08-13-2006, 02:22 PM
This is another popular question for a beginner RC pilot asks. The short answer is depends on which RC helicopter you are buying. Normally, an RC helicopter kit comes with a tool package that has a Hexagon wrench, a couple pieces of two side adhesive tap and a couple of plastic fasteners. Some bigger RC helicopter kit such as Align Trex450 SE comes with screw drivers, a screw box, and R48 (anaerobics retainer) in addition to the Hexagon wrench. Before heading to your Local Hobby Store (LHS) to buy tools or ordering from the Internet hobby stores, you should check to see what the tools already included in the kit.
If it is your first RC helicopter and your helicopter is Ready to Fly (RTF), we may not need a whole bunch of tool at first. You can buy it as needed, as you don’t want to buy a tool that is not proper for your RC helicopter. It is best to get the best tool you can afford because all screws and nuts are very small and easy to be damaged if you do not use proper tools.
However, if you want to be ready when your RC helicopter arrives, some of the common tools that you will need regardless of you RC helicopter are scissors, cutter knife, nipper, long-nose pliers, screw drivers (normally small size) and ball link pliers, etc. You will also need CA (Cyanoacrylate Adhesive), oil (for lubricant), loctite and thread locker. There are different kinds of them and you may want to consult your LHS for the kind that you will need to use. Of course, you will need a tool box to organize your tools and keep them from getting lost.
Other tools that you may need later are a pitch gauge (see here on how to use a pitch gauge to measure your pitch) (http://www.helitown.com/PitchGuage.html), blade balancer, micro ruler, micro electric scale, electric driller, soldering station, tachometer, just to name a few. There are many tools available for your RC helicopter hobby, so I again would suggest that you buy the tool when the need arrives. You don’t want to waste your money buying a tool that you only need once. If you have friends who have the same hobby, you may want share your tools with them so you can share their tools later on. Some tools can be expensive. You may not want have too many expensive tools but not enough money to buy replacement parts for your helicopters.
This article is just to give the beginner pilots some ideas as to what basic tools and necessary you may need. Again this is an open forum, others please chime in and share your thoughts and provide suggestions.
If it is your first RC helicopter and your helicopter is Ready to Fly (RTF), we may not need a whole bunch of tool at first. You can buy it as needed, as you don’t want to buy a tool that is not proper for your RC helicopter. It is best to get the best tool you can afford because all screws and nuts are very small and easy to be damaged if you do not use proper tools.
However, if you want to be ready when your RC helicopter arrives, some of the common tools that you will need regardless of you RC helicopter are scissors, cutter knife, nipper, long-nose pliers, screw drivers (normally small size) and ball link pliers, etc. You will also need CA (Cyanoacrylate Adhesive), oil (for lubricant), loctite and thread locker. There are different kinds of them and you may want to consult your LHS for the kind that you will need to use. Of course, you will need a tool box to organize your tools and keep them from getting lost.
Other tools that you may need later are a pitch gauge (see here on how to use a pitch gauge to measure your pitch) (http://www.helitown.com/PitchGuage.html), blade balancer, micro ruler, micro electric scale, electric driller, soldering station, tachometer, just to name a few. There are many tools available for your RC helicopter hobby, so I again would suggest that you buy the tool when the need arrives. You don’t want to waste your money buying a tool that you only need once. If you have friends who have the same hobby, you may want share your tools with them so you can share their tools later on. Some tools can be expensive. You may not want have too many expensive tools but not enough money to buy replacement parts for your helicopters.
This article is just to give the beginner pilots some ideas as to what basic tools and necessary you may need. Again this is an open forum, others please chime in and share your thoughts and provide suggestions.