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Allen wrenches that aren't garbage?

American Locomotive

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Thanks, the first two sizes I can think of that I use a lot but aren't in the "good" sets are 7/64 and 9/64. I'm sure there will be more, but those two get used quite a bit. I'll have to see if they sell them individually. edit- Looks like they only sell them in stainless with no sleeve, in the round versions. :-( I hate mismatched sets but I guess it is what it is.


Now I'm looking into t-handle sets because most of them come with the 7/64 and 9/64. Is it safe to say Bondhus is the way to go seeing as wera only sells individual t-handles? The Bondhus is about $30/set but I'm fine paying more for something better. Thanks again for all the knowledge sharing.
Here's the thing, it's not Bondhus is bad - they're very high quality. I can't imagine RC cars or bow-sights are very high-torque applications, so the hex-plus may not be a huge advantage there?

But if you can find the sizes you need individually in Wera, I don't see anything wrong with getting a few individuals to complete your set. Wera also sells hex-plus screwdrivers for quite reasonable prices that I think might be better suited for RC cars and intricate sights?

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-118082-7-64-x-60mm-kraftform-micro-hex-precision-screwdriver/
 
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Itsjustdirt

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Ooh, another quick question for the pro's. Are the stainless WERA HEX PLUS allen keys any softer than the black ones? I know stainless fasteners are softer/gall/are problematic...but what about stainless tools? Other than cost, is there any reason not to buy stainless (they will not be used in a nuclear facility, and are not mandatory, just wondering if I can get the rust-proof benefits without any downsides)
 

wolverinehusky

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+1 for Klein T-Handles.

Was up late last night dealing with a stripped hex on my primary cover for the Harley. Tried everything, watched YouTube videos, etc.

Pulled out the Klein Torx t-handle (I have hex and torx), lightly tapped with soft hammer to seat and pulled out easily, despite the fact I tried other brands and approaches with no success. Klein saved the day.

IMG_5441-768x1024.jpeg
 
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Itsjustdirt

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Stainless tools are designed to be used with stainless fasteners. They may not be necessarily the same Rockwell hardness as a non stainless Chrome Vanadium/Molybdenum tool and may be more brittle. For screwdrivers and allen keys I don't use stainless, same applies with pliers (and that's because you don't necessarily run into stainless fasteners all the time).


Thank you and thank you for all of your input in this thread. I learned more than I thought possible about allen keys
 

dogdog

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I like this long reach metric set... 20200605_103437.jpg

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I just bought a set of Husky non-slip and it's very nice. it look just like the one you attached... except it has a little notch on the hex key that is supposedly make it non-slipping... so far it's pretty well build. only one bad thing. it doesn't have an insert-able handle like the OEM or kobalt set to give more torque, but so far it's pretty good and no complains


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-SAE-Metric-Non-Slip-Hex-Key-Set-18-Piece-HNSHKSM18PC/204761077
 
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Itsjustdirt

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UPDATE:

I purchased a few sets.

Wera Hex Plus color sleeve, the standard wera hex plus, and the Bondhus (silver and gold plated), all long handle, ball end.

Wera Hex plus with color sleeve feel the nicest in hand and flex way less than the other two sets. You get a better feel for tightness without the wrench flexing as much. This set (most expensive by far) also allows a much higher offset while using the ball end. The way the relief is cut in the colored set allows more angle in certain bolts.

The regular Wera Hex plus set (about $35 for the metric/standard set) seems like a nice working set for not a ton of money. The handles are longer than the Bondhus.

Bondhus- Surprisingly a much tighter fit than either of the Wera Hex Plus above. The Bondhus "feel" more secure in almost all hex heads I've tried because of the tight fit. I'm sure the Wera Hex Plus design will help but I wish they had a slightly more precise fit. YouTube reviews show the same results via micrometer. The only "downside" to the gold/silver $35 set of Bondhus is that they are a little shorter than either of the Wera above and therefore are not as friendly when applying more torque.

Edit- One major downside to both Wera Hex plus imperial/standard sets is that they don't have the 7/64 and 9/64 keys that Bondhus and most other quality sets come with. For example, my "expensive" color handled set now has two cheap, mis matched non-color handle keys in the set and the standard sets have no place in the holder for these two additional wrenches, where the Bondhus and most sets have them included so you don't have strays and mis-matched keys. I use both of those sizes so this is a bummer and I find it odd that they don't make individual keys in color-handles for these sizes. Oh well
 
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134k

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UPDATE:

I purchased a few sets.

Wera Hex Plus color sleeve, the standard wera hex plus, and the Bondhus (silver and gold plated), all long handle, ball end.

Wera Hex plus with color sleeve feel the nicest in hand and flex way less than the other two sets. You get a better feel for tightness without the wrench flexing as much. This set (most expensive by far) also allows a much higher offset while using the ball end. The way the relief is cut in the colored set allows more angle in certain bolts.

The regular Wera Hex plus set (about $35 for the metric/standard set) seems like a nice working set for not a ton of money. The handles are longer than the Bondhus.

