Tools
 

ok i got a new tool box today and im ganna buy all new tools but i am to cheap to buy the tools at my lhs they are way to expensive so im ganna go to a tol store down by my house... i was just wondering if i should get SAE or METRIC i dont know what the cars need.... i got a rc8 kit version and a cen matrix rtr

Your car manual will tell you what sizes you need.

metric!

You really need to pick up a few good quality allen drivers. The stuff you get at the hardware store just doesn't cut it. At least get a 1.5mm, 2mm and 2.5 mm. I'm not sure if the RC8 has any 3mm's or not.

the best thing you could do is go to the hardware store and pickup a rechargable cordless screwdriver. many companies make them but dont go with a fast one or the plastic will heatup from the screw turning too fast and damage the plastic. also if you can swing it pickup a set of good metric hand drivers. dont waste your money on the fancy hudy ones cause the tips wear fast go with the M I P's and they will be the last set you buy! use the cordless to do most of the work and use the hand ones to finish so you dont overtighten. ofna makes a great 4 bit hex kit to fit the cordless. GET THE CORDLESS OR YOUR SEX LIFE WILL SUFFER!!!lol.

IMO non RC brand tools just dont cut it....Snap on :rolleyes:

If that 'tool store' by your house is something like Harbor Freight (or other Chinese tool importer) then you will do yourself a HUGE favor by NOT buying hex drivers or screwdrivers from them for your RC cars. you'll be stripping drivers and screws in short order if you don't heed this advice (BTDT).:rolleyes:

Go quality on the hex drivers. Find out what sizes you need (read the manual as suggested) and buy just those drivers. A lot cheaper than buying a whole set...

cheap tools???
 

well if you try and buy cheap you should buy 2 of everything thats the rule "buy cheap buy twice " . i bought a set of eds tools over a year ago and have no problems with them and if i need any replacements tips i can buy them either from my local hobby shop or on the website directly . try that at your cheap local hardware store :lol:

Gotta buy a bunch of extra screws too. Cheap drivers will eat hex head screws...

Matrix is metric, but I think the RC8 has some standard hardware? Not sure though. Better check the manual.

I know the question will come up...Tony's Screw Kits.....12.9g steel.....THE strongest screw known to mankind :lol:

he's a User on this forum and is Hardcore Mugen and Know's his stuff...he's also a Super nice guy to talk to and is willing to help with any problem u might have. :nod:

if you want my advice, don't buy the ofna bits for the cordless. they are good, but will wear over time and start to strip screws. you can get M.I.P. bits from carolinasrc.com and they will last you forever.

x2 for the $$ the MIP's would be worth it...i bought the ofna's to only forget to set the clutch one of the First times using it and twised the bit a good 1/8 turn....it still works fine...but definatly show's the somwhat poor quality of the metals used.

I don't know how much you are looking to spend total, but as has already been stated, don't go cheap on the hex driver's.

EDS racing products( www.edsracingproducts.com) has 10 piece starter tool set with carry bag for around $130. Metricset comes with 1.5,2.0,2.5 mm hex drivers, 3mm flat screwdriver and 5mm phillips as well as 5,5.5 and 7mm nut drivers and a glow plug/clutch wrench. They also have a standard set as well as power driver bits.

+1 on Ed's tools. Same quality as Hudy for less. I bought a metric hex set from him 2 years ago.. Tips are still as sharp as new. Ed's also carries a set of driver bits BUT my Ofna bits are 8 years old, and still sharp.

You need hobby quality tools, whatever you end up buying. Stay away from the hardware store stuff. The tips round off and strip screw heads out. Watch how tight your putting things together too. You only need to get things snug + MAYBE 1/8 turn and use a soldering iron to heat up screws with loc tite when you're removing them.

u obviouly dont wrench every week with them ofna's.....or they used differnt alloy's back then....as my ofnas after less then a year are already on the worn side...and i Only use the 2.0 and 2.5 for plastic chassy screw's....but then again...i am wrenching almost Every day of the week. :nod:

Are you talking 1/4" Ofna hex drivers or hand drivers? If you're talking about power drivers - are yours straight? - I went thru 4 sets of Ofna 1/4" drivers and just gave up, the hex driver bits were all bent to some degree. My shop let me make the best set I could from 4 sets, but they're still bent. Just the hex bits - all the others were straight.

Disappointed, I'm looking for a better set. Something that spins true.

Def agree though, buy good tools in the beginning! I have a set of Thorp metric hex drivers early on and they've been worth every penny.

