Hanging with Paulie: Reviews, Rides, and Regrets… All for Your Benefit…and entertainment
Making Warranty Great Again: Horizon Pulls Through!
What started as a confusing shipping notification quickly turned into a standout example of exceptional customer service. After a failed ESC/RX unit went up in smoke, Horizon Hobby surprised me with a replacement shipped in under 24 hours—no charge, no hassle, and no runaround. In a hobby where downtime is expected, Horizon proved that standing behind your product still matters. I hope you also enjoy the pics of the Arrma Fury jumping.
Brightening The Christmas Season with an SCX24
Brightening Christmas with an SCX24 is part RC build, part Christmas reflection, and part memory lane. After a neighbor repeatedly stepped in to help with major home projects, I wanted to say thank you in a way that couldn’t be repaid with cash. I am willing to step out in the darkside of Jeep to say thanks.
Along the way, the project sparked memories of childhood, family, old Jeeps, and stories passed down from my dad’s time driving Jeeps in the military. What began as a simple RC body paint job became a reminder that working with your hands has a way of opening the door to gratitude, nostalgia, and meaning.
This post walks through the build process, the painting and masking techniques, and the lessons learned—most of all, that hobbies can be powerful tools for generosity. Sometimes the best Christmas gifts aren’t expensive; they’re personal.
Proline Beadlock SCT Wheels
If you’re tired of gluing your fingers together instead of your RC tires, this one’s for you. I test Proline bead lock wheels, walk through installation, weigh the pros and cons, and share a few lessons learned along the way.
Dante Can’t Hold the Fury
The Fury charges through the backyard course like a creature unleashed from Dante’s deepest levels. Rocks, roots, and rough terrain can’t cage it. Even the legendary author of the Inferno couldn’t imagine this kind of relentless grind and glorious comeback. Victory isn’t guaranteed — but the Fury never backs down.
Arrma Fury 40 MPH Attempt… Till the Spur Gear
Is your Fury making you furious? Is it squealing so loud that you are scared CPS will show up to your door? Yeah, its annoying, but not all is lost. Here’s how to rebuild the slipper clutch, quiet that squeal, and learn some valuable RC skills along the way. Who knows, you might even learn some life skills as well!
Renting a Transit Van for a Funeral?
A review of our 12-hour family road trip in a Ford Transit 15-passenger van during a difficult week of travel. In this detailed Ford Transit review, I cover the pros and cons of renting a Transit van, real-world gas mileage, storage capacity, comfort, climate control quirks, and how this big adventure van helped our family navigate grief, and build memories. If you’re researching a Transit for road trips, camping, national park travel, or future van-life builds, this post shares practical insights, honest impressions, and how the van helped create unexpected moments of joy.
New Motor and New Problems: DisArrma-ed
When more power meets more problems—upgrading my Arrma Fury’s motor led straight to stripped gears, late-night tinkering, and a few life lessons on patience, perseverance, and redemption. Sometimes fixing an RC car teaches you more about life than driving it.
Proline Body Mounts
If you’ve ever tried fitting an electric Slash body on a Nitro Slash, you know the frustration — they just don’t line up! In this post, I test out the Pro-Line Adjustable Body Mount Kit to see if it really solves that problem. I’ll walk you through what’s in the kit, what works, what doesn’t, and why this little upgrade earned the title of a Paulie’s Pick. Spoiler: it’s not perfect, but it makes swapping bodies a whole lot easier for anyone who loves tinkering with their RC rigs.
2S, 3S, and NiMH…. Oh My!
Inspired by a dad’s comment about the high cost of RC hobbies, this experiment tests an eBay-purchased RC truck’s brushed motor to reach 40 MPH on a budget, using a GoPro Hero 7 on a custom 3D-printed mount to record speeds across 4-6 laps in a parking lot with NiMH (~18 MPH), 2S LiPO (~25 MPH), and 3S LiPO (~25 MPH) batteries; while LiPO offered consistent performance, the GoPro’s weight caused understeer, and a potentially worn-out motor limited results, suggesting future tests with a GPS module and new motor to balance cost and performance.
My Furious Disease…. How do I ARRMA against it?
Yup, these RC trucks can be a bit addictive. However, this is not some newfound fetish or strange obsession. Well, it is partly that. It is rather to do some experimentation. This is like being in college, but with a lot more wisdom and a lot less self-harm.
Eufy… Euphoria or Epiphany…
Tired of paying for yet another subscription? So was I. That’s why I swapped out my Ring Pro for the Eufy E340 Video Doorbell—a camera-packed, subscription-free doorbell that actually lets you own your product. Two cameras, smart package alerts, no yearly fees. Yep, I’m strangely excited about a doorbell… and you might be too.
Aarma….My FURY is Released!….and I’m LOVING IT!
Unboxing the ARRMA Fury from Tower Hobbies’ Scratch & Dent section! Is this discontinued brushed short course truck still worth it in 2025? Let’s dig into the build quality, performance, and value for beginners and RC enthusiasts alike.
One Traxxas Servo Fixed
Many Traxxas owners complain about weak Traxxas servos, and I found out why. After troubleshooting my Slash Nitro, I replaced the stock servo with the EcoPower WP120T from A Main Hobbies. I demonstrate how to install the servo, and I may have switched from Hitec.
Traxxas Steering Upgrade
The stock steering on the Traxxas Nitro Slash is a weak point, so I upgraded to the aluminum Traxxas 3743A bellcrank with built-in bearings. The install took some patience—removing the bumper, servo arm, and loosening the chassis—but the result is tighter, smoother steering and better durability. Combined with upgraded tires, the Slash becomes a fun, drift-happy nitro truck that just needs a little tuning to shine.
Badland Tires: Sometimes a Badland is the Perfect LAND!
I try out the Proline Badlands tires! The tires are absolutely amazing. The Slash is a whole new truck. That is, until the steering broke. OH well, what is one more upgrade? Anyway, we spend the time reviewing the Proline Badlands tires.
The Slash Slays!
When a USPS alert feels like Santa’s text, you know it’s a good day. My order from A Main Hobbies brought Proline Badlands tires for the Slash. Now I was free to do a science experiment: could it drive with just foam and no tire? Turns out… yes, with glorious donuts and burned foam. Here’s the story, the laughs, and the nitro-fueled fun.
Resurrecting the Slash… Sorta
Ever felt judged by your half-broken RC truck? Paulie did. This post chronicles the attempts of resurrecting the Nitro Slash. I install new caster blocks, discover my failed glow ignitor, try to do foam-only tire runs, and consider the deeper joy of redeeming what’s broken. Get ready for nitro-fueled chaos, honest product thoughts, and maybe a few life lessons along the way.
Antidote Rooftop Tent
The Antidote tent is sleek with a fiberglass shell (yes, like a Corvette), standing room inside, and a universal mounting system; it’s both practical and fun. Antidote’s customer service is top-notch, and the tent’s durability holds up provided that you close it. If you’re tired of Yakima prices and want a rooftop tent that works without the drama, this might be your antidote.
Miata MX-5: Hairdresser’s Car or Just FUN?
I went to Portland for some meetings. The highlight? A spontaneous fling with a Mazda MX-5 RF rental. I used to laugh off Miatas as “hairdresser’s cars,” but after two days of commuting and carving through Mt. Hood's twisties, I’m rethinking everything. It’s not the fastest, but it might be the most fun I’ve had on four wheels.