S.C., that is an HSAK helix, not one of the prefabs. I can modify that helix in almost every way.
As for tool building sfmmfreak, we use tools to create the "perfect element". It's also an easier way to make a track. I do still handbuild a lot of my tracks, but I resort to tools for loops(except the one on CENTROID), helixes, airtime hills, ect.
Making an old classic woodie, like Grand National, however, we will resort to using our hands, rather than our brains, if you know what I mean.