Tools
The basic tools every hobbyist should have
The basic tools every hobbyist should have
Many people getting in to the RC hobby are wondering what kind of set of tools they should have. There’s not any right answer to this question, but in this article we’ll go over the most basic tools, equipment and accessories every hobbyist should have in their tool box.
Tools
The most important thing about tools is quality. Especially the screw drivers should be top quality and have handles. Proper tools with machined tips will keep the screws in your car in good condition for a long time. Especially with allen screws it’s crucial to have matching screws and screw drivers. A tip that doesn’t fit or a tip that’s too soft will wear out the screw’s head. We recommend investing in quality rather than quantity.
Tool sizes
Nearly all modern RC cars use metric screws and have allen screws. Note. Some manufacturers still use imperial size screws. There is good selection of tools for those available. This makes choosing tools much easier because you can use the same tools with every car. When looking at people’s tool boxes at the pits, you can see old tools that may well have been in use for 5–10 years. The better tools have replaceable tips , so it’s worth it to invest in a tool with a good handle.
You can use the same tools for cars of sizes 1:12, 1:10 and 1:8. Allen screws come in 4 different sizes and they can be found in cars of all sizes. 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2,5mm and 3.0 mm are the most common sizes, of which 2.0 mm is by far the most common. You can get a set including all of the sizes or buy them separately. If you’re past the beginner stage, it’s still good to keep spare tips in the tool box, especially for the 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm tools. The sand/mud on the head of the screw might wear down the tips of the tools so replacing it might come into question if you don’t want waste time with ineffective tools.
Socket wrench (for nuts) are also among the basic tools for RC hobbyists. The most common sizes in the 1:10 category are 5.5 mm (M3 nuts) and 7.0 mm (M4 nuts), and in the 1:8 category, well add a 17mm wheel nut wrench to the selection of required tools.
Other tools that may come in handy:
- Turnbuckle wrench (easier to use than pliers)
- Pointed pliers (for pulling lock clips and plugs)
- Scissors and a crafting knife (cutting the body and masking)
In addition, the assembly of some car kits may require other tools as well, but the ones mentioned above are usually enough.
Other equipment
Every driver and hobbyist have their own set of tools and equipment, but let’s go over some of the basic things that the more experienced drivers are likely to have in their tool boxes.
- Pit Mat: Helps to keep the environment clean and provides a clean area at the pit. It’s especially handy when there are no space around for RC cars. Just roll out the mat on a desk and roll back up when you’re done wrenching.
- Screw tray: Helps you to not lose screws especially at the pit.
- Double-sided tape: For mounting the electric components
- A brush For removing mud and dust after runs
- Cleaning cloths or paper towels
- A work stand makes it easier to handle your car
- A selection of screws used in your car kit. If you have a faulty screw, it’s a good idea to replace it with right away. Blunted screw head might not happen only with old screws, so always keep a few spare screws of different sizes in your tool box.
- Spare batteries for the controller
Fluids
- Detergent: Brake cleaner or equivalent
- Tire glue: Basic equipment in every tool box.
- Shock and diff oil: your car’s default oil. If you don’t have new oils for your car during service time, it will cause a major interruption to your day at the track.
- Threadlocker: Blue basic threadlocker (medium). Threadlocker is needed for the set screw on the driving axle, fastening the
- Oil for the bearings: After servicing and cleaning your car, a drop of oil on the bearing will extend their life span and reduce the cost of the hobby in the long run.
