hex bit sockets with with "flank drive"

[Vintage Veloce]

I recently bought a set of Wera metric L hex keys. They have some kind of "hex-plus" shape that avoids driving the corners of the screw head's inside hex socket.


Man, I like these things! They actually seem less prone to getting stuck in a deforming bolt head (as my standard hex sockets sometimes do).

Does someone besides Wera make a hex drive 3/8" socket set with some kind of "flank drive" like this?
(edit: the only Wera brand hex drive sockets like this have their "holding function" (HF) that seems the weaken the bit a lot and gets poor reviews. So I think the HF versions need to be avoided.)

 

[bonneyman]

I don't think so. I looked at these about 5-6 years ago, and FACOM was offering them. I think the company I was looking at was Maryland Metrics??? But then FACOM disappeared and these Wera's showed up. Same Idea.
They look like they'd work well.

 

[garfunkle24]

You might want to look at MAC RBRT or Grip Edge hex bit sockets. They are not exactly the same as Wera hex-plus. The Weras can be used as regular hex keys while the Grip Edge and RBRT are more for just removing damaged fasteners.e

 

[Buckgnarly]

You might want to look at MAC RBRT or Grip Edge hex bit sockets. They are not exactly the same as Wera hex-plus. The Weras can be used as regular hex keys while the Grip Edge and RBRT are more for just removing damaged fasteners.e

The RBRT stuff works just fine on undamaged fasteners. They really are game changers I've found for hex.

 

[srs2000]

Craftsman v-series and there is also a Dewalt set.

https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Socket-Drive-Piece-CMMT17735V/dp/B0B5KBJ33Q?tag=atomicindus08-20 --- you can find just the metric set for like 25 on ebay. For 50% rounded.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DRIVE-SOCKET-12PC-DWMT17002/dp/B09ZF4KTK1?tag=atomicindus08-20 --- Dewalt says 60%. Is it actually better than the v-series? No idea.


RBRT are most likely the best if thats what you are after. I think RBRT is for 96% rounded.

 

[nicks78camaro]

The RBRT stuff works just fine on undamaged fasteners. They really are game changers I've found for hex.

Yes they say to use the RBRT/Grip Edge stuff on new and stripped fasteners.

 

[KnurledNut]

Facom OGV:

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Interesting, I hadn't seen the RBRT / Grip Edge / RBT / OGV stuff.
They all look the same? Maybe the same patent / license...?

If you have used these can you comment: Do the stick in the fastener, like a regular hex will after tightening?

 

[mike93lx]

Interesting, I hadn't seen the RBRT / Grip Edge / RBT / OGV stuff.
They all look the same? Maybe the same patent / license...?

If you have used these can you comment: Do the stick in the fastener, like a regular hex will after tightening?

Pretty sure it's all names for stuff owned by Stanley black and decker (mac, Dewalt, cman and facom, among others)

 

[drmarkr]

Damn you, one and all. I had to order a set to trial. If these are as good as everyone says, I'll be replacing hordes of hex wrenches/sockets/t-handles. Dammit.

 

[kbeefy]

How much different is this than the RBRT?

 

[darkzero]

Time to try these "RBRT". Got a new job & I pretty much use 5/32, 3/16, & 7/32 hex sockets everyday. I've been using HF Pittsburghs for 6 months now & the 7/32 is finally showing some wear. I use them on an impact driver at times also. I can't believe how well they are holding up & amazed they have even lasted this long. I'm gonna take em in the store Sat & get new ones.

Seeing this thread, I just ordered the Craftsman V-series 6 piece SAE from ebay for $17 shipped. Thanks. Really curious how these will do for me.

 

[1foxracing]

I have the MAC RBRT Metric master set, very pleased with the function of them.

 

[lardy1]

I just ordered the Craftsman V-series 6 piece SAE from ebay for $17 shipped. Thanks. Really curious how these will do for me.

I can't resist. I'm in.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

I got a set of the wera hex plus a bit ago and I’ve been impressed with them. Haven’t had to use them on anything stuck because of rust but for partially rounded fasteners they definitely make a difference.