The best cordless driver bits are the 2.0mm and 2.5mm bits from Mugen. They are a bit pricey but VERY good quality. They only make these two sizes.

As for hex drivers if you need a complete tool set the Mugen set is really nice as well. Very high quality tips (they are replaceable) and the handles are very nice and comfortable. If you don't want to spend the money then hit up Amainhobbies for the Thunder Tiger metric hex driver set. They are only like $28 and comes with 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0mm. The tips are also replaceable and the tools are very good quality. For a ball tip the only one you will ever need is the 2.5mm so you can buy that TTR driver too from Amain individually. I also recommend a 5.5mm nut driver for the 3mm locknuts but you can get that anywhere.

As for cordless drivers go to Lowes and pick up the Hitachi lithium driver. It comes with two Lithium Ion packs, has two speeds and most importantly an adjustable clutch...all for only $50. It is the best tool you can ever have wrenching on these cars all day.

Best regards,

EDS TOOLS ARE GREAT.

http://www.bulldawgrc.com/tools.html

I'm not in a perpetual state of "work" on my stuff, if thats what you mean.. LOL!! But seriously, those and the Ed's driver have been the best 2 sets I've owned. The ofna drivers came in a set.. I bought 2 sets.. standard and metric. 4 bits and a ratcheting screwdriver handle.. Bought'em back in 2000/2001.

MIP's rock. I don't have many because I, like you, tried the cheap route. I bought at my LHS but went with Integy because they are cheaper than every other RC brand I have seen except maybe Dynamite. I have broken the tips off of new drivers the first time I picked them up and ruined countless screws because of the tip not fitting to begin with(yes I know the difference in metric and SAE) Have had the same thing happen with Losi tools, thank God I didn't pay for them. EDS are suppose to be really good tools.:tire:

there's NOTHING wrong with the Integy's or the Losi tools...U obviously had worn out screw's that were on the way to stripping already....all driver's fit screw's a litte differently.

OFNA has has a couple different versions of their driver bits. The nice hardened and ground ones are a bright silver steel color, come in a set of four, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3mm for metrics and work great. Maybe not quite as nice as EDS or MIP but very good. The dull gray colored ones are pretty much junk.

Snap-on is the way to go. full life-time warranty.

i drive an RC8 and im the same way - tried to go cheap on my tools.

Almost all my tools are harbor freight EXCEPT FOR HEX DRIVERS

DO NOT GO CHEAP ON HEX DRIVERS - DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR AND GET THE MIP 1.5MM, 2.0MM, AND 2.5MM - THATLL BE ALL YOU NEED FOR THE RC8

it will cost you more in hardware if you go cheap on your hex drivers, - but for everything else just go to harbor freight and go nuts

And a dremel with a bunch of cutting discs.

Go Hudy, Go Hudy, GO!

/dance

This is the cordless driver I picked up. After looking at all of them (iuncluding the hitachi) I went with ths one. Its less than $40 an also li-ion. I've had it over a yr and have charged it only twice. When I converted my old Emaxx (pre-widetrac) to 3.3 suspension, the driver made short work of it coming apart and going back together. I had already converted it over to hex heads (Tony's Screws) and that just made it go quicker.

No it doesn't have a clutch, but if you're paying attention, you don't really need one. I like to finish setting screws by hand and the pistol grip shape of this driver suite sthat purpose well.


http://www.blackanddecker.com/Produc...roductID=10952

My first cordless driver was the Skil IXO (now they have the IXO 2) and it is the same small pistol Lithium Ion driver. It only has forward/reverse and 200 RPM speed but it does work well. I actually keep it in my pit box and use it trackside. The charge lasts a long while. It does not quite have enough power to strip out plastics, plus it is slow enough to work with that you don't need the clutch on it. I like how small and light it is (my pit bag is too heavy as it is....LOL :lol:)

But when I'm doing builds or complete tear-downs at home I use the Hitachi. I like that it comes with two batteries so you can go non-stop.

Yep, MIP are good tools. They also make the Speed-Tips for the cordless drivers. Also pick up a ball end style one for the motor mount screws.

Here are the links where you can get a set for a descent price.:nod:

2.5mm
http://www.airlandhobbies.com/catalo...7230115389.htm
2.0mm
http://www.airlandhobbies.com/catalo...7230115382.htm

The whole page of different tips and MIP tools.
http://www.airlandhobbies.com/catalo...e=6&search=MIP

:)

I just got my set w/ my name engraved from EDS Racing Products... SWEEEEEET! :nod:

I would go with MIP tools

Eds tools are great and are the reason that i carry them.

http://www.BulldawgRC.com