Ball End Allen Keys

[Gangly]

I'm looking to add to my Allen key sets, and I am strongly considering the purchase of a ball end set as opposed to a traditionally cut key set. For those of you who have extensive USE of Allen keys, have you noticed any typical failure modes, or common deficiencies with the design of ball end keys when compared to traditional cut Allen keys? Are they more prone to rounding out the key edges under torque? Any helpful insight from individuals who currently use, or have extensively used Allen keys in the past, is greatly appreciated.

Also, does anybody know of a manufacturer that puts the ball type end on the short end of the key, as opposed to just on the long end?

 

[Gangly]

Something along the lines of the Bondhus, but with a ball end on the short shank?

 

[littlebean]

bondhus do, has an angled short end as well I think - these:

BONDHUS SDBLX9MXL Stubby Double BallEnd Hex Key 9 pcs Metric Set 1.5mm-10mm​

BONDHUS SDBLX13XL Stubby Double BallEnd Hex Key 13pcs Imperial Set 0.050"-3/8"​

sorry, posting proper links is beyond my tech skills at the moment

 

[seber]

The ball end will break off before it rounds. They cannot take full torque like you would use on the other end.

 

[glenng]

Eklind does a double ball end too:

https://www.amazon.com/Eklind-17213-16-Standard-Double-Ball/dp/B01LHSCAVK?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mike93lx]

I've never broken one, but also don't apply significant toque with the ball end

 

[wolfhawk73]

I like the round end on the longer part of the wrench. I've never had a ball end rounded over or broken (too much torque), but I've seen plenty of bolts and screws damaged by them to the point that even the straight-cut end won't work. I use the ball end on the long portion for driving at an angle and/or at speed (spun between fingers) until the bolt head bottoms out. Then I used the straight-cut, short end for torque.

 

[APEowner]

The ball end will break off before it rounds. They cannot take full torque like you would use on the other end.

Agreed.

 

[PCustoms]

I came here to see what a bell end Allen key was...

 

[drmarkr]

There was a recent thread on this topic that has a buttload of good info. Use the search function....

 

[Dave455]

Generally speaking, ball end hex keys are preferable, although sometimes you will find a need for conventional ones (deep recessed screw heads).

I have never noticed a particular problem with the ball ends rounding out, although (as others have correctly stated) that’s usually because the ball end breaks off before it’s a problem.

This is particularly an issue on the smaller sizes.

A well as the double ball end previously posted, PB Swiss offer this profile which allows for some movement.


Worth having a read of this thread, which has a lot of info.

Hex Keys - The Whole Story

It’s a rainy day here in the U.K. so I decided to write a post I’ve been meaning to write for a while, and write about hex keys. Now, I know this isn’t the most exciting of topics to some (flip to the next thread if that’s the case) but over the years it’s become apparent that most of the big...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[charbar]

They aren't L keys but if you can get by with ones that go on a ratchet GripEdge has ball end hex sockets with their special grip end. I didn't know they existed until my SnapOn guy said something about them the other day.....new release apparently. I had him order me the metric set for $150. I figure they will be great for turbo actuators on Ram pickups with the Cummins....

6-PC RPT 3/8'' Drive Long Metric Ball Hex Driver Set

GripEdge Tools 6-piece RPT set including 4-10mm (metric) long length ball hex bit sockets

www.gripedgetools.com

 

[RTM]

I came here to see what a bell end Allen key was...

I imagined it was a bit noisy in use.

 

[Ruxpin]

I know it is a typo but for the benefit of non-Brits on the board (so most of you) the term "bell end" means quite something else in English slang! (Search results may be ****)
To answer the OP I've only ever used ball end hex on the long length of L keys or on dedicated ball hex screwdrivers but have never managed to damage even the low quality cheap fasteners which are more prevalent nowadays. Very rarely have I been in a situation where only the ball end would allow access to the fastener and I usually only use the ball end to speedily turn the fastener before flipping over to the standard hex for actual tightening when not working to set torque values.
I don't think you can go far wrong with Bondhus / Eklind from US or PB Swiss / Wera / any of the many HaFu (Germany) rebrands from Europe.

 

[Gangly]

I came here to see what a bell end Allen key was...

Good point

 

[Gangly]

Generally speaking, ball end hex keys are preferable, although sometimes you will find a need for conventional ones (deep recessed screw heads).

I have never noticed a particular problem with the ball ends rounding out, although (as others have correctly stated) that’s usually because the ball end breaks off before it’s a problem.

This is particularly an issue on the smaller sizes.

A well as the double ball end previously posted, PB Swiss offer this profile which allows for some movement.


Worth having a read of this thread, which has a lot of info.

Hex Keys - The Whole Story

It’s a rainy day here in the U.K. so I decided to write a post I’ve been meaning to write for a while, and write about hex keys. Now, I know this isn’t the most exciting of topics to some (flip to the next thread if that’s the case) but over the years it’s become apparent that most of the big...

www.garagejournal.com

That stubby end is super short which is what I am looking for. Thank you for the heads up and the thread link, I appreciate it.

 

[Steve_P]

Like so many tools today it's going to be tough to buy a bad set of hex keys, unless you buy a no name brand on Temu that's made in a cave in Afghanistan. Can't go wrong with Bondhus, especially for the $. If you want to spend a little more for a fancy case that makes getting the keys out a pleasure, that you will appreciate every time you use them, then Wiha. Wera also gets good reviews here. If you have $ to burn, PB Swiss makes the sexiest ones with round stock, machined ends, and knurling.