Hex sockets: long vs short, ball end vs regular

[skernv99]

I'm looking to buy a set of metric hex sockets. A couple of questions:

1.) Is there a reason to go with long hex socket set vs "regular" size hex socket set? Just trying to understand a situation where putting a regular length hex socket on an extension would not be ideal vs using a long hex socket.

2.) Can a ball end hex socket do the same as the standard hex socket? I came to really appreciate ball hex sockets when assembling some outdoor furniture where using the standard hex socket was not ideal. I borrowed a friend's ball hex socket which made some of the assembly steps much easier.

 

[crewchief888]

I have some of all the above.

my most used, are short 3/8" dr for diesel fuel filter bleeder screws.

I use 1/4" dr short allens as well, both straight and ball end. the socket part of the driver is small enough for clearance in a tight spot.

occasionally I need a long allen bit for mounting screws on a DEF pump.

the long bit gets the socket part of the driver away from the fittings that are molded into the pump housing.

 

[Skin]

Occasionally you need the long ones to clear obstacles but generally the shorter the better since they have a tendency to twist. If you're working on rusted junk look into the MAC RBRT line. They have teeth and bite in instead of rounding out which is pretty common with corrosion.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

One major caveat with the ball ends are they are not designed for higher torgue applications. I've seen many snapped off when the operator said, "just a bit tighter..."

 

[larry_g]

If you have only one set in your arsenal I would suggest not ball end. They are to easy to break, have less contact with the female so easier to strip the head of the screws. You break off the ball end in a fastener and it will fuk up your attempts to drill things out. I worked industrial and I at one time has 17 different sets of hex tools. My most used tools were a Bondus set of L keys with the ball end. The ball end was not for use breaking loose fasteners.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[thickhead]

I covered myself by getting the short strait allen socket set and the Bondhus ball end L keys. https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-67099-Stubby-L-Wrench-ProGuard/dp/B01F6PWYVG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NZBFHR4Q2ZEV&dchild=1&keywords=bondhus+ball+end+allen+wrench+set&qid=1589066723&sprefix=Bondhus+ball%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-3
Has worked out great for me so far.

 

[richfinn]

The ball end type are great for going at an angle on things like inner driveshaft bolts with a power ratchet

You need to crack them loose with a straight hex first though or the ball will shear off

The long ones are good for getting at intake manifolds or lower timing cover bolts where access is limited

The shorter ones are stiffer and dont twist as much

I used to buy specific individual sockets for special applications (VW and Vauxhalls),I never bought full sets from the tool trucks only 5/6/7/8/10 mm

Dont see them much now mostly Torx plus/Ribe/XZN on cars in Europe

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I prefer the shorter ones for most things, but there are times when long hex bits are needed. For example working on my motorcycle forks. The screw was recessed in there and the hold around it wasn't big enough for the actual socket or an extension to fit in. However, the long hex bit did fit in.

As far as ball ends vs straight, I highly prefer the straight ends for many reasons mentioned above. I've also stripped out several more with ball end hex bits as they just don't fit quite as well.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have long and short, non-ball. I have a bike with some proprietary suspension bolts that standard short bit sockets aren't deep enough for. There are other times where I've had to use long bit sockets due to clearance issues.

 

[king nero]

Short and ball-end serve no purpose according to me.
Ball-ends are by definition for hard to reach places, so long ball-ends are very handy to have.
Then both short and long square ends, for breaking loose/torquening.

Also, if (when) you break off the balls of the long ends, you now have a long square end socket. I think I got most of mine like that.

Also, get a 7mm as well, most of my cars have pins of brake calipers with a 7mm hex, only few have an outside hex.

 

[Tbird22]

Some floating caliper designs have a rubber “housing” for the screw and you have to fight to get the short bits in. Also, some some diesel injector holders you need the longer ones


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[RedneckWelder]

I use long ones for solenoid valve bolts, ECM electrical connector bolts, and other hard to reach bolts that are an absolute joy to get out when they are rounded out...engineers are in love with the damn things especially bolts where the heads are cheese grade.

I try to use ball end ones only when absolutely necessary. Mainly I use a long 4mm ball end socket for ECM plugs they usually aren’t torqued to hell

Buy good quality ones. I’d get normal ones now in both long and short and hold off on ball ones until you need them

 

[RedneckWelder]

Occasionally you need the long ones to clear obstacles but generally the shorter the better since they have a tendency to twist. If you're working on rusted junk look into the MAC RBRT line. They have teeth and bite in instead of rounding out which is pretty common with corrosion.

I wish we had a Mac driver just for those. Maybe they will appear elsewhere in due time.

 

[Skin]

I wish we had a Mac driver just for those. Maybe they will appear elsewhere in due time.

You can buy them online. Even at flyer discounts if you don't mind ordering over the phone.

 

[DFB]

You often end up with all the different styles depending on your work
2 piece socket sets long and short, one piece impact grade sockets regular length and stubby, ball ends in one form or another like maybe on T handle, L key sets.

A basic set of 3/8" drive chrome bit hex sockets should be pretty standard item in anyone's toolbox. Along with full set of L keys with as many sizes as possible.

