Recommend me a tool- 1/4 hex drive Allen set

[tarbellb]

Looking for a quality set of drivers. Amazon is a swamp of off brand sets. Not sure where to look for these?

Need 1/4 hex drive (impact gun) Allen bit set in both SEA and Metric

Willing to spend a little coin for something that will last, Wiha, Wera, Bondhus, etc....

Something like these

 

[Dave455]

The very best I’ve found are PB Swiss. I know they are costly in the U.S. but I have yet to find better. Not sure what availability is like for Imperial sizes.


Wera are very decent, but more reasonably priced. I have both PB Swiss and Wera, and find the Wera fine for mid quality screws.

 

[KnurledNut]

I’m partial to Wera because of the Hex Plus geometry. I’m not sure if they still offer the Impaktor hex bits without the diamond coating. That may be a standard feature now. I could do without it.
Zephyr and Apex are high quality, but not impact rated and can be hard to source. That being said, I've beat on both without failure.
I like PB Swiss for hand use but wouldn't hammer on them.
Qualtool makes excellent bits, but they dont have hex power bits in their Qryptonite impact line.
I have a set of Bondhus balldriver power bits, but havent tried the standard hex.
Vega has some in their Impactech line but I haven't tried them after being disappointed with their regular bits.
I'm not really a fan of impact-rated torsion style bits in general. The only ones I can think of that I'd like to try is Vessel.
In a nutshell, to answer your question I'd recommend Wera. I've pounded on them pretty good.

 

[tamaraw]

Vessel, Anex, Wiha, and PB Swiss are all good options.

You could do metric from one brand and imperial from another to keep them from getting mixed up.

 

[AEAdam]

Are you gonna use them in an impact driver? Assuming? Or are these for a screwdriver handle?

The ones in the picture have common shank diameters. Fine on the small sizes, bad on the bigger sizes. That’s a stress riser. So to make that bad design not explode, they probably made the steel soft which will compromise the business end. This means they will work okay when new, but will degrade quickly thereafter. So products like these get good reviews.

The ones posted by @KnurledNut look better to me. That’s the design I’d look for.

 

[tarbellb]

Yes I'll be using my M18 / M12 impacts w these bits primarily

I would prefer something 3" + / 75mm + or longer

Understood about the stresses of running say 8mm hex off a 1/4 drive hex but I want a full range of sizes and take the risk

I'm having a hard time sourcing a good set of Wiha Wera or PBswiss

does anyone have a link to a quality retailer selling sets ( or if I need to singles)?

Thanks

 

[LordLupulin]

Yes I'll be using my M18 / M12 impacts w these bits primarily

I would prefer something 3" + / 75mm + or longer

Understood about the stresses of running say 8mm hex off a 1/4 drive hex but I want a full range of sizes and take the risk

I'm having a hard time sourcing a good set of Wiha Wera or PBswiss

does anyone have a link to a quality retailer selling sets ( or if I need to singles)?

Thanks

KC Tool in the US for Wera unless you are willing to put up with Amazon.de and a reshipper. DRPD for PBSwiss. Lowes/Home Depot for Wiha

 

[CGarage]

PB Swiss or Vessel.

 

[KnurledNut]

The majority of Vessel bits use the japanese quick change style which wont work with most impact drivers. The exception is the USA market “impact ball” line, but they dont offer hex bits above 2”.

 

[KnurledNut]

@tarbellb
If you dont mind imported, I have a few different LaBear sets including their 3” metric hex bits and have been very impressed with the machining and tolerances. I can’t speak of longevity though as I havent used them hard. They are available from Amazon for $10.99.

 

[bwringer]

Wera's Hex-Plus geometry is 1,000% legit; I've used Wera hex-plus keys to remove stuff that others (yes, even THOSE brands) couldn't touch.

That said, Wera doesn't seem to make the bits the OP is looking for.



So anyway, I have "Neiko" and "Railer" sets from Amazon that are quite good. Neiko stuff generally seems to be legit (I have some other Neiko odds and ends as well) and is made in Taiwan.

This is the Neiko 3" set:

Amazon.com

This Hercules set at HF is also quite good, if you need security style bits:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-impact-rated-black-oxide-security-bit-set-33-piece-64907.html

I've abused this cheap set from HF many times with impacts, with many successes and no failures; the flex inherent to longer bits doesn't seem to allow damaging torque:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-long-reach-hex-bit-socket-set-7-piece-67890.html

Or, the Icon version:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-professional-long-hex-bit-socket-set-8-piece-59751.html

And there are particular times in particular situations where I've made my own by chopping off an L key with a cutoff wheel and using a socket...

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I go to Lowes or Home Depot to buy impact bits, Dewalt, Makita, or Milwaukee. No big deal easily replaced.

 

[KnurledNut]

Its frustrating that more manufacturers don’t offer easily accessible high quality hex bit sets of longer length. And the ones that do are sometimes piecemeal.
I went through this when trying to find a comprehensive set of 6” (150mm) SAE/MM hex bits.
I ended up building my own set, which took time and money, but got the basic setup I wanted.
Its used mostly by hand, but occasionally with an impact driver.

 

[tarbellb]

Wow great responses and thanks for the links!

time to go shopping

oh keep the suggestions coming, I don't mind doubling up

 

[Odd-job]

Maybe mix in some MAC rbrt's for when the Wera hex plus aren't working. They are sort of my last resort before going to

Have been using PB Swiss, Vessel and some Zephyr bits on non buggered up hex.

 

[tamaraw]

Its frustrating that more manufacturers don’t offer easily accessible high quality hex bit sets of longer length. And the ones that do are sometimes piecemeal.
I went through this when trying to find a comprehensive set of 6” (150mm) SAE/MM hex bits.
I ended up building my own set, which took time and money, but got the basic setup I wanted.
Its used mostly by hand, but occasionally with an impact driver.

View attachment 2172876

Nice kit! Is that a Niji pencil roll you have them in?

 

[KnurledNut]

Nice kit! Is that a Niji pencil roll you have them in?

Yes sir!

 

[tamaraw]

Yes sir!

Haha, I have my Wiha precision drivers in the same roll