I am looking for a quality Hex driver set. Working with Allen keys makes things difficult and painful especially if you are trying to pull out your engine. I did see a few pieces locally, Not that great. Any suggestions? I would need a 8 piece set primarily for car use.

Not sure if it is available locally, but the set of 4 drivers from Align that I have been using for the past two years have been awesome.

In fact at least 4 other people have got them since they have seen me use them. Couple of them had me order them along with my parts shipments. Despite routine use, there is no slop or stripping.

Yes, They are available on Amain Hobbies. I have also been suggested TT and Hudy. I have seen TT, quite strong, not sure about the torque for 1/5 scale cars.

Hudy is expensive, but the best money can buy as per many users. About $100 (Sing $). They come in 8 sizes, 4 metric and 4 inch. Will that cover all the ranges required in cars?

i think i have seen rotor.co.in selling similar stuff check it out

sahil

are these the once you guys are talking about 

http://rotor.co.in/product-find-action.asp?pdt_name=hex&code=&x=0&y=0

http://rotor.co.in/show-detail.asp?prodid={F433D8F4-4EEF-4256-8C6F-3802BD4CA5D7}&pn=

sahil

Since someone asked via PM about good Allen/Hex drivers.....

If you are looking to my any Align products (including hex drivers discussed here) and they are not available locally, the best place we have seen so far is

http://www.helipross.com 

Note that these include re-branded nitro engines (from OS), starters etc.  Shipping charges are also very reasonable.

I got the TT ones from Rotor. They serve the purpose. About 1K a set with double side tips. Enough for medium use.

Anwar bhai,

The min shipping to India is 20USD and to US is 24 USD. they dont have anything other than EMS. Though the prices I see are the cheapest on items, but a shipping cost of 20 USD for a order of 40 USD is expensive.

Yes, it is attractive when you combine these small items. 

What is attractive is that a full Trex 700 nitro heli with 90 size engine, muffler and a 4s lipo based starter weighing around 7KG also listed less than $30 for shipping.  Other stores would charge around $70 or more for the same.

Yup, Now I agree that buying from HeliPros is sure CHEAP.

I just added a align screws bag, HexDrviers set X 2 types and the discount I got is way lower that HeliDirect+its 16USD shipping. But I am buying from HeliDirect as there are other parts that I have to buy that HeliPros dosent stock. HeliPros is an heaven for Align Fans.

I ordered my HEX Driver set(Align make) from Heli Direct(along with 13 items) for 16 USD Shipped. In my whole life I never thought I would invest 1000 Bucks for a screw driver set . But this RC hobby makes even the 1000 Rs screw driver set LOOK Cheap

One more suggestion.  Try to get the one with separate handles on each, like these :

http://www.helipross.com/hexagon-screw-driver-hz024.html

There are others where there is ONE handle and you change among the multiple "bit"s provided.  This is really inconvenient when you are working with different sizes of bolts simultaneously.

If anybody has comments on locally available ones (like after using them often for a year or more), please comment here, so as to avoid shipping costs.

ALIGN VS MIP THORP 1.5 MM. MIP is wider and hence wont strip HK screws or strip itself when opening HK screws.

MIP is a perfect fit for HK screws and you will stop saying HK screws are crap! 

NOTE: MIP wont work on ALIGN screws at first. I use Align hex on Align screws for the first few times. Once the hex head enlarges then I use the MIP on them. This reduces the strip and can use the screws for a longer time.

Some more pics to help u choose.

Also, the MIP Steel is a LOT LOT LOT stronger than ALIGN.

It was really hard to make my camera focus on the tips. Hence I had to use my fingers nearby I will post more pics once I get Heli direct made hex drivers.  

Anwar, you can split this thread into the review section if its really worth it. Iam a little short of time 

How long have you used the MIP ones ?  Certainly looks bigger.

The question is how long does it remain so crisp under frequent use !

I too have that small wear at the end of couple of my Align drivers (after going through more than 20 helis of various sizes built from kits... and over 70 crash rebuilds of various severity), but it is not even worth mentioning (somewhere around 0.1mm !?!?).  It has not reduced the usability of the hex driver at all, in my experience.

It do look like two different size ?

yeah... that much size difference and I could call them 1.5 & 2mm also.. MIP one looks like you filed it or cut the tip off?

Interesting note at the Tower website for MIP Thorp 1.5mm driver :

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAX94&P=7

COMMENTS: The tips are non replaceable, but if you send the driver into MIP they will regrind the tip for you for a small fee.  MIP will also regrind the older Thorp drivers as well.

Looks like hex drivers are meant to lose some of their grip over time, and either the tips are to be replaced, or one has to grind it back to shape !

Its not about time usage for me. Its like I have removed one of the thoughest screws and not even a scratch on MIP! Align got stripped of for the same/less force on HK screws. 

No, I did not cut or grind. Its the sharp edge that helps not to strip.

What I wanted to say is why people complain So FREQUENTLY about HK screw quality is because most use Align Hex which is prettly loose on HK screws.

Dont know which one is 1.5mm, align or MIP as both mention it is 1.5 mm. I will go home and measure.

Quote from: vinay on November 11, 2010, 11:39:18 AM
What I wanted to say is why people complain So FREQUENTLY about HK screw quality is because most use Align Hex which is prettly loose on HK screws.

Makes sense.  It is the word "stripped" that does not seem to accurately describe the wear sustained.  True stripping would take out the 6 sharp corners for a full 1mm or more.

A single MIP one costs about the same as a full set of 4 Align drivers, obviously something has to be better about it

We have had at least one HK bolt break right below the head with the application of the slightest bit of pressure (per the person who did it).

Here it says 15 $ for retipping! We can buy a new one for the same price excluding shipping.  

http://www.miponline.com/store/media/myinstruct/mip-inst-9000to9012s-Drivers.jpg

Dont know what they mean! It should have been atleast half the original price.

BTW there are no tips available for Align as well.

Folks, I've been using the EXI kit for a while. For $35 you get everything, not just the hexdrivers.
http://www.xheli.com/nowwi2newfrt.html

Been real sturdy on me for quite a while. Though I haven't used the align drivers, I feel this EXI package is a deal. Plus, you get that aluminium case(awesome lookin too ) for storage.
You may already have a good pitch guage, but this comes with one (though -12deg to 12 deg only)

Check out if it is available locally. Anyhow, I am just guessing that the align quality would be better. But this ain't bad either from my experience.

I have asked my uncle to get some hex drivers from dynamite.This is the link(got it from my browser history.not from the dynamite website)
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_25_1466_363/products_id/149306/n/Dynamite-Traxxas-Startup-Tool-Set

One of the attracting things was the ratcheting handle.(There are mixed reviews but from the people that I asked,dynamite is quite good.If I strip something,I have a possible solution)

It seemed like a good deal(probably too good).Once I get my tools,I'll see how they work.I have been thinking to have them heat treated or coated with titanium nitride.What would you guys say?