allen wrench set selections

[ivanooze]

im pretty sure everyone in this forum should have a set of allen wrenches on hand, whether you're a mechanic, a bike rider, or whatever other occupation or hobby you hold that brought you to this forum.

-anyways, i have a bunch of allen wrenches including t-handle park tool wrenches, park tool anniversary tri-wrench, and a set of L-shaped allen wrenches from a company i can't remember.


-i have recently had a craving to buy another set of wrenches to use as my primary tools. I'm thinking of another L-shaped set that's colored, (i forget which brand was very popular for selling multi-colored allen sets, so if anyone can help with that, that would be awesome) but i'm open to suggestions.

[dustyrider]

Silca.

[Louis]

My favorite type are the sets that come all in same plastic holder. That way it's much easier to keep them together.

http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mqCkeKrgplR_YVFi8qf3L7Q.jpg

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41R0VFuGmlL._AC_UL320_SR226,320_.jpg

[joosttx]

PB Swiss are about as nice as they come. They are the multi colored brand.

My wife gave me the Silca set for Christmas last year. Thise are the bees knees.

[sandyrs]

PB Swiss sells high quality rainbow colored Allen wrenches. I have my eye on a set.

[ivanooze]

Silca.

way above my price range.

[ivanooze]

PB Swiss are about as nice as they come.

My wife gave me the Silca set for Christmas last year. Thise are the bees knees.

pb swiss was the brand i was looking for. i dont think a set of wrenches should cost more that $40 but i have to splurge every now and then, i think i'll pull the trigger on pb swiss

[dustyrider]

Bondhus then.

[joosttx]

pb swiss was the brand i was looking for. i dont think a set of wrenches should cost more that $40 but i have to splurge every now and then, i think i'll pull the trigger on pb swiss

I would splurge on these. Its up to you to determine the value but they are better than any other allen wrench excluding silca which i think are PB Swiss rebranded.

[eddief]

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=178905&highlight=allen+wrench

[ivanooze]

and just like that i got pb swiss

[Gsinill]

If I ever need to replace my Bondhus set, I would go for WiHa which has been my go to brand for most tools for quite some time.
Top notch and their allen wrench set is less than half the price of PBSwiss.

http://media.digikey.com/photos/Wiha/36987.JPG

[Bob Ross]

http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mqCkeKrgplR_YVFi8qf3L7Q.jpg

I have two sets of those, one metric and one...uh...non-metric.

But I also have
Silca.
...which is so much win it ain't funny. Wonderful toolkit.

[estilley]

I'll third Bondhus - use these everyday at work. Same ones have been used daily for years and show only cosmetic wear.


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[oldpotatoe]

pb swiss was the brand i was looking for. i dont think a set of wrenches should cost more that $40 but i have to splurge every now and then, i think i'll pull the trigger on pb swiss

Have these..worth the $ for sure.

[weisan]

Been getting by last few years with my cheapo Harbor Freight tools, I mean, it gets the job done for the most part but several have had their handles broke and I just taped them up and continued as per normal... :D

PB Swiss
http://www.shop.pbtools.us/Short-Rainbow-Torx-Key-L-wrench-Set-T6-T25-410H-6-25-RB.htm

Bondhus
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBFI6T6?psc=1

Wiha
http://www.wihatools.com/hex-tools/ball-end-hex/color-coded-l-keys/color-ball-end-hex-l-key-inch-13-piece-set

[cadence90]

What is the general preference on these sets now: ball-end on the long arm, or standard hex on both arms?

I have never had or felt a need for a ball-end set, and can't understand if the speed and angular fitting pros outweigh the more fragile, non-torque cons.

[purpurite]

Don't buy crappy tools. They will cost you more in the long run for many reasons.

PBSwiss is killer—very high quality tools. I'm not a fan of L wrenches, though, they are uncomfortable and fairly inefficient for anything except lightweight work.

A good set of Bondhus T-handles will go a long way, and you will likely have them forever.

http://cdn.mscdirect.com/global/images/ProductImages/0534505-23.jpg

I also use these quite frequently, as well...

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41paM9AyLNL.jpg

[Louis]

Re: T-handle

It depends entire on what you're working on. In my case I can think of a very large proportion of jobs requiring Allen wrenches where there was barely enough room to maneuver an L wrench, let alone a huge T-handle wrench.

[purpurite]

Odd, I can't think of anything on any bike I have ever worked on where one of the two above didn't work. Or an Allen socket on a torque wrench.

