Allen Wrenches (Everything You Need To Know)

By: John Garcia | Date Posted: November 11, 2022

Hex keys can also be used instead of Allen keys or Allen wrenches. This compact hand tool fits snugly in your hand and is ideal for tightening and loosening fasteners with hexagonal sockets. Despite common belief to the contrary, Allen keys have been around for quite some time. In the middle to late 1800s, the idea of a screwdriver with a hexagonal shape emerged and quickly gained traction. They come in a variety of sizes now. The advantages of using Hex or Allen keys are discussed in this blog post.

How to Use an Allen Wrench?

It is necessary to determine if your Allen wrench is the right size for the nuts and bolts before proceeding to tighten or loosen them. It’s important to remember that you shouldn’t try to force a wrench into a spot where it doesn’t quite fit. Doing so risks marring the bolt’s or wrench’s distinctive hexagonal profile.

To tighten or loosen a bolt, insert the short end of the wrench and turn it in the appropriate direction (usually counterclockwise for loosening and clockwise for tightening).

Things to Keep in Mind When Purchasing Allen Wrenches

As a first step, you should do some research to figure out which Allen wrench set will best serve your purposes around the house or in the garage. Which one do you prefer: the T-shape, the Folding Hex, or the L-shape?

Allen wrenches with the familiar L-shape are a safe bet if you’re looking for the most common and user-friendly option.

Using a T-shape is preferable if you need more torque for loosening and tightening the nuts and bolts.

Second, the Folding Hex Key can help you avoid losing an entire set of Allen wrenches if you’re the type of person who is always on the go and occasionally misplaces things without even realizing it. Its compact size makes it a useful travel accessory for anyone who does a lot of walking around.

The Best Ways to Choose Allen Wrenches

The market has so many Allen wrenches to choose from that finding the one that’s best for your job might be difficult. Fortunately, the following considerations will assist correctly point you.

After all, you certainly don’t want to waste money on a package that won’t perform as advertised.

Durability

The steel used to make most Allen wrenches varies in quality depending on the grade. The durability and tensile strength of products made from low-quality grades suffer because they lack these features. Consequently, this will lead to more frequent changes.

Superior torque capabilities are ushered in by a product’s strong tensile strength, making top-tier products last longer than the competition. Manufacturers will typically require a minimum Rockwell Hardness grade of C5 for these.

Surface Treatments

These factors directly impact Allen wrenches’ effectiveness and durability. The zinc and black oxide coatings are more prone to rust and flaking.

Chrome plating reduces friction, increasing the longevity of tools, so keep an eye out for it when shopping around.

Length

Depending on the context, it may be of paramount importance. If you need to apply more torque or there’s a restriction on where you can put the wrench, a longer Allen wrench is the way to go. Conversely, when working in tight quarters, a shorter wrench is preferable over a longer one.

End Geometry

End Geometry Allen wrenches feature a pointed end that can be inserted into a screw with little wiggle room. To utilize them, the user’s wrist must be angled at an uncomfortable 90 degrees concerning the screw, making full engagement more difficult to ensure.

The good news is that this problem can easily be fixed by switching to ball-end Allen wrenches. They are angled for easier, more natural gripping and smoother torque because of the way they fit into the screw socket.

Removing or installing a part is a breeze when using a tool with a ball end, which is generally found only at the end of lengthy Allen wrenches. They are advantageous since they do not necessitate precise positioning to fit the screw head.

With your newfound knowledge of Allen wrenches, their uses, and more, picking the right ones for your do-it-yourself endeavors will be a breeze. Get one now, and you can reap the benefits of these useful tools for a long time to come.

5 Best Allen Wrenches

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1. AmazonBasics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End – Set of 26

 AmazonBasics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End - Set of 26

Specifications:

  • Brand: AmazonBasics
  • Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel
  • Item Dimensions:  LxWxH 21 x 11.4 x 4.3 Centimeters
  • Item Weight: 1.63 Pounds

Quickly tighten or loosen fasteners with help from this 26-piece hex key (Allen wrench) set by AmazonBasics. A useful addition to any toolbox, the set’s hex keys come in various commonly used sizes (both standard and metric) that fit a wide range of bolts and screws with hexagonal-socket-style heads.

Conclusion:

Perfect for around the home, garage, workshop, or job site, the versatile AmazonBasics hex-key toolset makes it easy to quickly and efficiently tackle a wide range of projects, whether putting together furniture or fixing a bike, or conducting routine car maintenance. The must-have set of L-shaped wrenches is handy for professionals and DIY-ers alike.

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Pros

  • This is a great product with one end ball head, easy to use
  • The plastic holder of the Allen keys also is very good.
  • Very sturdy and has the finish of a premium product

Cons

  • Quality is good, but Labelling is wrong
  • The sizes are not standard

2. 30-Piece Premium Hex Key Allen Wrench Set, SAE and Metric Assortment, L Shape, Chrome Vanadium Steel, Precise and Chamfered Tips | SAE 0.028 – 3/8 inch | Metric 0.7 – 10 mm | In Storage Case

30-Piece Premium Hex Key Allen Wrench Set, SAE and Metric Assortment, L Shape, Chrome Vanadium Steel, Precise and Chamfered Tips | SAE 0.028 - 3/8 inch | Metric 0.7 - 10 mm | In Storage Case

Specifications:

  • Brand: EFFICERE
  • Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel
  • Head Style: Hex
  • Operation Mode: Mechanical

Heat-treated chrome vanadium steel construction provides added strength to reduce wear out and withstand extended daily use to ensure maximum durability. Precisely machined and chamfered hexagonal ends offer a snug fit and smooth insert into fasteners and protect your hardware from rounding off.

