Upgrading hex keys (Allen wrenches)

[Ralf11]

I'll just add that German car manf.s have an unusual affinity for socket head screws ...

 

[Qualitytools]

Two times the plastic coated Wera will let you down.

- when there's a clearance hole for a hex key and its maybe .020"/0.5mm over the nominal distance between the points of the hex, and the plastic tube simply wont fit. To be fair its time for an XL flat-ended bit and not the ball-end but sometimes you try to work with what you have available.

- when the plastic tube/sleeve gets jammed in the holder and the steel body gets pulled out. Eventually the plastic tube can get lost and the wrench is a very loose floater that can drop out.

So I don't want to trash their product, its a very good one, but I've come across those limitations in heavy industrial work over years of service.

Wiha makes a color-coated hex-only version I just got in and want to get more time with. My only gripe with the PB swiss is their fractional set doesn't include a 3/8" wrench that I use a lot. Bondhus makes color coated versions as well, probably the lowest quality coating but I don't think that matters long-term, the steel in the tool is very good.

Good point to bring up and thanks for sharing. However, for my applications I have not run into that issue therefore, I have had good fit and easy R&R of a fastener with the WERA.

 

[bwringer]

And Wera makes "naked" hex stuff too if that's your preference.

 

[andersen24]

Well I got tired of my missing pieces from my craftsman sets I’ve piece mealed over the years, so I went with the Tekton Hex Key and Ball Hex Key sets. Granted not anything spectacular, but MUCH better than digging through a plastic bag trying to find the right hex key. And considering their warranty and price point, they’ll work perfectly for me!

 

[macgee]

This is my hex set up. Round base is for metric, rectangular is imperial. No more dicking around with those plastic holders, will never go back to using those. Now its easy to grab one out and see which size and which ones are metric or imperial. I use hex's more than Phillips on a avg day and love this setup. I grab the bases and take them over to where I'm working in the shop.
PB Swiss in metric (left) and Wiha (right) in imperial but went back to using all Bondhus (gold & black).

 

[larry_g]

No more dicking around with those plastic holders, will never go back to using those. Now its easy to grab one out and see which size and which ones are metric or imperial.

Interesting how people are different, I would not give up my plastic Bondhus holders. For years on the job I carried a set of hex keys in my pocket most days. The plastic holder just worked well for me.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Bradc1989]

Anything has to beat the wiha holder. The one where you have to turn the wrench about a quarter turn to unlock it then pull the key out. And if you break the mechanism, which isn’t hard to do, they’re all just loose and falling out. Where I work, when you’re hired on they give you a wiha metric Allen key set and a stream light stylus pro flashlight. Don’t know why but kinda cool. I have sense lost the Allen wrenches and I do not miss that stupid pack. Now I just have my overpriced metric blue (repackaged bohndus). They did come in a kind of unique silver colored plastic holder though

 

[MushCreek]

I like the Wera holder, but I did make a nice aluminum block to hold the set at my mill.

 

[RoninB4]

Another aspect of the automotive vs. industrial application of fasteners is where the head will be that often dictates the choice of hex head or socket head. I work on large injection molds that require use of hex keys from 3/32 to 3/4 for the socket heads. The heads almost always have to be set below the surface and a lot less metal is required to counter-bore for a socket head than a hex head (plus room to get a socket on it). Socket heads that are exposed to corrosion like automotive applications aren't always the best choice and having an exposed hex head is easier to throw a wrench on when space is limited. When I design/make parts for my motorcycles counter-boring for a socket head just cleans up the appearance of the components. Flat-head, low-head, and button-head cap screws also offer a variety for applications. It's all about what the fastener has to do and personal preferences just like the tools used on them. Have been using sets of Wiha, Blackhawk, and HF on the job for about a year and the only disappointments in any are when I break them off.

 

[Rickster]

I just cleaned out my screwdriver drawer and moved out the torx and hex screwdrivers and the nut drivers. Replacing them with 4” long bit driver sets. Found a Wera locking bit driver handle I’m going to order for those bits.

 

[jonesg]

Sometimes a hex key is the best tool for the job. Off hand I'm thinking about (some) 2 stroke intake manifolds that won't allow a typical ratchet in due to obstruction. Hex keys were about the only tool for the job. But with the wide availability of small bit drivers, they're pretty much what I use these days. My hex keys don't see much use anymore, but I'm glad I have them when I need them.

Those PB Swiss keys in the OP are super nice.

Hah, then you need the ultimate 4 inch extended ball drive hex socket drives.
A mere $190.

https://www.grainger.com/product/20K472?ef_id=CjwKCAjwoNuGBhA8EiwAFxomA8MVUJjYbCvXD5sdhNDQioD9x7eEMZ47V1TNjl6nFNOz70resG4Q9hoCE6oQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!496359975532!!!g!438993528945!&gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=CjwKCAjwoNuGBhA8EiwAFxomA8MVUJjYbCvXD5sdhNDQioD9x7eEMZ47V1TNjl6nFNOz70resG4Q9hoCE6oQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[RichieP_MechE]

Wiha EgroStar are my go-to, almost more for the holders than the hex keys themselves. Wera Hex Plus are good, I used the stainless ones before I discovered Wiha. Bondhus BriteGuard series are also pretty nice, I have a set of stubby ball ends.

As others have mentioned, hex keys are go-to for many working in high tech industrial and machining environments. I use them constantly in my robotics job. Socket heads screws everywhere, often in locations that are hard to reach with limited clearance. They're often smaller sizes as well (M2 - M5) threaded into aluminum where the risk of cross threading and stripping is higher if you're just bearing down on it with a hex bit in a ratchet. Hex keys are much more appropriate for torque control when assembling precision equipment.

One set of specialty hex keys I've become fond of is the HBL900N from Mitoloy. It's a set where the short end of the key isn't actually short but about twice as long as normal, like a T-handle hex wrench without the plastic molding. Great for getting to those fasteners that are a bit deeper into an enclosure - you can reach it with the "short" side and still have the long end for applying plenty of torque, instead of reaching it with the ball end and using a cheater to get the needed force on the short end.

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[Grant Gunderson]

I use hex and torx fasteners daily from working on high-end mountain bikes, camera gear or rebuilding machinery.
Here is my collection. It’s all PBSwiss / Snapon for sockets (PBSwiss is better) PB Swiss for sae hex keys, Wera stainless for metric L keys, and PB again for the T wrenches.
note a few items are not in their homes as I’m in the middle of rebuilding my monarch 10ee lathe right now.