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celticveil
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Mar 2010
Posts: 279
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 Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:35 am
Post subject: Allen keys vs. torx wrenches |
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We all know them, we all have them, and I'm sure most of us hate them to some level...those pesky little allen keys/hex wrenches many of our helis come with.
I found an excellent solution at Home Depot last night. For those of you who don't have one of those nearby, here's a link to what I am talking about:
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-hardware/hand-tools/husky/6-piece-hex-screwdriver-set-114546.html
I bought two to help handle the feathering shaft needs, and couldn't be more impressed. Its compact, contains 4 bits with 2 heads on each bit, and three bits store in the handle. It has a strange size listing, as it's not listed in meteric numbers but like a T-8, or other T(something) series, but fits metric hex screws. With these I get plenty of grip and leverage, far more than any allen key I have ever used, and it doesn't strip the allen keys near as easily,(maybe due to the star shape instead of hex shaped bits?).
Anyway, just thought I'd give some feedback on it. Best heli repair tool I have bought yet.
EDIT DISCLAIMER:: TORX is not specifically designed to work on allen screws, it just happens to match up. You need to be careful when using torx as it has the potential to overtighten and strip the main screw shaft. But considering the grip advantages, ease of use, etc., it makes up for the risk as I have no problem controlling my screw-tightness (torq) compared to the pain I go through trying to use an allen key.
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solentlife
Extreme 3D
Joined: 30 Dec 2010
Posts: 871
Location: Latvia / UK
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:37 pm
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Hi ........... I cannot answer why ... but Allen Keys are worst tool you can use ... I think part of the problem is the unbalanced leverage you have with them.
HEX DRIVERS - which look like screwdrivers are the answer - but only good quality ones ... the average Hobby Shop / DIY / online ex driver is useless as it's not case-hardened tip. I've even broken a tip of a 1.5mm driver tightening motor grub screws.
TORX are good - but average screw available for our helis can't take that sort of load and I've had heads snap of leaving the thread behind.
Good point though ... match those with 12.9 machine screws and you're laughing.
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If you don't crash - you ain't flying !
Fast learning to be 450 Heli Repair specialist !
Have : 2ch Bumblebee,
Co-Ax Syma S006 Alloy Shark
2x Clone 450 SE V2
+ fixed wing stuff ...
Returning to RC after 20 odd yrs away .. Ex Display flyer. |
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nick_onelove
Extreme 3D
Joined: 01 May 2011
Posts: 827
Location: Mendocino County, CA, United States 21 years old
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:37 pm
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Oh yeah, I'd say a nice set of hex drivers is pretty much essential to the hobby.
I use Eflite's 6-piece set and EXI's 15-piece set. That's cool that the TORX one uses bits that store inside the handle though, it's like an entire kit in the space of one driver.
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Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095 |
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celticveil
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Mar 2010
Posts: 279
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:27 am
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I gotta say my torx hasn't stripped anything yet, but I am very cautious about how much I tighten the screw. Hex drivers cost too much comparatively for my taste.
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tombo242
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 3625
Location: Santo Estêvão, East Algarve, Portugal. 76, but still feels 18.
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:07 am
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Looks useful, but they don't ship these outside of the US mainland. Not all of us live there. Some of us are well outside of the US!
Tom.
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celticveil
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Mar 2010
Posts: 279
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:15 am
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I'm sure you can find it somewhere else for sale, or a similar product. Hell, china rips everyone off as it is, maybe they have an even cheaper version floating around out there.
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tombo242
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 3625
Location: Santo Estêvão, East Algarve, Portugal. 76, but still feels 18.
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:57 am
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| celticveil wrote: | | I'm sure you can find it somewhere else for sale, or a similar product. Hell, china rips everyone off as it is, maybe they have an even cheaper version floating around out there. |
That's really my point celticveil, too many people seem to think that there is nothing outside of the US. Many ebay traders will not ship outside of the US mainland unless they are already outside of it. That is why most of my bits come from China/Hong Kong. Shipping is far cheaper and no problems to here. (Except for the Portugese customs who always seem to step in and want a cut if the parcel is large or over $50 USD.)
Tom.
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celticveil
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Mar 2010
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:49 am
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I despise customs, tariffs, trade restrictions, the whole mess.
I was concerned about being able to get stuff shipped to korea, but luckily I will have an army post office address which is unrestricted, same as US Stateside address. This just means shipments from stateside dealers will take longer.
ON THE OTHER HAND...its quite likely shipments from china may arrive faster now. I may dabble more in that market while I am over there.
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tombo242
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 3625
Location: Santo Estêvão, East Algarve, Portugal. 76, but still feels 18.
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:32 pm
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It would be worth a try, the same things can be cheaper direct from China.
Tom.