Conclusion:

The versatile long arm design provides additional reach for deep work spots on the long end and extra leverage for tight fasteners on the other short end.

Comes in a compact and foldable storage case, with a size-indexed individual slot for each wrench for quick size selection and easy organizing.

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Pros

  • It’s a good set of wrenches
  • This is a set of Allen keys. It’s very comprehensive
  • The case looks useful

Cons

  • Missing some of the Allen keys
  • Additionally, the case it’s not suited for keeping these tools in their proper place and locked

3. MulWark 17pcs Folding Allen Wrench Set | Metric & Standard SAE – Allen Key Set Tool | 2 Pack Portable Hex Key Set for Basic Home Repair and General Applications

MulWark 17pcs Folding Allen Wrench Set | Metric & Standard SAE - Allen Key Set Tool | 2 Pack Portable Hex Key Set for Basic Home Repair and General Applications

Specifications:

  • Brand: MULWARK
  • Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel, Rubber
  • Head Style: Hex
  • Operation Mode: Mechanical

MulWark 2pk Folding Hex End Key Set features a flexible allen head, compact foldable design, dual-material comfortable handle, easily-identified size markings, and perfect fit for bolts and screw heads. It goes into tight space where a traditional straight hex key couldn’t achieve any effective torque.

Conclusion:

Besides size markings printed on the key set core plate, each key has engraved markings to ensure you never pick the wrong size. These key sets are portable for both home use and outdoor applications. Whether you are trying to assemble furniture, tightening door handles, doing garage-based chores, making machine repairs/adjustments, or repairing a motorcycle/ bike, these will free you from all fastening/ unfastening troubles

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Pros

  • The little ones they send with purchases are really hard to use
  • It works great
  • It’s great having a metric and standard set that is labeled and ready to use

Cons

  • The cardboard is forever stuck inside the tools
  • The packaging ruins the device

4. HURRICANE 25 Piece Folding Allen Wrench Set, SAE, Metric, Torx Set, Chrome Vanadium Steel, 3 Pack Portable Allen Key Set for Basic Home Repair and General Applications

HURRICANE 25 Piece Folding Allen Wrench Set, SAE, Metric, Torx Set , Chrome Vanadium Steel, 3 Pack Portable Allen Key Set for Basic Home Repair and General Applications

Specifications:

  • Brand: HURRICANE
  • Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel
  • Head Style: Hex, Torx
  • Operation Mode: Mechanical

Besides size markings printed on the key set core plate, clearly identify torx, SAE, and metric for easy identification. It’s easy to carry around or store, suitable for family or outdoor use. Brings maximum convenience to your life.

Conclusion:

Made of chrome vanadium steel with a black oxide finish. All foldable keys are firmly constructed into the handle made of soft rubber and ABS. Soft rubber inlays help ensure a secure, comfortable grip; Folding design for easy storage and compact carrying.

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Pros

  • Pretty solid feeling set
  • It seems to be a good value and well made
  • love how they all stay together

Cons

  • Very low standard
  • It immediately fell apart

5. Shipida 16 Pieces Allen Hex Key Set Torx Set Folding Hex Key Set Metric 1.5mm 2mm 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 8mm Allen Wrench Torx Key Screwdriver, for Bike Archery Accessories Home Repair Tamper-Proof Tools

Shipida 16 Pieces Allen Hex Key Set Torx Set Folding Hex Key Set Metric 1.5mm 2mm 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 8mm Allen Wrench Torx Key Screwdriver, for Bike Archery Accessories Home Repair Tamper-Proof Tools

Specifications:

  • Color:  Blue
  • Brand: Shipida
  • Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel
  • Item Dimensions:  LxWxH

This paragraph is folded Allen key set Torx screwdriver set High-quality chrome vanadium steel forging, overall heat treatment, high hardness, high torque, good toughness, strong and durable

Conclusion:

The folding handle design is easy to store and carry, so you can easily deal with various maintenance scenarios outdoors. The keychain design is small and convenient to carry around the waist. Allen wrench set and Torx set is used together, which is very suitable for home repair, DIY, bicycle, motorcycle, furniture, machinery, bow, and other common maintenance scenarios.

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Pros

  • These tools seem to be well-built, quality items
  • Multi-tool with hex and torx wrench that is portable and foldable
  • Great when traveling and when you’re away from home.

Cons

  • Irresponsible and ineffective
  • Very weak and flexes too much

Thank you for reading!

John
 

John is the founder and chief editor of Homienjoy. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, John is passionate about helping homeowners confidently tackle their projects. Holding a civil engineering degree and working as a contractor, project manager, and consultant, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Homienjoy community.

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