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04-20-2014, 12:45 PM | #1 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 289
| Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
For a little while I was planning on getting an SCX10 when I get some extra cash, but after looking into the Twin Hammers I think it might be the rig for me. I live in a relatively flat woody area with some farm land. There are awesome rock crawling spots 30-45 minutes out that I plan to take it hiking with me for fun and exercise, but when I can't get out there a full blown crawler is kind of boring on the local terrain. I have some nice dirt trails in the woods by the local river that would be great for a twin hammers (it isn't a very gnarly trail, just some roots and dirt formations. I am wondering first of all how well this thing crawls stock. I read it has a 15T motor which seems rather fast, but I also read it has a 2 speed transmission so it can have a low gear for crawling. I also hear the front diff isn't locked. I read some people suggesting very heavy diff oil up front for crawling while still being able to turn decently. How well does such a setup crawl versus a locked front diff? I heard that there is a 4000 mah battery upgrade for this thing and that it comes with the ability to move the battery mount to fit it. Where does the stock battery mount and where does it move to to mount a bigger battery? Also, can it take other packs than it's stock one and the Dynamite 4000mah pack upgrade? Anything in the 5000 mah range, and cheaper than that 60$ 4000mah pack? (Seriously, I can get 5000 mah stick packs for 20$ less). I've seen some of these rigs with the fake light shapes turned into working LED lights. Is there any kits out there for giving the thing actual light buckets and lenses. Any good kits that work for it for lights and wiring? Are there any upgrades that are must-haves to make this thing perform decently? Lastly, I was reading some reviews on the thing and there were many angry people ranting about breaking a bunch of stuff, mainly the steering and gear shifting servos. These were all about a year or more ago (I think when this thing was relatively new) have they fixed it's common issues by now? What all needs to be looked out for when getting a new one these days? Last edited by theTman; 04-20-2014 at 01:01 PM. |
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04-20-2014, 09:46 PM | #2 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Arundel ME.
Posts: 88
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
I love mine. I have a scx10 and a ax10 but the first one I grab when hitting the trails is my twin hammers. It crawls ok right out of box, did a locker better tires and steering up grade and it crawls really well. And I bought mine when it first Came out ( still running original shift servo) and Stock motor. As for batters I'm running gforce 4000 shortys. Last edited by COORZ; 04-20-2014 at 09:49 PM. |
04-20-2014, 10:00 PM | #3 | |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 289
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions Quote:
What kind of steering upgrade are you talking about? A new servo, new linkages and other guts? Also, how does it handle with stickier tires? I was watching an Ultimate RC review that said stickier tires would cause this thing to flip when maneuvering at high speed. | |
04-20-2014, 10:40 PM | #4 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Arundel ME.
Posts: 88
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
Steering. I'm running a derwood designs bellcrank kit. I mostly crawl with little trail running. Yes it will traction roll, running a sway bar in the rear helps. |
04-20-2014, 11:12 PM | #5 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 289
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
I'm looking at somewhat rocky trail runs and some rock crawling, but nothing like comp difficulty. I mainly plan to have fun and don't mind if I can't do everything perfectly. I need enough performance for rock crawling to be fun and at least feasible, but don't need crazy performance. I should also add that the places I rock crawl are ancient lava flows and as such are large continuous areas of rock rather than a pile of boulders. The crawling can still be pretty tough as it has quite a bit of variation and in my state it is the prime competition spot for dedicated crawler rigs, even super class crawlers back in the day. I don't plan on doing any mindless speed runs where you just zip around a flat open area at max or near max speed. I got bored of that years ago with my Losi XXX-T stadium truck (which I gutted of electronics and it's tranny to make my TLT tuber back in the day lol!) I might enjoy some jumps briefly, but trail runs and crawling just for fun are my main plans for whatever rig I buy next. I wonder if this truck would benefit from a higher turn motor for my purposes. Would a 27T holmes hobbies motor of some type be good for it even in low gear or would a 27T and low gear be ridiculous? If so, any other suggestions for a slower motor? |
04-21-2014, 10:24 AM | #6 | |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 640
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions Quote:
The speed is good, but on 3S it is nearly uncontrollable. I also highly recommend the swaybar kit, as I am using the medium bar and it helps a great deal. With a brushless system and some hard bashing, I get about 20 minutes out of the 2000 mah mini packs. I have modified pretty much everything, but I would recommend considering the upgraded steering systems available for this rig. The stock servo is terrible, and there is slop in the set up as well. When I say slop, I mean maybe 20 degrees of it... holy bump steer. I hope to post a few pics later tonight of my rig as it stands so far. I still need to install the lightbar and a few other odds and ends, but I am waiting for ebay to deliver liquid electrical tape and zip ties. Finally I will tell you that the axial beadlock wheels (yup, the cheap ones) look very good on this rig and I think you will be happy with them. I suggest new rims and tires if you can afford them, but remember, you can get a great brushless system for around 100 dollars, or you can spend 100 dollars on rims and tires. Your call. Either way, if you should definitely run 500K diff oil in the front diff to give you some limited slip characteristics. It will greatly help the crawl-ability, and will not interfere with your ability to steer your rig. | |
04-21-2014, 11:22 AM | #7 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: South Bay
Posts: 72
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
