To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Suggestions needed T-handle Allen’s

Iowadriver

Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2018
Messages
21
I’m in need of a good set of metric Allen’s. I use them on RC cars and each set I have ends up rounding at the end and becomes a useless tool. I would love to find a set that’s for a drill but haven’t found any yet. Any suggestions?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

dscheidt

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2017
Messages
2,909
T-handle: bondus, without or without ball tip, depending on preference.

impact, they're all disposable.
 

rijndael

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
428
Location
Mid-Atlantic
Are you rounding the hex bits or are you rounding t-handle allens? If it's a t-handle, you can cut back the rounded tip.
 

Toolmaker65

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 30, 2016
Messages
98
Location
York, PA
Bondhus in my book too. Use them every day at work and they are extremely durable. I use both straight (hex) and ball end. The nice thing about straight ends is that if they do become rounded, all you need to do is take the rounded end to a grinder or belt sander and remove it (be careful not to build up too much heat in the process). Rempove any burrs from the end and you are back in business.
 

Alpine4x4

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2015
Messages
455
Location
Central, WA
Bought Snap-On non ball end for the same reasons. Stopped stripping my stainless hardware. My brother commented on how firmly they engaged on his rig as well when doing trail repairs.
 

Wamsutta

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2014
Messages
10,887
Location
Amarillo, Texas
I like the Eklinds because they flex/twist a little bit when the fastener gets tight; that's a good indicator for when tight is tight.

For ball hex T-handles, I like Bondhus.
 

HenryAZ

MEMBER EMERITUS
Joined
Sep 18, 2012
Messages
1,054
Location
South Congress AZ
Bondus or Eklind.
I have both in a few common metric sizes. What I find I use more is the Bondhus long handle regular sets. When I need reach, I find myself more often putting the long end in the socket and use a short pipe ****** as a mini-cheater on the short handle.
 

NUTTSGT

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
51,098
Location
Northern Central Ohio
I’m in need of a good set of metric Allen’s. I use them on RC cars and each set I have ends up rounding at the end and becomes a useless tool. I would love to find a set that’s for a drill but haven’t found any yet. Any suggestions?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can regrind the end and get more use out of them.
 

matt_i

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 14, 2008
Messages
10,741
Location
SE Michigan
If you are serious about not stripping out the internal hex, imo one wants the flat tip, as much as possible. There is minimal contact with the ball.

Sometimes, though, being able to drive on an angle offset from the centerline is invaluable. But those are special jobs.

I have Allens and Eklind but prefer the latter.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Spacey_G

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Messages
492
Bondhus are the gold standard for T-handles. They make three different length versions, 6", 9", and graduated. I like the 6" the most for general use, and the 9" are handy too. I don't like the graduated sets because the small sizes are too short. Verify the part number before ordering. It can be difficult to tell what set you're getting just from the stock photo.

If you need sizes smaller than 2mm, get some Wiha or Wera precision drivers.
 

CR888

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2017
Messages
1,198
Wiha make exceptional T-handles up to the task of daily use.
 

woody 73

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2009
Messages
11,546
Location
The Great State Up North
Just my two cents, I own just about every set from the above comments and they are all fantastic, but it would seem that GJ member Benny 27 hit it out of the park in his reply, (although I do not own them) it would seem they are just made for your RC cars.

If it were me those are the sets I would be buying...:thumbup::thumbup:
 

GrayFlattop

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2018
Messages
1,051
Location
Chicago
The Allen Brand cushion-grip T-handles are exceptionally durable. The handles are a bit bigger than the Bondhus (also a very good t-handle)which gives a good grip.

3300539-11.jpg
 

ChrisLS8

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2015
Messages
1,964
I like Bondhus or Eklind, and the kicker is you can get them pretty much anywhere
 

5ktq

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 26, 2018
Messages
194
Is there still US made "Allen" T handles? I thought that got spun down and they're just slapping the name on imports now.

I had elkind but never really cared for them, too springy with the folded handle.

Or do they make a solid handle variation too (like bondhus).
 

scooby074

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2008
Messages
5,259
Location
Nova Scotia
I have both Bondhus and Eklind.

You can get far more torque with the Bondhus IMHO. The Eklind will flex when twisting. This might be a good thing for low torque applications like RC cars though??
 

CR888

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2017
Messages
1,198
I really like the torque control/feel with the German Wiha's. There's a reason small engine OEM's have them make their factory service tools for their dealers service departments.
 

GrayFlattop

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2018
Messages
1,051
Location
Chicago
Is there still US made "Allen" T handles? I thought that got spun down and they're just slapping the name on imports now.

I had elkind but never really cared for them, too springy with the folded handle.

Or do they make a solid handle variation too (like bondhus).

Good question as to COO on the "new and improved" Allen branded t-handles. I have several sets of the US made Allen T-handles and no real need to replace them. The Allen catalog shows a different type of handle when you look closely. It almost looks like plastic - which is sad.

Perhaps you can find NOS or gently used on ebay. If not, then Bondhus would be the choice.

Amazon shows the old style Allen t-handle wrenches as still available in limited quantities, but that would require the photo to be accurate. No guarantee of that.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom