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Recommend me a set of Allen/ Hex Keys.

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mik641

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Mar 18, 2009
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New Zealand
Am looking for a set of Metric Allen Keys, up to 10mm..

Can someone recommend me a set around about 40$US or 50$NZD?

Something with those ball ends?

How can i tell what is good quality?

thanks
 
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MotoDave

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Bondhus is a solid choice for hex keys, IMO.

You might want to think if you really want ball ends. More often than not I prefer straight hex ends, much less likely to round out the fastener.
 
OP
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mik641

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Hi Dave.

I dont mind as usually i use the square end to tighten or loosen and the other one if i need the angle.

Where about are bondhus made?
 
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Mickey O

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mik641 said:
Yep they are. any good? Also elkind is a little cheaper so wasnt sure about the quality
Click to expand...

Elkind's are great, I have a few sets:

tools13.jpg


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RLRRLRLL

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Spearville Kansas
i bought a $10 titan set at autozone as i needed a set, surprisingly they have held up quite well. i know they are not ideal....but when u can use a wrench on one as a cheater to get a brake caliper off......id say they are decent
 
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forceyoda

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I have one of the $50 Snap on sets along with some bondhus and I prefer the Snap On, barely though.
 
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speed bump

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Butte Montana
I like the Eklinds, 95% of the time they will get lost before you break one or wear it out. I'm not a fan of the Bondhus stuff due to coating on them as compared to the Eklinds, in nasty conditions they just don't seem to hold up.
 
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scottmlew

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PB Swiss has top notch hex keys, whether you want the ball end or standard end. They have a wide variety of styles, all of which are top quality. I just picked up several sets since I was so happy with my past experiences with them.
 
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scottmlew

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Oh, and re: pricing -- check out pbtools.us for PB Swiss prices. Right now they also have an additional 30% off. THis makes them well within your $40 USD target. For example, their "rainbow series" (mock me if you want, but I like the color coding) metric set is now $24.35. The long rainbow set with ball on the long end is $49.60. They also have other sets to choose from at prices in between. And, I'm fairly certain the non-rainbow series is a little less expensive.
 
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Mickey O

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scottmlew said:
Oh, and re: pricing -- check out pbtools.us for PB Swiss prices. Right now they also have an additional 30% off. THis makes them well within your $40 USD target. For example, their "rainbow series" (mock me if you want, but I like the color coding) metric set is now $24.35. The long rainbow set with ball on the long end is $49.60. They also have other sets to choose from at prices in between. And, I'm fairly certain the non-rainbow series is a little less expensive.
Click to expand...

:spit::lol_hitti:lol:
 
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baucom

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mik641 said:
Where about are bondhus made?
Click to expand...

Bondhus are made in U.S.A.

Merkava_4 said:
Bondhus, Eklind, or Allen. Allen has some new keys with magnets on the end if you need them.
Click to expand...

Most of the Allen hex keys I've seen lately in Sears and AAP are made in China, FWIW. I was surprised because I was under the impression that Allen hex keys were U.S. made since they're Allens signature product line.
 
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Kevin54

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I use both Bondhus and Eklind and abuse the **** out of them. A lot of the times I will use a cheater bar or a hammer on them and I have used the same ones for years now with no ill effects other than the black oxide coating has wore a little. Working on dies on a daily basis, the hex wrenches get a workout.
 
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caper

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arkangel06 said:
Gray tools makes some nice hex keys

Ive seen them been put through the ringer
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I agree with that.I have them,short and long,standard and metric.Best allen keys I've used yet.The gold colored sets seem indestructable and have excellent tolerances.They are sort of springy,every one I've torqued hard always springs right back to original.Cheap as well.
 
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Elroy

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Elroy has never spent more than $12 for a set of hex keys. Danaher owns both Allen and Holo-Krome. Notice the private label Lesle are Allen brand. Also note that the typical metric set skips right over the 7mm and 9mm keys. Craftsman to the rescue.

Picture005.jpg


The Bondhus were USA and for ball nose they're probably better than the others. They're "Elroy" proof

Picture025.jpg


Picture037.jpg


Those "folding" sets **** ***. Next to useless in most applications. They're handy only in situation when you need several sizes in a limited storage condition.

If Elroy was in the market to purchase and was looking for top of the line keys it would be Allen or Holo-Krome:

http://www.holo-krome.com/

Picture006.jpg
 
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Elroy

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Mickey O said:
What about Unbrakos?
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Another excellent brand.

The problem with these "premium" brands is finding a distribution source. You're not going to typically walk into your local Home Depressed or Ace Hard-on and find these on the shelf.

For someone in the trade who deals with industrial distributors it's a different story.
 
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superautobacs

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Monte said:
kikoj-1.jpg
Click to expand...

I've read user opinions about the Hex-Plus and there were a couple negatives:
-the round sleeve, with its additional diameter, can pose a clearance issue
-the Hex-Plus feature, under repetitive use, on the same fastener, will marr the contacts and/or enlargen those contact points.
 
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Monte

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superautobacs said:
-the Hex-Plus feature, under repetitive use, on the same fastener, will marr the contacts and/or enlargen those contact points.
Click to expand...

Isn`t that the same with traditional hex wrenches/bits ?? (hence the invention of hex plus !?)

950spkl-9sm-3.jpg

we-hex-img.jpg

fhex1c.gif


without sleeve:

Wiha set with "Magic Ring" screw holding device
369R_S9.jpg
 
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superautobacs

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Monte said:
Isn`t that the same with traditional hex wrenches/bits ?? (hence the invention of hex plus !?)
Click to expand...

You're right that the same thing occurs with the traditional hex keys/bits as well.

Here's a link that shows an interesting experiment using a Facom Hex-plus L-key versus a Vessel UltraHex L-key. They both share the same dimensions.
 
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Monte

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Mercedes M + R class uses 9mm too on the brakes. But I guess this is more a task for a hex bit socket.
 
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Mickey O

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Chicago, IL
acswan said:
Picked up this set yesterday at the local industrial supply. Was looking for the individual sets on sale that caper posted earlier, none in stock so he sold me this kit cheaper than buying the individuals, plus I got the funky t-handle thing
Click to expand...

You're missing the 9mm, I sure hope you're not doing brakes on a Mercedes M + R class or a BMW X5.
 
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