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Large Hex Keys

W

wise

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Jan 19, 2013
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Ontario. In Canada.
I'm in need of large Hex Keys. By Large I mean 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22mm. I checked with Snap-On today and they only go up to 19mm (surprised me!).

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000NPUJMG/?tag=atomicindus04-20 Has most some of what I'm looking for, but I heard there tools are of poor quality in the first place.

Can anybody recommend a set that would fill my needs?

I already have both chrome and impact sockets of those sizes, but there is a common job I do which requires the larger L shaped keys to make it go a lot faster.
 
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metaleltr

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Western Ohio
When we needed a 17mm for an air cooled VW transaxle we had a piece of round stock machined to 17mm on both ends then we just put it in a 17mm socket.
 
S

Stooge

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Mar 24, 2013
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South Shore, MA
Don't see too many sets of the keys go up there, most only go up to 10or12, as said previous mcmaster as well as mscdirect carry them individual up to and past those sizes, start to get a little spendy though
 
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alan camby

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South of Indianapolis, Indiana
wise said:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-hex-l-keys/=m2y38t

wow that does get spendy pretty quick! These are of good quality you think?

It's really just about $130 for what I need, and the time it saves I'd really make it back pretty quick. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!
Click to expand...

You can call them and ask for the country of origin and manufactures. Just tell them the part # you are interested in.
I say manufactures because they could have several different brands on the shelf. I would be surprised if they were not USA. I have ordered extremely large fractional hex keys and they were a USA wrench.
 
N

neophyte

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Pennsylvannia
I don't know if you can get the larger size Hex Keys in a set. Most larger hex keys I'v seen are sold individually. Some sets go up to larger sizes but not as large as 22mm. Individually Bondhus does some of the sizes mentioned but not all. Facom manufactures Keys in all the sizes mentioned,:) but they may be difficult to get in the USA.:sad: Bondhus does some of the sizes but not all. The sizes Bondhus manufactures are 14mm, 17mm, 19mm, and 22mm, but not 13, 15, 16, or 21.:sad: Proto Expert Hex keys are available in 13mm, 14mm, 17mm, and 19mm, but not 15, 16, 21, or 22.:sad: Mac doesn't seem to manufacture the larger sizes.:sad: Stahlwille manufactures some sizes, but again not all of them.:sad: Maybe someone else can help.
 
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W

wise

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Jan 19, 2013
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Location
Ontario. In Canada.
Yeah its weird, There is a drain plug on a JD Rock Truck I'm almost certain is a 21mm but I must be mistaken because I can't find a wrench for it anywhere, and I borrowed the tool from a co-worker. I ordered 12, 14, 17, 19, 22 and 3/4 from McMaster-Carr and the price was what I was expecting but really not very bad as long as they are of good quality.

It says applicable shipping/tax will be added, I hope I don't get dinged to hard for being out of country.
 
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alan camby

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wise said:
Yeah its weird, There is a drain plug on a JD Rock Truck I'm almost certain is a 21mm but I must be mistaken because I can't find a wrench for it anywhere, and I borrowed the tool from a co-worker. I ordered 12, 14, 17, 19, 22 and 3/4 from McMaster-Carr and the price was what I was expecting but really not very bad as long as they are of good quality.

It says applicable shipping/tax will be added, I hope I don't get dinged to hard for being out of country.
Click to expand...

They (Mcmaster) have a 21 width coupling nut.
 
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W

wise

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Jan 19, 2013
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Ontario. In Canada.
alan camby, I hadn't thought of that! I might just order one of all the common sizes for a just in case scenario/maybe its the only way kind of thing. Grade 8 is the only way to go you think?
 
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alan camby

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South of Indianapolis, Indiana
wise said:
alan camby, I hadn't thought of that! I might just order one of all the common sizes for a just in case scenario/maybe its the only way kind of thing. Grade 8 is the only way to go you think?
Click to expand...

I have always used what was on hand. Most of the time it is just grade 2 steel. If i was really concerned that the hex coupling nut would deform, putting threaded rod inside, or bolt, might strengthen it a touch.

When buying coupling nuts a lot of the strength comes with wall thickness.
Notice that a 3/8-16 can be had with several different hex sizes. the larger hex for a given thread size will mean more metal.

But... sure go with grade 8 if available.
 
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fivespdcat

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Last edited:
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alan camby

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South of Indianapolis, Indiana
My recommendations are just what I have used in a pinch. I am not saying coupling nuts are a great day to day use tool. They will get you out of a bind. Some manual transmissions the hex plug is so close to a frame rail or exhaust that your only choice is a short hex bar (coupling nut) and a wrench.

Yes, I agree that the socket hex bits are about as good as it gets. Sometimes you need a stubby L wrench or the setup I mentioned.
 
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Ign

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Jul 7, 2006
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Butte Peak ND
Yeah, Surplus Center has 72" of 7/8" hex shafting for $25.95 (1-3525-87)

and 1 1/8" for $47.95 (1-3525-112).

For the 7/8" I was thinking you could cut up a lot of lengths (for use with a socket of course) and sell 'em to guys servicing D60 kingpins!

The 1 1/8" could be machined down to any size hex you like.
 
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Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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Sussex, England
I generally find that with the bigger sizes I can't get enough leverage using just a hex wrench. I use an 'inhex' socket and a ratchet or even breaker bar if I have to. On a lot of European vehicles I find there isn't even room for a hex key - they assume you will use a socket!
 
D

Dave.R

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Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
383
Location
Grand Rapids MI
wise said:
I'm in need of large Hex Keys. By Large I mean 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22mm. I checked with Snap-On today and they only go up to 19mm (surprised me!).

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000NPUJMG/?tag=atomicindus04-20 Has most some of what I'm looking for, but I heard there tools are of poor quality in the first place.

Can anybody recommend a set that would fill my needs?

I already have both chrome and impact sockets of those sizes, but there is a common job I do which requires the larger L shaped keys to make it go a lot faster.
Click to expand...


If you have a single issue on those Hex Keys you can always contact me either on the Board or at [email protected], I've used all different sets before even working hear, and haven't had an instance that broke ours that didn't others. Its all on tolerance and proper Heat treating.

Let me know if there's anything you have a question on. :3gears:
 
F

Fireball027

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Aug 9, 2009
Messages
709
Location
Niagara, ON
wise said:
I already have both chrome and impact sockets of those sizes, but there is a common job I do which requires the larger L shaped keys to make it go a lot faster.
Click to expand...

Don't know if you have one around you but Princess auto carries a set, but only up to 19mm and 3/4

SAE- 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 3/4 in.
Metric- 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, and 19 mm

I have used mine for years, even with pipe extensions on the bigger ones and never had a problem or twisted one.

Also for that one job could you not use a stubby hex socket on a breaker bar?
 
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ultgar

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Jan 11, 2005
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1,119
Location
New Jersey
I stock all the Facom 83H series up to 32mm.......see http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=83h&search_in_description=1 .

83h-metric.jpg
 
D

dirtmister16

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Apr 6, 2011
Messages
696
Location
wisconsin
reading this thread ill look for it today. but i had some old maintaince cabinets from a factory. they had some large hex keys. one i would of guessed had to be at least 3/4" but coulda been metric.

i think i still have it somewhere. i don't remember tossing it. if i have it and its metric ill send you a pm.
 
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