I don't mind paying for quality tools. what I do mind is paying for quality tools that I will seldom or never use. What are you top six or so go to tools?

This depends very much on the kit I'm working on.

1.5 mm driver
2mm driver is a must have. 2mm ball ended as well.
2.5mm driver for motor mount screws. May need a ball ended one depending on kit.
Tamiya combo shock shaft pliers/ballend tool thingy.
Long nose/needle nose pliers.
JIS PH2 screwdriver.
Small flat head screwdriver, approx 2mm width.
Side cutters/nippers.

A little different for me, the basic 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mm hex drivers. Ball screws are a no go. DON'T GET THEM!!! They are just for lazy people who don't want to unscrew it the proper way. The only instance where you would want it is for unscrewing a nitro engine from a motor mount and thats 2.5mm. (or you could just take off the head) Shock shaft pliers if you work on shocks a lot, otherwise pliers and a couple layers of shop towels does the job. Pliers you probably already have, philips and flat heads you probably already have also. Flush cutters are a must have but pretty cheap. But RC specific it would be

2.0 mm hex driver (MIP or Hudy)
2.5 mm hex driver (MIP or Hudy)
​​​​​​​1.5 mm hex driver (MIP or Hudy) (For mip they come in a set all 3)
Flush cutters (Tamiya is the best but way over priced) Just get the hakko or equivilant for under $10
5.5 and 7mm nut drivers (MIP or Hudy) (Also come in a set for MIP)
Turnbuckle wrench (non mip is fine, just get one with everything, the TLR one is good and the Kyosho one is good)

​​​​​​​You will end up getting other stuff later but the top 4 are must-haves.

Everyone will tell you different things (must buy MIP tools, etc). Not everyone buys SnapOn tools for their garage.

* Dynamite hex driver set
* Dynamite screwdriver set
* Tamiya 8-piece tool set
* Integy turnbuckle wrench set
* Basic Needle nose pliers
* Basic Wire cutter
* Basic X-ACTO Knive
* Mini vice clamp (my own little helping hand)

Tools there are many.
Ive always been a person to make what I can and buy a decent brand (cost effective) what I could not
I made my 1st set of hex tools nothing like a good set of alien wrench's,also my turnbuckle tools.1/4" aluminum rod.
Dremel tool with cutoff discs.( you will need to develop a big skill level with this) either you test on old trashed gear as in old radios found in trash or other things.
yes you will need a good set of smaller screw drivers
might also invest in some alien drivers
I always liked a good heavy duty set of Hemostats both curved or straight I have both
wire cutters Heck I used cat claw cutters for years and still do today(when stripping watch how much pressure you us)
a bottle of rapid fix. its a super glue with powdered filler(use when in a jam)
you can go out a spend a few hundred or you can save yourself a lot of cash if you have the skill
a good solder iron and solder I like the 45 watt weller led with chisel tip and 67/33 solder heat shrink tubing

If you want to go diy you can but if not mip has precise hexes and in my experience, dynamite is lower quality but still usable. Hudy is over priced but look amazing. nut drivers don't need to be MIP can be dynamite but for the 1.5,2,2.5 mm hex things i would definitely get mip. soldering iron just go to the track and borrow someones (the shop might have one too), dremel is nice but no neccessary, assumed you would have a xacto and pliers. can use the $7 flush cutters for stripping wires. you don't need an 8 piece set because those tools are not very precise and will strip screws. The main thing is just the three hex drivers from mip. only $30 not a big investment. Have had mine for 3 years now. Also, once if you need a tool, you can borrow it from somebody and if you find yourself using it a lot, just buy one.

3.0 mm MIP hex
2.0 mm MIP hex
2.5 mm MIP hex
1.5 mm MIP hex
5.5 and 7mm MIP nut drivers

High quality X-acto (comfort grip, replaceable blades)
Curved needle nose pliers
Mini flathead screwdriver
Magnetic parts tray

Solid setup table