Fine Design or Build your own? What to do?

[lucias]

So I have been selling toys on ebay to buy more toys and after this week I will be able to buy my new toy.. I am either going to buy a fine design aftershock or lst2 or convert one of my lst or aftershocks... I need your guys opinion on what you think I should do..

1. If I do the conversion my self I will have to buy the conversion parts from Fine Design unless I find them somewhere else and then I will have to buy all of the electronics to roughly guessing. If I bought everthing from the Fine Design website for his conversion he has it at $530 that includes motor mounts/motor/esc/battery etc.. I would buy different motors and esc if I actually did it this way. this is just for example.

2 Or I could just buy an Aftershock from Fine Design that already has the conversion ready to run minus the battery for about $675.

3 Or you guys will recommend something that is better than the other 2 options.

[suicideneil]

Findesign = expensive & epic fail.

My suggestion is to have a look around the forum here- you will find several LST and aftershock/Muggy conversions. That should give you a few good ideas.

FDs customer service is far from brilliant, as are his motors, and if you have issues with any if the electrical items purchased from him... boned, pretty much.

[Happywing]

+++1

[brushlessboy16]

Build your own ;D

Build your own, it's more fun.

[tashpop]

certainly build you own, or watch the general forum here. you might just see a nicely built truck one of us is selling. i certainly enjoy picking out my own componets and assembling it my self though. it can be a pain, but when you're done and it works great, its all way worth it. also it helps to build confidence to try new things and explore new build that perhaps nobodys tried before. lots of learning.

[aqwut]

build your own... or you could buy mine.

The finedesign kits are pretty lame IMO, thrown together with bent aluminum and boat parts. Not a fan of em...build it yourself.

[glassdoctor]

Build your own, or buy one already done if it's in good condition.

Or hook up with someone to help build one for you?

[TexasSP]

Bad Service + Overpriced + Crappy Parts = Fine Design RC

Always build yourself, you get what you really want that way.

[suicideneil]

If only that applied to females....

[JERRY2KONE]

I do believe from the posts here that most think you should avoid the FD built rig and build your own custom vehicle. This is a decision that of course only you can make for your own satisfaction. Look, you have to pull everything you can from our experiences and figure out if you are up for the task of building/converting your own truck. Surely there is plenty of help in here to get you through any rough spots. There is a lot of talent here and there is nothing that can not be overcome by the guys who post here. You will gain alot of experience from building your own, and have much more fun once it is completed. If you are up for the task and have the time for the project, then go for it. If not then spend your hard earned money as wisely as you can for something that someone else has built. Take your time, think your project through, and build it to the best of your ability. Have fun and enjoy whatever gifts that you have been given. Good luck with that.

[gixxer]

Originally Posted by TexasSP

Bad Service + Overpriced + Crappy Parts = Fine Design RC

[Mozzy]

Yep, I agree, build it yourself, I am.

I've got a Feigao 6XL $69.95 with the custom clutch adapter, my friend made it & it cost me nothing.
The motor mount is being made from 3 pieces of 6mm plate with a little machining. I've just had an offer from a mate to mark it all out for me cut it roughly with a jigsaw & give it to his mate to mill. Cost: $14Aud for the alloy. About $12USD
Just ordered a Tekno Revo battery tray to slightly mod to suit (cut of a lug & drill holes)& RC Monster heatsink (sorry Mr RC Monster), I wasn't impressed with the postage cost, $83.50.
Got the Tekno straps from a mate that wanted blue one's, again, no cost.
ESC from Ark Innovation Quark SSB with handheld controller, $300Aud about $280USD(the largest cost).
2 x 3800mah 4S 14.8V 20C el cheapo batteries to test. $98

So, it's cost me:
ESC $280USD incl post
Motor $80 incl post
Battery $50 incl post
Battery tray & heatsink $83.50 incl post

Total: $493.50

So, it's nearly up there & I got parts made, BUT, I have a much better ESC (built in switching BEC up to 6S, fan included & hand controller.)

We went driving my mate's Revo tonight in a carpark & it was fantastic 1st gear little stab & up she comes. You could hold it for a while too. I can't wait till mine's done!

[Dafni]

Build your own! The planing/building is half the fun.

You'll find plenty of ideas and help here on this forum.