What ball ended Allen key set?

Facom set have had an absolute battering in work over the last few years and still work a treat.

Got myself a set of facom T handles for the bike at the companies expense too.

If you want something maybe a little cheaper the chromed up long ones from RS are really good as well.

I think I must be the only person that doesn’t like wera? I’d rather have a plain hex end instead of their shaped one, it’s caused me problems especially with smaller sizes.

I don’t like the rainbox Wera ones I got for Christmas – the plastic coating makes the body a lot bigger and I find it’s hard to judge what size hex key you’re picking up (and its invevitably too small, unless you’ve ememorised the colours!).

Their plain stainless hex keys are exellent however. I’ve some older Facom ones that have been top notch too

Whilst we’re all here, any decent pliers recommendations?

Yup

Tool porn! I work with Aero Engineers, here are some of the views: Stahwille are very very good, very accurate but can corrode more easily than others (my fav pliers) – typically Rolls Royce, RAF top choice. Some love the SnapOn, good but expensive. Some really like the Facom, have great shaped spanner’s and trick ratchets. Wera OK, they like the multi tools but generally avoid the rest of their tools. Craftsman, especially the older stuff well thought of. Other tools are available! Someone mentioned ALDI earlier, they can have some ok tools, damn good value but we have the Allen key set and the 4mm is 4.2mm some will not fit accurate bolts, all the others are ok but not as accurate as the Stahwille or SnapOn ones.
We also race and I can tell you in the amateur paddocks, the majority of tools are Halfords Pro, we have a lot in the car and bike tool boxes and we reckon they are excellent and fantastic value.

I’ve had a set of these for a while and have to say they have been brilliant:
Superstar Ball End Allen Keys

Also got a set of Silverline T-Handle but not overly impressed – snapped the 4mm…..

I wouldn’t mind that set of Wera but I think the sleeve would get in the way? Even if you cut it back the actual tool shaft (ooh we missus) looks wider, limiting insertion? (Ooh er missus etc).

I really like my Aldi ratchet spanners and the few Halfords Pro tools I have are great actually.

My go to Allen keys are on my Alien 2 multitool in truth most of the time lol, with some duties handled by a set of surprisingly good Go Outdoor keys and eBay one offs for the HUGE sizes needed for cinch cranks etc.

Knipex for pliers, pump grips, cutters etc etc…

I wouldn’t mind that set of Wera but I think the sleeve would get in the way? Even if you cut it back the actual tool shaft (ooh we missus) looks wider, limiting insertion?

No, it doesn’t get in the way at all, unless you have some specialist hex head screws that are super deep.

Wera, Wiha, Bondus, Allen are all good, I wouldn’t spend my own money on Stahwille as my experience of their other tools isn’t good. I used to work on Aircraft engines, all our tools were Snap on, our team lead tried to start replacing tools with Stahwille – mainly 1/4″ drive ratchets, as they get a hammering, OMG they were bloody awful!

I’ve used Bondhus for years.

Any set of chromium molybdenum Allen keys will last you a life time.

Surely they get worn enough in time that they need replacing? I’ve seen/borrowed a lot of knackered Allen keys over the years that’s I’ve handed back rather than use on my bolts.

The OP asked about T-handle and everyone has just responded with ‘L shaped’. Your toolbox needs a set of basic Allen keys but a set with handles are a lot more pleasant to use.

I’ve got https://www.proxxon.com/en/industrial/22650.php in a few sizes that are really nice (had a cheap complete set of X-tools or something before and broke the handle on one dropping it).

Park stuff is all very nice but for anything that isn’t bike specific are really overpriced.

Really though – if you’re getting a new set of money-no-quite-no-object allen keys, really don’t bother with right angle jobs.
Get some of the pivoting ones. They are a million times more practical for working on bikes. (well maybe 100,000 times).
You’ll thank me if you do.

They look a bit JML.

This place is just not niche enough these days. For tightening all those Ti bolts you bought and fitted, you really ought to have Ti tools too.

Edit- can’t be stuffed wrestling with the linking images thing. have a link instead:

Titanium ball end hex (Allen) key kit metric

Well, cover me and eggs and flour, then bake me for fourty minutes, that worked.

Facom R.360 nano set

Knipex pliers

JCOOL torque sleeves

Norbar 1/4″ torque wrench

Plus a few ice tools bits for cassette/BB etc

Nobeerinthefridge

They look a bit JML.

Whereas your reply is more ToysRUs

ive got the wera ones and they are nice to use.

However! i do find that on the smaller than 5mm stuff its easier to round off alloy capheads. its like the points of the tool are over to the side of the caphead to its got a poor fit.

