Good set of allen keys?

small_bloke
Posts: 222
Hi, can someone recommend a good quality set of allen keys preferably ball-end? Nice workshop quality as I have 6 bikes so they will get well used.
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Bondhus0
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Facom are excellent, I use these professionally
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... rical-head0 -
Why ball end? I find them a bit useless they just slip. Good for doing up bottle cage bolts as the cages get in the way of straight allen keys but that's about it.Say... That's a nice bike..
Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)0 -
Bongus every time
just bought one of these in addition to my normal set as they are useful without having to keep swapping
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Park-Tool-AWS ... 337c04374d
again made from Bonhus steel
Simon0 -
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Father Jack wrote:Why ball end? I find them a bit useless they just slip. Good for doing up bottle cage bolts as the cages get in the way of straight allen keys but that's about it.0
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Father Jack wrote:Why ball end? I find them a bit useless they just slip. Good for doing up bottle cage bolts as the cages get in the way of straight allen keys but that's about it.
Actually I think you might be right there. I've already got a cheaper set of ball-end hex keys for the odd occassion when it's needed (like you say bottle cages).
The Facom T-Handle hex looks like a nice quality set. I have some Facom screwdrivers from the past - lovely tools. Plus a set of Bondhus hex keys would make a nice workshop set.
I'm not sure how useful the T-handle set will be, or does the extra bulk just get in the way?0 -
+1 Facom1998 Kona Cindercone in singlespeed commute spec
2013 Cannondale Caadx 1x10
2004 Giant TCR0 -
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Trek Domane SL7 GEN4
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Cannondale CAAD 10 2012.
Pain.. Is weakness leaving the body.
HATING LIFE-CYCLES FROM 20110 -
Bikeit65 wrote:
I have these but I think they were cheaper at ScrewFix. Very good qualityCoach H. (Dont ask me for training advice - 'It's not about the bike')0 -
Bondhus, the inventor of ball ended hex key
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BONDHUS-Ball-Metric-Piece-Keys/dp/B0062MFTY20 -
A 3/8 ratchet (or 3/8 torque wrench) with long reach hex socket set covers most jobs.0
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Got these, great price compared to Park http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-EXPERT ... 1815wt_6890
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+1 for Wera tools.Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
Carrera TDF (2007)
http://www.bike-discount.de/#
http://www.bike24.com/0 -
I have these and have owned them when I used to race motorbikes, expensive but worth every penny.
http://www.kartpartsuk.com/product.php?id=1054
I own them from 2.5mm to 10mm and they cover everything I have ever needed on a bike.0 -
Bikeit65 wrote:
They are very good. I'm a maintenance engineer, use them all day, every day, but they have been better. Ive noticed the later sets ive had, the green sleeve is becoming prone to sliding off, it becomes a bit of a nuisance.
The other issue is, as the hex section is only short, once youve worn them a bit, you cant grind the tips to bring back a good hexagon.
That said, lovely in the hand, easily visible and hard wearing.
But then, Bondhuis, Unbrako, Facom et al, they're all professional quality...and you can recover the ends with a grinder and slitting disc when they get worn, they'll last forever then (relatively speaking)
Oh and BTW, the ball ends are VERY useful when you use allen keys a lot. You can spin a bolt in very fast using your thumb to turn the top of the key when using the ball....and try using NON ball type keys, you'll soon find a bolt in a hard to get to area that wont allow you to use a plain key.0