Interesting - Tool Details

[T45]

Experimenting with several types of hex keys and bit sockets

After cleaning up several damaged hex keys and examining them...I learned that many hex keys are rough at the ends and have metals edges that wil smear or deform starting in small amounts. This starts to catch in the fastener and degrades the fastener, too.

These PB swiss hex keys-- by contrast--have a nice machined chamfer.

I thought it would be interesting to start a thread to discuss some of the "little things" ya'll look for when evaluating a tool design. It doesn't need to be fancy or expensive, just thoughtful and functional.

 

[TheMadMech]

I like the Bondhus hex keys for the chamfered ends. Bondhus L-Wrenches and that would be my "little things" note here. Something else which has stood out to me is that the Wiha insulated flat head screw drivers have the bladed portion is shaped so the blade is square to the bottom edge where as most screw drivers are more wedge shaped. Wiha Screwdrivers. These always just seem to grab a flat head screw better imho. I can't explain that one but it's something I've noticed.

 

[BMack37]

The Tekton hex keys are beveled like that. My made in the USA Eklind hex keys are not even close to being something that I'd call nicely finished... been meaning to clean them up with a grinder.

PB Swiss also has a unique slotted screwdriver blade design, though I prefer the Wera design as more functional.

 

[FigureItOut]

I took (3) 3/8" u-joints yesterday and tested em out. A Williams, a USA Craftsman and a Pittsburgh. I put em on hex adapter and then a long extension and spun em while I slowly angled the extension up and made marks on the wall indicating at what point each failed. It was interesting, the Craftsman won by 15° or so but failed by being disconnecting, whereas the other two failed by triggering the clutch on my driver set at max.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[FigureItOut]

I took (3) 3/8" u-joints yesterday and tested em out. A Williams, a USA Craftsman and a Pittsburgh. I put em on hex adapter and then a long extension and spun em while I slowly angled the extension up and made marks on the wall indicating at what point each failed. It was interesting, the Craftsman won by 15° or so but failed by being disconnecting, whereas the other two failed by triggering the clutch on my driver set at max.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

Edit: Maybe not so relevant to your post now that I reread it, sorry.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[Rarified27]

Something I've encountered in the past and ran into again last week-

Phillips head drivers that are too long (or pointed). I had a #1 sized screw head that the driver wouldn't catch because the point kept the 4 bladed sides pushed out of the fastener.

I ended up grinding about 1/8 off the tip and it worked fine, but bad machining can ruin a work piece or a fastener.

Also- anything labeled as EDC that's chrome or a bright color. Knives, multi-tools, flashlights, etc. These items should be carried discreetly, not yelling "Hey, look at me, I'm that guy!".