Just so you know, Ti is a really bad material to make tools from. As much use as a chocolate fireguard, unless you really need them don’t be tempted.

whilst we are here….anyone use those wera joker wrenchs?

Do those index at set point dez ?

Or are they free to move ?

Do those index at set point dez ?

They do – they lock into certain positions. I thought they might get loose over time, but they don’t. Mine are Draper that I found on eBay cheap-ish, so not a “premium” brand, but I’ve been using them for a fair few years and they haven’t altered in the slightest. You’d only have to try them for getting pedals off to know how perfect they are.

enp1

Subscriber
I prefer the proper t handle ones, I’ve had teng ones and I really rate them. Wera seem nice for the L shape ones

Same. Teng T handle ones seem pretty precise and nice to use

Oh yeah, Draper. I forgot I have a set of these for those situatios where a t handle works best.

I was a bike shop mechanic for 5-6 years full time and a few more years part time.

I never liked separate Allen keys. Too easy to lose and they slow you down too much changing sizes. Having to step away from the stand to the bench.

I used a Park Tool multi-tool (AWS-10* – 1.5-6mm allen keys only). Cost £10. I went through about 5 sets but almost all were due to being nicked by my colleagues. I still have some that are 10+ years old. They’re a little loose fitting now but still work enough. Only thing is you have to tighten the bolt up occassionally.

Ball ended comes in useful once every couple of months but otherwise not at all. I had a Park Tool ball end set and an Ice Tools one. The Ice Tools one was better for my money. Handles cracked on both sets but more easily on Ice tools. Works just as well without them.

As a home mechanic I have a cheap Draper set of ball ends and a bunch of the park tool allen key multi-tools.

I’d save your money. That said people like shiny expensive things so go for it.

Screwdrivers on multi-tools are awful though.

* Now largely replaced by AWS-11 which has an 8mm and as a result is too big and heavy. Really you need a multitool with 4,5 & 6mm on. That does 95%+ of the bike.

eddiebaby

Member

Oh yeah, Draper. I forgot I have a set of these for those situatios where a t handle works best.

I have a set of Draper Expert t-handles that are probab;y almost 20 years old now, and tbh they’re bloody excellent. But Draper’s always teh same, some of it’s great and some of it’s awful and you never really know which it’ll be til you use it

Regarding right angled allen keys, I’ve actually found these things more useful in reality, for brakes, stems and the like.

Ice Tools – that’s what i had. handles cracked on the frequently used ones.

No, it doesn’t get in the way at all, unless you have some specialist hex head screws that are super deep.

But on those odd occasions when it does it’s a pain in the arse e.g. the little 1.5mm cable clamps in a Pinion shifter. Hence I have just bought one of those Wiha sets from Screwfix, no bulge or plastic to get in the way and I love.the way the holder swings all the keys out for easy access

I use nearly all types. For most small adjustments or checking something is tight I use a park multitool that is normally close at hand, very occasionally a triangular type one and tend to get the newest longer Wiha magic ring ones out for a planned job, changing cranks of pedals or where reach needed or access is difficult, adjusting disc brakes through the spokes. Just because you get a shiny new set you don’t have to stop using the old ones.

The Wera chisel screwdrivers are also on offer at Toolstation.
Treated my self to a set after the recommendation earlier

Cheers for heads up.

Needing a new set

Toolstation doing for 20 quid from 27 ?

At Screwfix 19.99 is the regular price

https://www.toolstation.com/wera-kraftform-plus-lasertip-screwdriver-set/p12615?store=T5&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI28XH-rqR5AIV15rVCh36AQnZEAYYAyABEgLjg_D_BwE

My go to screwdrivers.

Bondhus, based on a recommendation on here IIRC.

Had Wera, now I have PB swiss and have reached allen key nirvana, performance wise haven’t noticed any difference but I like the PB swiss aesthetics and holder a lot more – easier to get keys in and out, less clunky.

Then PS swiss again for screwdrivers, Knipex for pliers.

Check Machinemart, they’ve got some interesting options,extra long, colour coded, Clarke and Draper ones with a cool full colour coating, makes them look anodised.

I have this Pedros hex Set. Long handles quite useful for some awkward bike jobs. Finished well in silver and decent tight tolerances. Quality nylon holder:

Pedro’s L Hex Wrench Set

Beta 951 or Facom for sliding T handles and PB Swiss for L handles.

It’s all tool porn though, Bondhus for the ‘just as good but cheaper’ option. They make Park’s Allen keys I believe.

I don’t like the rainbow Wera ones I got for Christmas – the plastic coating makes the body a lot bigger and I find it’s hard to judge what size hex key you’re picking up (and its invevitably too small, unless you’ve memorised the colours!).

Well yes, that’s kind of the point innit. After a while, you’ll just….know.