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Hex drivers.

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Chadwilliam1

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Hello, I am looking for a hex/Allen Screwdriver. I do not want ball drivers or t handles. I am posting a picture of what I have already but would like to pick up a non ball driver set. Does anybody make them?

Thanks
4914b50a101dd78edae67ec7b883b8a9.jpg
 

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four.cycle

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all kinds of them in a "tee handle" configuration, but off the top of my head I cannot think of any shaped like a screwdriver. :headscrat

(but then, I don't have all the answers.... )
 
H

HenryAZ

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tanukiboy said:
How about using either a locking socket driver handle or a locking multibit screwdriver handle with replaceable hex bits?
Click to expand...
This is what I do, for when I want a screwdriver type set up vs a ratchet or ball end driver or just plain hex key. I have two Wiha screwdriver handles, one regular and one stubby. They accept all 1/4" hex bits, and I have a good assortment of bits, including Wiha sets of allen, torx, and both of those in security type, too. Plus an assortment of Phillips and square drive bits. I do anything I can to avoid slotted, but I have them too.
 
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deluser-u

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exmaxima1

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dsgreen3 said:
No you can't do that when you cut them the shank thats left will be larger in diameter than the ball end.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about that? Every ball end L-shaped hex wrench I own is the same diameter so you can use the other end as a regular hex. It seems logical that whatever grinding jig they use to make those L-wrenches would be used for straight wrenches as well.
 
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MJO

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I have several sets, Allen and Vaco, not sure if they still make them, you could probably find a set on ebay. You can always grind down a set of the ball-drivers.
 
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Spacey_G

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exmaxima1 said:
Are you sure about that? Every ball end L-shaped hex wrench I own is the same diameter so you can use the other end as a regular hex. It seems logical that whatever grinding jig they use to make those L-wrenches would be used for straight wrenches as well.
Click to expand...
Yeah I doubt anyone is using oversized hex stock to make ball-end drivers. I just measured my Bondhus ones and the shanks are all the correct hex size above the ball ends.

Of course, it might seem like the hex stock is oversized if one were to just cut the ball end off and neglect to clean up the burr.
 
OP
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Chadwilliam1

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Thanks, the locking socket driver won't work because I mainly use these for car audio and the heads are recessed too often.

Thanks for all the options looks like I have some decesions to make.
 
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dsgreen3

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Spacey_G said:
Yeah I doubt anyone is using oversized hex stock to make ball-end drivers. I just measured my Bondhus ones and the shanks are all the correct hex size above the ball ends.

Of course, it might seem like the hex stock is oversized if one were to just cut the ball end off and neglect to clean up the burr.
Click to expand...

When I cut a worn one off from my Gearwrench sae socket set I no longer could use it for it's intended size. It would how ever work for the similar size metric one.
 
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four.cycle

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CoogarXR said:
Xcelite makes a non-ball set too. Seems like I just saw a set on eBay.
Click to expand...

ding! ding! ding! we have a winner!

Yes, they were made by VACO, but there are only a few onesie-twosies currently listed on Ebay. (VACO was acquired by Klein in 1986, but I am not seeing anything like what you're describing on Klein's website. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place.)

Most of the Xcelite sets listed are the type with a whole bunch of bits and a single handle, but here's a set of one-piece hex drivers:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192718495073

Xcelite hex driver set (Ebay 192718495073).jpg

there are a mess of different sets listed:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15
 
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CoogarXR

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four.cycle said:
ding! ding! ding! we have a winner!

Yes, they were made by VACO, but there are only a few onesie-twosies currently listed on Ebay. (VACO was acquired by Klein in 1986, but I am not seeing anything like what you're describing on Klein's website. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place.)

Most of the Xcelite sets listed are the type with a whole bunch of bits and a single handle, but here's a set of one-piece hex drivers:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192718495073

Xcelite hex driver set (Ebay 192718495073).jpg

there are a mess of different sets listed:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15
Click to expand...

Yep, that's the set I was thinking of.
 
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Wamsutta

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Click images to enlarge.

PB 8205 series without ball hex:
8205.jpg


PB 8206 S series with ball hex:
8206S.jpg
 
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5

5ktq

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I'd imagine one PB Swiss costs more than a whole set of cut down bondhus balldrivers (even if you had to pay someone to cut them!).
 
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AngryBeaver

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Wamsutta said:
Yes but they're the only ones I could find. Even Snap-on doesn't have them without the ball.
Click to expand...

you sure about that? back set is non ball...

front set is a partial I bought used at a swap meet that is a ball...

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tanukiboy

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xin said:
You got a link for that German one?
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I ordered mine from Amazon Japan marketplace a while ago (I'm in Japan). It's listed as "currently unavailable" at Amazon US.

If it's hard to read the model number in the picture, it's 400QR. Hope that helps in your search. Good luck!
 
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JBH

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tanukiboy said:
Sorry, but I ordered mine from Amazon Japan marketplace a while ago (I'm in Japan). It's listed as "currently unavailable" at Amazon US.



If it's hard to read the model number in the picture, it's 400QR. Hope that helps in your search. Good luck!
Click to expand...



How do you like it? I just ordered one from KC Tool for use with a Nepros 1/4” stubby ratchet. The mating square on the Nepros is so tight that I had to knock my Felo spinner handle off with a hammer.
 
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tanukiboy

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JBH said:
How do you like it? I just ordered one from KC Tool for use with a Nepros 1/4” stubby ratchet. The mating square on the Nepros is so tight that I had to knock my Felo spinner handle off with a hammer.
Click to expand...

I think it's pretty good.

On the plus side: compact size, effective locking mechanism, comfortable in the hand, flats for a wrench, hole for a screwdriver, doesn't roll when you put it down.

On the minus side: Even though the sockets can't be pulled off, they tend to jiggle around a bit (at least with KTC and Tone sockets). OTOH, this may actually be an advantage given the excessive tightness with your Nepros stubby ratchet.


Update: I just checked, and the above sockets seem to be just as jiggly on my Nepros 1/4" stubby ratchet (with quick release) as on the Stahlwille 400QR. FWIW, much less jiggle on my Koken ratchets (with and without QR).
 
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ChrisLS8

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I'd get those tektons. I have their 12 piece screwdriver set and I'm extremely happy with them. Literally just used one about 10 mins ago
 
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bonneyman

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dsgreen3 said:
When I cut a worn one off from my Gearwrench sae socket set I no longer could use it for it's intended size. It would how ever work for the similar size metric one.
Click to expand...

So, the manufacturing process for the ball on the end "compresses" the steel of the hex somewhat?
I always thought the balls were just ground, but thinking about it I realize that would probably take too much time and they just forge it instead.
 
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