L hex keys in my house are for assembling Ikea furniture. ;) :beer:

[Louis]

And since we're on the topic of tools, don't forget that if you have JIS screw heads you're much better off using the right drivers:

I love my Vessel Megadoras:

http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/megadora/view-all-products.html

http://www.hondatwins.net/forums/attachments/42169d1404490684-everything-you-wanted-know-about-cross-head-screws-screws_jis_phillips_screwdriver_angle.jpg

http://www.vesseltools.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/900_910_KIT_7_4fa3e87c2369f.jpg

[purpurite]

Everyone should own a set of JIS screwdrivers! Seriously, a great investment if you like tools and own any Japanese bike or car (plus, they are reverse compatible with Phillips screws).

[ColonelJLloyd]

Someone here posted a PSA on these (https://www.amazon.com/Wera-Stainless-Ball-point-Ergonomic-Two-Component/dp/B000VCZQ74/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1478827983&sr=8-2&keywords=wera+allen) Wera wrenches a few months ago. I've been happy with them.

[Louis]

Odd, I can't think of anything on any bike I have ever worked on where one of the two above didn't work.

Amazing as it may be, there are other machines in the world beyond bicycles. ;)

[purpurite]

Amazing as it may be, there are other machines in the world beyond bicycles. ;)

I refuse to believe the facts displayed in front of me. :bike:

[cadence90]

So...

What is the general preference on these sets now: ball-end on the long arm, or standard hex on both arms?

I have never had or felt a need for a ball-end set, and can't understand if the speed and angular-fitting pros outweigh the more fragile, non-torque cons.

[purpurite]

I have never had or felt a need for a ball-end set, and can't understand if the speed and angular-fitting pros outweigh the more fragile, non-torque cons.


I have both, but I'm a tool snob. I find on areas like seat post adjustments and under brake hoods, ball end hexes work very well and are almost mandatory.

Most quality tools will be of a good material that is properly hardened and to exacting tolerances, so you won't have to worry about rounding them off easily. I good set of ball-ends should last a long while, and when they wear out, lop the tip off with a cut-off wheel and grind or file them flat into a non-ball end driver.

For high or sensitive torque areas, I'm almost exclusively using a hex end socket on a torque wrench of some kind.

http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/i/spin/image/spin_prod_869948112?hei=333&wid=333&op_sharpen=1

[ColonelJLloyd]

what is the general preference on these sets now: Ball-end on the long arm, or standard hex on both arms?

I have never had or felt a need for a ball-end set, and can't understand if the speed and angular fitting pros outweigh the more fragile, non-torque cons.

So...

What is the general preference on these sets now: ball-end on the long arm, or standard hex on both arms?

I have never had or felt a need for a ball-end set, and can't understand if the speed and angular-fitting pros outweigh the more fragile, non-torque cons.

Sounds like you answered your question. Twice. If you've never felt the need for anything different. . . .

I have sets of both T handle non ball end and L handle ball end and use them both. I don't really feel the need to convince anyone else they need either. It's a pretty simple tool and unless you're completely unfamiliar it should be pretty obvious the pros and cons of both and which applies best to the way you use this kind of tool.

[purpurite]

Oh, and I also will often use a 1/4" drive screwdriver bit, as well. I think they are great little backups and work nice in small areas or even in a spare tool kit in the glovebox...

http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mN32lwZW-LsOP4h9WGC-cTw.jpg

[Schmed]

I'm tempted to try the new Feedback Sports since they are a local company and always seem to have a lot of thought and engineering into their products. Anyone try them yet?

http://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2016/09/Feedback-T-Handle-Set-1-640x480.jpg

[chiasticon]

What is the general preference on these sets now: ball-end on the long arm, or standard hex on both arms?

I have never had or felt a need for a ball-end set, and can't understand if the speed and angular-fitting pros outweigh the more fragile, non-torque cons.the idea is the standard hex side is to break loose or crank down on the screw a bit, the ball end is to swivel it in/out for speed. ball end is also useful of course for angular-fitting, like you mentioned. but yeah, then you need to re-position it for final torque, or grab a torque wrench.

personally I'm a huge fan of the Bondhus Balldrivers shown above. they're incredible for things like bottle cages. they really speed up the process. I reach for them first when it's 5mm or less. above that, the torque just isn't there with them.

ratchet hex tools are also super useful. I like the prestaratchet stuff; cheap and works great. they're excellent in tight spaces, like installing fenders or adjusting a saddle clamp.

those Silca ones are awesome but I just don't see the need for the wood box that'll just get covered in grease and chain lube. and I prefer being able to hang tools from my peg board. their T-handled hex tools look pretty sweet though (as do those Feedback ones).

