7mm 1/4 bit (why not in most kits)

[shockwave]

Like mentioned I was looking for a 1/4 bit in 7mm not snap on Mac or cornwell offer.

I have found wera and vim offer.

The reason I ask is I was doing brakes and most euro spec cars always use 7mm hex and with a nice bit ratchet was a tighter fit than any of my numerous bit sockets

Just curious other’s thoughts as most offer 6,8 and 10 where 2-5 is standard on any set

 

[RTM]

Found out Sunday my Ace hardware set has a 7mm bit, 1/4” drive. No 9mm tho.

Didn’t need it, but I had it.

Edit: mine is a socket bit 1/4” drive, not a hex bit 1/4” drive....

 

[ssdave]

You can get Zephyr, who makes many of Snap-on's inserts, here:

https://omegatec.com/zephyr-h5207xm-7mm-socket-head--hex-allen--insert-bit-1-4-hex-shank.aspx

 

[mazdeuce]

I don't think 7mm is a "standard" size. Same reason Japanese tool companies don't have 9mm sockets in their regular sets. It's not a JIS size. My guess is that 7mm hex is a DIN thing.

Edit: Looks like the DIN standard for allen head screws is 6mm allen for M8 and 8mm allen for M10. What size bolts are using 7mm?

 

[ssdave]

7mm is all over bicycles.

EDIT: I was remembering wrong, 6mm is the critical one for bikes. My MAC sets, that I've always thought were pretty complete with 130 +- bits, skips the 7mm and goes to 8.

 

[M6erfan]

And BMW guide pins

 

[mazdeuce]

That's cool. I'm sort of fascinated by standards and how and why we are where we are as far as sizing things. I still can't find what standard uses 7mm and I don't think I own one as I haven't owned anything new or German enough to need one. Maybe I need one.

 

[M6erfan]

7mm wrench is standard size for M4 thread diameter in JIS, DIN & ANSI/ISO. Not a lot of M4 hex head fasteners found in automotive though.

 

[mazdeuce]

I thought we were talking about a 7mm allen bit? Sorry about that then, yes, 7mm on m4 is standard. Thanks.

 

[M6erfan]

I thought we were talking about a 7mm allen bit? Sorry about that then, yes, 7mm on m4 is standard. Thanks.

I can't find any standards info for inhex fastners. I agree that it seems to be a DIN thing, all I know is they are out there, but not common.

 

[mc4life27]

7mm is all over bicycles.

Are you sure. I mainly see 8mm or 6mm not 7 mm


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[RoundedNut]

1/4" bits are 6.3mm across flats. Most 1/4" bit sets stop at 6mm for that reason. The ones that go larger need to use separate hex wire stock for each size and that is more expensive in both materials and machine setup as they have to mill the 1/4" drive end. This tends to favor doing this only for the most common sizes.

For 7mm+, I think bit sockets are the better practical option as they allow the use of 3/8" and 1/2" square drives with much higher torque.

 

[Negen]

The bits I can never find are 5,5.5&7mm .

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[sk farmer]

chapman

 

[bsaint]

Lots of 7mm on Fords. In fact I had to buy a bunch of 7mm stuff for that.

 

[ssdave]

Are you sure. I mainly see 8mm or 6mm not 7 mm


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You're right. I edited my post to admit I was wrong.

 

[u2slow]

All my sets have 7mm.

Now 7/32"... that put me on the hunt. Not in any of my sets. Stupid grab handle on a Jeep.

 

[Firebrick43]

Some German Cnc machines use 7mm Allen/hex

 

[alfazer]

Common on brake components, especially Ford. I bought a single 7mm bit to fit them, but there is a single 7mm Allen key sold just for this job. I'm sure there's something similar worldwide..
https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/automotive-tools/laser-brake-caliper-key-7mm-694398.html

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/sockets-and-accessories/halfords-advanced-hexagon-bit-socket-7mm-3%2F8in-drive-168021.html

 

[MrNatural]

Using a difficult to source fastener dissuades the average Joe or his garage from working on his VAG group car thereby allowing the stealership to ram people on maintenance.

Some examples that come to mind: 7mm female Hex on caliper sliders. 9mm 12pt tty bolts on flywheels. M8 or M10 ZXN fasteners stub axle bolts that really need a special socket with a 24” bit. 17mm female hex drain plugs. The list goes on and on. Fortunately, all these necessary tools are available at reasonable prices from tool suppliers.

 

[shockwave]

https://mrotools.com/h5207xm-zephyr-1-4-socket-head-hex-allen-insert-bits-metric.aspx

I found this one as I want with 1/4 shank as standard with most bits
Where vim has kit but uses 5/16 shank with 7mm

And yes Ford and Mazda Volvo and bmw all use this 7mm hex and Ford is starting to use 9mm as with Mercedes is starting with 11mm too

But as with all clearance for bit sockets are not always easy but bits can clear easily

 

[n8n]

deleted post because I can't brain

 

[ssdave]

....

 

[bwringer]

I needed a 9mm hex once on a Buell.

Those bikes were famed mongrels, containing Harley-derived inch stuff, metric stuff, and some Martian stuff here and there to keep you on your toes.

That brought the entire day to a complete stop until I found a cheap hex key set on a dusty shelf in the fourth hardware store I visited that contained a 9mm key.

(And no, it was not 3/8".)

After that, I found (after a long search) a metric hex bit set that contained 7mm and 9mm, along with all the sane sizes.

 

[dutchgray]

Most European car makers use a different fastener type or non standard size for things they don't want you messing with, brakes, safety equipment, emissions equipment etc. You just got to buy all the tools.

 

[n8n]

I think it was on a friend's sister's SAAB I had to run to the store and buy a 9mm hex bit. Or it might have been my own BMW. And yeah this stuff is insane. On the same vehicle I have hex heads, Allen heads, E-Torx and XZN. Just had reason to use my hex bits the other day and all of them are Craftsman except there's a 9mm that I obviously bought at a parts store (it's Performance Tool or something like that)

It definitely was on the SAAB that I had to go to NAPA and have them order me an E-torx socket that was one size larger than came with the S-K "Master Set". Guess it's not really a master set after all.

Now I'm wondering if I need a 7mm hex bit... probably will someday. It really does seem like every time I start a new job, I need a new tool, despite having more tools than any sane human should ever have.

 

[gigamel]

A T45 bit is a decent stand-in for a 7mm Allen bit - used it my self on caliper guide pins

 

[ThePostman]

They want us to spread our tool budget around. Brake jobs on ford is where I use that size the most. 9mm for mercedes.