We went out bashing yesterday to a great spot and had a blast! We were running 2 t-maxxes and a ofna buggy. We were far from any hobby store so we had a few commonly broken spare parts.

First problem of the day is the pull start broke on one of the maxxes, out of commission for the day. Now 3 people are down to 2 vehicles (not fun). About a half hour after we got done building some new jumps the pull starter broke on the buggy!! ***! Luckily I still had the shaft start system and put that on.

With the buggy it is a HPI pull start and it would not recoil back in, I took it off and fixed it but than after the next stall it did it again and I said F it.

My question is do these things break that much?? We were not pulling them hard at all so I know that is not the issue, I didn't even pull them that far out.

They totally ruined the day of bashing I'm sticking with that pain in the butt shaft start now).

Worst inventions in RC:

1. Pull starts
2. Roto starts

They're not very reliable. With proper care and treatment they can be made to last.
I suggest putting a few drops of fuel in the carb before running to cut down the number of tugs you need to give it.
Starter boxes are the best way if you can be bothered carrying the stuff around or you can change to roto start, which cures most pull start problems but doesn't help with one way bearing issues.

What's the difference between Roto start and shaft shaft?

Also good tip on the few drops in the carb it makes a huge difference, I learned that the other day when tryign to get that beast started.

Theres no real difference, tiger drive, rotostart, drill start they all do the same thing but might use different shafts.
The spring mechanism and string is done away with. The other main moaning point on pull/shaft starters is the one way bearing. This still remains a problem with these starting mechanisms. To make your pull start last you just need to get everything right to get the engine started in 1-3 pulls. Thats a good charge on your starter and fuel in the carb, and you should be ok.
Works for me anyway

If your having that much trouble with the pull startes like in used to then switch to the box. I dont know if they makes boxes that will work with T-maxxes, bt for the buggy definetly get the box. Its so easy, and always starts my car the first try. I dont even have a good box. Im still using the crappy box that came with my Hyper 7 PCR

If your not in to the starter box, a sullivan had starter with wheel attachment will also work on that buggy. I have one as a backup for my box. They can be had DIRT cheap on ebay.