1.5mm vs 1/16th hex drivers? what ones do you think are best?

[hicks451]

Dear heliaddict members im in the proccess of building up my first helicopter which is a HK450 SE V2 but i have noticed that the screws that come with the kit are totaly rubbish and strip with the slightest of pressure which is bad news as i have bought all new ally parts to replace the plastic parts that came with the kit but now i cant even start the build without worrying about threading all the screws that come with it!!! I was using a hex driver which i bought for my old mobile phone a few years ago but it must be slightly smaller than the screw holes as it strips them with no problems at all and i have only tried to do two as im to worried about ruining the rest before ive even started. Im hoping to buy a new set of hex drivers asap so i can get on with completing my heli instead of just looking at it doing nothing but my problem is whats the best set of hex drivers to get as im getting confused about 1.5mm or 1/16th imperial? I know its two different mesurments so thats not the issue but one lot of modelers stand by 1.5mm hex drivers and the others 1/16th? What are the best ones to buy or should i just buy both sets!!! Im also going to buy a box of new screws from Screwz so i dont have this problem again but i need to get the first ones off before i can even put the new ones on!!! Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated as im getting fed up just looking at my heli and not building it up to get it looking anything like a helicopter!!! lol Many thanks. Lee

[paulsouthport]

For the HK 450 you'll want 1.5, 2, 2.5 and possibly 3mm hex drivers.
The Align hex set from Align-Trex is well reviewed. I also have a MIP Thorp 1.5mm (£13 ouch!) and some decent ball ended drivers in 1.5, 2 and 2.5mm

The RC Screwz set is excellent - expensive but so much nicer to use. Avoid using them as jesus bolts though, wrong material.

[iceuk]

I am a fan of swiss tools PB Swiss Tools 1.5 mm Hex key with handle PB-8205/1.5 - 70 nice tools and decent price

[brin]

its not just what are the best .proper mectric screws will need the correct metric drivers as will imperal .1/16 will not fit into a 1.5mm socket as 1/16 = 1.587 mm.

[gram]

i have a set from silverline of all people, the hex heads are slightly tapered and fit virtually anything

[hicks451]

I fully understand that brin but what im asking is whats the best ones to fit 450 helicopters? On the threads ive read some members say 1.5mm and others swear by 1/16th? I might as well get both sets and then i shouldnt have a problem!!! lol Many thanks for all your replies the advice is very appreciated!!!!

[del19_82]

I find that the metric set are handy on my 450 if any of the cheesium screws start playing up I can use them to get a decent grip before the head rounds and can get the screw out without too much difficulty.


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[paulsouthport]

I think the reason some use 1/16" is because the tolerances, especially on smaller sizes, of some hex heads is a tad optimistic. The slightly larger imperial key is less likely to round a sloppy hex head that should be 1.5mm but is actually bigger. As long as you get a tight fit you're less likely to have a problem.

Which comes back to RC Screwz - as far as I can tell the tolerances are spot on so in that case 1.5mm really is 1.5mm

[cjcj1949]

If it the screws that come from the HK450s from Giant Cod then you need both the 1.5mm and the 1/16th allen keys. The ball drivers are useless on those screws. All the screws are slightly different. You could colour code them to show which work with metric and which with imperial. I bought a new set of Aligns. Bit of a waste really as the screws do work if you use the right keys.

[hicks451]

Many thanks for all the replies as its been a great help!!! It looks like im better off buying both sets as well as a box set of 450 screwz!!! lol All the best!!!