calandra carpet knife 3.1

[nitro-head]

hi guys and gals.

just wondering if the calandra carpet knife 3.1 is any good.

i am maybe going to order it from team crc them selves or www.actionmodel******.co.uk

i will not be getting the red version as i don't think it is worth the extra just for the red stuff ???

so, my question is, is the calandra carpet knife any good?

if not, do you recommend another 12th?

i have never even driven a 12th before. i have only seen the AE one in the pits.

[B_Final_Bob]

The Calandra is a fantastic car! I sold mine last year and bought an Associated and now I wish I never sold it! I have now started gradually replacing Associated parts with Calandra parts - they are a lot better!

There is now a 3.2 out ---- http://www.teamorion.com/global/global_news.asp?id=2123

Matt Rice will most likely be on here tonight and he can give you a lot more information than me - he ran the car last season. Can't think of anyone who actually owns one who's on this forum though. There is good support for them at the nationals, especially Kevin Creaser who won the F2's last season using the Calandra.

Parts are not a problem - especially from the shop you mentioned ::)

[Mark Stiles]

The associated is a good car, as is the corally. These are the two most popular cars here in the uk. If you are just starting 1/12th, the I would recommend either of these two.

There is also trinity, who have just launched a new car, the reflex 12. However, parts availability for trinity is not as good as it is for associated/corally in this country.

The calandra uses many parts from the associated, although it uses a different chassis, and also has side dampers like the trinity. It also uses a different hub design than the associated.

All 1/12th cars are good, its just that some are more popular than others. Its up to you which one you buy, although I think the associated is your best bet for the following reasons;

1. Good parts availability
2. Its front end must be good, because many other 1/12th manufacturers use it
3. Loads of people have got them, so advice isn't hard to find.

[nitro-head]

ahh yes liam, that is what i meant by the red version ???

the bloody knife is it called?

mark, i can get the carpet knife for 150 dollars, works out at about 90 quid.

i do not have about 150 to spend. and this is how much i have seen the corally, trinity etc for, more even some places.

if you know of anywhere the does these cheap then please PW me, it will be greatley appreciated.

thanks
matt

[acurry]

Matt

I brought two calandra 3.1 into the country direct problem is getting them past customs ! cost me an extra £67.00 ouch!!.

Give the model shop mentioned as he stocks them and very reasonable price.

Alan

[nitro-head]

thanks alan

:o

nearly as much as the car it self would cost
i sent him an email yesterday, i got no reply today.
will ring him tomorrow when i get in from school.

thanks guys for the replies.

matt

[KRob]

I ran the Calandra a couple of seasons ago.

In my opinion it is so close to an Associated in the handling stakes, there really is nothing in it.

The front end is pure Associated.
As is the rear axle.

The side dampers need regular servicing (every 3 or 4 runs) but they are easy to do.

IF you do get one, make sure you seal the carbon chassis parts well, as that was the only problem I had. Hit a few things hard and they will de-laminate (the front of the chassis is not very well protected).

[nitro-head]

well, i have now been offered an AE with 2 pairs of rear wheels (with some on car too) a futaba micro servo and a body (bit tatty but i will get a new one)

for 80 quid.

[B_Final_Bob]

That sounds okay to me

Get it bought and get booked in for the nationals - next one is Mold (north Wales I think) so get some practice in with it! ;) :) All you need is some odourless tyre additive - I assume you have some cells and motors (either 4 cell mod or 6 cell stock), so get racing 12th! :)

[nitro-head]

i have cells, 6 cells, but they are side by side

||||||

not saddle

|||_|||

hehe, lmao

i do have 2 packs that i don't use, but they are diff makes so i cannot mix them to get 3 packs out of them, onl 2 ???

i don't have a stock motor so i will probably use my 12x2 i use in my yoko SD at the moment.

so, what can you recommend.

should i just bung some bits of wire in my batts and make em saddle?

[ccoomes]

Hello All,

The Calandra Carpet Knife.

I have curently run one (On and Off) for the past three Seasons. And they are a very easy car to setup.

Once a base setting has been found I have not really touched the setting.

As Mr KRob said, the only real item that needs much attention are the Side dampers. At A National I would clean them out and re-oil the shafts at the start of each day. Failing that, I have left them for a much longer period, try 6 months and they still work, but the car handles better when they are cleaned. This only takes about two minutes and I can give you some adivce on the oil to use.

Also, as the front end on any 1/12 car is vital, i can only reccomend you clean it when you can. I have found a huge amount of improvement to the cars handling when the front end is cleaned and lubricated.

Also, the rear end may have slightly different hubs to the Assoc, but they Will accept the same wheels.

To be honest, the main reason I bought the car was for the battery layout and the mounting. Casically it will only accept 4 Cell packs in a 'Saddle' format, but there is no loose wire link, and they can all be solder together with battery bars.

BUT, The best bit:

Is the cells are fixed into the chassis Via a 'O' Ring. This means no Fibre Glass tape and less mess. I had an associated to about 3 years and was glad to see the back of the cell mounting system.

As the others have said, it is down to personel choice, spares back-up and what the other racers run at your club.

From speaking to other racers, the Trinity seems very hard to setup, but VERY Quick when it is, the Associated and Calanrda are easier to set-up and very good to drive and I am not sure about the Corraly's, over to Mr Krob.

The only advice I can offer is to research your car choice and take you time. Go to your local club, see what is being run, and you never know, there matbe a good second hand car for sale.

To run at the nationals you don't need a BRAND NEW car to compete, just ask Jim Spencer.

When was your car last cleaned Jim?

I hope to above is usefull, and that I have not competely confussed you.

Kind Regards

Clive.

[nitro-head]

ope, you have not confused me, it is very useful.

i have been told the tape stuff is messy and annoying then i saw how the calandra mounted its batteries and looked really neat :D

does anyone know a calandra going cheap anywhere (2nd has u probs guessed)???

[Mark Stiles]

If you want to run 6 cells, calandra do the six pack. I don't think you can run 6 cells in the standard car, as its made to only take 4.

[ccoomes]

Hello Nitro Head,

Please contact me at clivecoomes@aol.com

I maybe able to help you start 1/12 racing.

Cheers

Clive.

[nitro-head]

u got email :P

[ccoomes]

Hello,

As before, my email is

clivecoomes@aol.com

Cheers

Clive.