Instructions for making a Racing Teapot

Here are instructions for making a low priced racing teapot

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The Warehouse here in NZ is selling these $25 4WD radio control cars that are very easy to make into a Racing Teapot

click here for The Warehouse page

This 4WD radio control vehicle is well within the size limits for a Racing TeaPot (has to be within 400mm long x 300mm wide by 300mm tall).

This 4WD is about 260mm long and 160mm wide - well within the limits, but big enough to put a reasonable sized teapot on (or any other steampunk items).

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It also has strong motors and travels at a relatively slow speed which makes it easier to control on the obstacle course.

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You will need a small phillips-head screw driver and a hot glue gun

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When you finish making it, enter this year's competition in Oamaru at the Steampunk NZ Festival

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- Info and Rules here

Step 1: 

We need to remove the body first, so turn the 4WD upside down and unscrew the two screws marked in the photo...

Step 2: 

Unscrew the two screws on the other side also...

Step 3: 

Remove the body by putting the 4WD on its wheels and just pulling the body straight up and off

Step 4: 

You need to make a cover to protect the electronics and provide a flat area onto which you can mount your teapot (or whatever you are going to decorate your Racer with)

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Cut some card from the packaging box that the 4WD came in and hot glued it to the vehicle - the card needs to be about 115mm long by 125mm wide so that it can be folded down each side and hot glued.

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Hot glue the top on as per this photo...

Step 5: 

I wanted to be able to easily attach and remove my antique copper teapot onto the 4WD, so I used these very sticky Velcro pads (purchased from Bunnings) and stuck one on the top of the 4WD and one to the bottom of my teapot.

Step 6: 

The suspension on these radio controlled 4WDs works too well  - I usually hot glue the suspension springs to completely stiffen up the suspension - this 4WD Racing TeaPot will easily drive over all the course obstacles with the suspension glued up - it also makes the whole unit less likely to tip over.

Step 7: 

The finished Racing Teapot... you will need 7 AA batteries (four for the vehicle and three for the radio control unit)

I use the cheapest alkaline batteries purchased in those bulk packs from the supermarket or Bunnings and put a fresh set in just before entering the Teapot Racing.

Video: 

Here is a  very short video showing how maneuverable this Racing Teapot is