Longer bits and ball ends are nice to have but not always necessary in drive socket form depending on the application. I have L shaped hex keys with ball ends, and some extra long T-handles with ball end ends also. None in a socket drive form though.

Heavy wrenching I wouldn't depend on long or ball end tip sockets. Snap off or twist to easy.

But should be fine IMO for light general assembly homeowner chores like the OP described in the first post

 

[bpjr]

I have all of them and work mostly on bicycles and motorcycles. Longs are used when reach is needed. Balls are used where the angle is difficult. Shorts without balls are my go to 95% of the time.

 

[mikey03]

Short and ball-end serve no purpose according to me.
Ball-ends are by definition for hard to reach places, so long ball-ends are very handy to have.
Then both short and long square ends, for breaking loose/torquening.

I always wondered why short ball end existed, anyone use them?

 

[king nero]

I still don't...

 

[bwringer]

4.5 years is a long time, but nowhere near the necro-thread record around here...


Anyhoo, short ball-end hex fits into weird places where longer ones don't. So yes, they have their uses.

This if Garage Journal, and whether it's 2002, 2020 or 2025, the only correct answer to "which tool" is ALL THE TOOLS!

I work on a lot of machinery with tight spaces and hex fasteners (metric motorcycles) so I have, and use, ALL the above. Short, long, socket, L-key, stubby, regular, t-handle, straight end, ball end, security, and all the permutations thereof I can lay hands on. They all get used, and yup, once in a while I still run into a nearly unpossible bolt. I've also modified hex keys many times to reach something especially awkward.

I'm currently slowly filling in my Torx collection in much the same way, since these damn things seem to be popping up more and more, and manufacturers seem to delight in teleporting them into impossible spaces.

 

[mikey03]

I'm currently slowly filling in my Torx collection in much the same way, since these damn things seem to be popping up more and more, and manufacturers seem to delight in teleporting them into impossible spaces.

speaking of torx and ball I saw vim tools got a ball torx set that looks interesting but honestly I don’t need it just curious I hadn’t seen anyone but vim make it

 

[bwringer]

There are ball end torx tools available from several makers; Wiha, Eklind, Vessel, Taiwanese brands like Powerbuilt and Vim, and several Chinese random word/alphabet names.

 

[Mecha]

Straight for short, best for most applications with a straight on shot. I think most brands are fine for it. I have Armstrong, Chinese Husky, Lisle, Proto, and old USA Craftsman of it, all seem to be fine for most everything I do (cars, bikes, industrial). Long ball end to get into odd places, Proto is the only brand that I didn't snap the ball off the end of it. Used the long set when I was building with the 8020 aluminum extrusion stuff.

 

[mikey03]

I hear snap on ball hex are supposed to be real good. Also real expensive but they sell the inserts separate for $15 each so could just get a few as needed if there really the best

 

[Pinne]

I use a lot of hex tools, they all have different uses and having a bunch of options makes life easy. Just like any other socket or fastener tool. This is how I'd approach buying these tools in order of purchases:

If I were just buying a first set, I'd get a 3/8 standard length hex bit set. For automotive work I think this covers many scenarios. You can get these in a huge size range - Snap-On doe 3-10mm but some go larger.

Then I'd buy a bunch of Wera bits - they offer a variety of lengths in sizes from 1.5/2mm up. I have these in 4 different lengths in both standard and ball end in 1.5mm to 6mm. I have a bunch of 1/4 hex to 1/4 square adapters (for use with ratchets or torque wrenches) and a couple of bit ratchets that I use these with. This setup is a fraction of the cost of buying bit sockets, gets you a ton of versatility, lower replacement costs, takes up less space, etc. These are ideal for smaller fasteners and tighter spaces - not so much for automotive but a lot of other tasks.

3/8 drive bit sockets would be my preference for 6mm to 14mm or so. Standard, Long, and Long Ball end are all useful - short ball end is a little more specialty but can be helpful at times. The 5mm and smaller are better suited to 1/4 drive or bits, IMO.

1/2 drive for larger stuff in short and standard lengths. No ball end here as the risk of cam out is too high on larger fasteners, don't even know if anyone makes large diameter ball end.

 

[impactims]

I'm looking to buy a set of metric hex sockets. A couple of questions:

1.) Is there a reason to go with long hex socket set vs "regular" size hex socket set? Just trying to understand a situation where putting a regular length hex socket on an extension would not be ideal vs using a long hex socket.

2.) Can a ball end hex socket do the same as the standard hex socket? I came to really appreciate ball hex sockets when assembling some outdoor furniture where using the standard hex socket was not ideal. I borrowed a friend's ball hex socket which made some of the assembly steps much easier.

There is no one set that will suit all needs.

Ball end provides an angle which is at times required.

Long gives you length to reach which is at times required.

Standard for when you don’t need length nor angle.

You don’t want to use ball nor long unless it is required as they rob you of torque.

At the end of the day, you need all 3.

 

[Etchase]

A grinder is good to have.

 

[Rinspeed]

I have a couple sets but I don't use ball end unless really necessary.