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RC HELICOPTER TOOLS


There are a number of special RC helicopter tools and supplies that you will need to build and maintain your helicopter.

Don't get overwhelmed by looking at all the tools in the above photo. This is the accumulative result of 20 years in the hobby. When starting out you will only need a fraction of these tools.

Many people do overlook this expense when getting into the hobby only to realize once they get their helicopter kit home, they can’t properly build it. Worse yet, they try to build it without some of these tools and this will almost certainly result in a crashed heli. Even if you get a RTF heli - you will still need these tools for repairs and maintenance.

I have also helped a few people who were sold almost every RC helicopter tool in the hobby store – this is overkill and totally unnecessary when first starting out. There are must have tools, and nice to have tools – as the years go by, you will slowly accumulate the “nice to haves”.

Most of the tools you probably already have kicking around in your work shop or tool box, especially if you are already into some type of RC hobby; but there are a few specific RC helicopter tools that you must get.

The majority of the RC helicopter tools listed here are required for both fuel and electric helicopters. I have also indicated very approximate pricing (CND) so you can get an idea of your tool budget.

Don’t feel you have to get the very best tools on the market, over time you will soon find out what tools you use the most and as they wear out, you can then replace them with higher quality tools.

Must Have RC Helicopter Tools

  • Helicopter pitch gauge ($25.00)

  • Flybar lock ($5.00)

  • Quality computerized battery charger, discharger, and cycler... essential for electric helis, nice to have for nitro helis ($120.00 and up)

  • Ball link pliers - Ok I admit I got by for years without this tool. I used needle nose pliers instead. I damaged so many ball links and balls, I spent more money on replacing them than the pliers cost, not to mention the frustration - don't make the same mistake I did ($15.00)

  • Good quality high point balancer ($30.00 and up)

  • Glow plug wrench – any 5/16” long socket wrench will work - only for nitro or turbine glow plugs, not required for electric or gas ($5.00)

  • Spark plug socket - usually 5/8” for gas powered helis ($5.00)

  • Small Phillips screw driver ($3.00)

  • Small flat blade screw driver ($2.00)

  • An assortment of metric Allen wrenches and metric nut drivers. Most kits come with these, but over time you will soon find out the quality of these tools are not great and most round off. This not only makes the tool useless, it also damages the set screw or bolt. The sizes you use most often on a heli are usually (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mm Allens and a 5.5 mm nut driver). The best advice here is to get the best quality Allen drivers available in the size you use most often as time and money allow. Some hobby stores carry ok ones, but they are usually overpriced and not the best quality. A good electronics store or even a tool suppler like Snap-On will have superior quality tools and most have lifetime warranties – quality Allen drivers will pay for them selves over time. ($30.00 and up)

  • Needle nose pliers ($10.00)

  • Hobby knife and blades (4.00)

  • Quality wire strippers if you are into electric helicopters ($15.00)

  • Soldering iron or station, solder, solder wick, and flux paste or liquid. A must have tool if you are into electric helicopters, a nice to have for fuel powered helis. ($35.00 and up)

  • Electric Drill and drill bits – a cordless is nice, but any drill will do ($50.00 - $100.00)

  • Dial indicator with a magnetic or clamp base essential for fuel powered helis, nice to have for electric ($50.00)

  • Good quality metric ruler or better yet a digital calliper ($5 - $50)

  • Blue medium strength Loctite or similar thread locker ($5.00)

  • Epoxy glue - 5-minuit is good for most applications ($5.00)

  • Instant CA glue ($5.00)

  • Various bearing greases and lubricating oils - your kit may come with these

  • Heat shrink tubing or electrical tape

  • Nylon tie straps

    As you can see, other than the first 5 items on this list, most of these RC helicopter tools and supplies you probably already have in your workshop.

    Nice To Have RC Helicopter Tools

  • Metric tap-and-die set or at least 3 of the most commonly used sizes such as M3-0.5, M4-0.7, and M5-0.8. I personally feel this could almost be considered a must have tool. Again this is a tool that pays for itself over time. ($30.00 and up)

  • Set of small jeweller’s screw drivers – just a basic hobby grade set works fine. ($25.00)

  • Dremel moto-tool with accessories - after you use one, you won’t know how you lived without it ($100.00)

  • RC Helicopter tachometer - not needed while learning – almost a necessity when changing gear ratios for better 3D performance. ($125.00)

  • An assortment of metric screws, set screws, nuts, washers, ball links and balls. These little guys seem to always fall off the work bench into another dimension – spares come in very handy. ($20.00)

  • A Good quality digital multi meter to diagnose battery conditions, opens or shorts in circuits and glow plugs. ($30.00 and up)

  • Clamp style DC amp meter - a nice tool if you are into high power electric helis (most have the same functions as a digital volt meter so it might be the better choice in the long run. ($100.00 and up)

  • Infra-red digital thermometer - to check motor, speed controller, battery, and engine temperatures. These are handy tools for so many things ($100.00 and up)

  • Small air compressor with air brush kit and blow gun - these are not only handy for your prize winning custom paint job, but for general cleaning and drying of parts. ($300.00 and up)

  • If you don't like messy hands - blue nitride gloves

  • Replacement parts on hand for repairs - this is something that comes with time and experience of what wears out and what breaks often on your specific birds. Not important if you live near a hobby shop, but very handy if you live hundreds of miles away from the nearest hobby shop. ($$$ - who knows)

  • Small parts bin or organizer to keep all your heli bits organized and easy to find. (25.00 and up)

  • Small drill press with vice. A much more accurate way to drill holes in everything from servo wheels to engine mounts. If you are into fabrication, you will find a drill press indispensable. ($150.00 and up)

  • Small hobby lathe - since I got one, I have machined my own custom parts for my RC helis and cars. The main thing I find I use the lathe for however, is checking shafts (main, tail, blade grips, engine, fan hubs, clutches, clutch bells – you name it) for run out with a dial indicator. I check every part after a crash and even new parts now on the lathe for run out. No more guessing what might be bent after a crash, or worse bent from the supplier (doesn’t happen often, but I have experience it). If the bend is not bad, I have even been able to straighten some shafts to within ˝ thou of an inch run-out, better than most new ones. ($400.00 and up)


    I hope this helps sort out what RC helicopter tools you must have, and those that are just simply nice to have. Over time, you will find other tools and supplies that come in handy as well.

    You can see by all the RC Helicopter tools listed above, RC choppers, just like the real ones require wrench time – that's part of the fun.

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