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Mip Speed Tip 1.5 mm Hex Driver Wrench Insert MIP9007S
MIP
RRP £15.99Additional Information - MIP SPEED TIP 1.5 MM HEX DRIVER WRENCH INSERTFEATURESFits any 1/4" inch chuck handle or drill in order to speed up wrench time! Tool hex cut with diamond wheel for ultimate precision Tool shank CNC ground from US Grade...MIP9007SRRP £15.99 -
Mip Speed Tip .050 Inch Hex Driver Wrench Insert MIP9000S
MIP
RRP £15.99Additional Information - MIP SPEED TIP .050 INCH HEX DRIVER WRENCH INSERTFEATURESFits any 1/4" inch chuck handle or drill in order to speed up wrench time! Tool hex cut with diamond wheel for ultimate precision Tool shank CNC ground from US...MIP9000SRRP £15.99 -
Fastrax Double Sided Servo Tape 25mm X 4.5M Roll (Thick 2mm) FAST187-4
Fastrax
RRP £3.99Additional Information - FASTRAX DOUBLE SIDED/SERVO TAPE 25MM X 4.5M ROLL (THICK 2MM)FAST187-4RRP £3.99 -
Fastrax Premium Double Sided Servo Tape 25mmx1M Roll Thickness 1mm FAST187
Fastrax
RRP £3.99Additional Information - FASTRAX DOUBLE SIDED/SERVO TAPE 25MM X 4.5M ROLL (THICK 2MM)FAST187RRP £3.99 -
Zipped Fastrax Tool Carry Bag 1 Layer divider FAST683 18 empty slots RC 27x25cm
Fastrax
RRP £9.99Additional Information - FASTRAX TOOL CARRY BAG 1 LAYER - Tools NOT included Keep your tools safe and in one location with this simple tool bag carrier with Zip. At this price there really is no excuse not to rescue your tools from rattling around in a...FAST683RRP £9.99 -
Fastrax Shock Shaft Pliers FAST606 Body Rod ball Ends install & removal 10th 8th
Fastrax
RRP £16.99Additional Information - Fastrax Shock Shaft Pliers Aluminium Fastrax Shock Pliers feature: Slots for gripping 3mm, 3.5mm and 4mm shock shafts,Half moons 12mm and 17mm cut outs for gripping 10th and 8th shock bodies,Feature a post for installing...FAST606RRP £16.99 -
Fastrax Team Tool Phillips Screwdriver (4mm) FAST621 No 1 95mm long RC
Fastrax
RRP £6.99Additional Information - FASTRAX TEAM TOOL PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER (4MM)Hard anodised with size stamped on the handle, these tools are a must have for any serious r/c enthusiast.FAST621RRP £6.99 -
CML Hobbyist Knife Set 2 Knife Handles 12 Blades CML260 scalpel hobby craft box
RRP £2.99Additional Information - CML HOBBYIST KNIFE SET - 2 KNIFE HANDLES, 12 BLADES12 interchangeable blades supplied with 2 handles. Ideal for any hobby craft work.CML260RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax Universal Aluminium Car Stand Black FAST410BK 80x130x85mm RC lift
Fastrax
RRP £11.99Additional Information - FASTRAX UNIVERSAL ALUMINIUM CAR STAND BLACKThe Fastrax car stand is perfect for performing maintenance on your RC vehicle. The rubber feet hold the stand in place allowing you to work on your 1/10th or 1/8th car while the...FAST410BKRRP £11.99 -
Fastrax 6-Way Cross Wrench FAST625 7 8 10 12 17 mm socket RC Tool glow plug nuts
Fastrax
RRP £5.29Additional Information - FASTRAX 6-WAY CROSS WRENCHFive different hex sizes 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm & 17mm meet a variety of tightening and loosening applications for glow plugs, wheel nuts and bolts.Can also store 4 glow plugs, in centre section.FAST625RRP £5.29 -
Fastrax Black Alum Locking Rotating Car Maintenance Stand W/Magnet FAST407BK
Fastrax
MSRP: £20.99RRP £19.99Additional Information - FASTRAX BLACK ALUM LOCKING ROTATING CAR MAINTENANCE STAND W/MAGNETThe maintenance stand from Fastrax has a number of neat features that sets it apart from the crowd. The rotating top shelf can be locked in to position alloweing...FAST407BKMSRP: £20.99RRP £19.99 -
Fastrax Multi Turnbuckle Wrench 3 4 5 5.5mm FAST670 Spanner nut bolt tool 4-in-1
Fastrax
RRP £4.99Additional Information - FASTRAX MULTI TURNBUCKLE WRENCH 3/4/5/5.5MMWhen is a turnbuckle wrench, more than a turnbuckle wrench? When it is a 4-in-1 wrench covering 3/4/5/5.5mm turnbuckles.FAST670RRP £4.99 -
Fastrax Replacement 3/32 Tip For Interchangable Hex Wrench FAST619-4
Fastrax
RRP £2.99Additional Information - FASTRAX REPLACEMENT 3/32" TIP FOR INTERCHANGABLE HEX WRENCH. Fits FAST619 tool.FAST619-4RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax Replacement 5/64 Tip For Interchangable Hex Wrench FAST619-3
Fastrax
