So you've finally taken the plunge and bought your first kit.  Congrats!  Either you have already gotten into RC through RTR's and now you want the satisfaction of building a kit yourself, or maybe you enjoy getting hands on to begin with.  Either way, you now have a box of parts sitting in front of you and its not going to build itself.  Here are some steps to help you along the way to building a kit successfully the first time.  Even though it may seem intimidating at first, just remember, a little preparation, some patience and following these simple steps, and you'll up and running in no time.  More pictures coming soon.

STEP 1 - SET UP SHOP
First things first, find a good place to build.  If you don't have a workshop or designated work area, you'll need to find one.  A lot of people use the kitchen table which is fine, but be sure to cover it with a towel.  Also, make sure that you have enough light.  If there isn't enough ambient light, then make sure you use a shop light.  Ott Lites are good choices, they are small, easily portable and provide a good amount of light.

tools_mat.jpg (8684 bytes)

A pit mat makes a nice surface to work on.  Vantage Racing makes a nice one with raised sides that helps prevent lost parts.  If you do not have a pit mat, you can use a clean towel.

STEP 2 - GATHER TOOLS
Now that you have a clean well lit place to work, you need to gather the tools to build the kit.  Most times, kits will come with basic tools but they will never come with everything.  Hopefully wherever you bought the kit from will have recommended what tools are needed.  If not, you'll need to go through the instructions to find out which tools are needed.

Your kit may need all or some of these tools.  They include hex drivers, nut wrenches, screwdrivers and various other tools.  Be sure to gather them before you start your build.

STEP 3 - READ INSTRUCTIONS
Since you're going through the instructions, now is a good time to study them.  Familiarize yourself with what the various parts look like and where they go.  Also which bags are called out at which steps and which tools will be needed for the various steps.  You may also want to take a pen and a highlighter and make notes that will help you better understand the steps.

tools_instr.jpg (35950 bytes)
Be sure to study all the fine print in an instruction book.  Sometimes scale drawing of the hardware needed is shown for each step as well as helpful hints to ease the build.

STEP 4 - GATHER SMALL CONTAINERS
Small bowls or plastic bins will help you keep those small parts and screws in place.  There is nothing worse than having a part fall on the floor and spending the next hour looking for it.  Rubbermaid makes plenty of small containers that are perfect for small parts as well as many other manufacturers.  They also have larger containers that are great for your growing tool collection.

Keep your small parts from getting lost by using small Rubbermaid containers or others that are similar.  

STEP 5 - CUT PARTS
Most kits come with parts that are attached to parts trees.  These will need to be cut off to avoid leaving burrs that could dampen the performance of the vehicle.  Use a good pair of side cutters from Xuron  or similar.  If there are any leftover burrs or flashing, use a small file or an X-Acto knife to clean up the part.  Just remember to take care when using these tools and always cut away from yourself.

tools_cut.jpg (37943 bytes)

tools_debur.jpg (26695 bytes)
By making sure that all the burrs are gone you will make sure that your suspension is free to move which means it can do the job it is meant to do.

STEP 6 - BUILD DIFFERENTIALS
Building the diffs of any car is a step that requires close attention to detail.  The manual will call out any and all shims, bearings and other parts needed.  Pay attention to the shims as these will insure proper alignment.  Also, pay attention to the different types of greases or oils needed.  Don't build the diffs with missing parts if you happen to lose as they are designed to work with the number of parts that are given.

Taking a little more time here will yield a more responsive drivetrain and less time rebuilding.

STEP 7 - THREAD LOCK
Many of today's cars and trucks experience a lot of vibration be they nitro or electric.  Use thread lock whenever a screw is inserted into a metal piece.  If your kit doesn't include thread lock, most auto parts stores and hobby shops will sell it.  Be sure to use a medium strength or compound that is made specifically for light duty purposes.  Too strong of a compound will make it either extremely difficult or impossible to remove the screw later.  Also, too much thread lock will have the same effect.  A little goes a long way.

STEP 8  - BUILD SHOCKS
This is usually the messiest part of building and also one of the most important.  Patience goes a long way here as well as a little extra attention to detail.  Be sure to lubricate all shock shafts and o-rings to prevent damage.  When holding the shock shaft with pliers, be sure to cover the shaft with a towel to prevent damaging scarring.  Scarring on the shaft can cause premature shock failure.  Also, when bleeding the shocks, keep a few extra tissues on hand to wipe up the excess oil.

STEP 9 - ROUTE WIRES AND FUEL LINES
Fuel tubing and radio wires are very important to your car.  When routing them be sure to avoid having them come into contact with any moving parts, sharp parts (such as graphite radio trays) or from dangling over the side of the car.  Even the slightest damage to the wires or fuel line can cause erratic behavior.  Use small zip-ties to secure them so that they don't flop around.  Doing this now will help later.

STEP 10 - HAVE FUN
Now that you have built your car, be sure to test everything first.  Check the radio gear and all its components so that you don't have any surprises.  Once everything checks out, find a good safe place to run your vehicle and have fun.
 

With the above steps, a little patience, and some good prior planning, every kit will be a little bit easier to build.