RC Tools

[Tig]

Well, I am looking for some new tools. I have a set from Craftsman but, they are a little flimsy and not very comfortable. I am looking for a set of
T-handles, if they make them. I would especially like a tool specifically for plugs. Wheres a good place to look for tools, at a fair price of course.

Thanks

[skylineTT]

hobby shops. they carry T-tools for plugs and an assortment of drivers. im sure hardware stores will have something also though

[rocknbil]

Well, **MY** hobby shop SUCKS, I tried to get a pinion driver there and he looked at me like I'd just said Martha Stewart was the hottest babe on Earth.

Most tools you'll find at a hardware store that will apply to RC are cheap imports that will break or bend if you fart in their direction. The only thing worthy, and it's not really, are those little mini-screwdrivers, but you can get those at swap meets for a buck a set and throw them away as they break.

You don't want T-handles. T-handles are for full scales, you will get in the habit of overtorquing and breaking stuff. For all the hex stuff, toss the allen wrenches, get a **good** set of hardened-tip hex drivers from Trinity or some other brand name. People argue against round tip drivers, I love them for getting in at an angle. After they start to wear (yeah, like after 3 or 4 years!) you can dremel off the tip and re-temper it, it will be like new. But if you fall for the "they strip out the bolts" line, then go ahead and get the straight tip ones.

If you do any electrics, a hardened tip pinion set screw wrench is a MUST, You will never ever have to use loctite on a pinion set screw. 12 yrs+

Nuts and bolts, same deal, you want nut drivers and not wratchets or wrenches. Get something with a smaller handle - the big handles, same deal as the T-handles, youre going to get too good a grip on it and show your huevos and SNAP. :D Additionally, you will find that (like the T-handles) all these tools are taking up WAY too much real estate in your box.

Plug wrenches are everywhere, one with an aligning clip in the tip will help keep you from stripping out heads.

Nitro must: Sportwerks clutch tool. You will know why if you've ever tried to R & R a 3-shoe clutch.

Do not get a piston locking tool. There are half a dozen safer ways to lock the crankshaft, these can punch a hole in the piston or break a conrod (see "huevos" above.)

Fair price - well you get what you pay for, don't skimp on tools. You can find these at Tower Hobbies, Horizon Hobbies, just about any of the online hobby shops.

[baih]

i like the MIP hex wrenches because they have a full size handle. i use the ballends and mine show no wear after two years.

[Abednego]

and he looked at me like I'd just said Martha Stewart was the hottest babe on Earth.

will break or bend if you fart in their direction.

nice!

[rocknbil]

Good for you! Now contribute something positive to the original poster's question.

[Brian23]

i have a set of integy drivers that i got for 40 dollars. It comes with a set of seven. The nice thing is they have good grip and their color coded so even dumbies like me can find the right one to use without trying all of them.

[Abednego]

ease off

[Tig]

Thanks for all of the info rocknbil, I appreciate it, everyone else to.
I am looking at a set from Trinity and another one from Integy.
I'll keep looking, oh and I wont get any T-handles or BIG grip tools either, you have some good points rock.

Thanks again

[apollo]

i love my THS hex drivers, very easy to handle, and the integy ones look very nice too, but i like the feel of the THS drivers and you can turn them easily with one hand holding something else in place

[streetforcegp2]

i bought a DuraTrax Precision Ball Hex Driver 1/16"x75mm from tower hobbies for $2.99 and i can tell....its no good!!!!the tip strips out easily......i recommened something that is made in USA like craftsman they are the best....i bought a hex ball made by craftsman and they are good... heres the pic i bought from tower
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5379/dtxr0274lb8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[rocknbil]

Streetforce: what did you expect for three bucks? :D Check out Brian's post, that's an average of $5.75 per tool. You get what you pay for, whether it comes from the USA, Taiwaan, Japan, or China (which is where most USA stuff comes from.)

Try this, if they're no good: carefully cut the ball off with a dremel cut-off wheel, be sure to leave enough hex to use on a bolt. LIGHTLY scuff the cuts off the corners. Now get a can of cold water and a small propane torch. Light up the torch and hold JUST THE TIP in the torch, get it red hot, then quickly dip the red hot driver tip in the water. DO THIS ONLY ONCE. Please do not burn yourself or your house down. :D

This is a VERY crude method of tempering and will harden the tip of the driver and make it useful. Hopefully just the tip will get hot without melting the handle. Actually there are two steps to this process but requires more experience and description than I can put in this thread, but the one step should work fine for a nut driver.

[need for speed]

The easiest place to find tools IO would say is on the internet hobby shops or go to a local crasftsmen store. I got mine from my mom who works at honneywell and gave me a nice set.

[highroller]

Try a search for the tools you need, many times the tools sold under RC brand names are available from under another Manufacturer that produces the same tool but with have different tolerances but may be cheaper direct.
A few times I've gotten items in bulk which save me even more money, selling the extras to local racers, but this isn't always the best route - it may take longer to sell off the extras, tieing up much needed funds.

The same Integy ball wrench set was sold by RC4Less for a couple dollars cheaper than Stormer or Tower hobbies had them for. Another source like McMaster-Car (lathe bits, screws, soldering irons) items can be cheaper and of better or same quality. Fasterners Express is another source for screws, aluminum, steel, titanium and kingpins or axles.

[SoonToBeLowS10]

I got a full set [18pc. i think] Ball end T-Handled Hex's from harbor freight for $7. Work's fine, And i've got everything i need, But a few nut driver's, And a pinion driver.