 

[Odd-job]

Just to summarize the current offerings I have seen as of 2/23/24:

• MAC/Proto RBRT (Stanley Black and Decker Company) - Probably the best, personally have found these give the specialized extractors a run for their money and can be used in lieu of regular hex. Mac also has impact versions, although haven't had the need to try them yet.
• Facom OGV (another SBD brand) - Not sure how this stacks against RBRT
• Craftsman X-Tract (SBD again, notice a trend?) - seems less aggressive than the Facom OGV
• Wera Hex Plus - decent, but subjectively not as good as RBRT based on personal experience (not as much bite)

While I ultimately, bought a set Proto RBRT's in 1/4, I probably should have bought individual bits from Mac and loaded them in bit holders.

Random thoughts:

• Somewhat surprised the Japanese haven't come out with a good alternative. Vessel and Anex where are you?
• No 1/4 stubby options available yet? Until then VIMs remain a staple of my hex collection.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I'm concerned the very aggressive shape of the RBRT stuff will mar the fasteners... I often work on vintage stuff.
Can anyone comment on how the RBRT stuff works at the proper torque settings? Are the fasteners marred?

Maybe I'll try the X-Tract.
I do like the Wera Hex-Plus that I have been using... but they do not appear to make socket hex bits without their "holding function".

 

[drmarkr]

I can't resist. I'm in.

X-tract or standard?? Link?

 

[j3rf]

Have the Proto J4990R7MM metric "Advanced" Hex set and they are my go to hex sockets due to their design. As long as you get them fully seated, they will bite like nothing else. Very impressed with them, even compared to my Snap On metric hex socket set.

 

[lardy1]

Craftsman V Series 6 pc SAE Hex Bit Socket Set on Magnetic Rail 885911726511 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Craftsman V Series 6 pc SAE Hex Bit Socket Set on Magnetic Rail at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I got their last one. Probably other sellers though.

 

[Steve_P]

IIRC, the Wera design is patented.

 

[bonneyman]

Damn you, one and all. I had to order a set to trial. If these are as good as everyone says, I'll be replacing hordes of hex wrenches/sockets/t-handles. Dammit.

What are tool ***** friend's for?

 

[Nutria]

I got their last one. Probably other sellers though.

Craftsman V Series 6 pc SAE Hex Bit Socket Set on Magnetic Rail | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Craftsman V Series 6 pc SAE Hex Bit Socket Set on Magnetic Rail at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[bryant 24]

already invalid

IIRC, the Wera design is patented.

 

[bryant 24]

I recently bought a set of Wera metric L hex keys. They have some kind of "hex-plus" shape that avoids driving the corners of the screw head's inside hex socket.


Man, I like these things! They actually seem less prone to getting stuck in a deforming bolt head (as my standard hex sockets sometimes do).

Does someone besides Wera make a hex drive 3/8" socket set with some kind of "flank drive" like this?
(edit: the only Wera brand hex drive sockets like this have their "holding function" (HF) that seems the weaken the bit a lot and gets poor reviews. So I think the HF versions need to be avoided.)

Would like to see a full hex plus socket bit set from H2-H19,plus the imperial sizes

 

[bonneyman]

I think Dean Doherty on Youtube uses WERA allen wrenches in his power tool repairs, and some bolts he yanks on bend the L's pretty hard. And they snap right back!

Wera 073593 Multicolor Hex + Ball End Hex Metric L-key Clip Set (Retail Package)

Wera 950 SPKL/9 Multicolor Hex + Ball End Hex Metric L-key Clip Set - best deals on German tools and high quality engineering. Free same day shipping available.

www.kctool.com

 

[Pexto]

I picked up a set of the Dewalt SAE bits on clearance for under $10. And then this thread popped up and I picked up a set of the metric Craftsman for $17. I haven't used them yet but my initial impression is very good.

I'm almost certain these come from the same factory in Taiwan. The sockets appear to be identical except for the knurling and stamping. The production quality appears to be quite high, with nice chrome and very precise milling on the bits.

Interestingly, the 6mm appears to be milled down from 1/4" stock, and the 3/8" appears to be milled down from 10mm stock.

 

[Odd-job]

@Pexto those look nice. Almost wish I waited for the Craftsman. Probably 95% of the performance for 20% of the cost of the Proto RBRTs. Not sure how much I believe the marketing in the incremental improvements in the lineup.

Interesting that all the anti slip allen and torx bits seem to be Taiwan sourced. Have not been able to find a USA option.

Also didn't realize Grip Edge was an option. Looks like they are just as expensive as Proto here in the states. Can't tell if they are owned by SBD or licensed their patents to SBD.