[tumbler]

Another vote for the Bondhus hex set and Vessel JIS screwdriver. Both very nice and affordable tools that make bike maintenance just a little easier.

[mbrtool]

PB Swiss 5mm bought in 1996; used throughout a 10 hour day; 5 days a week.
It mikes 4.96mm on the used portion and 4.98 on the unused portion. In inches that's .0008 total wear.

[SpokeValley]

Amazing as it may be, there are other machines in the world beyond bicycles. ;)

:eek:

[FlashUNC]

Bondhus.

[hoonjr]

Wiha magic ring hex set. Believe the hype, excellent bite on the ball end. I do love me some pb swiss but after some disappointing performance from their pick set I'm leery of spending that much on their hex keys.

[fourflys]

If I ever need to replace my Bondhus set, I would go for WiHa which has been my go to brand for most tools for quite some time.
Top notch and their allen wrench set is less than half the price of PBSwiss.

http://media.digikey.com/photos/Wiha/36987.JPG


these look great, especially considering the price...

[cadence90]

I ended up buying a set of these Wera, for about $5 more than the Wiha.
I like the "Hex-Plus" ends; that they are stainless; that the colored parts are plastic sleeves rather than paint; and that the case folds out.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418bIpR2rHL.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4127ycBhggL.jpg

[weaponsgrade]

I picked up this cyclist set from Chapman tools a few months ago.

http://chapmanmfg.com/products/2309-cyclists-set

The bits fit so much tighter than the Craftsman set they replaced. The price makes them a steal. The one bolt I haven't been able to access is the clamp bolt for my shifters. I should've gotten their extension. Otherwise I've been quite happy.

[bikerider888]

If I ever need to replace my Bondhus set, I would go for WiHa which has been my go to brand for most tools for quite some time.
Top notch and their allen wrench set is less than half the price of PBSwiss.

http://media.digikey.com/photos/Wiha/36987.JPG

I have this set, and like you said, 1/2 the cost of PB Swiss. They are excellent. Bought another set for my travel tool box.

[estilley]

I picked up this cyclist set from Chapman tools a few months ago.



http://chapmanmfg.com/products/2309-cyclists-set



The bits fit so much tighter than the Craftsman set they replaced. The price makes them a steal. The one bolt I haven't been able to access is the clamp bolt for my shifters. I should've gotten their extension. Otherwise I've been quite happy.



The shifter clamp bolt just begs for a Bondhus ball end T-handle!


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[unterhausen]

If I ever need to replace my Bondhus set, I would go for WiHa which has been my go to brand for most tools for quite some time.
Top notch and their allen wrench set is less than half the price of PBSwiss.
I just can't imagine that the PB Swiss are twice as good. Amazon sometimes has Wiha for about 1/3 of PB Swiss. I got a set of the Wiha, and they are definitely twice as good as the color-coded Bondus

[unterhausen]

the wiha t-wrenches are really nice, one side of the 't' is also a hex.

[berserk87]

PB Swiss has a sale through tonight at 30% off (Black Friday Weekend). The set I was looking at is still like $57, with shipping at $18.71! For a set of Allen keys! Must be shipping from Mars or something. I am too cheap to pull the trigger and will check out Bondhus and WiHa.

[cadence90]

I ended up buying a set of these Wera, for about $5 more than the Wiha.
I like the "Hex-Plus" ends; that they are stainless; that the colored parts are plastic sleeves rather than paint; and that the case folds out.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418bIpR2rHL.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4127ycBhggL.jpg

This set arrived +/- 10 days ago. Really excellent.

[estilley]

I just bought me some color guard bondhus wrenches. Pretty excited.


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[weaponsgrade]

That rainbow does look pretty. There's a place called Tool Lady that's offering 30% off PB Swiss (including the rainbow hex set) with code ILOVEPBSWISS and free shipping over $100. http://www.toollady.com

[purpurite]

ToolLady is absolutely the BEST. Buy from her with confidence and tap a vein with some PBswiss candy.

[berserk87]

I ended up ordered a WiHa and a Bondhus set via Amazon. I got both for less than one set of PBSwiss. I have only used generic, crappy allen wrenches to date so I am hoping that these seem awesome.

[one60]

I've been impressed with Chapman Tools. They only have one cycling specific set but tools are tools. Take a look!

[bfd]

I've been impressed with Chapman Tools. They only have one cycling specific set but tools are tools. Take a look!

Chapman Mfg is widely known in the gunsmith circle as the best. The slotted bits keep from slipping and ruining a screw on an expensive gun.