Bondhus- Surprisingly a much tighter fit than either of the Wera Hex Plus above. The Bondhus "feel" more secure in almost all hex heads I've tried because of the tight fit. I'm sure the Wera Hex Plus design will help but I wish they had a slightly more precise fit. YouTube reviews show the same results via micrometer. The only "downside" to the gold/silver $35 set of Bondhus is that they are a little shorter than either of the Wera above and therefore are not as friendly when applying more torque.

Edit- One major downside to both Wera Hex plus imperial/standard sets is that they don't have the 7/64 and 9/64 keys that Bondhus and most other quality sets come with. For example, my "expensive" color handled set now has two cheap, mis matched non-color handle keys in the set and the standard sets have no place in the holder for these two additional wrenches, where the Bondhus and most sets have them included so you don't have strays and mis-matched keys. I use both of those sizes so this is a bummer and I find it odd that they don't make individual keys in color-handles for these sizes. Oh well
That is incorrect. Wera has two versions of SAE hex L key sets. They do indeed have 7/64 and 9/64 in the 13 key SAE sets. The cheaper SAE sets are missing those.

In my experience, the Wera keys have a more positive fit than the Bondhus hex keys. In practice, I use my Wera keys on near new, or new socket/cap screws.

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Samuel D

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Bondhus- Surprisingly a much tighter fit than either of the Wera Hex Plus above. The Bondhus "feel" more secure in almost all hex heads I've tried because of the tight fit. I'm sure the Wera Hex Plus design will help but I wish they had a slightly more precise fit.
After reading this thread, that shouldn’t surprise you. I mentioned this back on page 2. The Wera Hex Plus keys achieve a greater contact area despite the looser fit. With this design, fit barely matters within a significant range, because the face of the tool is convex where it contacts the fastener. Whether it contacts on one part of the convex shape or a slightly different part barely matters: the convex shape (and the flats of the fastener) deform elastically and create a large contact area regardless, so the only detriment to a looser fit is the slightly lower lever length of acting on the flats slightly farther from the corners.

On the other hand, a looser fit makes fitting the key easier (quicker).

Edit- One major downside to both Wera Hex plus imperial/standard sets is that they don't have the 7/64 and 9/64 keys that Bondhus and most other quality sets come with.
The probable reason Wera doesn’t include them is that they consider some inch sizes to be first choice and others second choice, as with metric sizes. First-choice sizes (e.g. 5, 6, 8, 10 mm in metric) differ from one to the next by enough that no undersized key catches the fastener flats. So, for example, a 6 mm key will spin in an 8 mm bolt head. Second-choice sizes (e.g. 5.5, 7, 9 mm) may engage, badly, in first-choice fastener sizes, tempting the mechanic to use the wrong tool with disastrous consequences. This risk is eliminated by not providing second-choice sizes in first-choice sets. That is probably Wera’s thinking. Of course it’s small consolation if you need the second-choice sizes.
 
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134k

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I totally agree with this. Thanks for mentioning that.
After reading this thread, that shouldn’t surprise you. I mentioned this back on page 2. The Wera Hex Plus keys achieve a greater contact area despite the looser fit. With this design, fit barely matters within a significant range, because the face of the tool is convex where it contacts the fastener. Whether it contacts on one part of the convex shape or a slightly different part barely matters: the convex shape (and the flats of the fastener) deform elastically and create a large contact area regardless, so the only detriment to a looser fit is the slightly lower lever length of acting on the flats slightly farther from the corners.

On the other hand, a looser fit makes fitting the key easier (quicker).


The probable reason Wera doesn’t include them is that they consider some inch sizes to be first choice and others second choice, as with metric sizes. First-choice sizes (e.g. 5, 6, 8, 10 mm in metric) differ from one to the next by enough that no undersized key catches the fastener flats. So, for example, a 6 mm key will spin in an 8 mm bolt head. Second-choice sizes (e.g. 5.5, 7, 9 mm) may engage, badly, in first-choice fastener sizes, tempting the mechanic to use the wrong tool with disastrous consequences. This risk is eliminated by not providing second-choice sizes in first-choice sets. That is probably Wera’s thinking. Of course it’s small consolation if you need the second-choice sizes.

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Itsjustdirt

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That is incorrect. Wera has two versions of SAE hex L key sets. They do indeed have 7/64 and 9/64 in the 13 key SAE sets. The cheaper SAE sets are missing those.
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I'd love to see a 13 key sae set, especially with the colored sleeves. In fact, I'd even be interested in seeing the "normal" hex plus in a 13 set. Everyone spoke to said they don't exist. They don't even make the 7/64 or 9/64 in colored handle as far as i could determine.
 

king nero

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I take care of my tools (I use them hard but correct, no cheater pipes unless it's with my "second set" (= loaner tools), I wipe them clean before I throw 'em back in my cart, ...).
I still have my complete FACOM set I bought some 10 yrs ago. If I break something from my second set, it's always because of heavily corroded fasteners, the use of a torch, cheater pipes, ... rarely because of bad quality tools.
 

134k

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Personal preference is NON sleeved hex keys. I don't see the need for them, but that's my preference. The regular black finish keys are durable and suit my needs. Wera 950PKL/13.

Image.jpg

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134k

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