Hex Keys - most versatile form factor?
- Thread starter roofdweller49
- Start date
Tynee
Well-known member
They may be the greatest tool ever, but they may be made of spreadable cheese, who knows?
I think for the money, you could get a set of Bondhus T-Handles that you know will be a good tool. I think Wera would have a more similar functionality to those and wouldn’t be a ton more money than that.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
At work, I literally use every type of hex iteration…..but as a general home owner kinda one ring to rule them all kind of thing you’d want the long L keys with a ball end. Nothing else will work in as many situations as that combination. The second most versatile would be the stubby double ball L keys.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
The spinning handle is sweet but the hex ends are kinda soft. I had a whole set and after destroying them for the third time at work I dumped them. I think MAC or Matco has a similar spinning handle but it’s a male drive end so you can attach bit sockets to it. That may be a better option.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
The Wera bit check gets a lot of use here. As do L-handles (Wera again... also Bondhus).
IKEA (and the like) seems like its own problem. Bit sockets, extensions and a small ratchet are my preference.
-Ryan
IKEA (and the like) seems like its own problem. Bit sockets, extensions and a small ratchet are my preference.
-Ryan
Well, they are kind of cheap? But still over 50 bucks?
Personally, I would stretch my budget a little and get a quality set like Beta or PB Swiss if I wanted a sliding T-handle.
Not worth saving a couple dollars on a random no-name brand that is probably pot metal, imho. If you are on a tight budget, good L keys can be had for less than sliding handles.
If you want the spinning function, Asahi makes some with bearing sleeves but no hex on the short end of the T. Or Nepros makes really nice weighted square drive T-handles that spin well in the hand.
Balog
Well-known member
The L shape, long length, ball end on the long end only are the most versatile. Eklind is fine, Bondhus is better. Cheaper than that have been (in my experience) ****. More expensive has been unneeded (again in my experience).
T handles are great if you need higher control and torque for a really long reach. I’ve only ever found myself using them in larger sizes and for specialized applications. Contrary to what some people on this thread are saying there are a lot of applications where a T won’t fit but an L will.
Bit sockets are great but expensive.
Never used a ratcheting bit driver but I have one on order and I’m excited for it.
T handles are great if you need higher control and torque for a really long reach. I’ve only ever found myself using them in larger sizes and for specialized applications. Contrary to what some people on this thread are saying there are a lot of applications where a T won’t fit but an L will.
Bit sockets are great but expensive.
Never used a ratcheting bit driver but I have one on order and I’m excited for it.
Nutria
Well-known member
I grew up with the folding jacknife-type sets. I was happy to graduate from them, and I now have most of the options mentioned in this thread.
But-- I was recently helping my father dial in a bandsaw, and all he had at his place was SAE and metric folding sets. And dang if they weren't handy. Kinda nice to just flip over to a different size. I'm not giving up my other sets, but I'm going to keep my eye out at sales for a couple of folding sets for the truck toolboxes.
But-- I was recently helping my father dial in a bandsaw, and all he had at his place was SAE and metric folding sets. And dang if they weren't handy. Kinda nice to just flip over to a different size. I'm not giving up my other sets, but I'm going to keep my eye out at sales for a couple of folding sets for the truck toolboxes.
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genog
Well-known member
I would get all of the types mentioned.
I have all of the types of hex keys, hex wrenches, hex sockets, drivers, T-handles, etc in SAE and Metric, well, most all of the types mentioned except for the folding type
....and I use them all
I am not a minimalist when it comes to tools...
Otherwise, I all I would have in my tool box are an Adjustable wrench and
All-In-One Goofy tools like this
Stole these pics from this thread
www.garagejournal.com
I have all of the types of hex keys, hex wrenches, hex sockets, drivers, T-handles, etc in SAE and Metric, well, most all of the types mentioned except for the folding type
....and I use them all
I am not a minimalist when it comes to tools...
Otherwise, I all I would have in my tool box are an Adjustable wrench and
All-In-One Goofy tools like this
Stole these pics from this thread
Gimmick Wrenches, Tools.
The other day I was a buddies place and he handed me this old Skill Muti-wrench. It is kind of strange and seemly well built. I just trying to figure out where Skil would use the thing. Anybody else have these gimmicky wrenches. Lets see some pictures. I know about the cheesy Craftsman...
www.garagejournal.com
Wakefield
Well-known member
Socket drivers in 1/4" and/or 3/8" drives and a couple "thumb ratchets"
driftpin
Well-known member
I like the traditional L-keys, but I bought my 1st set of long L-keys, S2 tool steel, ball end/long side, from HFT, their Icon brand. So far I haven't used 'em, but they look like they should do the job.
I bought this Husky Home Depot set years ago, and so-far they have done what needs to be done. They're straight end and long leg, both Imperial and Metric. Getting more leverage, I use a 1/4" or 3/8" deep socket of whatever fits minimally w/slop, onto the short end of the hex wrench, and if needed, I'll use a long socket extension. That normally does the job for me.
I also have probably 30 year-old Craftsman 3/8" drive hex shaft sockets in both Imperial and Metric. I use those when it's requiring a higher torque setting. Those are sometimes needed on motorcycles and bicycles.
Here are those of-which I spoke. As I was taking the picture, I was attacked by a Florida chupacabra. I escaped with my life.
I also have a set of Craftsman 42 pc. 3/8" drive sockets, in various Torx, Imperial hex and Metric hex bits, phillips and slot bits, along w/a 3/8" socket wrench, an extension, and the blow-molded case. There are other sizes too something 'E'? Looks like a female Torx socket, I haven't looked it up online.
I liked the Craftsman variety so-much I bought 3, one for each collection of tools at various properties.
I've found this so-handy for the variety of sizes, I bought several from Sears on-sale, I think they were $20-$25.
When I said, "I escaped with my life," I wasn't kidding! I found the lair of the chupacabra.
I bought this Husky Home Depot set years ago, and so-far they have done what needs to be done. They're straight end and long leg, both Imperial and Metric. Getting more leverage, I use a 1/4" or 3/8" deep socket of whatever fits minimally w/slop, onto the short end of the hex wrench, and if needed, I'll use a long socket extension. That normally does the job for me.
I also have probably 30 year-old Craftsman 3/8" drive hex shaft sockets in both Imperial and Metric. I use those when it's requiring a higher torque setting. Those are sometimes needed on motorcycles and bicycles.
Here are those of-which I spoke. As I was taking the picture, I was attacked by a Florida chupacabra. I escaped with my life.
I also have a set of Craftsman 42 pc. 3/8" drive sockets, in various Torx, Imperial hex and Metric hex bits, phillips and slot bits, along w/a 3/8" socket wrench, an extension, and the blow-molded case. There are other sizes too something 'E'? Looks like a female Torx socket, I haven't looked it up online.
I liked the Craftsman variety so-much I bought 3, one for each collection of tools at various properties.
I've found this so-handy for the variety of sizes, I bought several from Sears on-sale, I think they were $20-$25.
When I said, "I escaped with my life," I wasn't kidding! I found the lair of the chupacabra.
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the other nice thing about the folders is that if you can find it, you find all the sizes. Important if you're working out of a box on a farm truck or tractor, etc, where care of tools is not the highest priority.