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Harbor Freight or High-End? The Truth About RC Tools 🤔

HolmesHobbies

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Today we’re talking about something every RC hobbyist deals with — tools! 🛠️ Should you grab the budget options or invest in high-quality gear?

For some tools, like Allen wrenches, precision is everything — and I believe spending more is 100% worth it, especially when working with the tight tolerances on small RC parts. On the other hand, sometimes I grab inexpensive tools to modify for special jobs, because why ruin a premium tool when a cheap one can be hacked to fit?

We’ll also talk a bit about Harbor Freight — they’ve stepped up in some areas, but definitely not everything. ⚖️

👉 What’s your go-to RC tool brand? Have you had good luck with budget tools? Let me know below!

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#RCTools #RCCrawler #HolmesHobbies #ToolTalk #HarborFreight #radiocontrol #harborfreighttools #vanquish #wiha

20 Comments

@GIHOSU 1 year ago

Regarding tools I employ 2 major beliefs. First is "buy once and cry once" and "I'd rather have it than need it". I still have and use tools I bought back in 1980.
👍🏻💚🤠

@ReallyGoodBadBoy 1 year ago (edited)

I learned many lessons about cheap vs quality tools when I worked in a mechanic shop out of highschool. Watching harbor freight sockets literally explode with shrapnel leaves an impression, while I’ve never seen a SnapOn socket strip my entire life.

There really is some magic working with the best tools MADE IN THE USA. 💪 🇺🇸 💪 I felt immense pride doing a professional job with American tools. I can’t wait to share the same experience with my children.

@kjflyte5088 1 year ago

Mip tools since to 80's.... ftw

@RuggheadRC 1 year ago

About 25 years ago, for Father's Day, I gave my dad a brand new monster craftsman tool chest and a new 400 piece craftsman tool set.... He's NEVER used any of it 😂 I've just watched it get covered in dust and buried in the back of his garage.. I feel like an idiot buying this junk when I know one day I'm going to inherit a brand new vintage mega set of some of the best tools ever made in the USA.. that stuff looks like jewelry when u look at it now.

@proraptor4146 1 year ago

Im still rocking MIP and love them

@Eth3realwarrior 1 year ago

My disc golf senses are tingling!
What putter is that?
A
Luna?
Judge?
Roach?
KC Aviar?
It's Killin me!

@CrossKeysCrawlers 1 year ago

At my work we actually stock all sizes of bondhus ball allens. Every couple machines i replace my frequently used allens. I also have the black makita brushless impact & drill. Use them every day. Champsss

@ninthm00n 1 year ago

Great video Sir. You can choose "cabinet style" screwdrivers for that last instance . The blades are the same width as the shank.

@Reign_In_Blood_963 1 year ago (edited)

My Hudy tools are at least 20 years old. It hurt my pocket to purchase them back then, but I still have them today.

@ninthislandrc 1 year ago

For hex (ie. Allen), I used to believe that MIP was "the best". However, while I still have my MIP tools, what I primarily use are the ProTek TruTorque SL (at least as good as MIP, but having more comfortable handles), and (for the smallest sizes, especially with 1/28 scale) Reflex RC hex drivers. On top of those, I have MIP & Wera hex bits (and T-handle). And, on top of all those, I have traditional Allen wrenches from DeWalt & Kobalt. For nut drivers, it's the same MIP & ProTek TruTorque for RC, and DeWalt for larger sizes. I should also mention, I have/use DeWalt electric screwdrivers with the MIP & Wera hex bits. For various pair of scissors, they are all Tamiya.

@blunderwithbigs 1 year ago

Had my MIP tools for more than 8 years and still going. Only reason I replaced any of the was from prying or dropping them on the tile. The 1.5 was like 3 time.
At the LHS I try to make sure folks know that, if they want to have a better experience with repairs, buy the best possible.

@ZephyrCalhoon 1 year ago

Wera makes excellent hex drivers as well, for a fair price. I paid significantly more for MIP bits but I am not sure they are anymore precise as the Wera.

@mitymike 1 year ago

On the subject of Phillips screws in RC cars, I've found that J.I.S. tools work best. I personally use a Tamiya large number two screwdriver to build most of my kits. A medium number one also helps. I guess what I'm trying to say is if it's made in Japan it's not Phillips it's J.I.S.

@123kevin45678 1 year ago

I used MIP for the longest time, but have switched over to arrowmax and currently I feel like they are some of the best quality money can buy

@bongofury3176 1 year ago

Been using Arrowmax drivers for a few years now - absolutely superb...

@josephslomka8161 2 weeks ago

I haven't seen any mentions of RPM tools for RC. They make affordable USA made hex drivers in metric and standard. The MIP tools feel nicer in the hand but are more 3-4x more expensive than the RPM tools. I have both them and MIP tools and they both work fine.

@CrossKeysCrawlers 1 year ago (edited)

Thats exactly how i view tools. Your opening statement. I build custom automated cnc machines. Built one for the Tesla model3. Klein....wiha....wera....knipex....bondhus allens. All depends on frequency of use.
Same with machinist tools. Years ago i did machining so i had good ...starrett...mits. my every day in my box beat around .....$20 6" dial calipers ive had for years.

@thindigital 1 year ago

For 1/24 scale my injora hex wrenches are fine. For 1/10 scale I bought the individual speed hexes from mip and a super cheap electric screwdriver from harbour freight, works great, not enough power to strip anything.