RRP £2.99Additional Information - FASTRAX REPLACEMENT 5/64" TIP FOR INTERCHANGABLE HEX WRENCH. Fits FAST619 tool.FAST619-3RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax Replacement 1/16 Tip For Interchangable Hex Wrench FAST619-2
Fastrax
RRP £2.99Additional Information - FASTRAX REPLACEMENT 1/16" TIP FOR INTERCHANGABLE HEX WRENCH. Fits FAST619 tool.FAST619-2RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax Replacement .050 Tip For Interchangable Hex Wrench FAST619-1
Fastrax
RRP £2.99Additional Information - FASTRAX REPLACEMENT .050" TIP FOR INTERCHANGABLE HEX WRENCH. Fits FAST619 tool.FAST619-1RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax Replacement 3.0mm Tip For Interchangable Hex Wrench FAST618-4
Fastrax
RRP £2.99Additional Information - FASTRAX REPLACEMENT 3.0MM TIP FOR INTERCHANGABLE HEX WRENCHOnly 1 x 3.0mm Tip supplied. Fits FAST618 tool.FAST618-4RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax Replacement 2.5mm Tip For Interchangable Hex Wrench FAST618-3
Fastrax
RRP £2.99Additional Information - FASTRAX REPLACEMENT 2.5MM TIP FOR INTERCHANGABLE HEX WRENCHOnly 1 x 2.5mm Tip supplied. Fits FAST618 tool.FAST618-3RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax Replacement 1.5mm Tip For Interchangeable Hex Wrench FAST618-1
Fastrax
RRP £2.99Additional Information - FASTRAX REPLACEMENT 1.5MM TIP FOR INTERCHANGEABLE HEX WRENCHOnly 1 x 1.5mm Tip supplied. Fits FAST618 tool.FAST618-1RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax RC Tyre Hole Punch Tool FAST605 Tire vent holes FTX
Fastrax
RRP £12.99Additional Information - FASTRAX TYRE HOLE PUNCH TOOLAdd vent holes when mounting your RC tyres with the FASTRAX tyre punch.Your wheel/tyre build will need to have vent holes. These are often in the wheel but a popular alternative is to make the holes in...FAST605RRP £12.99 -
Fastrax Replacement 2.0mm Tip For Interchangable Hex Wrench FAST618-2
Fastrax
RRP £2.99Additional Information - FASTRAX REPLACEMENT 2.0MM TIP FOR INTERCHANGABLE HEX WRENCHOnly 1 x 2.0mm Tip supplied. Fits FAST618 tool.FAST618-2RRP £2.99 -
Fastrax Interchangable Hex Driver Set (4) FAST618 METRIC 1.5 2 2.5 3mm Allen Key
Fastrax
RRP £13.99Additional Information - FASTRAX INTERCHANGABLE HEX DRIVER SET (4) One handle, four wrenches! This space saving tool is ideal for those not wishing to cart the tool box around. The hollow aluminium handle houses 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm hex srench bits...FAST618RRP £13.99 -
Fastrax Super Body Reamer FAST98S accurate sizes 3 - 14.5mm hole cutter rc
Fastrax
RRP £14.99Sturdy Aluminium handle with large bore cutter. The ultimate Super Reamer.Reamer Features:CNC Aluminium CoverSelf Starting PointHole sizes from 3mm to 14.5mmClean Holes for mounting bodies and rearwingsIdentification points for accurate size...FAST98SRRP £14.99 -
Fastrax Anodised Body Reamer FAST98 hole cutter rc tool
Fastrax
RRP £12.99Fastrax Anodised Body Reamer FAST98FAST98RRP £12.99 -
Fastrax Shock Absorber Building Station BLACK FAST90SBK Magnetic Strip Bleeding
Fastrax
RRP £4.49Fastrax Shock Absorber Building Station - Black FAST90SBK This is a great unit to aid building your shocks and helping bleed out air bubbles for the best shock performance. Is it supplied flat pack and is easy to assemble with simple slot together...FAST90SBKRRP £4.49 -
Fastrax Pro Nut Driver 10.0mm (M6) FAST634 hardened steel wrench Alloy handle
Fastrax
RRP £6.99An exciting range of new wrenches feature hardened steel drivers, machined aluminium, anodized, lightweight handles with knurled finish.Features;10mm driver for M5 nutsMachined lightweight aluminium handle with knurled finish for extra grip and...FAST634RRP £6.99 -
Fastrax Pro Nut Driver 8.0mm (M5) Glow Plug Driver FAST633 hardened steel wrench
Fastrax
RRP £6.99Fastrax Pro Nut Driver 8.0Mm (M5) Glow Plug Driver FAST633 Narrow wall at the 1.5mm at the widest part, and 11mm Diameter.FAST633RRP £6.99 -
Fastrax Pro 4.5mm Nut Driver FAST630 RC Tools Socket hardened steel wrench RC
Fastrax
RRP £6.99Fastrax Pro 4.5Mm Nut Driver FAST630FAST630RRP £6.99 -
Fastrax Pro Nut Driver - 5.5mm (M3) FAST631 hardened steel wrench Alloy handle
Fastrax
