Allen/hex sets

[Col_M]

Does anyone have recommendations for good metric hex key sets that start from 0.7mm and go to about 5mm?
There doesn';t seem to be much middle ground between generic cheap stuff for a few quid and Wiha ones which are like £35.

The smallest of the ones I currently have is only 1.3mm and still too big for the grub screw on my motors, they also seem to be made from butter as the pic below shows 


got my macro lens out for that 

[firey1]

your best bet would be a mechanics hardware place
most hex drives sold through hobby places are of soft metal
I ordered a special micro set for doing my helis and stuff was expensive but never rounded one

[Biffa]

I buy individual sizes as with sets you always end up with sizes you don';t need or use.

I buy Bondhus, not the best but certainly good enough for undoing the odd motor grub screw.

http://www.uktools.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=bondhus&x=23&y=13

[Col_M]

Good point! probably better and cheaper to get a few good quality individual ones.
However what size heads are the grub screws in motors, the ones that hold the bell housing onto the shaft? my vernier calipers are too big to fit in the hole in the motor to measure the head.

[powerlord]

I';ve been impressed with the turnigy set I got from hobbyking uk warehouse.

really hard metal. were about 7 quid.

just go to hobbyking.com, uk tab, and tools.

stu

[nub]

use drivers keys suck.

its probably 1mm.

[Biffa]

However what size heads are the grub screws in motors, the ones that hold the bell housing onto the shaft?

Some are 1.5mm but the ones in my new RCtimer motors needed a 1.27mm.

[barneyg]

Silly somewhat related question ... 2 of my motors have the slightest bit of vertical (no horizontal play at all) play in the bell housing ... could I get rid of this by loosening off the grub screw, pushing the bell housing down, and then retightening the grub screw? and even if I can am I just better leaving it alone ?

[nub]

yup i had to do that with one my motors today, need to do one of my DJI motors as well but that seems more like a press fit.

[Col_M]

Some are 1.5mm but the ones in my new RCtimer motors needed a 1.27mm.

Cheers, I actually tried my 1.3mm one and it turns out it does fit so that';s good (sometimes I wonder how I got my degree in mechanical design).

I';ve just ordred Wiha 1.3, 2.0 and 2.5mm hex drivers, they';re made in Germany so should be good.

Silly somewhat related question ... 2 of my motors have the slightest bit of vertical (no horizontal play at all) play in the bell housing ... could I get rid of this by loosening off the grub screw, pushing the bell housing down, and then retightening the grub screw? and even if I can am I just better leaving it alone ?

Yeah, this was exactly the problem I had, I just fixed it by loosening the grub screw, pushing the shaft up and holding it there while I tightened the grub screw. The vertical play and funny clicking has completely disappeared now 

[AM556]

The main problem with ';cheapo'; tools is in the hardening (or lack of it). Why not harden them yourself? I have always made, hardened and tempered my own chisels etc. You don';t need to go for high carbon steel such as EN8 or tool steel, you can introduce enough carbon from used diesel engine oil to do the job if you heat-quench, heat-quench...... The critical part is the final tempering in getting the temperature right.

[Col_M]

The main reason is that I live in a 3rd floor flat 1 bedroom flat, I don';t have the necessary or tools to harden stuff and don';t want to get it either as I';ll only mean I have more to take back to the UK later this year.
You';re right though, it';s a simple process, I';ve made a torque wrench with parts I';ve case hardened myself in the past but I had access to the tools to do it then.
It';s easier to just buy good hex wrenches instead