Upgrading hex keys (Allen wrenches)
- Thread starter tanukiboy
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Notgrownup
Well-known member
Those look nice Tanukiboy
FuzzyTiger
Well-known member
I know that's one of the 'design features' of standard hex keys.. But honestly does anyone ever use it?
Actually on that note, I find hex keys to be pretty worthless in the first place. I immediately toss them in the garbage. Hex drivers and sockets are much more useful and easy to use.
But as far as hex keys go - those Swiss PB ones are probably the most thoughtfully designed ones I've seen. The ball end on the long end makes perfect sense along with the standard end on the short side and knurling along the length.
matt_i
Well-known member
I like the multi-color which I think was excellently piloted also by PB Swiss.
But, now Bondhus has sets along the same lines for mortal money, the coating is not as durable (seen some German OEM techs with well-used PB sets and they look fantastic) but its definitely a helpful visual aid.
But, now Bondhus has sets along the same lines for mortal money, the coating is not as durable (seen some German OEM techs with well-used PB sets and they look fantastic) but its definitely a helpful visual aid.
I agree. I sometimes found it baffling how some people will spend more than $20 for a set of hex keys and/or have multiple sets of them. They do have they’re place but I rather get a nice set of hex sockets. Just my opinion though, I rarely use mine so I might be missing something.
FuzzyTiger
Well-known member
I find it baffling that anyone would spend any money on them. You get them for free with every random thing you buy and then you immediately toss them because it's a garbage tool. I like my hands too much to put them through using them.
A socket + ratchet is better in every way. And you can probably get a full set of sockets + a ratchet for the price of those PB Swiss keys as nice as they are. Now... I did happen to spy some PB Swiss sockets... And those are pretty exciting.
justintendo
Well-known member
I find it baffling that anyone would spend any money on them. You get them for free with every random thing you buy and then you immediately toss them because it's a garbage tool. I like my hands too much to put them through using them.
A socket + ratchet is better in every way. And you can probably get a full set of sockets + a ratchet for the price of those PB Swiss keys as nice as they are. Now... I did happen to spy some PB Swiss sockets... And those are pretty exciting.
there are a few times ive had to use hex keys, as nothing else will fit because of clearance. certainly enough to not throw them away.
many of my t-handles have been reground..not the L-keys so much.
I find it baffling that anyone would spend any money on them. You get them for free with every random thing you buy and then you immediately toss them because it's a garbage tool. I like my hands too much to put them through using them.
A socket + ratchet is better in every way. And you can probably get a full set of sockets + a ratchet for the price of those PB Swiss keys as nice as they are. Now... I did happen to spy some PB Swiss sockets... And those are pretty exciting.
I guess my use case is probably a bit different from that of a lot of folks here at Garage Journal. Those PB Swiss hex keys are mainly used for assembling, disassembling, and adjusting my photographic gear. They are great for camera/flash accessories, tripods, and things like that.
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Most of what I use is Torx on the Harley, but yes a good set of hex and torx sockets and the small driver inserts work well and easily identifiable
acer66
Well-known member
I constantly use them working on my bicycles so I have spend more than $20 on them.
Also have a set in my tool bag at my job because I have no need for ratchets and I need to travel light.
But I will take a look at the hex sockets since they will feed my tool addiction.
RoundedNut
Well-known member
I agree with some others in thinking it "suboptimal" 
to have high end bent metal sticks. They're cheap enough to toss into ikea furniture kits and only used by people who don't have any tools.
I first started using a hand me down Xcelite Series 99 hex blade set in the 70's and never thought hex was any different than other fastener drives like Robertson or Torx.
I accept the existence of the madness however, since Philips and slot drives also continue to be used.
to have high end bent metal sticks. They're cheap enough to toss into ikea furniture kits and only used by people who don't have any tools.I first started using a hand me down Xcelite Series 99 hex blade set in the 70's and never thought hex was any different than other fastener drives like Robertson or Torx.
I accept the existence of the madness however, since Philips and slot drives also continue to be used.
I find it baffling that anyone would spend any money on them. You get them for free with every random thing you buy and then you immediately toss them because it's a garbage tool. I like my hands too much to put them through using them.
A socket + ratchet is better in every way. And you can probably get a full set of sockets + a ratchet for the price of those PB Swiss keys as nice as they are. Now... I did happen to spy some PB Swiss sockets... And those are pretty exciting.