RRP £6.99An exciting range of new wrenches feature hardened steel drivers, machined aluminium, anodized, lightweight handles with knurled finish.Features;5.5mm driver for M3 nutsMachined lightweight aluminium handle with knurled finish for extra grip and...FAST631RRP £6.99 -
Fastrax Pro Nut Driver - 7.0mm (M4) FAST632 hardened steel wrench Alloy handle
Fastrax
MSRP: £6.99RRP £6.64An exciting range of new wrenches feature hardened steel drivers, machined aluminium, anodized, lightweight handles with knurled finish.Features;7mm driver for M4 nutsMachined lightweight aluminium handle with knurled finish for extra grip and...FAST632MSRP: £6.99RRP £6.64 -
Fastrax Team Tool 4mm Slotted Engine Tuning Screwdriver FAST620 Long reach Carb
Fastrax
RRP £5.69FASTRAX TEAM TOOL 4MM SLOTTED ENGINE TUNING SCREWDRIVERHard anodised with size stamped on the handle, these tools are a must have for any serious r/c enthusiast. Slotted driver, with it's long reach shank, is perfect for engine carburettor adjustment.FAST620RRP £5.69 -
Fastrax Team Tool Hex Wrench - 3.0mm FAST603 replaceable Long tip light alloy RC
Fastrax
RRP £4.49An exciting range of new drivers feature ground steel hard tips and shafts, machined aluminium, anodized, lightweight handles with knurled finish. Total length is 175mm, handle diameter 18mm, narrow tool/tip length 88mm. Extra long machined hex bit for...FAST603RRP £4.49 -
Fastrax Team Tool Hex Wrench - 2.5mm FAST602 replaceable Long tip light alloy RC
Fastrax
RRP £4.49An exciting range of new drivers feature ground steel hard tips and shafts, machined aluminium, anodized, lightweight handles with knurled finish. Total length is 175mm, handle diameter 18mm, narrow tool/tip length 88mm. Extra long machined hex bit for...FAST602RRP £4.49 -
Miniature Scale Wheel Lug Bolt Tool Z-S1068 RC4WD Monster Truck Clod Buster RC4
RC4WD
MSRP: £10.49RRP £9.49Additional Information - Miniature Scale Wheel Lug Bolt Tool These are the hex tools for the RC4WD Miniature Scale Wheel Lug Bolts.Specifications:Length: 0.31in / 8mmOD: 0.19in / 5mmWhat's Included:2x Miniature Scale Wheel Lug Bolt ToolNotes:Fits...Z-S1068MSRP: £10.49RRP £9.49 -
RC4WD 4.0mm Metric Hex T-Wrench Tool Z-F0031 4mm T spanner for D90 18th wheels
RC4WD
MSRP: £7.49RRP £6.99Additional Information - RC4WD 4.0mm Metric Hex T-Wrench ToolSpecifications:CNC MachinedStainless SteelInner Diameter: 0.16in / 4.0mmWeight: 0.56oz / 16gWhat's Included:1x RC4WD 4.0mm Metric Hex T-Wrench ToolNotes: Fits Nylock Nut M2Z-F0031MSRP: £7.49RRP £6.99 -
Tool for Revo Summit Universal Wheel Hex RC4WD Z-S0964 Traxxas Adaptor
RC4WD
RRP £11.99Additional Information - Tool for Revo/Summit Universal Wheel HexSpecifications:CNC MachinedWeight: 0.45oz/13g Shown with Traxxas Wheel Hex for example (Not Included)Shown installing 17mm Revo/Summit Hex (Z-S0432) onto Revo using RC4WD 8.0mm Metric Nut...Z-S0964RRP £11.99 -
Fastrax Hardened Imperial Hex Driver Tool .05 1/16 5/64 3/32 Wrench FAST613
Fastrax
RRP £15.99Additional Information - Total length is 175mm, handle diameter 18mm, narrow tool/tip length 88mm. An exciting range of new wrenches and drivers feature ground steel hard tips and shafts, machined aluminium, anodized, lightweight handles with knurled...FAST613RRP £15.99 -
FASTRAX 19 in 1 RC Tool bag set METRIC Slot PH 6 Hex 4 Nut 5 8mm Spanner FAST607
Fastrax
MSRP: £19.99RRP £18.99Additional Information - If you are after an all encompassing tool set for your r/c vehicle then Fastrax has introduced the perfect cost effective solution with their new 19-in-1 Tool bag.This set contains everything you need to wrench on your vehicle...FAST607MSRP: £19.99RRP £18.99 -
Fastrax RC Team Tool 2.0mm 5/64" Hex Allen Wrench Screw Driver FAST601 FTX 2mm
Fastrax
RRP £4.49Additional Information - An exciting range of new drivers feature ground steel hard tips and shafts, machined aluminium, anodized, lightweight handles with knurled finish. Total length is 175mm, handle diameter 18mm, narrow tool/tip length 88mm. Extra...FAST601RRP £4.49 -
Fastrax RC Team Tool 1.5mm Hex Allen Wrench Screw Driver FAST600 FTX 1.5 mm
Fastrax
RRP £4.49Additional Information - An exciting range of new drivers feature ground steel hard tips and shafts, machined aluminium, anodized, lightweight handles with knurled finish. Total length is 175mm, handle diameter 18mm, narrow tool/tip length 88mm. Extra...FAST600RRP £4.49