Allen key recommendations

[Robotstar5]

Bondhus or Unbrako

 

[6ply]

Paint a coloured ring around to differentiate between the two.

I should have done that before. Bright orange might also help me find them!

 

[6ply]

Wera Hex plus ones are pretty good, but for mid-range affordable Bondhus is hard to beat.

I use wera screwdrivers and think they are worth the money. But even cheap hex keys do me... Until I misplace them. It's losing them and getting them mixed up that's my problem.

 

[brightspark]

In the tool bag?

no the ball bag

 

[brightspark]

i have 6 sets all good quality makes and all for under a fiver a set . from autojumbles. stopped buying them now even though they can still be had for peanuts

 

[Chippie]

Robotstar5 posted he liked Bondhuis or Unbrako…..

I have Bondhuis sets as previously posted..but I have sets from Aldi too that have served well.

 

[maroon]

Robotstar5 posted he liked Bondhuis or Unbrako…..

I have Bondhuis sets as previously posted..but I have sets from Aldi too that have served well.

I've acquired any amounts from flat packs and such.

I've bought a set or two no idea what brands 20 year ago. All just bunged in a drawer now like brick a brack. No slipcase or anything some have been ground down to fit in between something in certain cases (no idea what offhand)

Them wonky ones are great to spin a bolt on an angle then tighten it up with the other end, or get a spanner on. A lot of the time with Allen bolts they're in some right awkward places I find where the angling helps for speed

 

[Ruffian]

Have 2 sets of wera ones. Have been put through some abuse but do still perform really well

Even when swinging with a spanner on the short end for extra leverage on those deep bolts.

 

[Farside]

You want wonky balls on them no matter which ones you get.

And don't get a cheap set of wonky balls lest they snap off in the 'ole.

 

[Onoff]

I have a set of these Beargrip T handle ones, (Torx in the picture below but mine are plain hex). Had them for probably 30 years, excellent. Bought in the UK I can't find them over here now but would buy another set:

Then of all places I bought a set of ALLEN-PAL keys from Costco, probably 20 years ago. Made in the US. Metric, Imperial and Torx up to T40 but those only "penknife" style. Bought the BiL a set at the same time and he's an agricultural mechanic / diesel fitter. He's still using them heavily as have I. They come with a hexagonal plastic handle / grip for each set for more grunt:

 

[Smouser]

I have a set of older Britool ones which I love.

I bought some Wera ones but always find myself going back to Britool ones.

I doubt the new Britool keys are the same anymore

 

[brightspark]

I have a set of older Britool ones which I love.

I bought some Wera ones but always find myself going back to Britool ones.

I doubt the new Britool keys are the same anymore

i have a set got em given there good

 

[Hood]

Wera HexPlus are excellent, they can impart a lot more torque as they grip on the flat rather than the corners and can even take out partially rounded capscrews where normal keys would just slip. Only downside is they have a bit of movement before the key grips so in exceptionally tight spots you may not get them aligned but that will not be very often.

 

[Onoff]

The handyman at work was always looking for Allen keys to carry around with him. I happened to be in a Pound shop and bought him a set on a key ring. Some actually have 7 sides! Somehow he manages.

That and a packet of "Sharples", Sharpie pen copies that tbh are nearly as good.

 

[mtt.tr]

I have a set of these, they are really good. The CK sets in the yellow sleeve are very good too, and a lot cheaper.


View attachment 377870

I just wish they were hex the full length to allow chopping bad ends back.

But having said that I haven't worn them out they really are superb

 

[Farside]

I happened to be in a Pound shop and bought him a set on a key ring. Some actually have 7 sides!

That's excellent value for money.

 

[wristpin]

When I started out the band to have was Unbrako . Sixty years later I still have most of them!

 

[mike os]

Unbrako stuff is good

 

[James1979]

Hex keys are known in Denmark as unbrako regardless of brand.

 

[Morris]

Another Bondhus user here, although, like Chippie I did buy a set from Aldi many years ago. They have proved to be far better than the price and supplier would indicate.