About GripEdge Tools

The Grip Edge Story Began in 2015 with The Goal to Develop Class Leading Fastener Anti-Slip and Extraction Tools and In 2017 Our Breakthrough Revolutionary RPT Technology Was Born

www.gripedgetools.com

 

[darkzero]

Anyone know if these are available for security hex? Specifically 5/32", that's really the only size I'd like but I'd buy the set if not crazy expensive. Tried searching but didn't find anything.

 

[Odd-job]

Anyone know if these are available for security hex? Specifically 5/32", that's really the only size I'd like but I'd buy the set if not crazy expensive. Tried searching but didn't find anything.

Mac - $4.50 would load into a 1/4 bit holder.

1/4" Hex Drive R.B.R.T.™ Tamper-Resistant Hex Bit - 5/32"

1/4" Hex Drive R.B.R.T.™ Tamper-Resistant Hex Bit - 5/32"

www.mactools.com

 

[darkzero]

Mac - $4.50 would load into a 1/4 bit holder.

1/4" Hex Drive R.B.R.T.™ Tamper-Resistant Hex Bit - 5/32"

1/4" Hex Drive R.B.R.T.™ Tamper-Resistant Hex Bit - 5/32"

www.mactools.com

Nice, that would work for me, thank you. Unfortunately I don't have access to a Mac truck. Just checked shipping & it's $10 which isn't too bad, more than Matco but not outrageous like Snap-on these days. I'm gonna have to see if there's anything else I might want to make the online purchase worthwhile. I own absolutely zero tools from Mac. I never bought Mac back when cause our dealer was an old *****.

 

[American Locomotive]

I can confirm that the Wera hex-plus keys are awesome, but I can also confirm the 3/8" drive hex-plus bits with the ball detents are problematic. We would reliably break the 5mm and smaller ones on machine tools using a properly calibrated torque wrenches. The larger ones seemed fine.

 

[Odd-job]

Nice, that would work for me, thank you. Unfortunately I don't have access to a Mac truck. Just checked shipping & it's $10 which isn't too bad, more than Matco but not outrageous like Snap-on these days. I'm gonna have to see if there's anything else I might want to make the online purchase worthwhile. I own absolutely zero tools from Mac. I never bought Mac back when cause our dealer was an old *****.

I've been slowly trying to get an online order together myself at least to the extent shipping is less than CA sales tax.

Will probably cherry pick common used torx and hex, but it looks like there is always at least one bit that's not in stock If I ever get my act together I'll throw the 5/32 in my cart and ship it to you.

 

[darkzero]

If I ever get my act together I'll throw the 5/32 in my cart and ship it to you.

Thank you very much for the generosity Sir! But all good, please don't trouble yourself for me.

It's only for special applications at work, the screws don't strip that often as long as we're careful but it does happen sometimes. Worse case scenario we just cut a slot on the head & remove it with a flat head. I was just thinking to try one/have one just in case if they were easy & not expensive to get.

 

[ohhimark]

They have these with Stanley branding also:

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...-hex-bit-socket-set-metric-6-pc-0580458p.html

 

[AJHD]

I've seen a new product line at Home Depot lately under Husky, they call it "Bite". I wonder if they're any good.

Search Results for husky bite at The Home Depot

Search Results for husky bite at The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com

 

[mikey03]

Damn these look sweet and @2ndGearRubber was just talking about how he uses this type of socket as his main and only hex socket and not even use regular hex sockets anymore

this place is bad for my wallet

 

[RTM]

Got a set of Ingersoll Rand bits from Zoro.

8Pc Metric Non-Slip Hex Bit Socket Set Mfr # 752041​

https://www.zoro.com/ingersoll-rand-8pc-metric-non-slip-hex-bit-socket-set-752041/i/G904187071/

Had to use them to remove an M6 screw from the rail on my truck bed cover. Apparently the screw was made of cheese. It started to round with a regular Allen wrench, by hand, so stopped immediately. The fancy bit above got in, and with a 3/8” flex head bar, stripped it the rest of the way, completely rounded off. Nothing else in the stripped screw extractor arsenal would touch it. Since it had stripped about 1/4” after starting to remove it, I took the other screws out, and then cut the head off. With some PB Blaster Catalyst as a prep, Eagle Talon Grip double nutting it finally spun it out.
Late edit above.
Guess the tool was better quality than the screw.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Amazon.com

Under $21
V-Series 3/8 drive SAE, six sockets sbrt Craftsman

 

[00 Scrub]

Anyone make these in 1/4" drive, 2-3" long, and Imperial sizes?