Wiha Magic ring hex wrenches

[pipeyeti]

Ok I'm looking for some new metric ball end hex wrenches. These will see daily use in a bike shop. I have used every brand out there except these. I have usually turned to Bondhus but thought I'd give these a try http://www.crawfordtool.com/Wiha_MagicRing.html Looking to get a set of the l wrenches and a set of the screwdriver handles. Anyone have any experience with them? Btw never actually introduced myself. Larry here I have been a bicycle mech for 15 years and am in the process of opening my own shop. Prior to that was an aircraft mechanic in the navy for 20 years.

 

[AutomatiquE]

I only have one Wiha/magic ring, it's a L Hex wrenche, size 10. My other Wiha wrenches are L wrenches with regular Hex or Torx tips. I bought the Wiha/magic ring a few month ago and still haven't use it, i'm just a DIY. What i like is that the spring of the "Magic Ring" is made of steel. I mean it's not a rubber spring wich won't last. The handle is also large enough and confortable. Generaly speaking, you can't go wrong with German made Wiha's.

 

[Steve_P]

I have these... dunno why I bought them, guess it was an impulse buy, I already had set of hex wrenches (who doesn't?) when I bought them.

They are nice but pricey . I like the fact that they are plated and not blackened. In addition, they are significantly longer than the other wrenches I have. If you use these a lot on bikes you will be glad you bought them. The "magic ring" feature may seem like a gimic at first, but it is very nice and does work.

Amazon also carries these if you want to shop price.

 

[pipeyeti]

Thanks, I ordered up a set of each. Can't wait to try them out.

 

[Joe B.]

There was a set of these on Sears.com clearance for a long time. I picked up a set and I really like them. They seem strong and precisely built. The 'ring' part actually works quite well to hold fasteners when installing and removing.

I don't use them enough to comment on durability in just six months or so but they seem like they will last.

 

[Vinko]

I have a couple of these. I got them as samples from the company about 10 years ago. I'm not sure why. I think it was a warranty thing on a screwdriver and they sent these.

 

[cosmik binturong]

hello there, i've used them for the last two years on lots of bikes(mtb, road, cx, bmx...) and they've proven themselves to be very useful...
only bad thing i can say about them is that i don't have the 5mm one since i bought the set on clearance for 5€ without it.
gotta order one one day 'cause my "standard" hex key is not up to par

i'll most probably order some garant(made by wiha) ones with a ball retainer too;
one can't have enough hex keys in a bike workshop!

 

[MOPARINMYCAR]

This brand of tools is also one of the better brands here in the Uk. I have a set of there ball end allen keys and have served me well and still not showing any signs of wear. Have you looked at the tools on offer by Park tools as these make a lot of Bycicle tools ?

 

[bpl442]

I have not had very good luck with the Wiha magic ring hex keys. The keys that got high usage lost their ability to hold the fastener over time. That and the fact that a couple of the keys had the ring come off didn't set to well with me. Retired two different sets a couple years ago. I use the Wiha magnetizer block to magnetize any key that I need for those special situations.

 

[cosmik binturong]

magnetizing the keys only works for steel bolts, not aluminium or titanium ones and on modern bikes there's more and more of those every year.

and don't forget those weightweenies that are using carbon and plastic ones...

a bike is pretty low torque as far as hex keys go; max i've encountered is 50Nm for the 10mm bolt of my race face atlas AM crankset and for this one a torque wrench is more than suggested over an hex key anyway, be that key ringed or not.

 

[Kenwc]

I don't know about this "magic ring"...but I guess it holds the bolt on the end of the bit?

 

[cosmik binturong]

you can see them and some more exotic options on Monte's old world tools thread after this post

other "HEXotica"