T-handle allen keys

[Perry Owens]

Can anyone recommend a brand of T-handle allen keys where the handle won't twist loose from the key in the smaller sizes? I use them a lot on gun sights and reloading equipment but the cheaper sets don't stand much torque before the handle rotates independently of the shaft.
Perry

 

[daleyd]

If you've got a bit of cash to spend the beta ones with the sliding t bar are excellent. (951 series).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3512...3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

 

[steveo3002]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Handle-...347?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5af062341b

 

[wristpin]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Handle-...347?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5af062341b

x 2 for Beta and those Frost ones on fleabay look identical to my Snap-on ones that have stood a lot of abuse over the years.

 

[Perry Owens]

x 2 for Beta and those Frost ones on fleabay look identical to my Snap-on ones that have stood a lot of abuse over the years.

I would love a Beta set but could never justify the price, so the Frost set it is for me. Thanks for the info though.

Perry

 

[Spark plug]

IMO the only Allen keys of any description worth buying are Bondhus, I swear buy them I've used Allen keys day in day out for too many years and it's the only make ile buy now.

 

[Flathead_Dave]

I would love a Beta set but could never justify the price, so the Frost set it is for me. Thanks for the info though.

Perry

Note,the Frost set are imperial,if that's what you want.

 

[zx9]

If you've got a bit of cash to spend the beta ones with the sliding t bar are excellent. (951 series).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3512...3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

And for the record FFX are a good seller, over the last few years I have had quite a lot of (mostly power) tools from them with no probles at all.

 

[daleyd]

I would love a Beta set but could never justify the price, so the Frost set it is for me. Thanks for the info though.

Perry

Yes, they are expensive, but the sliding tbar design is superb. Facom do a set as well, though they are equally as pricey.

Normal L shaped allen keys - I bought a set of Wera ones with the green rubber coating on a few years ago. Those are also good, though as said above Bondhus are also decent, as are the Allen met/imp sets that RS sell.

 

[109party]

Draper expert ones are good I have a set and stand up well

 

[Pete.]

I have a set of those loop-handled allen keys and they have seen a lot of use over the past 8 years since I bought them, but the 3mm one snapped at the first bend a while back and gouged a big lump out of my palm.

 

[Simon-]

It Might also be worth considering a set of allen key socket bits, driver and extention plus ratchet for the smaller sizes as the t keys can sometimes spring if the screw is very tight and either mince up the head of the screw or damage the thread. I use t handles most days in work, but also have the sockets. We use bluepoint / snap on but they are on the expensive side.

 

[hareng]

Dale how do the green Wera plastic compare to your others?
These are by far the best come across used daily 4 yrs, excellent fit in the socket so no deformation unlike all others used of late. The uncoated are a bit brittle, broke a few! To give you some idea one customer stated what did you tighten those up with, the Snapon and Bondhus are turning. You guessed it knackered the hex up!

The Draper forget they are not in same league as Wera green or lower grades, edges roll off and damage the hex.

Other good ones Unbrako if you come across any s/h, got 4 engineering companies worth of allen keys.

Bottled out buying T handle sets for some years on the grounds of fit and hardness. Would be interested in anyone also that can compare Wera green to a decent T allen key.

 

[ukracer]

If you've got a bit of cash to spend

A BIT of cash...lol

 

[Spark plug]

Dale how do the green Wera plastic compare to your others?
These are by far the best come across used daily 4 yrs, excellent fit in the socket so no deformation unlike all others used of late. The uncoated are a bit brittle, broke a few! To give you some idea one customer stated what did you tighten those up with, the Snapon and Bondhus are turning. You guessed it knackered the hex up!

The Draper forget they are not in same league as Wera green or lower grades, edges roll off and damage the hex.

Other good ones Unbrako if you come across any s/h, got 4 engineering companies worth of allen keys.

Bottled out buying T handle sets for some years on the grounds of fit and hardness. Would be interested in anyone also that can compare Wera green to a decent T allen key.

I must disagree I've had the weta one you talk about a thort they where pants.

Btw snap on Allen keys are Bondhus re branded.

 

[daleyd]

Dale how do the green Wera plastic compare to your others?
These are by far the best come across used daily 4 yrs, excellent fit in the socket so no deformation unlike all others used of late. The uncoated are a bit brittle, broke a few! To give you some idea one customer stated what did you tighten those up with, the Snapon and Bondhus are turning. You guessed it knackered the hex up!

The Draper forget they are not in same league as Wera green or lower grades, edges roll off and damage the hex.

Other good ones Unbrako if you come across any s/h, got 4 engineering companies worth of allen keys.

Bottled out buying T handle sets for some years on the grounds of fit and hardness. Would be interested in anyone also that can compare Wera green to a decent T allen key.

Those Wera ones are the best I've used, and over the years I've been through a few sets including bondhus, facom and Allen.

I've had a round ally handle on them to shift some floor plates, never even flexed. You are right about the fit they do seem more snug than others I've used. I forgot about unbrako they are also good, though I've never had a full set, only the odd one I've "acquired" from jobs. Ahem.

 

[Mr shiney]

I have a set of Teng for imperial and Union in Metric. About £30 a set each but have been bullet proof in both cases.

 

[mechman]

Those Wera ones are the best I've used, and over the years I've been through a few sets including bondhus, facom and Allen.

I've had a round ally handle on them to shift some floor plates, never even flexed. You are right about the fit they do seem more snug than others I've used. I forgot about unbrako they are also good, though I've never had a full set, only the odd one I've "acquired" from jobs. Ahem.

+1 for unbrako(or is it umbrako)Ive used them for years

 

[jordan1]

Yes, they are expensive, but the sliding tbar design is superb. Facom do a set as well, though they are equally as pricey.

Normal L shaped allen keys - I bought a set of Wera ones with the green rubber coating on a few years ago. Those are also good, though as said above Bondhus are also decent, as are the Allen met/imp sets that RS sell.

X2 for Facom, I have a metric set for my bikes, they are used a lot without issue, nice tool to use.