For those that do their own work

[MikeVV]

For tinkerers to the hard core of you, I found some very...high grade Allan drivers (plus other drivers) today.

With my recent introduction to the RC car hobby, along with the air guns, requiring PROPER fitting Allan wrenches to keep from ruining hex fasteners, I found THE drivers today.
In looking at different drivers available, and comments from users on a couple of different RC forums, there seems to be two or three companies that are of higher grade tools, and a LOT of cheaper, questionable tool manufacturers.

I looked into the MIP (Moore's Ideal Products). While yes, they are a little expensive, after a walk though the manufacturing plant today while purchasing a a few drivers, was enlightening. And yeah, I'm not easily impressed. Yes, they happen to be close by my house. I even met mister Moore as he walked out the door !
As some of you know, I worked most of my life in the Aerospace industry. Both sides, Aircraft and Space. My last 20 years in the "Space" side of things. I've got a pretty good idea what makes up a good tool from...well...others. And yeah, we normally pay for good tools, or pay more than once for cheaper tools or the fasteners that the cheaper tools have ruined !

The MIP shop (all offices) is/are VERY clean. All mostly new, custom CNC lath, mill, combination machines, that get updated every 10 years. 12 axes machines, with robot arms, and "check" tools as part of the actual machine.
Allan driver tips are diamond wheel ground (not milled) within, .0005" of the finished required dimension. ALL of their tools will be the SAME (+/-.0005") of each other, no matter when you may buy them. The bit dimensions are a study of both the Machinery Design, hand book, AND "actual", high grade fasteners. The tip dimensions are made to fit "properly" into high grade (grade 3A / 3B threads) fasteners, rather than the looser grades, 1 or 2 hex sockets.

I checked a couple of screw fits with my new drivers after getting home. Yeah...nice fit ! I bought four drivers today.

Anyway, if you don't mind paying a little more for well designed and manufactured drivers, check these guys tools.

Moore's Ideal Products, LLC

Learn more about CMTC's Made in California program and how it helps California manufacturer members generate new business and increase awareness of their products.

www.cmtc.com

Mike

 

[AirShot]

In my 50 yrs as a toolmaker, the " Chapman" small precisiontool set has been second to none. In all the years of regular hard work, have never broke or worn one of there tools out.

 

[MikeVV]

In my 50 yrs as a toolmaker, the " Chapman" small precisiontool set has been second to none. In all the years of regular hard work, have never broke or worn one of there tools out.

And you've tried...how many brands ?
Have you even seen the MIP line of tools ?

Mike

 

[Joedirt199]

It's nice to have options

 

[Ranchibi]

That's cool! Thanks for sharing! Close by for me too. Luv fasteners that fit how they're supposed to also....no wiggle....gives me the willy's....

 

[ba49]

I have had my Chapman set for over 30years and it is still like new. I have gone through more Craftsman tools than I can count in my 71 years. But it doesn't hurt to have alternatives.

 

[Vetmx]

Always wearing out my drivers no matter how much I pay. Thanks for the tip. They are now the next ones I will try.

 

[DesertSilver]

For tinkerers to the hard core of you, I found some very...high grade Allan drivers (plus other drivers) today.

With my recent introduction to the RC car hobby, along with the air guns, requiring PROPER fitting Allan wrenches to keep from ruining hex fasteners, I found THE drivers today.
In looking at different drivers available, and comments from users on a couple of different RC forums, there seems to be two or three companies that are of higher grade tools, and a LOT of cheaper, questionable tool manufacturers.

I looked into the MIP (Moore's Ideal Products). While yes, they are a little expensive, after a walk though the manufacturing plant today while purchasing a a few drivers, was enlightening. And yeah, I'm not easily impressed. Yes, they happen to be close by my house. I even met mister Moore as he walked out the door !
As some of you know, I worked most of my life in the Aerospace industry. Both sides, Aircraft and Space. My last 20 years in the "Space" side of things. I've got a pretty good idea what makes up a good tool from...well...others. And yeah, we normally pay for good tools, or pay more than once for cheaper tools or the fasteners that the cheaper tools have ruined !

The MIP shop (all offices) is/are VERY clean. All mostly new, custom CNC lath, mill, combination machines, that get updated every 10 years. 12 axes machines, with robot arms, and "check" tools as part of the actual machine.
Allan driver tips are diamond wheel ground (not milled) within, .0005" of the finished required dimension. ALL of their tools will be the SAME (+/-.0005") of each other, no matter when you may buy them. The bit dimensions are a study of both the Machinery Design, hand book, AND "actual", high grade fasteners. The tip dimensions are made to fit "properly" into high grade (grade 3A / 3B threads) fasteners, rather than the looser grades, 1 or 2 hex sockets.

I checked a couple of screw fits with my new drivers after getting home. Yeah...nice fit ! I bought four drivers today.

Anyway, if you don't mind paying a little more for well designed and manufactured drivers, check these guys tools.

Moore's Ideal Products, LLC

Learn more about CMTC's Made in California program and how it helps California manufacturer members generate new business and increase awareness of their products.

www.cmtc.com

Mike

I'm thinking you use to or are worked/working at Boeing. I worked 5 years at the Huntington plant between the composite delta 2,3, and 4 fairings and the NASA wing project.

 

[AirShot]

And you've tried...how many brands ?
Have you even seen the MIP line of tools ?

Mike

Not recently, but have used many of the R/C tools as I was involved in radio control toys for about ten years. As a toolmaker, I wirked with hardened steel and any tool that can withstand that abuse has to be good !!

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

Wiha are the only tools I have in my tool bag for airguns, great precise tools, will have to check out all the others mentioned in this thread.

 

[DirtyGator]

MIP aren't as good as they once were. Still good and even better than alot of other offerings in the hobby side of things. I just broke two MIP hex drivers within two months. Used to be a rare occurrence, now its kinda normal if you wrench enough.

 

[boscoebrea]

Tools used often should be of quality;Always listen to Mike's take,Thank you.

 

[ctshooter]

MIP tools are very nice. Also worth a look is Hudy. Another very high end brand of RC drivers.

 

[DirtyGator]

MIP tools are very nice. Also worth a look is Hudy. Another very high end brand of RC drivers.

I just remember how long a mip/thorp wrench used to last. I'm a tool snob, hudy is nice, Arrowmax are nice, and the metal handled Dynamite last a long time as well.

 

[AirShot]

Wiha are the only tools I have in my tool bag for airguns, great precise tools, will have to check out all the others mentioned in this thread.

Those WIHA drive bits are awesome....I have only used the phillups bits but never damaged one on my drill driver.!!

 

[Helmet]

I have used two Align hex driver sets for 15 years or so. Both RC helis/planes/cars, and air gun adjustments/repairs. The tips are hard, sharp and are ground to correct dimensions. The handle gives a good grip as well.

Align Hex Multi-Driver Metric Tool Set [AGNHOT00002A]

Align Hex Multi-Driver Metric Tool Set. This multi-driver set uses a high quality aluminum handle with a quick release making it a breeze to change... AGNHOT00002A

www.amainhobbies.com

 

[17dean]

Built , raced 1:10 scale then went to trail trucks. Some of my rc tools are finding use finally since I started shooting more. My MIP hexes are still going strong .

 

[Greg_E]

For miniature tools, I really like Moody, getting harder to find lately.

My L hex wrenches are over 20 years old, forget the brand but still going for every need from airgun to automotive. They were not exactly special sets but obviously decent or they would have been wrecked long ago.