What’s your Master Hex Set contain?

[oldschoolcraft]

Based on other posters here I picked up the vim tools stubby hex sockets in Metric And SAE. I also learned from GJ about Bondhus hex bit inserts designed to stick into sockets. So you don’t need to have dedicated sockets. And if the hex key breaks, you just buy a new hex insert and not a whole new socket.

I went with 6” on the inserts because I have the vim stubby and seems like a nice pairing. I thought about also buying the 2” bondhus socket inserts but I’m not a professional and it seems like the stubby plus 6“ should get me through life. And if I really needed something in between, I could take the bondhus 6” insert, cut And grind it down, and then order a new single 6” insert.

Or take a hex key, cut it down and shove that into a socket. So I think I’m good with the stubby and 6” pairing. I stopped at 10mm and 3/8” but bondhus goes up to 19mm and 3/4” on the 6” inserts and I’ve never come across something so big but I’m tempted to have just in case.

I also have regular hex keys L-keys. There’s smaller micro sized hex that is smaller than the vim stubby sockets.

I’m tempted by Mac tools RBRT hex bit set for damaged fasteners. I saw a thread on here by the original patent holder of RBRT selling their hex sockets for a fraction of the price. But I don’t want compete sockets. I want the 1/4” hex bits or the L-keys to save space. And the Mac tools RBRT individual bits is cheaper than the full sockets from the new company.

What do you consider your master hex set to be?

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Forgot about ball end. I have ball end on my L-keys but I’m thinking about sockets. Bondhus makes ball end 6-inch inserts for sockets. And I’m thinking the 6” makes more sense than 2” because if I’m using ball end, it’s because there’s limited access on a weird angle so maybe 6” makes sense since I have to angle into it from a distance. Or maybe 2” makes more sense I don’t know

maybe only need ball end on the L-keys because I can always use a hex key with a vice grip clamped to it, or cut it down to fit a socket if really needed.

Then again maybe I need the T-handled sets with ball end haha

 

[subroc]

My master set?

As many ways as I can get on a fastener up to 3/8 and metric equivalent. A few ways to get on up to 1/2 and metric equivalent. Anything past that, buy as needed.

Then again, you on a farm? Work on a lot of large equipment? Just putting the occasional Ikea together? If you look at you set up and see holes in it that need filling and have the moneythen spend the money fill the holes.

 

[CS454]

Mac RBRT bit kit, Snap on Metric bit sockets, bondhus keys. I've gotten by hammering Torx bit sockets into rounded or rusted hex fasteners.

 

[larry_g]

When I was working hi tech manufacturing I one time counted 17 different sets of hex turning tools in my tool box. I by no means had all bases covered but could usually get the job done without having to get something from the tool room. So your question somewhat depends on what your working with/on. I had tools from .028" up to 5/8" or so with metric counterparts.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[bpwoodworking]

I use this stuff very often myself, so I have arrived at a variety of things to conquer a seemingly endless array of odd situations which can crop up when installing in the field or repairing machinery.

A bit holder on a standard 3/8” or 1/4” ratchet. A dedicated bit ratchet. Bit holders for an impact driver, heavier bit holders for a 1/2” battery powered impact. Bit holders with a screw driver handle. Screw driver style bit holder with a flexible shaft.

Regular screw drivers in PH, PZ, and Torx,

Allen L keys

T-Handles, sliding T handles and 1/4” or 3/8” drive T handles with a bit socket, T handle bit holder.

 

[rockettauto]

Bondhus L keys, Capri master hex bit set, Cornwell long hex bits.

I lump all the other stuff in there too so Capri master torx bit set. Idk who triple squares.

A lot of random **** I've collected over the years to round it out.

No name twist style hex extractor set.

 

[Tallpilot]

Impacts to 1.25” and 24mm. Hand drive to 19mm in half-cut, short, regular and long. I like Sunex for impact and VIM for hand drive.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Depends on what you need. No sense buying and storing tools you have no use for.

Something worth having is Bondhus "stubby" L keys. Very handy for accessing the doodads that Volvo uses on Haldex couplings.

-Ryan

 

[NoahG]

T handles: both ball and straight, a few long, a few stubby, most regular length. I like the ones with the extra bit on the side of the handle for extra leverage.
L wrench sets: long, regular, stubby, ball end
Folding Sets: overlapping confirgurations
Sockets: mostly 3/8” drive, long and short, straight end
1/4” insert bits and power bits: these are incredibly useful.

All of this in Metric and SAE, and always adding more variations.

 

[PelicanPines]

Two craftsman wide drawers + 1/2 of another.
T handles
Standard L handles
Screwdriver handles
Sockets both long and short
Impact hex set as well
Precision micro sizes in metric

Everything in metric and sae.

 

[bpwoodworking]

I have a set of bondhus T-handles that I absolutely love, but they aren’t fancy so I bought a set of PB Swiss which are beautiful but don’t have the weight to freely spin a fastener out when you twist them in your fingers so I like them but not for ‘fast change’ type situations.

Nepros has a T handle with weights in it that I’m tempted by, might be the best of both worlds.

 

[j3rf]

All of them.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Suppose I was going to get ball end hex sockets. They come in regular or long. Obviously we NEED both or we aren’t real mechanics. But if you could only have one ball end socket set, do you go 2” or 6” length? Hypothetically, i mean, if this wasn’t garage journal.

I have Vim stubby hex sockets and bondhus long regular hex. I want to add some snap on ball end but unsure if I want short or long.

The ball ends are for times you have limited access and cant get a regular hex flush in the fitting. So you have to go at a slight angle. Would I be more or less likely to need a longer ball than a shorter ball end?

 

[honcho]

Here's a variant of the question: Do you keep all the partial sets of hex keys that some of us accumulate over time and how do you store them? I was just going through all my stuff and wondering whether I should spend/waste the time organizing all the loose keys. I did dispose of a bunch of assorted ikea style hex tools a while back.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

If you need a ball end, you have access issues. IMO if you have access issues, longer tooling helps correct this. Thus all of my ball style sockets are long. Although I prefer a wobble extension with a VIM half cut socket.

 

[CS454]

All I own in ball end are 6" SO Metric bit sockets and bondhus keys, for reasons mentioned above.

 

[rockettauto]

I can't recall a time I needed a short ball end. Being as a ball end doesn't allow your drive tool to move very far if it's short I guess chances are good if I can get something in there canted just an 1/8" I can probably get something else in directly over top.

I think this is pretty well represented in the offerings....far far more long ball ends than short.

 

[jsaw]

2 MMThru 19 MM & 3/32 Thru 3/4