Hey, Jay Leno even did a video for them:

http://chapmanmfg.com/

Good Luck!

[arazate]

Just picked this up. Use BLACKFRIDAY as coupon code, get 20% off.

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-022669-metric-multicolor-stainless-steel-ball-end-hex-key-set/

[alexstar]

PB Swiss is having a sale on their website. The rainbow set is $53 down from $75. Hard to pass up IMO. I have a set and love them.

http://www.shop.pbtools.us/Long-Ball-end-Rainbow-Hex-Key-Set-15-10mm-212-LH-10-RB.htm

[benb]

I'm not convinced by a lot of these "designer" tools.

A set of t-handle wrenches that costs as much as a quality torque wrench from well established but not "designer" brands?

I am a fan of the L-handle ones that have a ball-head on the long end and the standard hex bit on the short end. I have the 3-ways and I've had the T-handles and I just don't see the point, like this:

Re: T-handle

It depends entire on what you're working on. In my case I can think of a very large proportion of jobs requiring Allen wrenches where there was barely enough room to maneuver an L wrench, let alone a huge T-handle wrench.

I have found a very large % of the jobs the T-handle models can't be maneuvered into place. I just rehung the towel rack in my bathroom last weekend and it has a 1-mm set screw that could not be accessed with a T-handle or the common "3-way" style that is common with bike tools.

I'm not sure I think T-handles they are ergonomically better, neither the L-style or the T-style don't seem very ergonomically sound if you are wrenching a lot. (I say that after having had wrist injuries and noticing that heavy wrenching with allen keys can be RSI-inducing/irritant.)

For me what works is:
- Cheap/moderate set of L-handles. I have a Pedro's set, $35 that is 17 years old and going strong with heavy use. Note they are branded as SNCM-V grade steel, I have seen the branding on many other hex wrenches that look exactly the same, I suspect they are all the same and are just rebranded with a different logo on the plastic holder, and the brand name on it determines how much they get marked up.

- A set of hex bits that are 2/3" standard drive. Use em with your ratchet and/or torque wrench and/or breaker bar.

- Adapters and/or set of bits that fit your typical power drill/driver/impact driver.

- Universal joint and/or adapters to go from 2/3"->1/4" and 2/3" -> 1/2".

I just got a Dewalt 20V max driver/drill that came with a bunch of bits (including allen) and 2 batteries for barely more than some of the expensive manual allen wrenches being discussed here. That thing is a monster and I won't likely use it on a bike ever but it's a good yardstick of how expensive some of these allen keys are that. (Actually I could see myself using it for disassembly and/or stuck bolts.)

I use the 2/3" hex very frequently. They get used for cranks, chainrings, cassette lock rings, pedals, etc.. I use my torque wrench a lot and that always means using the hex bits instead of L-handles.

[estilley]

I'm not convinced by a lot of these "designer" tools.



A set of t-handle wrenches that costs as much as a quality torque wrench from well established but not "designer" brands?



I am a fan of the L-handle ones that have a ball-head on the long end and the standard hex bit on the short end. I have the 3-ways and I've had the T-handles and I just don't see the point, like this:







I have found a very large % of the jobs the T-handle models can't be maneuvered into place. I just rehung the towel rack in my bathroom last weekend and it has a 1-mm set screw that could not be accessed with a T-handle or the common "3-way" style that is common with bike tools.



I'm not sure I think T-handles they are ergonomically better, neither the L-style or the T-style don't seem very ergonomically sound if you are wrenching a lot. (I say that after having had wrist injuries and noticing that heavy wrenching with allen keys can be RSI-inducing/irritant.)



For me what works is:

- Cheap/moderate set of L-handles. I have a Pedro's set, $35 that is 17 years old and going strong with heavy use. Note they are branded as SNCM-V grade steel, I have seen the branding on many other hex wrenches that look exactly the same, I suspect they are all the same and are just rebranded with a different logo on the plastic holder, and the brand name on it determines how much they get marked up.



- A set of hex bits that are 2/3" standard drive. Use em with your ratchet and/or torque wrench and/or breaker bar.



- Adapters and/or set of bits that fit your typical power drill/driver/impact driver.



- Universal joint and/or adapters to go from 2/3"->1/4" and 2/3" -> 1/2".



I just got a Dewalt 20V max driver/drill that came with a bunch of bits (including allen) and 2 batteries for barely more than some of the expensive manual allen wrenches being discussed here. That thing is a monster and I won't likely use it on a bike ever but it's a good yardstick of how expensive some of these allen keys are that. (Actually I could see myself using it for disassembly and/or stuck bolts.)



