Metric L Hex Keys - Stubby Recommendation

[mobiledynamics]

I'd creating a smaller tool set at a getaway home we visit every so often.

I want to add a metric L set. Probably Stubby but I have so many on my Cart

Wera, Wiha, Bondhus, Vessell

I'm leaning on the Bondhust just because I love my Bondhus T's.

Whaddya guys recommend

 

[Wamsutta]

The long Bondhus with the stubby short end. Ball hex on the long end.

 

[conmanumber1]

Hi from Oamaru Sth island New Zealand.
For this it's amazing you will get a good set with other options from medium to budget brands like Fuller. I'm not sure if you have it it the U.S but they were in U.S around 1960', 70's and 80's.

I love the brand as it's pretty good and prices fair. Another option is thrift stores that sell used tools.

Chrome Vanadium Black/Red 30-Piece Professional Sae/Metric Hex Key Set 130-8030 | PlaceMakers NZ

The Professional 30-Piece SAE and Metric hex key set includes 0.028 Inch, 0.035 Inch, 0.05 Inch, 1/16 Inch, 5/64 Inch, 3/32 Inch, 7/64 Inch, 1/8 Inch, 9/64 Inch, 5/32 Inch, 3/16 Inch, 7/32 Inch, 1/4 Inch, 5/16 Inch and 3/8 Inch keys. Set also contains 0.7mm, 0.9mm, 1.3mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm...

www.placemakers.co.nz

 

[dutchgray]

Any of your listed brands would be fine.
The Wera with the hex plus ends are probably the best for high torque use from your list.
Bondhus are good and fairly cheap.

 

[F-22]

Out of the brands you listed, get the ones that are the cheapest for you. Can't go wrong with any. I'd check PB Swiss too if you're in Europe, sometimes they have nice prices (cheaper than Wera) and still very nice quality.

 

[Dave455]

When you say “stubby” I assume you mean short this way


Rather than this way


I like Bondhus, in fact I don’t think there’s better for the price. I don’t, however. like their “ProGuard” finish. It’s rough to use and also to wipe down. If you can get ‘em without, that’s better I reckon.

Wera are excellent. The way they are forged from round bar (not the cheapest ones) makes them much more resistant to bending, and the “hex plus” tips really do work.


My “go to” tend to be PB Swiss at the top end, paired with Wera for general grubbing around.

There was a discussion about Wiha recently, and how their hex keys are now made in Poland, and not the quality they were. I would avoid.

Vessel are great. They offer an awesome selection You can get them “stubby” both ways if you like.

 

[F-22]

much more resistant to bending,

By the way, if you want the most **** round bar knurled allen key ****, PB Swiss has you covered. Not sure if they offer shorty ones:



Wera hex plus is cool but I don't know anyone able to resist these after they hold them once. That's what Wera should do instead of their silly sleeves. Add in some grooves for color coding like on their sockets and they'd have the winner.

 

[Dave455]

By the way, if you want the most **** round bar knurled allen key ****, PB Swiss has you covered. Not sure if they offer shorty ones:



Wera hex plus is cool but I don't know anyone able to resist these after they hold them once. That's what Wera should do instead of their silly sleeves. Add in some grooves for color coding like on their sockets and they'd have the winner.

I have to admit I own these also!

No, I don’t think they offer short ones.

I have quite a collection of PB Swiss, and I think they were one of the first to introduce this pattern. Yes, probably the best overall.

I actually find that the PB Swiss and the Wera complement each other very well. If one isn’t suitable, the other usually is.

I use hex keys a lot, and have examples by Bondhus, Eklind, PB Swiss, Wiha, Wera, Facom and Vessel. All have their unique advantages.

And yet I still find myself asking “are the Asahi as good as rumoured…..?”

 

[seber]

When we bought high end production equipment made in Japan they sent Bondus keys with it. I'd call that a pretty good endorsement.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Wow. Those PB Swiss is nice. Haven't seen those till now.

Stubby on the short end. Working on Euro's, stubby always tends to help in alot

 

[vwpieces]

The long Bondhus with the stubby short end. Ball hex on the long end.

X2

 

[Dave455]

Wow. Those PB Swiss is nice. Haven't seen those till now.

Stubby on the short end. Working on Euro's, stubby always tends to help in alot

Yes, they are useful.

That’s a less common pattern though. I don’t think either Wera or Wiha offer them.

Of the makers discussed, you can only find those from Bondhus, Vessel or PB Swiss - in ascending order of cost!

PB Swiss, particularly the round shank ones, might be a bit over spec’d for the use intended, but then this is garage journal…!

 

[Wamsutta]

Rather than this way

That's the type to get. I didn't know PB Swiss made them.

 

[M6erfan]

Wera, Wiha, Bondhus, Vessell

I like Bondhus too and own many, but the short L-keys I own are Wiha, been fine also for many years.

 

[Dave455]

That's the type to get. I didn't know PB Swiss made them.

I think PB may have been the first manufacturer to introduce these. Certainly the first I encountered, though maybe Asahi beat them to it?

Yes, love ‘em. My most used type of hex key.

PB offer three styles, short, short + ball tip, and long + ball tip.


Vessel offer three lengths of these.

 

[crashmtb]

Asahi Daxkey

両端曲げ/先端ストレート/ロング/Daxkey Wrench | DX2000TOOLS 六角棒レンチ | 製品案内

www.asahi-tool.co.jp

I like the double ended ones, but they do Also come in a ball end L shape.