2. War of the Worlds - 1953 (the movie itself is not really Halloween, but since I don't have Orson Welles' radio broadcast this will have to do).
3. Resident Evil: Degeneration (a CGI movie based on and a lot closer to the plots of the zombie outbreak video game series)

I have already bought 1 bag of candy, and the lovely wife has picked up 2 more.  We are on our way to another fun Halloween.  Now I just need to figure out what costume to where. Ninja?  Pirate?  Knight?  Maybe a ninja-pirate that uses a knight's sword and shield?

October 2012

It's almost here.  That time for Oktoberfest, Ren-Fair, and the best candy day in the year, Halloween!  It also means time for a certain group of movies.  Those that are scary or have some sort of relation to Halloween. (Oh and I guess I can't forget about dressing up.)

I have an assortment of movies to watch, which includes Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, Monster House, Ernest Scared Stupid, Monster Squad, and anything else involving aliens, ghosts, witches, monsters, werewolves, vampires (the standard, non-sparkly kind), and yes zombies.  Would any of the Incredible Hulk videos count?

I am trying to have a tradition of picking up at least 1 Halloween inspired movie each October.  This year I may try for the Universal Studios classic monster movies.  If I can't find them, then I guess it will be a surprise on what I pick up.  So if you do follow our movie reviews blog, I will try to post reviews as I watch movies.

I may also try to pick up 1 or 2 new decorations for the house.  And there happens to be a Halloween store not too far.

Yes I will be picking up candy.  Yes it will be to give out to trick-or-treaters.  But not all of it.

Oh, and if you were expecting a picture of Grave Digger, here you go!

Both normal versions of the pictures are available from their respective R/C company sites.

So, who ya gonna' call? Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!

Exterminate! With great taste.

I was looking through Face Book on iPhone and came across a Doctor Who posting about mini cake Daleks.  I am not a diehard Doctor Who fan, and have only seen a few episodes here and there, and have even read a Doctor Who book.  I am always up for aliens, cyborgs, and robots (which apparently the Daleks are a combination of all 3).

I took a look and these look delicious.  Not sure when, but I am going to put these on my cooking list.  Here is the link: Mini Chocolate Dalek Cakes.  And they even have the recipe as a downloadable PDF document.  Yes I saved a copy.  This may take me awhile to get going, as I am not the dessert baker I used to be.  So if anyone of my friends or family wants to get a head start, I wouldn't mind being a taste tester.

A Wicked Time

Last night, went out with wife to dinner an Chili's and then on to see the Broadway play Wicked. This is a great show to see.  Anyone that enjoys Wizard of Oz, plays, and some comedy should see this if you get the chance.  I am not much for musicals, as my wife will tell you.  But this was actually enjoyable, and I wouldn't mind going again some time (with better seats).

We sat in the Right Gallery in the Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center.  This is a very nice venue, though I haven't been to many.  We're already looking at what they have coming in the future to go again.

After that on our way home, we passed a DUI Check Point.  This was the first one I have ever been through.  No drinking for me while I was out, and so we passed through with no problems.

It was a very wonderful evening out with my wife, and I can't wait for the next one.

Post Birthday

Well my day for the year has come and gone.  The wife got me a new Boba Fett shirt, as the other one I have has too many holes.  I finished up getting the Godzilla new millennium movie series.  A great set of newer monster movies making good use of recent movie effects.  Finally got the Expendables on DVD, just in time for the sequel coming later.  Also got an AC/DC DVD.  A great show with a lot of great songs.  Angus Young is a show all on his own.

I finally have been making some progress on the Creeper.  Head over to Chuckwalla Crawler for more details.

This past weekend I finally made it outside for some gardening, and used the new hedge trimmer.  Works great, no cut cords, and all appendages are still attached.  Bushes are looking much better, but still now prize winner.  Now I just need to pick up a blower vac to help get all those little leaves and such.  Another trip to the Home Depot power tool isle.

And I finally got in all the guitar stuff.  The speaker cabinet was supposed to be delivered the Friday before I started vacation, but it ended up being damaged in transit.  Short story: carrier sent it back, I worked with Guitar Center customer service, and was able to finally get the replacement sent out.  It was a little bigger than I expected but it just barely squeezed into the back seat of my car.  After I got it inside, got it opened and tested it out.  Not at full volume, and didn't even dare go above 1/4 volume.  So I have a new amp head and 4x12 speaker cab.  Now I just need to practice and learn some real guitar playing (and look up the sound ordinance laws for our neighborhood).

The wife thinks I should start a band with all that I have.  Just need a drum set, maybe a keyboard, and a few more members that can play, and it's all good.

Heatwave!

"Holy heatwave Batman!  It's hotter than the surface of the Sun in here.  You could fry an egg right on the floor"
"You're right Robin.  We must not waste time.  Quickly...engage the...Bat-fan!"

If only Home Depot sold this when we were buying ceiling fans for our house.