What tools do you use?
 

I am looking at getting better tools to work on my RC's. What do you guys recommend? My LHS recommended this:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKKU4&P=0

Looks good but its priced high. I am tired of stripping off the tips of my wrenches. Any thoughts?:tongue:

just too expensive. buy tools that you really need.

the duratrax alu handles are not very comfy to use but tips are ok

I have 2mm duratrax hex driver from this set + extra 2mm ball tip
Majority of my hexdrivers are Integy with Ti-Nitride tips and they work great and are cheap. handles are not that great but work ok.
A have several cheap Duratrax (hobicco makes them as well) hex/nut/screw drivers with plastic handles that are quite good and also they are very cheap (under $4)

Best handles have Hudy drivers with plastic handles they are bit more expensive but are worth buying. The alu handles are not as good and they are more expensive

I use Hudy, but it's a bit more expensive. Hudy spring steel is used in the drive train for a lot of the X-ray car's, so it's got to be good.

actually i have seen many stripped hudy drivers :) but they can be easily regrinded or the striped part just cut of as the hex part of the tip is quite long

The way I see it is there is a right tool for the right job. I have been using tools that get the job done but I strip off the hex wrenches a lot. I just want to find a good tools set. Its like using craftsman tools compared to snap-on tools. they both get the job done but snap-on is a better tool. But they are more money. I will look at the hudy drivers. Size does matter here. I don't wnat to carry around a big set of screw driver hex wrenches. Unless they are smaller in size. I wish I could find a set were I can buy 2 or 3 handles and carry a bunch of heads around.

dont go the way buying couple handles and set of tips you find that it is quite annoying exchanging them :)
you really need just few hexdrivers - usually 1.5.2.2.5 and sometimes 3mm or sililar SAE sizes if you own Losi or AE truck plus one philips and one flat screw driver.

I love the Associated Factory Team ones. Hobby People in Vegas has an assortment kit that is not bad priced either.

I'll second these as well. I have their hex driver set and nut driver set.

I have the same problems with hexes as well.. I just buy a whole snot load when they go on sale, and dispose of them when they wear out.. after a couple times of grinding the tips of course....

and I'm pretty sure craftsman and Snap-On comes from the same place.. :yes:

Anybody use these? IIRC the tips are guaranteed.

http://www.bondhus.com/console/console.asp?t=lwrench

The L keys certainly aren't comfy to use. I've had a few sets of the ball drivers bofore, and I would not recommend them.

First gripe is the handles are too small resulting in cramping.

The tips aren't the best in my mind. The ball shape is convenient to reach tight spots as long as the screw doesn't have much torque. Other wise the tips have nowhere near as nice a fit in the screws as the others we're talking about here. I have stripped a couple.

.....uh hmmmm, moving on. I would recommend the Integy. Cheap, easy to replace and the handles when taped with rubber tape work great.

All I am REALLY interested in is reading about what tools other RC enthusiasts use...their personal life is of no concern to me.

BTW, I use Intejunk hex drivers. I bought them before I knew anything about their rep. Needless to say that is why I orignially read this forum...I am in the market for some new tools.

I actually use the dynamite hex head wrenches. They are about 40 bucks for 6 wrenches everything you should need. You get the 3/32, 2.5, 2, 1.5, .50, 1/16. I needed a 5/64 so i bought the integy one because it was cheap. I must say though the integy one holds up well and it comfortable. But i do prefer the dynamite ones because of the grippe aluminum handle. After a few hours into a kit the integy wrench gets a bit slippery, but by the same token using the dynamite wrenches for a few hours your hands get soar from the knobs on the wrench.

I hear ya on that one. :lol:

But I guess thats the trade off for being able to get a good grip when you need it.

So who has a larger handle like a screw driver and a tip that won't round? Or am I asking for too much?

I did buy a small box set from Ofna...but was disappointed that some of the tips were bent! Too bad because the handles were PERFECT...sort of like a small Snap-On screwdriver handle (rubber coated too!). I returned them.

Here is the link:

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/2382

I am very tempted to buy this set when I am feeling rich. Supposedly the losi wrenches are really good too.

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...oducts_id/8399

One more thing about the dynamites wrenches are the strong hex wrench itself. My friend has a integy set, and he just bought them and had snaped the 1.5mm hex head off the driver. It might have been a flaw but I have had my wrenches for about 3 years now and none of them have yet to show ware or signs of brokenness. Though one of my wrenches(small 1.5mm wrench) has a bent shaft but that is becuase i using it incorrectly:whistle:.

I have two Integy wrenches (the ones that fit a Revo) and so far they have been great. I have had bad experience with their parts so I was quite cautious before buying their tools, but they are top notch. I have been using them for over a year now probably and they still work flawlessly.

I personally use Integy. I LOVE them. I have the Pro Grip with the Titanium Nitride coated shafts. I liked my metric set so much I bought the SAE set, even though I don't really need them, and I bought the screw driver set.

I use the Ofna hex wrench set and a Bosch Pocket Driver from Home depot. I've never had a problem with the wrenches and the Bosch is great! No more tired hands. It comes with two Lithium Ion batterys, charger, an LED light and it has a clutch. I feel like someone from a Nascar pit crew, I can tear down a truck in minutes!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...x/ofnr1824.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...fb7b076183.jpg

i use the losi hex set. VERY nice set and i have not broken one in about the 6 months that i have had them. nor have i stripped anything while using them. the tips are very strong and do not get worn down.

id stay away from dynamite. i had a set and i got tired of stripping screws.

maybe i had an older set? idk.

So many choices to choose from. I wonder what the monster uses???

This is just what i have been looking for, thanks bluonyx!

Thorp - been using them for 4 yrs, no visible wear onthe tips. I specifically got them because of the screwdriver type handles.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...FVSEARCH=thorp

I have a phillips set of the alum handled ones (I think they're Dyn) and don't really care for them, tips are solid, just don't care for the alum hollow handles. Their balance just feels wrong.

For loads of work, I bought a B&D 3.6v Drill - I can have my 4.6SS SAV apart in 5 min and this is taking care to segregate the fastners. Came with a ton of driving tips, just had to add a few metric ones from my gunsmithing tools.

Thanks,
Bosch and Thorp here I come. :)

Many of you know I work at my LHS... I ALWAYS reccommend the Team Associated hex driver set:
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/554568.asp
We use those in the store and I use them at home. So far I have yet to replace a tip, although my 5/64" (2mm) tip is wearing a bit... But that's also the driver I use the most (and have been for over a year).
Prior to this set I used Duratrax ones, and went through a new tip on each driver before getting the Associated set. However, I do occasionally use the Duratrax 2.5mm ball driver for tightening up hard-to-reach screws (3mm cap, 4mm countersunk, and 4mm button head screws).

Every wrench in the Associated set can be taken advantage of:
0.050" - set screws on MIP CVDs
1/16" - Robinson Racing pinion set screws, Losi/Associated screws
5/64" / 2mm - any metric RC
3/32" - Losi/Associated/XTM
1.5mm - any metric RC
2.5mm - any metric RC
3mm - 4mm cap screws, 5mm button head or countersunk screws on engine mounts

I have the losi ones they have been great for me.

I didn't want to wait so a went to my LHS a nd picked up some "Thunder Tiger R/C Tools".

They are steel tipped with large screwdriver type of handles. They seem to be good but I'll let you know. Today I torn down my E-Maxx's rear diff to change the output drive cups. It was much easier then using allen wrenches!!