Recommend T handle metric key set

Sick of cheap Thaddeus hex sets. The ball end ones break and the straight ones are never the correct size especially the small ones that need to be files down to fit.

So what a good make to buy?

Bondhus make arguably the best hex keys. They supply NASA.

**LINK**

I use their T handle ball drivers and never had a problem with them.

Bondhus are indeed excellent, I have a metric set, but my ball ended "expert" .Draper set obtained from my local branch of Allparts is every bit as good at half the price. Where do they hide?

regards Paul

Seems that Rowland Tools is the UK stockist.

Murray

Thanks. Found a set here **LINK**

Edited By petro1head on 31/01/2018 22:20:42

Eklind make a decent set of T handle Allen keys. Bondhus are my preferred supplier, get the metric set with all the odd sizes like 7,9,5.5 and other odd sizes. Used the 7 on Audi brake caliper pins yesterday. Haven't found a use yet for some of the odd sizes but armed and ready when they do turn up. Don't you just hate having to grind Allen keys to fit the non preferred sizes?

Mike

I think that under the skin most T handled Allen wrenches are L-shaped. I have a few vintage wrenches with a genuine all-steel T form which are good for heavier work.

Needless to say, if the wrench is too tight for its proper screw the screw won't mind you using a suitable wrong size wrench.

Equally obvious, a good grinding rest makes reducing an oversize wrench relatively straightforward; I must try filing one some time.

Something else that can be very handy on occasion is a long, plain Allen key (just the straight part, no L, no T). They are made, if you can find them. You can drive them from a socket wrench and if you have a screw that's buried deeply in a recess where you don't have room to swing a cat (or a bent wrench) it can be a life-saver. (There's one in the head of the ML7 that's like that).

Bondhus, you cant break em, had a set for years one of my best ever tools

I also like the Eklind tee ones, proper metal tee not a plastic moulding on a L shape.

If you are filing down ends are you mixing metric keys and imperial fixing

Bondhus.

I want a set of hex screwdrivers!

Not the case Jason. When I measure further up the shaft (Say the 3mm one) its somit like 2.95, however at the end it more like 3.14 and these are new. However they we cheap Silverline ones from eBay

Has anyone heard or Beargrip (Made in Holland). I have a couple of these that I was given and they fit fine?

You can have mine

‘However they we cheap Silverline ones from eBay”

So, not very surprising. I reckon those are cheaper rubbish than Rolson used to be 20 years ago! Use once and throw away, unless it is simply threading in and out without any serious tightening or loosening. In fact, likely not get to using them once on really tight fixings - they can easily either strip, due to improper fit, or bend.

I bought a Deltec branded set from HIS, last time we were in Inverness. Not used much and I don't try to undo any tight cap screws with a ball end. I use my Stanley or CK for the tough jobs, so they have not been unduly stressed.

The Deltec ones were cheap as there are both hex and torx in the one box. Just a useful set hanging on the wall. Bought because I was impressed with a set bought from HIS and used for motor repairs, by my step SiL.. His were red, my set are yellow, so I am not yet sure if they are comparable on quality.

As always 'buy cheap, buy twice' ! I know someone will now disagree.

Tony

The market seems to have been flooded with cheap socket screws. The fit of the socket is poor even with good keys.the fit of an Unbrako hex key in an Unbrako socket is excellent, no slop at all even makes a pop if pulled out quickly. Beautifully formed threads as well.

Mike

I use the Bondhus ball ended ones, Model Fixings do them