The Mad Modder

Tamiya makes good tools, I have a few modeling tools, a pair of pliers and a screwdriver by them. They can be rather expensive, though, which is why I don't own more of them.

imperviously

The thing is. i feel that like for instance, this mcmaster-carr tools.. are like 3 dollars each. they are not made/branded for RC, they are general tools but are the exact same thing for instance. (im not tlaking about quality of metal/material cuz that differs between every brand) the thing is, tools like this is better quality than the tools that are same priced but are branded for RC. Know what i mean? If you want GOOD tools that are RC branded, your going to spend alot of money, the cheap ones are horrible and the mid price is ehh. General tools that do exact same things that are also drivers etc just doesnt have that RC logo, will be better than the RC ones that are the same price. Thats how i feel about it.

The Mad Modder

Since general tool companies specialize in tools, they usually keep a closer eye on the companies making the actual tools than many rc companies do.

Foxy

Hudy makes his own stuff. He even designed the metal they're made of [X(]. Not disagreeing with you TMM, quite the contrary, you're dead right, just pointing out the Hudy exception. You're buying them directly from the designer not only of the tool, but the spring steel its made from too.

imperviously

Yeah, i wouldn't ever rag on anyone for using/buying hudy tools. They are expensive, but they are good nonetheless. I just don't have that kind of money to spend on something like that. And buying general tools instead of RC tools also isn't supporting the hobby. If everyone bought general tools thats a big chunk of money that the RC brands wouldn't have, the hobby we all know and love sadly just isn't as big as we feel it should be. So supporting the hobby/brands of the hobby by buying their products is good even if your getting a bit ripped off, i see it as just supporting the hobby by spending a few extra bucks, same reason why people go to LHS instead of all online (though i am cheap and buy most of my stuff online). If you have the money to spend then why not, your getting quality plus supporting it, if you don't then do what you have to do and spend wisely.

rgburrill

No you don't always get what you pay for.  When pay for overpriced stuff you just get overpriced stuff.  Harbor Freight, Amazon and several other places have just as good sets of tools for a lot less than you pay at an RC store.

rgburrill

This reminds me of the ad on TV where this girl say everything on the Internet must be true. Desinged his own metal? Yeah right. I went through over a half dozen tools where he lists even the brand names of the metal he uses.

[email protected]

My Feedback: (1)

IGO TO THE 99CENT STORE FOR MY TOOLS

cumquat

i believe it, it's surprisingly easy to alter steel alloys. steel is an iron-carbon alloy, just as bronze is a copper-tin alloy and brass is a copper-zinc alloy. alter the amounts of the base metals and you alter the properties of the alloy. they teach metallurgy (the science of making alloys) at community colleges. if i ever get around to applying, i'll be taking that course.

cremation101

My Feedback: (2)

There are several different types of tool steel made today.All you have to do is research to find the right one for your application.
I really don't think that Hudy is a metallurgist able to come up with a grade/type of tool steel that no other manufacturer has to offer, there are several in the world:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_steel_producers
Must have spent a few million on an electric arc furnace and a few more on a lab to test his steel, he probably had help with material selection and hardening method.

cremation101

My Feedback: (2)

Buy tools that will last and you can afford. Hudy went through a lot of trouble to make the tools he wanted to make. They are most likely not making enough pieces at a time to be more affordable

Foxy

Here's some reading for you...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XRAY_Model_Racing_Cars

Here's a quote if you can't be bothered...

And here's a random hudy tool product, the first one that popped up when I searched for 'Hudy 2mm driver', sure enough, there it is written in the middle of the paragraph... http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...x-Driver-Set-8

Again a quote...

Foxy

See post above. I never said he made/smelted it by the way, only that he designed it, I expect he has a 3rd party steelworks produce the actual metal to his specifications for him, just a like all RC car manufacturers don't make their own plastic, they specify the shape and ingredients to a plastic maker.

siberianhusky

I wouldn't buy a tool just because it had an rc name on it! Cheap chinese junk with a fancy label.
Buy quality mechanics grade tools and you'll never have to replace them if used properly.
Cheap and quality just don't go hand in hand when it comes to tools.

Eman77

That's interesting info, thanks for sharing! I had no idea of his background, nor his association with Xray. Now I'm seeing a little more of why you see things the way you do. Good stuff.

Foxy

Thanks buddy, it's good to know that I'm not banging my head against the wall with everybody

Hudy could have worked for the European Space Agency, he is that good an engineer (Think Wallowitz in Big Bang Theory ), all he ever wanted to do was make toy cars though, which is good news for us

As I said earlier, I don't expect many hobbyists to go out and buy a full hudy set for like $300, even I who spend every month wouldn't do that, there are too many cars I still want for that kind of money! But it's well worth picking one or two individual tools up here and there when you get the chance, they really are a treat to use and contrary to popular opinion it seems, are NOTICEABLY better than 'regular' tools, in accuracy, finish and longevity. Even my wife picked up my Hudy reamer the other day and said 'Wow, this looks expensive!', which while meaningless, was gratifying lol.

EDIT: Oh, by the way, don't worry about my edit of your post if you noticed, I edited the post you quoted and then edited the quote for consistency.

Eman77

No worries on the edit.

As I learn more about the background of folks behind companies in this hobby, the more respect I get for them and their products. The info on Hudy makes me see their stuff in a whole new light. I recently read Master Modeler (the story behind Tamiya), and it really amped up my already-enthusiastic views of them.

It's amazing what some individuals have done for the hobby. It gives me a little more...I dunno...pride? Happiness? ...when I buy/own products like that, knowing what they put into it (and of course, because I like their products...be it for quality, scale. appearance, whatever).

eddieC

My Feedback: (2)

Hudys are OK, but too much fan-boy bling for my taste. Nowhere near Fanom quality.

Imperv, sounds like a good workman-type set is up your alley. McMaster-Carr, Craftsman, SK and Husky all are accurate (V important), and hold up really well. Like heirloom-well.
I have Huskys that are over 40+ yrs old, got them from my mom at Xmas as a teen. You can find Crafstman cheaper at K-Marts instead of Sears now, since K-Mart bought Sears.  I've found tools 50% less at the big K, but selection isn't what it is at Sears.
I also stop at Matco/Snap-on trucks when they're at repair shops. They don't sell small tools much and sometimes have discounts.
I've saved rounded hex tips by lightly grinding with a Dremel. Only grind the center, so the tips have max depth for seating. Lightly deburr with a stone afterwards.