Tamiya Sand Scorcher build thread

[tim0409]

Hi,

I've just returned from Tokyo where I bought a Tamiya Sand Scotcher kit with Futaba radio/batteries; my first ever Tamiya kit was a Falcon and I remember the excitement of Christmas morning and the ensuing build. I went on to work in a model shop and built quite a few Tamiya kits for customers (mainly lunch box etc), especially in the run up to Christmas. Although I was into R/C flying I've always had a soft spot for Tamiya kits, so when I was able to buy the SS kit for roughly half the UK price I couldn't pass it up! I will update with pics. I hate winter (find it massively depressing) so this should provide some light relief over the coming month!

[DoctorX]

Always fancied one of these but I think a neat job of the painting of the blue bits on the body shell is a bit beyond my skills! Look forward to updates.

[Sammo123]

I must admit that this kit has always interested me but one that I've never managed to buy! I'll look forward to seeing it progress

[tim0409]

DoctorX said:

Always fancied one of these but I think a neat job of the painting of the blue bits on the body shell is a bit beyond my skills!

That's the bit that is concerning me as well; it's been a long time since I painted a model!
Progress update - I built the gearbox, front suspension and attached both to the chassis. It really is a nice kit with quality parts that fit well.

[DoctorX]

Looks good. There some YouTube videos on painting one. After watching, I’m now sure it’s beyond me! I think mine will be matt black all over

[generationx]

There are solutions to the paint problem

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAND-SCORCHER-CUSTOM-TA...

[dr_gn]

generationx said:

There are solutions to the paint problem

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAND-SCORCHER-CUSTOM-TA...

You could use those for paint masks (or templates for masks).

[98elise]

I have an original one in my loft somewhere

[///ajd]

I remember these vividly from an original Tamiya catalogue.

How much is one from Japan? Can you just mail order one, or are shipping & taxes prohibitive?

[Stig]

98elise said:

I have an original one in my loft somewhere

I have two... but both re-release versions, along with the 'Rough Rider' (Buggy Champ).

Bought one to build, one to keep - yet to build either, nor the Monster Beetle that I also have.

Too little time, too many kits!

[IroningMan]

I had one built from secondhand spares many years ago - I couldn't get a chassis, so made one from two sheets of the flexible Meccano.

Built a reissue a couple of years ago - and as I suspected it might it's kind of gathered dust since...



They're fragile, and very limited in the kinds of surface that they will deal with well and be fun to drive, but for chaps of a certain age they're just nice objects to have about the place.

[DoctorX]

I know what you mean. I bought a Tamiya buggy a couple of years back when I really enjoyed building but it’s never turned a wheel in anger. I’d be gutted if it got dirty or damaged.

[Jader1973]

Whatever you do, stay away from Shapeways

https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace?type=product...

Edited by Jader1973 on Thursday 23 November 00:59

[Ilovejapcrap]

Jader1973 said:

Whatever you do, stay away from Shapeways

[url]https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace?type=product&q=sand+scorcher[/img]

WOW

I don’t have one and I’m gonna spend about an hour looking at this

See ya

[tim0409]

I've finished the mechanicals and was really impressed with how well it went together. The Futaba electronic speed controller is definitely a step up from the 3 step mechanical controller (with large ceramic resistor!) that was in my Tamiya Falcon.

I've run it up and down the living room and the only issue was no reverse; after a while (and reading the instructions....) I realised it was in "race mode". It even has ABS! Slightly disappointed that the build is over as I found it really enjoyable and therapeutic. Painting the body won't be as much fun..

[djdest]

///ajd said:

I remember these vividly from an original Tamiya catalogue.

How much is one from Japan? Can you just mail order one, or are shipping & taxes prohibitive?

Stella Models in Hong Kong are really good and even with shipping from HK are often cheaper than UK suppliers.
I've been buying from them for over 10 years and never had a single problem, they are recommended on the Tamiya forums too.

https://www.stellamodels.com.hk

[generationx]

djdest said:

Stella Models in Hong Kong are really good and even with shipping from HK are often cheaper than UK suppliers.
I've been buying from them for over 10 years and never had a single problem, they are recommended on the Tamiya forums too.

https://www.stellamodels.com.hk

+1,000,000 for Stella Models!

[tim0409]

DoctorX said:

I know what you mean. I bought a Tamiya buggy a couple of years back when I really enjoyed building but it’s never turned a wheel in anger. I’d be gutted if it got dirty or damaged.

I know what you mean, I'm not sure if I am going to use it either! I have made a bit of a blunder. When I finished building it I ran it up and down the living room to "test" the radio gear. I ordered a charger which came yesterday; connected up the lithium ion battery and it won't charge as I have discharged it below it's safe limit. I thought there would have been a cut off on the speed controller (Futaba) but apparently it's not compatible with Li-Ion....
I've ordered a Ni-MH battery which should solve the problem.

[eccles]

I had a Sand Scorcher back in the day, was my first RC car after a lot of saving up! Out of interest, do these new Sand Scorchers have a diff now?

[IroningMan]

eccles said:

I had a Sand Scorcher back in the day, was my first RC car after a lot of saving up! Out of interest, do these new Sand Scorchers have a diff now?

Not as standard, but there is one available - or at least there was when I bought mine.