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sbobby
Extreme 3D
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
Posts: 100
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 1:14 pm
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| tombo242 wrote: | (Except for the Portugese customs who always seem to step in and want a cut if the parcel is large or over $50 USD.)
Tom. |
Some online sellers let you choose the amount you want to declare on the invoice so how would customs know what is the real value of the items to tax on ?
In Australia, we don't have to pay customs if it is less the 1000 AUS$. Our politician is smart enough to realise that it is not practical (benefit vs admin costs) to collect tax for small cost items. I love Australia !!! |
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tombo242
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 3625
Location: Santo Estêvão, East Algarve, Portugal. 76, but still feels 18.
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:55 pm
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| sbobby wrote: | | Some online sellers let you choose the amount you want to declare on the invoice so how would customs know what is the real value of the items to tax on ? |
They hold the parcel and send you an 'Official Demand Form' requesting you to comply with section 4 which reads:
"Factura Comercial ou Documento comprovativo de Pagmento com descrição detalhada da mercadoria e respectivo valor - (Transacções via internet entre Particulares ou Empresas e Particulares.)"
Translated by me - not official:
'Commercial Invoice or proof of payment document with a detailed description of the goods and their value - (Transactions via the Internet or from private companies and individuals.)'
The only way of convincing them that you had paid a very small amount is to enclose a copy of your Paypal payment matching the official invoice, complete with a translation if originals are not in Portugese. Even then they sometimes decide that the item is worth far more than you have paid and charge you accordingly.
i.e. My 1.4M span Cessna was $46.99 USD (on special sale, kit is here), well below the usual customs interest value of $50 USD but in a big box of course. Arrived in customs on 4th Nov. got the demand yesterday (exactly 2 weeks later). Posted invoice and Paypal payment form. If they decide that the kit is worth more than stated (although genuine figures), then they are likely to charge me according to their own 'made up figures'. Whatever happens it will still be very much cheaper than buying it from a Portugese hobby shop even including the shipping charge.
Tom.
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celticveil
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Mar 2010
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:36 am
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Hell, if america continues to become more corrupt than it is and demanding the same thing, I'd put my photoshop skill to good use on a printed invoice. Oh the wonderful things the military has taught me....
I despise people ripping me off like that. Is there no way you can fight it in Portugal?
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tombo242
Extreme 3D
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 3625
Location: Santo Estêvão, East Algarve, Portugal. 76, but still feels 18.
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:57 am
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Customs here have more power than the police. In an argument they cannot be wrong. The operative part of this is "If they decide that the kit is worth more than stated, then they are likely to charge according to their own 'made up figures'". No discussion is allowed, their decision is final. I can, of course buy things from a UK or German warehouse, but then I have 23% sales tax (VAT in UK or IVA in Germany) to pay on top of the purchase price which is already more than the Chinese price. It never works out less in total than the customs charges - often more.
I have previously sent the customs one of the 'reduced' invoices and was charged as for a $150.00 USD import on a $45.59 USD invoice. Just doesn't work, I'll report re what happens with my genuine sub $50 USD Cessna with a Paypal backup statement.
(Aways hopeful  )Tom.
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celticveil
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:25 am
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And they wonder why the black market exists...
In america with all the taxes on tobacco products, many people are now selling homemade cigarettes at lower prices than commercially available products. Same with gun ammunition.
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solentlife
Extreme 3D
Joined: 30 Dec 2010
Posts: 871
Location: Latvia / UK
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:02 pm
Post subject: |
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| tombo242 wrote: | Customs here have more power than the police. In an argument they cannot be wrong. The operative part of this is "If they decide that the kit is worth more than stated, then they are likely to charge according to their own 'made up figures'". No discussion is allowed, their decision is final. I can, of course buy things from a UK or German warehouse, but then I have 23% sales tax (VAT in UK or IVA in Germany) to pay on top of the purchase price which is already more than the Chinese price. It never works out less in total than the customs charges - often more.
I have previously sent the customs one of the 'reduced' invoices and was charged as for a $150.00 USD import on a $45.59 USD invoice. Just doesn't work, I'll report re what happens with my genuine sub $50 USD Cessna with a Paypal backup statement.
(Aways hopeful )Tom. |
There are many countries that have Customs Lists ... that is a list of values that Customs apply regardless of Invoice statement. Part of protectionism which ultimately hurts the very people it's designed to protect.
Customs basically are not as stupid as we tend to think .. OK we've all met the dork who can't see further bthan his badge. They are fully aware of false statements and invoices ..
Not that you are one Tom who would do such a thing ... just remarking based on personal observation in various countries I've lived.
_________________
If you don't crash - you ain't flying !
Fast learning to be 450 Heli Repair specialist !
Have : 2ch Bumblebee,
Co-Ax Syma S006 Alloy Shark
2x Clone 450 SE V2
+ fixed wing stuff ...
Returning to RC after 20 odd yrs away .. Ex Display flyer. |
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