Quality tools

When it's R/C related, but doesn't fit anyplace else.

Moderators: scr8p, klavy69

Scottzone
Approved Member
Posts: 52
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2025 5:27 pm
Location: New Jersey
Has thanked: 39 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Quality tools

Post by Scottzone »

I noticed something while working on my old Kyosho Outlaw Rampage Pro (details in the Kyosho section).

I have harbor freight hex bits, an unbranded metric allen key set, and an old made in USA Craftsman allen key set. Only the Craftsman keys work well, or at all, in the really small 1.5-2.5mm hex head screws. Night and day difference.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

User avatar
jcwrks
Approved Member
Posts: 674
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: San Angelo, TX
Has thanked: 171 times
Been thanked: 393 times

Re: Quality tools

Post by jcwrks »

Not all #2 phillips head screwdrivers are the same either. This mainly comes into play when you are working with aluminum screws and don't want to create marks.
The TX SKUNK

1911Colt
Approved Member
Posts: 1299
Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 9:11 am
Has thanked: 1791 times
Been thanked: 868 times

Re: Quality tools

Post by 1911Colt »

Scottzone wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 8:38 am
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Definitely. In my experience, the smaller the bit, the more quality matters.

User avatar
juicedcoupe
Approved Member
Posts: 3569
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:05 pm
Location: Pascagoula, MS
Has thanked: 273 times
Been thanked: 2109 times

Re: Quality tools

Post by juicedcoupe »

For hex drivers or bits, I like Thorp, Wera, and Wiha.

For phillips screws on import models, they are likely JIS spec. Tamiya makes some but most of mine are Vessel (from Amazon, Japanese import).
Always looking for new and interesting ways to waste money.

User avatar
RogueIV
Approved Member
Posts: 1190
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2022 10:04 pm
Location: W. Mass
Has thanked: 2166 times
Been thanked: 1114 times

Re: Quality tools

Post by RogueIV »

Been using my old Team Integy drivers for most of my stuff. There's a lot of hobby specific tools out there that fit hex hardware a lot better than the "L" keys do and last a lot longer.
Consistency is the key I keep misplacing.

Elkcycles
Approved Member
Posts: 304
Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2022 10:04 am
Location: Maryland
Has thanked: 235 times
Been thanked: 212 times

Re: Quality tools

Post by Elkcycles »

I use MiP for my RC wrenches, both metric and SAE.

Abbey Tools, Park, Wera, or Eklind for the bicycles.

PROTO for the 10, 12, 14, 17 and 22mm applications on the Toyotas.

Scottzone
Approved Member
Posts: 52
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2025 5:27 pm
Location: New Jersey
Has thanked: 39 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: Quality tools

Post by Scottzone »

juicedcoupe wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 9:42 am For hex drivers or bits, I like Thorp, Wera, and Wiha.

For phillips screws on import models, they are likely JIS spec. Tamiya makes some but most of mine are Vessel (from Amazon, Japanese import).
Yes, I a have a Vessel impact screwdriver. It does fit the screws the best. My Makita bit set seem to all be JIS but they just call it phillips.

User avatar
Lowgear
Administrator
Posts: 4417
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:00 pm
Location: New England
Has thanked: 121 times
Been thanked: 796 times

Re: Quality tools

Post by Lowgear »

Someone who does highly regarded reviews of tools and other similar items is Project Farm on YouTube.


https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectFarm/videos

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “R/C Off-Topic / Chit-Chat”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No User AvatarArexera [Bot], No User AvatarDotNetDotCom.org [Bot] and 4 guests