Small Allen Keys

[sgrammel]

Larger Allen keys have the size stamped on them...Do smaller ones (e.g 1/16"). My eyes may not be good enough to seem the stamping...curious if I am trying to see something not there

 

[PCustoms]

Larger Allen keys have the size stamped on them...Do smaller ones (e.g 1/16"). My eyes may not be good enough to seem the stamping...curious if I am trying to see something not there

It's not there, no room

 

[vjquan]

My Craftsman USA ones are stamped down to 1/16".

 

[danski0224]

9740 Foam insert L-key set 1, 20 pieces - Wera Product finder

Durable foam insert; two-coloured for quick identification of missing parts; suitable for the Tool Rebel roller cabinet; equipped with 9-piece Wera L-key set 950/9 Hex-Plus Multicolour 1 for hexagonal socket screws, 9-piece Wera L-key set 967/9 TX XL Multicolour 1 for TORX® screws, one 9500...

products.wera.de

 

[cherrybomb]

Join the eye glass team,I use my digital caliper,also for drill bits

 

[jayemm]

Join the eye glass team,I use my digital caliper,also for drill bits

Yup. This is where the digital calipers with fractional readout is great. Great for small or unreadable drill bits too.

 

[i84x]

No. Usually if they come in a holder or pack they will be stamped on that instead. Also Calipers, especially those that auto convert to fractions, are your next best bet if you just have a pile of unlabeled ones.

 

[KnurledNut]

Talking about small, I am amazed that Bondhus can manufacture the Pro-hold feature on their .050 keys!

 

[mikedodge]

I've never paid attention to the size indicated for Allen keys it's always been whatever fits.

 

[bonneyman]

Bite the bullet once, and go thru all your small keys and measure them. Then, tear off a piece of duct tape or masking tape, write the size on it with marker, and then stick the keys to that strip after you measure them. Kinda tedious, but it'll keep the sizes together for awhile and easier to find.

I have a problem with the tiny handled metric keys, so I figure out what size they are with a known allen head bolt and write the size on the handle.

 

[NoahG]

One of the reasons that I like the brands that make color coded sets.

 

[RoninB4]

-Working in fractions is fine for woodworkers but to avoid mis-identifying drills, hex keys, taps, fasteners, etc. it's best to work in decimal form. The difference between some metric/inch sizes isn't much but it can make a difference. Plenty of times I've had injection molds and even in cars where someone didn't bother working in decimal form and ruined the threaded hole with an incompatible fastener. Working in decimal notation is less math IMO. Just a suggestion, there are many other benefits.

 

[1982fxr]

Bite the bullet once, and go thru all your small keys and measure them. Then, tear off a piece of duct tape or masking tape, write the size on it with marker, and then stick the keys to that strip after you measure them. Kinda tedious, but it'll keep the sizes together for awhile and easier to find.

I have a problem with the tiny handled metric keys, so I figure out what size they are with a known allen head bolt and write the size on the handle.

And have glue all over them, I don't think so.

 

[bonneyman]

And have glue all over them, I don't think so.

Less likely to drop 'em!

 

[1982fxr]

Less likely to drop 'em!

More likely to get pissed and throw them!

 

[tarbellb]

Color coded like PB Swiss or Wera is nice

Or put huge readouts on the tool holder/case

 

[Hannahranga]

One of the reasons I prefer screwdriver styles for small Allen keys, the handles are big enough to fit a label