RC tools from Lee Valley
 

I am a big fan of Lee Valley tools. Before RC flight grabbed me by the wallet, plenty of my spending cash found its way to them.

After a couple of years in the hobby and a couple hundred hours in the shop I realized that a lot of their tools were very useful in RC modelling. I have pictures at RC tools from Lee Valley.

Here are some of my favourites with links to their respective pages on the Lee Valley website.

Transfer Punch Set
Excellent for marking drilling points through holes of various sizes. Other uses too:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8499/8...94868613_z.jpg


General-Purpose Razor Saw
Excellent for fine cuts.


Thread I.D. (Nut & Bolt Identifier)
Invaluable for identifying thread sizes in both bolts and nuts.


Palette Knives
Great for applying filler. More choices than you're likely to need.


Boxed Set of 12 (5/64" to 1/4") BP Drills
Excellent bits for clean holes, and very precise.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8213/8...5aeedec6_z.jpg


HSS Forstner & Saw Tooth Bits, Set of 7, wooden box
Ideal for larger holes. Cleaner than spade bits or hole saws.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8...e922bbb1_z.jpg


Sanding Sponge Assortment
Excellent for contour sanding - more durable and comfortable to use than sandpaper.


Flush-Cut Saw, Double Edge
Great for trimming dowels and anything that needs to be cut flush.


8 oz Claw Hammer
Perfect when a lighter touch is needed


Precision Hobby Knife & Blades
An excellent grip with a hexagonal end that prevents it from rolling off the bench. Good cap too.


Face shield
Looks like they don't sell this one anymore. They do sell this one. Great for keeping broken Dremel cutting wheels from bouncing off your face.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8...70d0312f_z.jpg


The World's Kindest Nail Brush
Great for gently removing loose dirt and particles.


Lee Valley Cabinetmaker's Glue 2002 GF
I've had this bottle in the shop for years and it came in really handy while I was repairing a broken wing this fall.

RE: RC tools from Lee Valley
 

I am also a fan of real wood working tool's, for the same reason's. My store of choice is woodcraft.com. And the photo below is of one of my favorite tool's Comes in handy for scale building.

RE: RC tools from Lee Valley
 

I haven't bought from these guys in a long time. They do have some very unusal stuff though. All of this can be purchased thoughthrough your local hardware store or home center. My rule of thumb for tools is If I use it at least 2 times a week it's worth buying the best but something I might use a couple of times a year then Harbor Freight is my first choice, then my local retailer. Iuse to be a professional contractor and you can get tool poor in a hurry if your not carefulhttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ey/msn/lol.gifI have a friend who has a special tool for everything including someto perform the most simple of tasks. By the time he finds his special marking tool I have already used my pencil and have it cut and installedhttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gif

RE: RC tools from Lee Valley
 

I like Lee Valley too (hey it's a Canadian company, link)and look forward to the catalogs they mail every few months. Lots of interesting tools and extremely well written descriptions. Great bathroom reading! It's where I get my Tite Bond glue and other goodies.

RE: RC tools from Lee Valley
 

Lee Valley is also a good source for magnets, many sizes and types.

RE: RC tools from Lee Valley
 

Indeed they are - Rare earth magnets. I seem to recall they used to be unable to ship them by air but I see no such restriction advertised on the website now.

RE: RC tools from Lee Valley
 

Thanks for the heads-up. I have been thinking about getting a set of brad-point drill bits. Those look good; just ordered a set.

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