The L-shaped hex key that came in the box with your RTR is a fine tool for exactly one job: rounding out the screw you need most, at the worst possible moment. If you have ever tried to remove a motor screw with a key that is slightly soft, slightly worn and slightly the wrong size, you know the sound.
Good tools are the cheapest performance upgrade in RC because they stop you from breaking things while you fix things. This guide covers the tools we actually use at the race desk and repair bench, the sizes most 1/10 and 1/8 cars need, and a sensible order to buy them in. Tool contents listed here come from the manufacturers' product listings.
The Short Answer
The best RC car tools to own are quality metric hex drivers (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mm), nut drivers (5.5 and 7 mm first), a ball-end driver, good needle-nose pliers, a body reamer and curved scissors, plus a turnbuckle or 4-way wrench for your car.
- Hex drivers first: hardened, precise tips prevent stripped screws and are worth more than any aluminum part.
- Check metric vs US: most modern cars are metric, but some models use inch sizes.
- Add specialty tools for your car: a wheel wrench for 1/8 scale, a turnbuckle wrench, a ball-link tool.
- Buy in stages: drivers, then pliers and body tools, then setup tools.
1. Hex and Nut Drivers: Buy These First
Almost every screw on a modern RC car is a hex socket, and almost every nut is a locknut. That makes hex and nut drivers the tools you will touch on every single job. Here is what popular kits include, so you can see which sizes keep showing up.
| Tool set | Hex drivers | Nut drivers | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traxxas Tool Kit (3415) | 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 mm | 4, 5, 5.5, 7, 8 mm | Phillips 00/0/1, flat 2/3/4, 4/8 mm wrench, ratcheting handle |
| Traxxas Speed Bit Master Set (8710) | 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 mm straight; 2, 2.5, 3 mm ball-end | 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 7, 8 mm | Magnetic handle, 1/4-inch hex shanks for power drivers |
| Dynamite Startup Tool Set: Traxxas | 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 mm | 4, 5, 5.5, 7, 8 mm | Phillips 0/00/1, flat 2/3/4, 5 and 8 mm box wrench, ratcheting handle |
| Bold RC 1/10 Quick Drive Set | 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mm | 5.5, 7 mm | Magnetic composite handle, 1/4-inch bits |
The sizes that matter
For most 1/10 cars, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mm hex cover the majority of screws, with 3.0 mm appearing on larger and 1/8 scale vehicles. On nut drivers, 5.5 mm and 7 mm handle most locknuts and wheel nuts on 1/10 cars, and 4, 5 and 8 mm turn up on specific parts. Notice that the compact Bold RC 1/10 set carries exactly those core sizes, while the full Traxxas kits cover the rest.
Why tip quality matters
A hex driver only works if the tip fits the screw precisely and stays that way. Traxxas describes its Speed Bit Master Set as precision-ground hardened steel to prevent wear, rounding and screw damage, and MIP's Speed Tip bits are built around tight tolerances. Cheap soft tips twist and round off, and once a tip is worn it starts rounding screws. Replace worn tips; they are cheaper than extracting a stripped screw.
Ball-end drivers and power drivers
A ball-end tip lets you turn a screw at an angle, which is a lifesaver for screws hidden behind shock towers or under wings. Use it for spinning screws in and out, then finish with a straight tip to tighten without stripping. Many modern bits use 1/4-inch hex shanks so they also fit a cordless driver; set the clutch low and do the final turn by hand, especially into plastic.
Metric or US?
Most current cars and trucks use metric hardware. Some older models and certain platforms use US (inch) sizes or a mix. Check your manual's hardware list before you buy, and do not force a nearly-right metric driver into an inch screw.
2. Pliers, Ball-Link Tools and Wrenches
Once you can turn screws without wrecking them, the next tools handle the parts that pop, clip and thread: rod ends, body clips, turnbuckles and big wheel nuts.
Needle-nose and bent-nose pliers
You will use needle-nose pliers for body clips, e-clips, hinge pin retainers and pulling wires out of tight spots. Bent-nose pliers reach around obstacles, and flush diagonal cutters trim zip ties cleanly. Spring-loaded handles save your hand on long jobs. A matched set is a better buy than one big pair from the garage.
Ball-link pliers
Ball-link pliers pop plastic rod ends on and off their balls without twisting or stretching the link, and they are especially handy for small ball cups that are easy to crack. The Blade Deluxe Ball Link Pliers we stock are sold, per Horizon Hobby, for removing and attaching most brands of helicopter ball links, so check fit on your car's rod ends. For larger 1/10 and 1/8 car links, many drivers simply lever them off with pliers or a flat driver, carefully.