I prefer sockets but use allen wrenches a lot because of clearance issues.
I wouldn't compare the junk they throw in with furniture to a decent set of Eklind, Bondhus or whatever.
That's like saying I bought a 300 piece tool kit for $9.99 and it has a ratchet therefore all ratchets are junk.
Sometimes a hex key is the best tool for the job. Off hand I'm thinking about (some) 2 stroke intake manifolds that won't allow a typical ratchet in due to obstruction. Hex keys were about the only tool for the job. But with the wide availability of small bit drivers, they're pretty much what I use these days. My hex keys don't see much use anymore, but I'm glad I have them when I need them.
Those PB Swiss keys in the OP are super nice.
Those PB Swiss keys in the OP are super nice.
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measuredtwice
Well-known member
YES! Allen drive sockets and Allen wrenches. Do you want to start it, or should I?
I am surprised this thread has been as active and popular as it has been.
If I understood correctly, the OP in that topic wanted to discuss sockets as well as keys.
I've accumulated keys from Allen USA, Eklind USA, Bondhus USA, Wera and others. I don't know about now but back when I bought them, they were often inexpensive. At local brick and mortar stores, they were often clearanced. The Wera hex-plus set is around $6 regular price. It's the short set.
If there's clearance, I prefer to use bits and a bit holder or bit ratchet. I've been happy with the USA-made bits that I picked up at Menards for $9 (after 11% off).
This USA-made set for $10 (or less after 11% off) is a good deal. --> https://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=437221 I use them with my ratcheting screwdriver.
Also check out Wera's Hex-plus
ssdave
Banned
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bob15
Well-known member
At my old job, yes, I would grind down the key as it would get rounded out (on both my socket and keys). Also had applications where a stubby key was needed, so you made your own.
ssdave
Banned
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PB Swiss for the quality & colors, the geographic proximity to the OP's German car (Porsche 912).
Bondhus for cost (I dunno maybe he has a Polo engine in his 912). Always ask yourself: what does this hex key have that makes it worth the cost delta over Bondhus?
I like my Snappy hex socket pretty well but dunno if there are better ones. Dunno what Hazet has for hex sockets.
I DO KNOW that he wants a set of the ring grip type from Ko-ken. There is a thread on here somewhere about them - I am likely the OP asking about them. I got them and they look real nice - only in 3/8" tho. IIRC Wera makes them in 1/4" drive. he only needs certain (DIN) sizes of anything for a Porsche.
Then there are the bit ratchet sets, and the close clearance bit ratchet sets...
Bondhus for cost (I dunno maybe he has a Polo engine in his 912). Always ask yourself: what does this hex key have that makes it worth the cost delta over Bondhus?
I like my Snappy hex socket pretty well but dunno if there are better ones. Dunno what Hazet has for hex sockets.
I DO KNOW that he wants a set of the ring grip type from Ko-ken. There is a thread on here somewhere about them - I am likely the OP asking about them. I got them and they look real nice - only in 3/8" tho. IIRC Wera makes them in 1/4" drive. he only needs certain (DIN) sizes of anything for a Porsche.
Then there are the bit ratchet sets, and the close clearance bit ratchet sets...
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I want a nice ... screwdriver handle... METRIC set with straight shafts... no ball end. Every time I search for a set... I set sidetracked.
I use a color coded set of Wera keys for L hex wrenches, and the Bondhus T handled set when I have clearance. I use Wera drivers at work a lot, but I have a much harder time judging torque with those for assembly. The Bondhus T wrenches definitely don't last forever but they're not bad for the money.
71Fastback
Member
Multi color is a nice feature
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Hex keys like screwdrivers, have a set of good quality in every tool box and don’t really think about them, they’re just there when you need them.i always check eBay first for nos like these craftsman usa keys,20$ For both, one from hd are probably just as good, i just like to find usa stuff first.
Attachments
I think these doodads are a clever idea for when clearance is an issue. You just pop them into a 12-mm ratcheting wrench. These are made by the Japanese company STRAIGHT.
View media item 108617
View media item 108617
speed bump
Well-known member
I like Bondhus and Elkind hex keys. I treat hex keys like consumables, use them until the tips start rounding, cut them down or throw them away. Once I start seeing gaps in sets I order replacements. I'm not sure a fancy set makes any more sense than the plain jane ones.
