Two Dumb Things

[SpindleB]

1. Does anyone keep the dozens of Allen wrenches they receive with virtually every item they order?

2. Does anyone but me despise Allen heads (because either the head or the tool strips) and change as many as possible to Torx?

-- Matt

 

[Stubbers]

1) Yea, I melt them down and forge myself a ramp to launch new ideas from

2) No, but that is a clever idea.

-Matt

 

[Spartan]

Torx is king!! Anytime I need to change fasteners I will try to go with Torx if possible, but I typically won't upgrade just to upgrade.

But everything beats Phillips head screws! Those are the worst, and thankfully the North American market has been moving away from them a bit over the past decade or so. Lots more options now at the hardware stores without needing to special order a box of 100 from the industrial suppliers when you only need one or two specific screws.

 

[elh0102]

Allen heads are fine if the fastener and tool are of good quality and accurately sized. But many are not either.

 

[Firewalker]

I've yet to strip the Allen head if I use good quality bits.

I toss the wrenches that come with guns, scopes, accessories etc. They are going to disappoint you.

 

[GeneT]

1. I throw mine in a box I call "grinders" that I can use for grinding (or welding or otherwise making) other tools, usually for some single-use thing. They're pretty good for stock.

2. I only hate the BHCS, particularly in stainless. Those are very prone to stripping out. Torx is great, but I've run across some that are poorly enough made that they're no better than allens, perhaps worse. I try to buy my stock fasteners exclusively from McMaster, because they don't stock the garbage you find in the big box stores and local hardware stores these days.

GsT

 

[MikeVV]

1 - DON'T...use cheap Allen wrenches...period.
2 - DON'T mix Metric and SAE wrenches.
3 - Be sure that you insert the wrench...properly/fully into the socket before you twist the wrench.

That way, your screw head sockets will normally remain in good condition.

Mike

 

[Stubbers]

1 - DON'T...use cheap Allen wrenches...period.
2 - DON'T mix Metric and SAE wrenches.
3 - Be sure that you insert the wrench...properly/fully into the socket before you twist the wrench.

That way, your screw head sockets will normally remain in good condition.

Mike

+1 to everything!

And don't use those angled / ball point style allen wrenches. A proper allen key will sit 90 degrees and be snug, very snug.

-Matt

 

[KWK]

If an allen socket is worn and stubborn, plunge an allen wrench into your grinder quick and hard so it raises a burr on the end. Now tap that into the socket. And..... crack! Break it free. Removed several that way over the years

 

[RickH]

I use Allen head screws all the time. The ones that come as part of a bigger package often are cheap crap but not always. Same with the screws. The easiest answer if not the cheapest is to replace everything with good quality Torx wrenches and screws. Keep the rest around just in case you need one when everyone is closed but buy good quality everything and you’ll never know how miserable you aren’t.

Rick H.

 

[AlwaysLastPlace]

1. Does anyone keep the dozens of Allen wrenches they receive with virtually every item they order?

2. Does anyone but me despise Allen heads (because either the head or the tool strips) and change as many as possible to Torx?

-- Matt

I don't hate Allen. If there isn't a spec to tighten then I use the provided one out of laziness and toss it with the sticker and instructions.

 

[AlwaysLastPlace]

Torx is king!! Anytime I need to change fasteners I will try to go with Torx if possible, but I typically won't upgrade just to upgrade.

But everything beats Phillips head screws! Those are the worst, and thankfully the North American market has been moving away from them a bit over the past decade or so. Lots more options now at the hardware stores without needing to special order a box of 100 from the industrial suppliers when you only need one or two specific screws.

This is random but my son and I have called them Willson Philips head screw drivers bc they suck and I heard the joke on an old TV show. Last man on earth.

 

[Treefrog]

Allen fasteners have always been a favorite of mine. Just don't hurry, be sure to seat the correct size tool completely, and then apply force graduallly.

Cheers,

J~

 

[SpindleB]

Allen heads are fine if the fastener and tool are of good quality and accurately sized. But many are not either.

Exactly the issue. Too much hex junk.

 

[Frozenspyder]

What brands of bits do you all use for working on airguns? I tend to use Wiha for knives and Park Tool for bikes. I just use either for airguns, but I'd like to get a dedicated set of allen wrenches or bits for airguns. I may have some mild OCD or something. Is it weird to have a separate set of tools for each hobby?

 

[GeneT]

Wiha are excellent. I use them for all the small stuff (which is most airgun stuff). Nothing wrong with having multiple sets, I divide mine up by where they're used, rather than by hobby, but same same.

GsT

 

[beerthief]

I have had to upgrade the torx bits twice till no strip outs , bought a Wheeler inch pound torque kit and after the first use, had to upgrade the bits , just putting rings on , then had to upgrade a second time . Luckily it was the bits that striped not the bolts .

 

[WobblyHand]

I have a screwdriver set from Chapman Tools. Made in USA if that counts for you. Very nicely made. Bits are inexpensive to replace, or add. Have proper hollow ground blades. Very tight hex keys available in both imperial and metric sizes. I've owned the 8900 gunsmithing set over 20 years. Recently bought their full set. Bits have spring loaded ball bearing detents to lock into the holder. Comes with mini ratchet for additional torque if needed. I have no financial interest in their company, just a very satisfied user of their tools. https://chapmanmfg.com/

 

[SpindleB]

What brands of bits do you all use for working on airguns? I tend to use Wiha for knives and Park Tool for bikes. I just use either for airguns, but I'd like to get a dedicated set of allen wrenches or bits for airguns. I may have some mild OCD or something. Is it weird to have a separate set of tools for each hobby?

I keep a set of small tools in each work location

I have had to upgrade the torx bits twice till no strip outs , bought a Wheeler inch pound torque kit and after the first use, had to upgrade the bits , just putting rings on , then had to upgrade a second time . Luckily it was the bits that striped not the bolts .

Not had any issue with either bits or screws. Currently running cheapo Aliexpress Torx bits and screws. I have changed a lot of screws in the past year and am on my original bits. Torx are MUCH more forgiving.

I still have a large DeWalt set of bits and I've been less than impressed with the Allen & Phillips bits. Those Allen bits convinced me to try Torx.

 

[cavedweller]

Melt them down and make a steel plate to shoot at 100 yards