I love mine. I locked up the front diff and got some bigger tires for better ground clearance and some wheels with extenders all from rc4wd. Still using stock shift servo (just set the end points out of the box) and upgraded my steering servo as the stock is a little weak for crawling. It goes plenty fast for what it is. I primarily crawl with mine so its more setup for that but if you want speed i would suggest getting the rear sway bars since this thing 3 wheels every turn at speed. Has great articulation for good crawling. Lots of aftermarket upgrades and support and more are being developed all the time. (Vaterra is a new brand). If i didnt get this rig, I would have gone with an axial wraith. But I like the versatility if the TWH. Just requires some small tweaking to make it beastly. Great ring out of the box. The only thing ive broken are both front dog bones but like I said my diff is locked. Its almost expected. (doesnt really help when there's a summit on top of the left front tire and you gun it) Oh Batteries, I use stock tray and found a 3800 and a 4100mah that fit perfectly. It will take any of the "shorty" packs. Usually hard case lipos used for racing. If you want to move the battery, a popular way to go is getting the upright front shock mount and moving the battery there. Will give it a heavier front end (ideal for crawling) too. Last edited by Farmers00; 04-21-2014 at 11:25 AM. |
04-21-2014, 01:14 PM | #8 | |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 289
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions Quote:
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04-21-2014, 01:15 PM | #9 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SoCal
Posts: 374
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions |
04-21-2014, 02:24 PM | #10 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 289
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
yeah, I have no plans for 3S unless I were to switch to a slower, higher torque motor as well. It's stock speed is plenty for me, if not a little overkill. I don't see myself ever going 18-20 miles an hour on a trail run unless it is falling off a cliff LOL! Also, are there any steering upgrades to fix the crappy stock steering that don't require a new, upright shock mount? What I seem to see is stuff that requires a new upright shock mount and new shocks just to upgrade the steering. Last edited by theTman; 04-21-2014 at 02:31 PM. |
04-21-2014, 02:30 PM | #11 |
Newbie Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Canada
Posts: 27
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
I loved mine, but I am selling it as it's no where near as good as an SCX or Wraith, chassis pan is too wide and hangs up on everything. Good crawler set up like an FXR with low, low spur/pinion and you can still get some speed in 2nd gear for hill climbing. |
04-21-2014, 02:39 PM | #12 | |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 289
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions Quote:
Also, if I get a honcho I have to get a 60$ metal link kit right off the bat as the plastic lower links and steering links are awful. I would also need to get a separate battery pack and charger on top of that. The Twin Hammers also has a nicer radio. The nice thing about the Honcho is the wide array of upgrades and 3rd party support, and I just feel the Honcho is a better build base for making a scale rig that is truly unique. Edit: I just figured out a good way to show you all what I want out of my next rig. This is a video of our local group last fall on a trail run in the state park we meet at the most often. This terrain is about the toughest I expect to put one of these things through. Other trails near home are less rocky but have a lot of terrain variation made of roots and dirt that allows for a lot of mild crawling and a lighter trail run. Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7d5Mt167n4 the video is sort of in stages so you sit and watch truck after truck go through the same area before it moves on. If you get borded then skip ahead so you can see the various terrain they encounter. If you are skipping make sure to watch at 13:11 as it is pretty hilarious. Last edited by theTman; 04-21-2014 at 03:22 PM. | |
04-21-2014, 04:11 PM | #13 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: South Bay
Posts: 72
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
ive heard the scx10's are too tall and not wide enough. i would personally go with a wraith if not the TWH
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04-21-2014, 04:25 PM | #14 |
Newbie Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Canada
Posts: 27
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
I'd take a Wraith over anything else, I was part of a little trail thing, I watched as 4 other SCX's including a Wraith swap go up, struggling and spinning, I'd take the same line and just walk up. Bigger is better.
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04-21-2014, 04:54 PM | #15 | |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 289
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions Quote:
Also, I enjoy the extra challenge of a 1.9 scale rig for crawling. I already have an old 2.2 comp tuber from back in the day. A rig that isn't all out performance oriented can make less extreme terrain more fun. I'd have an easier time finding places to drive that are fun if I use a scaler. Of course, there is a line where performance can drop too low to be any fun. I think part of the reason scale crawling seems to be doing better than all out performance comp crawling is that it is less about bleeding edge performance and more about having fun, and it is easier to find fun places to drive. Even though my old crawler is 6 years old, heavy, and uses TLT axles with a cannibalized and jury rigged 8 year old XXX-T tranny for a drive-line it still has enough performance to make all but the rockiest places rather boring to crawl at LOL! Last edited by theTman; 04-21-2014 at 07:04 PM. | |
04-23-2014, 11:27 AM | #16 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: South Bay
Posts: 72
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions
Sounds like you answered your own question then lol. TWH all day! Its a great rig. Saw a ton of cool ones at the U4RC event at Glen Helen. Its a fun class plus super scale. Ive seen someone put a truck body on it and it looked like a trophy truck. Was pretty sick.
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04-23-2014, 12:31 PM | #17 | |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 640
| Re: Thinking about getting a twin hammers, have some questions Quote:
I did manage to make some amazing roosters in the mud the other day after it rained. It was a ton of fun. The IROCs worked perfectly for this purpose. Last edited by MeanTT; 04-23-2014 at 01:05 PM. | |
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