Allen key recommendations

[Hitch]

Most of mine are Eklind, branded as snapon.
Still on the same sets, probably 20 years later.

Long series ball ended are my go-to. Pretty basic holder, but it seems to keep them together despite being years old.
And foldup sets for pocket use, again Eklind.

 

[8ob]

Even the cheap stuff is good these days, bought a few sets of the Lidl/Aldi T handle allen/torx keys and they are holding up to the thugs that work here. I dont think there are any secrets left when it comes to steel selection for tools,most know when to stop leaning on an allen key and move over to a socket type bit driver.

Bob

 

[Rannsachair]

Even the cheap stuff is good these days, bought a few sets of the Lidl/Aldi T handle allen/torx keys and they are holding up to the thugs that work here. I dont think there are any secrets left when it comes to steel selection for tools,most know when to stop leaning on an allen key and move over to a socket type bit driver.

Bob

I bought an Aldi t handle torx set 4 or so years ago and sheared the end off first use and got a cut/bruised hand, I took them back for a refund, stuck with bondhus and unbrako for keys and Facom and Teng for t-handles since. I was perhaps unlucky, put me off them though.

 

[Keithmac]

Snap-on for me, metric and imperial set (for Harleys and old British bikes).

Had mine probably 20 years or more.

Bought my lad a set as well and he's looked after them, always clean and back in the holder after a job..

 

[daleyd]

I’ve currently got wera, Allen and facom sets and loads of loose random ones ( unbrako and loads of other types I’ve picked up from various places).

I like the Allen sets, they are pretty decent for the money, but wera are really good. My wera are the plastic/rubber handled type which are very comfortable to use but you can sometimes struggle getting them in tight spots, but not often. They are no good for deep grub screws for example.

A good set I had at work years ago were RS own brand, they were really good, shiny chrome and came as a really big set with all the odd sizes that you don’t usually get.

I’ve also treated myself to a set of beta t bar ones as an Xmas pressie - cos you can never have enough

 

[Dr.Al]

I'm another fan of the bondhus ones, but I went with the colour coded variety: https://amzn.to/3GdS5KT

 

[tom2207]

may be of interest

 

[Farside]

I got a set of these 20 years ago and they've been unbreakable.
Hafu. Never heard of them, and they were just what the local electrical wholesaler stocked, but I knew he didn't stock rubbish and would soon be moaned at by local sparks if his tools were crap.

Hafu 9pcs Metric Ball End Hexagon Allen Key Set | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Hafu 9pcs Metric Ball End Hexagon Allen Key Set at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Bargain price now.

 

[northwest]

I use hex keys every day and I probably have twenty or thirty sets What I do like and use a lot are the PB Swiss "Swissgrip" allen keys:

PB Swiss Tools PB 8205 SwissGrip Screwdriver Hex

Buy PB Swiss Tools SwissGrip Screwdriver Hex here. Unlimited guarantee. 100% Swiss Made. Free next day delivery for UK mainland orders over £100 net. We ship worldwide.

www.onlyqualitytools.com

I have a set that have been used every day for years and there are absolutely no signs of wear at all I have bought every type and permutation of PB Swiss allen key and they are all great, including (and now no longer stocked anywhere, that I can find anyhow)the Imperial tips for use in the electric screwdriver so when they are gone I will be buying some up next time I am in the States. I also have Wera, Bondhus Wiha and Felo. I know, I have issues when it comes to Hex keys. Very hard to find really good quality Imperial drivers now.

 

[brightspark]

also have a set of imperial and metric brittool 3/8th drive allen keys and a set of metric and imperial bondus screwdrivers ball end . plenty of choice . never snapped or worn one out yet

 

[CaptainPugwash]

Another vote for Bondhus sets
With extra one offs for abuse or specific jobs being Unbrako for value, or possibly stahwille

I can't imagine the other recommendations like CK or wera being poor.

My socket type hex ones are halfords pro and they are OK too

 

[qwakers]

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

bought these on this recommendation.

i must say they are very nice and seem to be worth every penny.

 

[brightspark]

dont know why they bother colour coding them .does anyone remember the size of a particular colour .i just look at the allen stud and can guess the size. if its modern its metric old machinery and tools generaly imperial

 

[6ply]

may be of interest

I like that. I am an absolute nightmare at not returning them.

 

[SierraV6]

I got a set of these 20 years ago and they've been unbreakable.
Hafu. Never heard of them, and they were just what the local electrical wholesaler stocked, but I knew he didn't stock rubbish and would soon be moaned at by local sparks if his tools were crap.

Hafu 9pcs Metric Ball End Hexagon Allen Key Set | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Hafu 9pcs Metric Ball End Hexagon Allen Key Set at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Bargain price now.

I have a couple of sets of Hafu hex keys (metric and imperial) and a set of Torx keys. They're excellent as you say. They're one of those manufacturers who I suspect may OM for other brands; I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I have a metric set of Hafu keys, not really a common brand over here, but decent quality - I think they OEM for Inbus or Inbus OEM for them, there is some sort of tie up anyway.
Hafu offer a private label service so it is likely they make them for several brands.