Cool tools/equipment we should know about

[Nairb]

This is just a thread in which we can share information about cool stuff we can't live without. Whether they're tools, hop-ups, or simple replacement parts, if you think they're worth mentioning, by all means DO IT! Half the fun of this hobby is simply having cool stuff to use and play with. ;) If you've found something we most likely don't know about, by all means, tell us about it!


I want to let you know that there is something out there that will make your ball diff last longer between rebuilds. These are Silicon Nitride balls. They are extremely hard, round, and light, when compared to standard steel or carbide diff balls. I've heard lots of good stuff about them, and finally got enough for both of my Losi vehicles' diffs and Thrust bearings (38 total, 12 in each diff and 7 in each thrust bearing). I bought mine on ebay, but if you wanna try them, you can find more info about them at www.betterballs.com (http://www.betterballs.com) and you can buy them there, too.

http://betterballs.nstemp.com/cgi-bin/image/templates/cerballphoto.jpg

I know, this is kinda on the edge of allowable posting subjects, but I think this is something that we can all benefit from. I'm just trying to share the good news.

One more great thing I've recently got is a sweet ball cup wrench (made by duratrax). Man, I wish I had this thing a week ago! With my weak hands, it is dang hard to change things like ball cups, but this tool makes it much easier. This baby is staying in my toolbox for a long time...

http://www.gpmd.com/images/dtxr1135.JPG

Once again, I'm sorry for throwing these out here unsolicited, but I'm only trying to raise awareness of what cool stuff is out there.

[RC Freak]

i could not live w/out my dremmel tool

[JP]

(calm and soothing voice) Yeahhh...Dremel...

Other things that we know about, but seem to always get lost or run out at the worst time:

needle nose pliars
solder
CA Glue
allen keys (the right size)
TIME, oh what a killer!

Some things that dont seem as important, but are when you need them:

Body reamer (expensive, but worth it)
Denatured Alcohol
towels or rags
Slurpee from 7/11 :D

I know i know, not interesting things; but what a PAIN when you dont have them but need them!

[Ras Thavas]

Thanks for the ball info! I'm trying to order some now, but their web site is not playing nice.

[mavrick0611]

I COULD NOT live without my needle nose pliers. and about 40 allen wrenches :D
aj

[jrkara]

Dremel tool and every attachment known to man even though I end up using only the same ones over and over. I have 4 new attachment assortments that I haven't even opened yet. A small vise with a half round groove for holding shock shafts while threading on the bottom socket. The BEST tool of all, A WIFE that understands a man needs a hobby, workshop and his own bathroom.
Jim

[Andrew the RC man]

oooh the own bathroom thats got to be a toughie....

what i think are important tools someone needs:
1. liquid masking tape(the normal tape doesnt cut it)
2. of course dremel
3. very low torque power drill...makes kit buildinhg go alot smoother.
4. uhhhh....a brain :p (it seems i lost mine on that number :D )
5. last but not least....shoot my mind is blank....ill come up with #5 some other day

[Nairb]

Oh yeah, I forgot one. Craftsman RoboGrip pliers are the best thing to use with ball cups and axle roll pins. They ease right on and gently squeeze stuff just right. Check them out. Mine are in my tool collection permanently.

<a href="http://www.sears.com/data/product_images/tools/large/00945008000-dlv.jpg"> http://www.sears.com/data/product_images/tools/standard/00945008000-dv.jpg </a>

[Nairb]

Come on, guys! You've GOT to have some cool tool suggestions for the rest of us, right? Post 'em! :)

[jeepinator]

Not at this time at night ... dude , staying up late ?

OK, I have one ... SIMPLE GREEN

I use it for comm drops, to clean my tires, as a spritzer, and you can drink it too ! It is "envrionmentaly safe" !

[john]

The smallest flathead jewelers screwdriver, not sure of the size.
It digs the dirt right out of the flathead screws easily so you don't strip them!

[outsider]

Hard and soft bristle tooth brushes are great for getting dirt and dust off the chassis.

When I solder wires onto my motor tabs, I use a solo alligator clip to keep the wire in place. Works like a charm.