I use the 2/3" hex very frequently. They get used for cranks, chainrings, cassette lock rings, pedals, etc.. I use my torque wrench a lot and that always means using the hex bits instead of L-handles.



Bondhus for $29 on amazon gives you a standard and metric L-handle ball end set with color guard. Made in the USA goodness. Designer looks for the bargain cost! I can also attest to the durability. I use bondhus T-handles that see daily use and have for years and they still feel nearly new.

Definitely agree on getting the socket hex bits although I think you mean 3/8" drive instead of 2/3".


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[Cicli]

No need to fancy up hex wrenches with color and all. I have plane jane snap on wrenches and they work great. Any time I have any issue I jump on a snap on truck and get a new one. Free. No questions asked. :banana:

[estilley]

No need to fancy up hex wrenches with color and all. I have plane jane snap on wrenches and they work great. Any time I have any issue I jump on a snap on truck and get a new one. Free. No questions asked. :banana:



My dream is to one day have the snap-on truck drop by my house regularly.


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[Cicli]

My dream is to one day have the snap-on truck drop by my house regularly.


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I work for a company that owns 20 Peterbilt dealers. I see tool sales guys several times a week. Its sort of nice. Heck, we have sold a few of them their trucks.
Owe the Snap On guy a bunch of money. They manage to come around.

[berserk87]

No need to fancy up hex wrenches with color and all. I have plane jane snap on wrenches and they work great. Any time I have any issue I jump on a snap on truck and get a new one. Free. No questions asked. :banana:

Snap-On is Plain Jane? You are talking about some of the finest tools in the business there, my friend. In addition, many of their tools (i.e. screwdrivers) come in wild colors. My dad recently retired as an industrial rep from Snap-On. He had a long career there (started in 1975).

The colors are a nice touch to keep track from a distance of what wrench you need or differentiate one from another at a glance.

So if you have Snap-On wrenches that work great, it's because they are.

[Satellite]

I have two sets of Craftsman just cant go wrong. My go to set is the Pedro's. I build my travel bike with the Craftsman set but when I use the Pedro's they just feel right!

https://www.amazon.com/Pedros-T-Handle-Allen-Wrench-9-Piece/dp/B001C65P92/ref=sr_1_2?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1480394486&sr=1-2&keywords=pedros+allen+wrench+set

[eric01]

+1 for the bondhus. I've been using a set of the gold color ones for years. Great fit and durable


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[cadence90]

I am selling my brand new, unused stainless steel Wera set if anyone is interested. SOLD.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?p=2083770#post2083770

http://thumbs3.picclick.com/d/l400/pict/152252468806_/Wera-022669-9-Piece-Multi-Colour-Hex-Plus-Ball.jpg

[ChapmanMFG]

Chapman Mfg is widely known in the gunsmith circle as the best. The slotted bits keep from slipping and ruining a screw on an expensive gun.

Hey, Jay Leno even did a video for them:

http://chapmanmfg.com/

Good Luck!

Thanks for suggesting our tools! If you watched the Jay Leno video you already know that we're a small company (less than 15 of us here) and we have a tiny advertising budget, so most of our sales come from customer recommendations.

We've been around since 1936 and in the gun industry a long time, in fact we used to make branded sets for many CT gun manufacturers who are now out of business or outsourced.

We're relatively new to the cycling community, the cyclist set is only a year or so old. In fact, it was created because a customer e-mailed me, said he'd been making his on cyclist sets for years (everything we sell is available open stock) and asked why we didn't have one. I thought it was a great idea, and so far the set has been selling well.

As for the allen wrench debate, there certainly is a place for allen wrenches. One of the advantages of our stuff is that you can ratchet and fit where allen wrenches can't, however that is more applicable to other equipment like the machines that we work on every day. Every machine in our factory has it's own Chapman set.

I always ask if there's anything that you need that we don't currently make (besides allen wrenches! :)

Thanks!
Joel
Marketing at Chapman MFG

[vqdriver]

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=178905&highlight=allen+wrench

thanks. that's the thread i was thinking of but couldn't find. those pb swiss sure are nice. i like nice things and all, but 60 for a set of hex wrenches seems excessive.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/419qn2bTabL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg


DANGIT! replied to the wrong tab.

[chrismoustache]

I have a set of Pedros L wrenches that have held up well.

I recently purchased a few (4mm, 5mm, 6mm, + 8mm) Birzman molded T handle wrenches and have been very happy with them. Having more leverage when installing shifters/brake levers is super handy.

You can buy single wrenches from any shop with a QBP account too.