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Building the Super Avante Mini 4WD

Let me start by saying that I am pretty new to the RC world but I am very eager to learn. So the Team here at Tamiya America decided that it was time for me to be thrown in the pool and see if I can swim. Granted this build may be the kiddie pool but let see what happens.

I, Sarah Abbamonto, will be working on my first start to finish Tamiya Build with the Super Avante RS 1/32 Racing Mini 4WD series. Granted I am good at puzzles and building Ikea furniture but this seems like a whole different (tiny) beast. When it comes to building models and such my experience is limited to 1 snap together space shuttle my dad helped me (helped being pretty much built) with when I was about 8.

The first step after making sure you have everything is to paint some parts of the vehicle base. I have decided not to do this as I am building it in the office and I don't want the fumes contained at my desk. When you have painted the base attach the rear fin to the body. This is a snap together kit so that makes everything a little easier.

Step 2+3:

After that the decals go on. Take your time and maybe try using tweezers to get them on. Some of the stickers are pretty small so it may be easier to use something other than your fingers.

The 3rd step where you grease some of the gears was not a problem for me but you want to pay attention to which way the gears are facing when set in their positions.

Step 4:

The eyelets are pretty tiny so be careful not to lose them, and you may want to use tweezers to hold them while you apply grease before inserting into the washer.

When building the wheels make sure you are paying attention to which tires you put on each wheel. I didn't realize that they were different sizes and had to try and take them off, that was not a fun task. Finally getting the tires on the right wheel, place the hex shafts through the vehicle base and gears, putting the washers with the eyelets between the wheels and the car. When pressing this together I found it easiest to put on both wheels and press it against the table to get leverage on both sides. But be careful not to push too hard to fast. While force is needed be gentle so you don't break anything.

Steps 5-8:

You are putting together the motor mount with plastic and metal pieces. The first metal didn't snap so much for me but the second made a snapping sound.

Putting the pinion on the motor is really the easiest part of this whole thing. It probably can't be messed up. I say that and watch 75 people write me and say oh yes it can. The motor mount is snapped on after the pinion is on and greased. I didn't grease the pinion until the mount was on because I didn't read my directions and I worried about getting too greasy.

The motor then snaps onto the vehicle base and you will hear it snap.

Add the final gear on the rear axial and cover. Almost done. Yeah!

Step 9:

Now comes the part that I didn't do correctly. Adding the power switch. When placing the little bent piece of metal that touches the battery, if you don't put it in quite right then you will have a car that doesn't turn on or off. This was my problem. I put the batteries in and it didn't turn off. I had to take it apart and try and fix it. So once the power switch is inserted correctly cover the front axial.

Attach bumpers to the car and add batteries place the cover and lock it on. You are set to go.

I took mine home and chased the dog with it, I thought she would chase it but she is afraid of it.