Active Model Cars, Rockets & Trains Posts
How To: Build a cool cardboard RC airplane
Model airplanes are cool and all, but making them out of your typical 8 1/2 X 11 printer paper isn't going to cut it for long, especially if any sort of rain or misplaced foot is involved. Make your awesome model airplanes even more awesome by crafting them out of sturdy cardboard instead.
How To: Rust a model car to make it look old and beat-up
If you like making miniature models for their own sake or for use in playing Warhammer and other table top games, there may come a time when you want a shiny new model to look like an old rusty model. If you're working with plastic, you've come to the right place, because this video will show you how to give plastic models a rusty look that will blend them into your post-apocalyptic or just plain derelict scene.
How To: Make a realistic looking landscape diorama
Watch this video series to learn how to make the base shell, terrain, trees, bushes, tufts of grass, and cast plaster rocks for a fantasy landscape diorama.
How To: Make a solar-powered miniature car
Check out this science video to see how to make a solar-powered miniature car. To make this solar-powered mini car, you'll need some balsa wood, a small motor, two steel rods, four wheels, four washers, a straw of any color, two gears, a solar cell, hot glue gun, a tape measure and a knife.
How To: Make a Simple Pop Pop Boat
This video tutorial shows you how to make a simple pop pop boat (putt putt boat) out of house hold items. Very simple and easy to do.
How To: Paint & Install a Brick Retaining Wall for Train Tracks
This video tutorial shows how to paint and install a brick arch retaining wall on the layout of toy model train tracks.
News: Teeny Tiny Models of Natural Disasters, Fires and Outerspace
Matthew Albanese makes painstakingly detailed model scenes ranging from eerie landscapes to outerspace to outright natural disaster. He crafts the models with tile grout, cotton, phosphorous ink, and lights them from within by 6-60 watt light bulbs.
How To: Make a rocket powered matchbox car
Kipkay explains how to make a rocket powered matchbox by combining two matchbox toy cars. You need A10-PT model rockets and 32 gauge wire to connect the model rockets to the two cars.
How To: Assemble a model car
Learn how to assemble model cars, including what tools you'll need and how much precision is required in this free video series.
How To: Make a Sparkler Rocket
Cut cardboard into 8" long x 3" wide strips. With cardboard down on a cutting board, place 1 AA battery on one end.
How To: Make a Balloon-Powered Paper Plate Racer
With a little spare time and and a few items you can find around the house, you can make your own balloon-powered paper car. This is a great and easy DIY project that's perfect for competitive kids.
How To: Make a Homemade PVC Rocket
This homemade hairspray-powered PVC rocket takes less than an hour to construct and only costs about 20 dollars to make. Check out my video below for the step-by-step instructions on building your own backyard rocket, and follow the written guide below for reference.
How To: Build a '60s Mack F Series Cabover Conversion Model Truck
A series on how to build a Mack F series cabover conversion model truck at 1/25 scale. Part 1
How To: Build a Simple High-Powered Water Rocket Launcher
There are plenty of things you can use at home to make your own rocket, like sugar, matchsticks, or even trash. They may not be as impressive as a real rocket, but they can still be a lot of fun. In this video, How To Lou shows how he made a high-flying water rocket out of some basic materials like PVC and a soda bottle. As Lou points out, the bigger your soda bottle, the further it will go. He used 1/2" PVC pipe, valves, and connectors, as well as some brass adapters. He added an air compres...
How To: Make a model brick wall out of plaster
Take a plaster board and convert it into a fake brick wall to use in your modeling projects.
News: Ex-Dentist Crafts Insanely Anal Model Airplanes
Young C. Park, retired dentist of Honolulu, Hawaii, has satisfied a life long interest in model airplanes with his meticulous, incredibly detailed models of the Corsair and P-51 Mustang. Pictured below is Young Park's Corsair.
How To: Make the staging mechanism for a multi-stage water rocket
Most really powerful rockets fire their payload in multiple stages to distribute it better. To control the release of each stage, you need staging mechanisms. This video will show you how to make a staging mechanism for a multi-stage water rocket, and references written help here.
How To: Build a steam powered toy boat (FAKE?)
F for FAKE. This video has been labeled a "Faux-To". Commonly contested as bogus science, we believe this video to be a hoax. What's your opinion? Comment below.
News: LEGO Semi Trucks Look Like the Real Deal
Don't be fooled. These cleverly photographed LEGO model trucks are just what I said they are... models, not life-sized. Still, they are beautifully designed and constructed. Check out creator Maciej D.'s flickr page for more images.
How To: Build a "pop-pop" or "putt-putt" steam engine boat
This extensive video series is all about making your own simple steam engine and boat, which is known variously as the "putt-putt" or "pop-pop" boat. Science Toy Maker gives the full details on making your own homemade steam engine model boat, which is similar to the one seen in the move "Ponyo".
How To: Wire your model railroad track
If you're at the point where you need to start ballasting your model railroad track, then you might want to check out this video tutorial on wiring. Learn how to wire your model railroad track.
How To: Build the ultimate straw rocket
A very easy to make rocket made from a drinking straw, and launched using air pressure. Almost everyone will be able to make this, it does not require any hard-to-find items, but also can it be made in very little time. Therefore the rockets themselves will be very easy to mass produce. They will fly HIGH up in the air, and then land on the ground, completely safe! Use this doc for reference.
How To: Build trestle bents of a model train set
Check out this model train tutorial video that demonstrates how to build the trestle bents of an HO model railroad. This is just an instructional video about how trestle bents were made for a particular model railroad. Make your own model train set with this video.
