3/8 metric allen key socket set ?

[julianf]

I've never regretted buying the 3/8 metric snapon socket sets that I have, however the snap on metric allen set ( part number 211EFAMY ) does seem to be priced somewhat fearfully.

I'm looking for recommendations. All my Halfords advanced keys (Allen and torx) have broken so many times that I'd really not buy them again.

Looks like sealey do a set for about £25?

I could spend spend 6x that on a snap on set but that just seems insane money for some allen sockets. But, again, I've never regretted buying the sockets....

Anyway, any other recommendations?

Thank you.

 

[zzr1200]

Teng....

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[tigdlo]

My recommendation is snap on heavy duty, the yellow plated bits but as long as the sockets are the same size as the bits you can buy anything cheap and replace the bits with cut down Unbrako or Bondhus allen keys when they inevitably break.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've had a Kennedy Pro 3/8" set about 20 years, it includes a selection of hex bits which have been fine for me, only hobby use though.

 

[Nomad]

Sealey ( & the same branded as Draper ?) are ok but I'd rate them mid-range at best.

Facom for me - ideally when it's in a sale.
Halfords Pro also works for me so I'm surprised you've had a few problems.

 

[Farside]

I'm looking for recommendations. All my Halfords advanced keys (Allen and torx) have broken so many times that I'd really not buy them again.

Looks like sealey do a set for about £25?

I have the Sealey Allen and Torx set, like effin' cheese, they are.
That was disappointing, as the part number for it denoted it to be better than diy quality.

The Draper Expert set has withstood countless savage attempts to break parts of it and it still works fine. The T25 bits have hammered in hundreds of concrete screws, for example, and only now starting to show a bit of twist on the splines.

 

[graffian]

My recommendation is snap on heavy duty, the yellow plated bits but as long as the sockets are the same size as the bits you can buy anything cheap and replace the bits with cut down Unbrako or Bondhus allen keys when they inevitably break.

I wouldn't shell out on snap-on Allen keys, again. I was somewhere and needed several sizes so I - rather stupidly - ******* up something crazy like £175 on a set.

The first one I twisted was the 6mm, while undoing disc bolts on a jap bike. The Allen key twisted and after that was easy to untwist/twist!
I put the socket in my pocket and next time I saw a van I could park next to, I asked for a replacement, the answer was something like
"It's not gold so isn't heavy duty and I won't replace it, I will sell you a set of heavy duty ones"
If you enlarge the original photo, or look at the ones that hadn't been in a pocket full'o'shrapnel they are gold.
So what I have done to the others that twisted is stick a bit of decent cheap jap allen key[50p a set cheap] in the socket.

 

[chris pruteanu]

I would buy the small 3/8” set from bluepoint, they have lifetime warranty and they are just the thing to go for ! Apart from breaking a few (torx in special) and loosing a few bits, they have served me well for the last 15 years or so ! I don’t get my snap on gear out anymore since getting these…

 

[MetalMonkey]

Kennedy ones are decent, I also have some very nice toptul ones and a really cheap set of "Forge Steel" which are surprisingly well made.

Its also worth get some impact rated ones. I find that if they are stuck on really tight you have more chance of success and less chance of twisting with the short sharp blows of the impact instead of applying crazy torque with a ratchet/breaker bar.

 

[chris pruteanu]

Kennedy ones are decent, I also have some very nice toptul ones and a really cheap set of "Forge Steel" which are surprisingly well made.

Its also worth get some impact rated ones. I find that if they are stuck on really tight you have more chance of success and less chance of twisting with the short sharp blows of the impact instead of applying crazy torque with a ratchet/breaker bar.

Kennedy is rebranded bluepoint…yes, they are good !

 

[tigdlo]

I wouldn't shell out on snap-on Allen keys, again. I was somewhere and needed several sizes so I - rather stupidly - ******* up something crazy like £175 on a set.

The first one I twisted was the 6mm, while undoing disc bolts on a jap bike. The Allen key twisted and after that was easy to untwist/twist!
I put the socket in my pocket and next time I saw a van I could park next to, I asked for a replacement, the answer was something like
"It's not gold so isn't heavy duty and I won't replace it, I will sell you a set of heavy duty ones"
If you enlarge the original photo, or look at the ones that hadn't been in a pocket full'o'shrapnel they are gold.
So what I have done to the others that twisted is stick a bit of decent cheap jap allen key[50p a set cheap] in the socket.

View attachment 458155

The local dealer when I was an apprentice 20 years ago would swap the standard insert bits, hex or torx for heavy duty under warranty. I prefer the gradual failure over the more brittle cheaper bits.

 

[Trevorleach]

All allen keys are a disappointment over time, mind you I have some Bondhus keys that seem okay so far, though I am sure they will end up the same as all the others.
I have a few different snap on sets of the gold ones, in fact they are all gold and they seem to wear something fierce if used often enough.
I think generally allen key fasteners are a crap idea full stop, nothing makes my heart sink more when presented with stainless countersunk allen head fasteners through immaculate painted alloy sheet into mild steel with no grease on the threads!

 

[addjunkie]

Teng....

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Ive a set of these, not convinced!

 

[8ob]

Not a tool snob but out of what's available I have found the snapon bits to be up there with the best, always a tough call on the smaller sizes because its a trade off between twisting and snapping, the better of them will always twist a bit and the cheaper glass hard ones snap. None of them would break if they were used within their rated torque capacity but that's not where we are with seized and thread locked smaller fasteners, once you get to 10mm even the cheap ones are good.

Bob

 

[Blobber]

Ive a set of these, not convinced!

I dont rate any of the Teng stuff I have to be honest

 

[julianf]

There was mention of draper -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expert-26439-8-Piece-Hexagon/dp/B003V5MCV6

Impact rated, but maybe the size range is a bit limited?

That's always the plus for snapon - if you want an odd size, it still exists with them.

(They're in 1/2 not 3/8 but I can live with that)

 

[chris pruteanu]

I have a couple of sets, bondhus, snap on (also made by bobdhus) and german ones- They are really good !
I also have a selection of bluepoint tool cases in either 1/2” and 3/8” which they see me well for more than a decade or so ! When they break I just send them to uk and they get replaced by snap on man.
I also bought Unior and falcon but they are not as good quality as they used to be years ago !

 

[pressbrake1]

I’ve a Kennedy set that have survived 25years
And gedore which are good

 

[zzr1200]

Ive a set of these, not convinced!

I have snapped Snap-on allen key sockets before, I'm not saying Teng are any better but they did seem to last, just as well when I was in the forklift industry. Certainly lasted longer than the cheaper far eastern brands.

 

[premmington]

Not a tool snob but out of what's available I have found the snapon bits to be up there with the best, always a tough call on the smaller sizes because its a trade off between twisting and snapping, the better of them will always twist a bit and the cheaper glass hard ones snap. None of them would break if they were used within their rated torque capacity but that's not where we are with seized and thread locked smaller fasteners, once you get to 10mm even the cheap ones are good.

Bob

10mm ones have more metal to absorb the case hardening.

Expensive 1/4" bits - and cheap 10mm bits is where it is at (as @8ob said above).

5mm allen key inserts and T25 inserts I buy by the box and just knock them in/out of socket with a punch - consumables