Am I the only person who uses a grinder or cut off wheel to repair old rounded off Allen keys?
Allen
Allen
Upvote 0
Can you recommend some very high quality hex wrenchs?
- Thread starter ctshooter
- Start date
Be sure to remember not to use Ball Head wrenches other than for turning already loosened screws. Do breaking free of tight set screws and final torqueing with the solid end. If you use the ball end, particularly with the smaller sizes, you will eventually break one off deep inside a set screw.
The Husky sets seem just as well made as the Bondhus ( I have both) and are often quite a bit less $ on sale. The Harbor Freight folding sets with the ball heads are horrible. The tips break off with hardly any torque. I was given a set and ground the ball tips off on all but the 2 largest sizes.
-----------------------------------------
A good tip! (Pun intended)
I use my grinder or 1" belt sander for that and have been doing so for many decades. It extends the useful life of the tools substantially and often makes for a tighter fit.
The Husky sets seem just as well made as the Bondhus ( I have both) and are often quite a bit less $ on sale. The Harbor Freight folding sets with the ball heads are horrible. The tips break off with hardly any torque. I was given a set and ground the ball tips off on all but the 2 largest sizes.
-----------------------------------------
A good tip! (Pun intended)
I use my grinder or 1" belt sander for that and have been doing so for many decades. It extends the useful life of the tools substantially and often makes for a tighter fit.
Last edited:
Upvote 0
I use a file for touching up. Saves on heat build up that might reduce temper of the steel. But if using a grinder, dip periodically in a cup of water to keep steel cool.
Upvote 0
This was a great thread that I didn’t remember seeing back in the day.
Are there any suggestions for high quality bits, instead of just the full tools? I find the bits would be more important to me I since I would be using a torque wrench 99% of the time.
Are there any suggestions for high quality bits, instead of just the full tools? I find the bits would be more important to me I since I would be using a torque wrench 99% of the time.
Upvote 0
Outside of the great advice to not use the actual ball tip to snap free a tightened fastener loose, also keep in mind user technique is equally important as the tool type. I find myself sometimes getting in a hurry and that’s when I get sloppy, especially when using the short leg of an Allen key for the final cinch down.
What happens is if you don’t apply pressure down for the key edge to sit square and flat inside the Allen screw socket, and rather instead tilt the tool due to sloppy tool use, that’s when it slips inside the socket head and start the demise of the fastener/tool. Make sure the tip end of the tool is square and apply pressure into the socket head before turning!,
What happens is if you don’t apply pressure down for the key edge to sit square and flat inside the Allen screw socket, and rather instead tilt the tool due to sloppy tool use, that’s when it slips inside the socket head and start the demise of the fastener/tool. Make sure the tip end of the tool is square and apply pressure into the socket head before turning!,
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
Yes, I agree with others that Wera Tools are awesome. German company, but many tools are made elsewhere. Check out Park Tools too, used by most of the top Bicycle Mechanics. Park Tools are made in the US. I use both Wera and Park Tools on my Custom build bikes and my Airguns.
Upvote 0