5 Essential Tools Every RC Hobbyist Needs (That Aren't in the Box)

If you’ve just bought a "Ready-to-Run" (RTR) RC car, you probably found a couple of small L-shaped hex keys and a thin metal cross-wrench at the bottom of the box.

Here is a pro-tip: Put those back in the box and leave them there.

While manufacturers include basic tools to get you started, they are often made of soft metal that rounds off easily, leading to the nightmare of every hobbyist: the stripped screw. If you want to spend more time on the track and less time drilling out stuck hardware, you need a dedicated pit bag.

Here are the 5 essential tools that will change the way you wrench.

1. High-Quality Metric Hex Drivers

This is the single most important investment you will make. Most modern RC cars (Traxxas, Arrma, Losi) use metric hardware—specifically 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, and 3.0mm.

The "L-keys" included in the box are notorious for slipping. A dedicated driver set with a comfortable handle and hardened steel tips provides the torque needed to break factory thread lock without ruining the screw head.

• Our Top Pick: Naughty Boy RC Metric Hex Driver Set — Hardened tips and a lightweight aluminum handle for maximum grip. Not nearly as expensive as the other guys either!

2. Multi-Functional Shock Pliers

Eventually, you’ll need to rebuild your shocks or change your spring rate. Most people reach for standard pliers, but the jagged teeth of household pliers will scratch your shock shafts. Even a tiny scratch can lead to binding or tear a rubber O-ring, causing your shocks to leak and ruin your handling.

Specialty shock pliers are designed with smooth, rounded cutouts to hold the shaft firmly without leaving a mark.

• Check them out here: Specialty RC Shock Pliers

3. A Professional Body Reamer

Need to mount a new body or add LED light buckets? Don't use a drill bit. Drills tend to catch the Lexan plastic, causing it to tear or crack.

A Body Reamer allows you to slowly and precisely "shave" a perfectly circular hole into the polycarbonate. It’s safer for the body and gives your rig that professional, clean look.

4. High-Torque Nut Drivers

The tiny cross-wrenches included in RC kits are hard on your fingers and provide very little leverage. When you're trying to swap tires in a hurry, a dedicated 7mm or 8mm nut driver makes the process effortless. Plus, the deep-well design ensures you don't slip and mar your expensive aftermarket wheels.

• Shop the collection: Naughty Boy RC Specialty Tools

5. Magnetic Parts Tray (The "Carpet Monster" Protector)

There is nothing more frustrating than a 2.0mm screw falling into the grass or deep into your carpet, never to be seen again. A magnetic parts tray is a "set it and forget it" tool that keeps your hardware exactly where you left it—even if you accidentally bump the table.

Why Buy R/C Specific Tools?

In the RC world, the saying goes: "Buy once, cry once." Investing in a professional tool set today prevents you from having to buy expensive replacement chassis parts or screw kits tomorrow because of a stripped head. However, those tools don't need to break the bank!

Ready to upgrade your pit station? Check out our full range of Naughty Boy RC Branded Tools and start wrenching like a pro.