Turnbuckle, 4-way and wheel wrenches
Camber links and tie rods are turnbuckles with flats for a small wrench; Traxxas sets alignment by turning these, as its wheel alignment guide shows, and some Traxxas link sets include the wrench. A 4-way wrench covers several nut sizes in one piece and lives in many kit boxes. Most 1/8 buggies and truggies use 17 mm wheel nuts, so if you run 1/8 scale, check your manual and pick up a matching wheel wrench; a T-handle or splined version makes wheel changes quick at the track.
3. Body Tools, Shop Extras and a Kit by Budget
The last group of tools does not touch the drivetrain but gets used every time you paint a body, mount electronics or keep the bench tidy.
Body reamer and curved scissors
A body reamer cuts clean, round holes for body posts and antenna tubes. Traxxas's body reamer has a precision-ground tip with size marks in inches and millimeters, so you can match the hole to the post. Pair it with curved Lexan scissors for wheel wells and straight scissors for long edges. A hobby knife for scoring and a few sanding sticks round out body work.
The small stuff that saves the day
Keep blue (medium-strength) threadlocker for screws that go into metal, a magnetic parts tray so screws do not roll away, a small brush and compressed air for cleaning, zip ties, and a stand or block that lifts the wheels off the bench. None of it is exciting until the moment you need it.
Build your kit in stages
- Stage one: a quality hex and nut driver set in your car's sizes, like the Traxxas Tool Kit or a compact Bold RC set.
- Stage two: needle-nose pliers, a body reamer, curved scissors and threadlocker.
- Stage three: ball-end and precision bits, a turnbuckle wrench and a wheel wrench (usually 17 mm) if you run 1/8 scale.
- Stage four: setup tools such as a ride height gauge, camber gauge and setup board once you start racing.
Conclusion
Tools are not glamorous, but they decide whether a ten-minute repair stays a ten-minute repair. Start with good hex and nut drivers in the sizes your car uses, add pliers and body tools, then pick up the specialty wrenches your platform needs. Look after the tips and they will look after your screws.
Browse our RC tools and thread lockers, or bring your car to the Cumming showroom and we will help you match a tool set to its hardware. Questions? Contact us.
Gear Mentioned in This Guide
Traxxas 13-Piece Metric Speed Bit Master Set (8710)
Straight and ball-end hex bits plus six nut drivers on a magnetic handle.
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Bold RC 1/10 Quick Drive Hex and Nut Driver Set
1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mm hex plus 5.5 and 7 mm nut drivers: the core 1/10 sizes.
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Dynamite Startup Tool Set for Traxxas
Hex, nut, Phillips and flat drivers on a ratcheting handle in one pouch.
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MIP Speed Tip 2.0 mm Ball-End Hex Driver
A precision 1/4-inch shank bit for your handle or a power driver.
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Traxxas Body Reamer (3433)
Clean, round body-post holes with size marks engraved on the tip.
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Hobby Essentials Spring-Loaded Pliers Set (4)
Four spring-loaded pliers with rubber grips for clips, links and wiring.
Shop nowFrequently Asked Questions
What size hex drivers do I need for RC cars?
Most 1/10 cars use 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mm hex screws, with 3.0 mm common on larger and 1/8 scale vehicles. Check your manual's hardware list, since some models use US sizes.
What nut driver sizes are most common?
On 1/10 cars, 5.5 mm and 7 mm nut drivers handle most locknuts and wheel nuts. Full kits like the Traxxas Tool Kit add 4, 5 and 8 mm.
Are expensive hex drivers worth it?
Yes, for the sizes you use most. Hardened, precisely ground tips grip the screw fully and resist wear, which prevents stripped screws. A worn or soft tip will eventually round out screws.
Can I use a power drill on RC screws?
Many bits have 1/4-inch hex shanks that fit cordless drivers. Use a low clutch setting, and do the final tightening by hand, especially into plastic parts, to avoid stripping threads.
Do I need ball-link pliers for an RC car?
They are helpful for small, fragile ball cups. Many car links can be removed carefully with regular pliers or a flat driver. The Blade pliers we stock are designed for helicopter ball links, so check the fit on your car's rod ends.
What tools do I need for a 1/8 scale RC car?
Add a 3 mm hex driver, larger nut drivers and a wheel wrench (17 mm on most 1/8 buggies and truggies) to the usual 1/10 sizes. Many 1/8 vehicles also use larger hardware in the drivetrain, so check the manual.