Sockets are nice but once I am more than 5 ft away from the tool box that is a lot more to carry versus just grabbing a set of hex keys.
Sockets are nice but once I am more than 5 ft away from the tool box that is a lot more to carry versus just grabbing a set of hex keys.
justintendo
Well-known member
very slick!
acer66
Well-known member
racinfarmer
Well-known member
I have a 2.5' long tube named the "Tube of Persuasion" that I put over hex keys to break stuff loose.
I can't do that with my t-handles and I don't always want to wreck a hex socket if it is questionable.
Use this method all the time.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Very Handy and clever indeed, are they made in Japan, any link to them? Thanks for sharing!
Legion Prime
Well-known member
Yup, the Bondhus 2x ball end hex keys made pulling and reinstalling the harley intakes this summer way WAY less laborious than they looked like they'd be. In fact I liked them so much and they're so inexpensive I preemptively ordered a metric set as a just in case.
Yup, I have a tiny Blue Point angled handle 1/4" bit ratchet with a hex bit I chopped both ends off of so I could do the VW/Audi window block recall without doing anything more than pulling the door panel. Also needed a 1/4" hex maybe 3/16's of an inch long for something I was working on this summer. Only needed enough to fit in the fastener and slip a wrench over. Damned if I can remember what it was but I've still got the stub in a magnetic tray in my toolbox. LOL When it comes to cheap & effective, hex keys can't be beat.
As an industrial maintenance tech working in the high tech manufacturing arena I can say that 75% of our fasteners were socket head screws. So I have a bit different point of view than te auto mechanic. At one time I counted 17 different sets of tools for turning Allen screws. These ran from the basic hex keys to ratchet sets, T-handles, socket drivers, and a few more forms. The basic set of hex keys were the goto tool and always in my pocket. Over the years many of the L keys were modified to fit the job at hand. We had custom extenders to add leverage when needed.
So my comment in post two is based on MY experience. If you need some special formed, fancy finish, or something else then go for it. My experience of 25+ years carrying tools for hex fasteners says it's hard to beat the basic L-key for everyday use. I would say the L-key in my work life was akin to the basic combo wrench and socket set are the basis of the a good tool kit to repair a vehicle.
lg
no neat sig line
So my comment in post two is based on MY experience. If you need some special formed, fancy finish, or something else then go for it. My experience of 25+ years carrying tools for hex fasteners says it's hard to beat the basic L-key for everyday use. I would say the L-key in my work life was akin to the basic combo wrench and socket set are the basis of the a good tool kit to repair a vehicle.
lg
no neat sig line
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Thanks
MushCreek
Well-known member
The best I've found are Wera Hex-Plus. As a mold maker, we use hex keys almost exclusively as the socket head cap screws are ubiquitous in injection molds. We routinely use pipe cheaters on them, all day, every day. We do use hex sockets with impact guns for the bigger ones. When I was the boss, I gave them to all of the guys because they work a lot better for not stripping out the heads on the cap screws.
Wyoming09
Well-known member
This.
While the keys in the OP are very nice they really would only be good for times when clearance isn't an issue. I have a box of modified hex keys that that have been reground or cut off in order to gain access.
Locker537
Well-known member
I'm really intrigued by these:
https://www.parktool.com/product/sl...t-thh-1?category=Hex & Torx® Compatible Tools
Anyone use them or a similar set? I dig Park Tool for their contributions to the biking community, but I'm curious who the OEM is for those.
https://www.parktool.com/product/sl...t-thh-1?category=Hex & Torx® Compatible Tools
Anyone use them or a similar set? I dig Park Tool for their contributions to the biking community, but I'm curious who the OEM is for those.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I purchased a set of the WERA HEX PLUS in order to get to a fastener buried near the starter on my BMW to replace a faulty crank position sensor, because I was afraid to damage the fastener and the ulternative was not good. I was very impressed with their fit and finish and was able to undertake the task at hand with success.
In fact I purchased a set of WERA HEX PLUS bits to compliment the L keys for those times where access needs a bit of ingenuity
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designer485
Well-known member
I reached out to them a while back and the COO is Taiwan. For this style hex wrench, I think ones from Beta, PB Swiss or USAG are nicer. People seem to praise the ones from Silca as well but I don't know the COO of those.