How To: Easily make a simple matchstick rocket
Crazy for homemade rockets and other flammable toys? This is your video. In this tutorial, learn a quick and easy way to make a matchstick rocket using a match and foil. These rockets can travel as far at 20 feet, so stand back as your DIY rocket flies!
How To: Make fuse paper to light a rocket motor
Do you like drinking coffee? It may seem like this question has nothing to do with homemade rockets or fuse paper, but indeed coffee filters - which you should have in ample supply if you enjoy making your own cup of Joe - are the key ingredient in a kick ass construction of fuse paper.
How To: Make a silicone mold in your kitchen with common household items
You can easily make an inexpensive silicone mold in your kitchen for cheap! This is a great project to do with your kids, or just for fun! You can also use this method to easily make theatrical props and prosthetics.
How To: Use the correct tires for the temperature and improve RC performance
Optimize vehicle performance by knowing the differences between the different tires available for your RC vehicle. Each type of tire (commonly referred to by the red dot, blue dot or green dot) is optimized for a specific operating temperature range. Knowing about the different temperatures and what tires are best suited for them could be the difference between first place and second. Find out more in this instructional video.
How To: Install a ProLine universal shock kit and power stroke system in an RC car
Upgrade the shocks on your RC vehicle to new aftermarket parts with this informative video. This video details how to install the Universal Shock Mounting kit with Proline Power Strokes. Tools needed for this install are a 5.5 driver and a 2.0 hex.
How To: Strap your RC tires with duct tape to improve traction
If your RC car tires are lacking some of the rigidity you'd like them to have, check out this video to learn how to strap your tires. You'll need some duct tape and a flat surface, ad then you'll be back at the track ready to eat up the competition with better traction and stability.
How To: Install 17mm hex adapters into a short course truck
In this video, 17mm hex adapters are installed on a Short Course truck. Installing these adapters allows a greater range of wheels and tires to be used on your SC racer vehicle. Squirrel of ProLine demonstrates the installation technique.
How To: Build a water rocket
Who knew some plastic, water and air would be so much fun? If you like rockets and explosions, you probably knew. And so did this guy, who shows you how to make an awesome water rocket that can shoot over 200 feet! Before you try following along with the rocket build, you should gather the materials—5' long piece of ½" PVC, small length of 1½" PVC, glue, ½" PVC "T" fitting, 2 PVC caps (½"), ¾" hose clamp, 7" zip ties (9 of them), duct tape, 2-liter plastic bottle, and a bicycle pump (or air c...
How To: Lay and ballast O-Scale 3-Rail track
In this tutorial we learn how to lay and ballast O-Scale 3-Rail track. First, lay the track down on a piece of bare plywood. Also, you will paint the wood to prevent it from absorbing liquid when you place glue on it. Put the track down onto a flex bed and then set the flex bed on the wood. From here, place the track onto the road bed and line it up. Make sure the track is centered completely. After this, take a track screw and secure the ends down. Continue to do this throughout the entire t...
How To: Build your own stomp rocket out of household materials
In this video, we learn how to build your own stomp rocket out of household materials. Materials you will need are: plastic bottles, bicycle inner tube, 2 feet PVC pipe, duct tape, masking tape, and file folders or card stock. Now, take your PVC pipe and roll paper around it and tape it. Then, remove the paper from the pipe and tape it more so it's completely closed. Then, make your nose cone for the rocket. Place this and the wings onto the rocket in your choice of colors. Then, make the lau...
How To: Repair a coax receiver antenna including AM, FM, 2.4ghz, airtronics and more
Working on an RC project, or really anything that involves RC, at some point there's a chance that you will end up breaking your antenna for your receiver. If you're a little lost on how to fix the antenna, have no fear. In this video you will get a tutorial on how to fix various antenna receivers and more!
How To: Paint your favorite sports team logo on a racing shell
In this video, we learn how to paint your favorite sports team logo on a racing shell. First, you will take your shell and trace out the logo on it with a Sharpie marker of your choice. Use tape to cover the areas that you don't want marked, so the lines come out cleaner and straighter. After you have done this, paint the logo onto the racing shell with small brushes and your choice of paints. Leave the tape in place until all of the paint has dried. Then, remove the tape from the shell and y...
How To: Recreate Models of Christopher Columbus's Sailing Ships from 1492
Columbus Day celebrates Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas in 1492. In most of the New World, it's celebrated on the 12th of October, the day Columbus actually discovered the Bahamas. But in the United States, the holiday is observed on the second Monday in October.
How To: Make miniature models of Columbus's ships (Niña, Pinta & Santa Maria)
There's no better way to celebrate the discovery of the New World than by recreating Christopher Columbus's three ships from the famous voyage— the Niña, Pinta & Santa Maria. In this short ship-building how-to, you'll learn a simple activity for you and your kids, where you'll make miniature ship models of Columbus's boats with egg cups, brown paint, white paper (sails), toothpicks, clay and glue.
How To: Detect an air leak in a Nitro RC engine
In this tutorial, we learn how to detect an air leak in a Nitro RC engine. Air leaks damage your engine which will take your tuning and completely void it. Now, take some soapy water and apply it to your engine and anything that is connected in between. Block off one end of the host where you aren't going to blow into. Find where you think the leak is, then make sure you don't have a cracked tank. Next, make sure everything is sealed and apply soapy water. Blow in the other end of the valve a...
How To: Easily make a water rocket
Is there anything cooler than a water rocket? These things are super easy to make and can shoot distances of up to 50 meters away!
How To: Splice two water bottles together to make a large water rocket
If you want to make a really powerful water rocket, one water bottle is not going to give you enough propellant. You're going to have to splice two or more bottles together and do it well enough that they don't come apart. This video will show you exactly how to do it step-by-step.