I have a battery making jig that doesn't have a way to hold down the bar as I'm soldering it on. So to keep it in place I use a fat (1/4") elastic band wraped around twice and a square piece of hard plastic on top of the bar to keep pressure on it while I solder with both hands. The plasic and rubber don't conduct heat so all the heat can be transfered to the bar and solder.

[RichieRich]

Well, to go with Nairb's suggestion, Craftsman makes these little goldish colored plastic covers that slip over the jaws of the Robogrip pliers. They keep you from scratching up stuff. I think they are especially helpful for gripping shock shafts and turnbuckles.

[greg_in_michigan]

I LOVE new things. My favorite new thing I got is my Dynamite Mega Peak charger. I got it like november of last year, but it still smells sooooooo good. It's a new box smell, you know what I mean?

MMMMMMmmmmmmm. Dremel. I stole my dad's dremel. It stays in my bedroom now next to my desk/pit area. I have used it more than my dad. I'm not even sure if he's used it at all.

[E-MAXX]

Well, I need every single one of my tools. Here are some goodies.
1. A big Craftsmen workbench, I bought one about 3 weeks ago. It's great! No more back problems and loosing screws.
2. A vice is a very nice addition. When you have to trim the little stem on top of the journal of a crankshaft...a vice is nice!
3. Some vice grip pliers.
4. A big set of screw drivers
5. Dremel tool
6. Drill
I love all my tools and I use them all the time. Wait! There is one BIGGIE left...... A SCREW EXTRACTING KIT. There is nothing like removing a stripped screw with ease.
Philip S

[BlackWolf]

For you onroad people, I have to recommend

A Micrometer/Caliper

Offroaders can benefit from it too.

[Nitrotruckman]

Cool and useful tools I use (not all used just for r/c or r/c at all:
1.Dremel (it seems everyone has one of these)
2.Soldering gun
3.Air compressor with various attachments (air blower, tire pumper upper-hehe, air hammer for banging and denting stuff in, saw attachment)
4.Arc welder and standard flame welder (used arc welder on go-cart frame-dad uses it mostly)
5.Hydraulic tools to pry stuff open with and bend bars back (awesome tools).
6.Ofcourse cordless and non-cordless drills and saws, pliers, wrenches, allen wrenches, screwdrivers.
7.Micro torch and blowtorches for my pyro cravings and needs.
8.Multimeters and circuit testers for wires.
9.Hot glue gun and CA glue.
10.Many other things.
Hope you enjoyed my list
:)

[Hairball]

How about a good Milling Machine and a good Metal Lathe? I know these are a bit on the expesive side (don't even ask how I got mine), but when going to make some cool custom parts, man do they rock! Dremel tools kick a$$ too, but when doing things like making battery slots, and making aluminum parts lighter / better heat sinks, there is NO substitute!!

If you've got a few thousand dollors to play with and a garage to put them in, I HIGHLY recommend getting one of each, or one of the Mill / Drill Press / Lathe combos. :)

I got them for Gunsmithing (one of my other wonderful hobbies) but they work great for R/C projects as well.

And a good bench grinder is nice at times as well.

[Nitrotruckman]

Other cool tools:
1.airbrush( too bad I don't have one ) I do have a pnuematic paint sprayer for my air compressor though so I guess that counts.
2. Yes, the bench grinder( for some reason my dad got 2 of these)
3. Pressure washer, although you must take it easy on the decals.
Does anyone hace a tire truer? Does it work well or do you need it? Just curious.
Keep the posts coming, I love this topic.

[Nairb]

Let me add that if you deal with any heat-shrink-tubing, a Heat Gun is SOOOO worth it. Man, I hate trying to use hair dryer, lighter, etc to try and shrink the stuff; the guns are made for it, use 'em. Once you try the real thing, you'll NEVER want to go back.

[rims']

ZIP ties are like my god

[tc3mike]

Hey!

How about a swiss army knife and Duct tape?
(spelling?)
If McGiver can save the world with this stuff, just think of what marvelous things we can do with them. :D :D

[tadium54]

Gotta love an air compressor. I also need a box wrench more than anyone would think.