Browsing through the new tools section of a recent Lee Valley catalog, I came across these new hex key handles. They’re made from glass-filled nylon and fit over standard L-shaped hex keys to provide a larger and easier grip.
The larger handle should be more comfortable to turn and it will allow you to apply more torque than a bare hex wrench. The grips can be used in different configurations, to create a T-handle or a screwdriver handle.
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To use them, insert a hex key through the proper sized hole in the handle. Rare-earth magnets keep will keep them in place.
The handles can be use with metric hex keys from 1 mm to 10 mm, or imperial hex keys from 0.050″ to 3/8″. The set of two handles (one big one small) will run you $13.50 plus $8 for shipping — or you can wait until Lee Valley has another “free shipping over $40” promo event.
We haven’t tested them (yet?), but assume that you could also use these slide-on handles with L-shaped Torx wrenches.
Price: $13.50
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Here’s a short video by Lee Valley showing how to use the handles:
First Thoughts
Stuart has covered many hex wrenches and drivers, but the closest thing I could find to this handle was the Kobalt T-Handle L-wrench set which comes with a separate handle. It works a little differently than the handles sold at Lee Valley though.
I’ve been using quite a few hex keys recently to assemble my new 3D printer and to troubleshoot some problems. I have found that, while the design of the L-shaped hex keys is handy in many different situations, it doesn’t avail itself to comfort or speed.
Stuart’s Note: Is it hex wrench and driver upgrade time?!
I can see a handle like this being useful in many situations, especially the ability to turn an L-wrench into a screwdriver for speedier turning, but watching the video I’m not as impressed with how loosely the keys fit into the handle. The connection point seems to wobble quite a bit which could be distracting.
Stuart’s Note: Ikea bundles a little 2-size slide-on hex wrench handle with some of their furniture, and I’ve thought about it every time I’ve used one. “Why not a larger one, or multi-sized one?” This looks to be a handy accessory from Lee Valley. They say it’s a worthy addition to any toolbox, and it looks like they might be right.
$13.50 might seem like a lot for 2 plastic handles, but they essentially turn any hex key set into T-handle and screwdriver-style driver sets. I’ll likely pick up a set of these Lee Valley handles. I don’t imagine they’ll work as well as my T-handle and screwdriver hex drivers, but there are times when I need an in-between. These should do the trick.
I’d recommend caution if using these with smaller ball-end hex keys, which are often very carefully sized to avoid over-torque situations. Too much torque, such as by increasing the length of the short end lever arm as with these handles, can cause smaller ball hex tips to break off within fastener heads. Here are some horror stories.
Here’s that little Ikea handle:
Hilton
Probably a handy item to have for a toolbox to keep in the truck or at work where you don’t want your lovely Wera, Wiha or PB Swiss Tools keys getting ‘lifted’.
I have a set of no-name short arm hex keys in both Metric and SAE and I think they may well be relegated to a toolbox.
Norm
I’ve been contemplating this idea for a while. I had been meaning to look to see if something like this was already out there. At my work, either the screw is rusty or corroded in place, or there is not room for the small end to fit. So what ends up happening is I get the hex key in place and use pliers or a box wrench to add more torque. I really don’t know why they don’t make a set that is is the same length on both ends.
Hilton
You need a short end for those times where clearance is an issue.
fred
K-D Tools used to make two cheater bars for use with hex keys. They were simple round chrome-plated bar stock with holes drilled to let you slip the hex key in lengthwise. Their #28 had holes to roughly fit 5/32 to 9/32 and their #31 fit up to 7/16.
Brian
I have 3d-printed some of these (files are free over at Thingiverse). They work well when done in ABS. I’d recommend something like this.
Lloyd Lusk
Looked all over the thingiverse but could not find what you were mentioning , can you help me out.
Thanks
Benjamen
I don’t think he meant literally the same design. I search “hex key handle” on Thingiverse and found several that would work like this one:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2108540
It even has a customizer to make other sizes.
Nathan
I like it – if it’s like other things they sell I wonder if there’s another version of this out there.
Will buy most likely.
Farid
These look pretty good and I like the magnet idea.
I have an old set of Husky Allen wrenches that came with an extension handle. You passed wrench through a hole in one end seat the short end in a groove. A sliding plastic collar locked it in place. I just went online at HD and they don’t seem to carry it any more.
I’ve seen similar devices before but I cannot recall were. I am also pretty sure that Harbor Freight has set of wrenches with similar extensions.
Farid
Found a photo here:
http://www.ottawaprices.ca/OttawaWebProductImages/2011_07/1719/1719-20110706-0822-36915-Husky-26-pc-hex-key-set.jpg
Dave
Vice grip or a very small diameter pipe laying around. The pipes from a grease gun you don’t use if you go w a rubber hose are perfect.
I’ll save my $13.50.
Pete
Uh… i just use my ratchet and socket drive hex keys. 90% of the time i just use a my m12 impact with a socket adapter and the hex key.
I HATE using regular hex keys…
Shan
I’ve never seen anything like this before, and yet it seems like a great idea that’s just a common sense product.
My only question would be how sturdy they are. It seems like you could now add a tremendous amount of torque that neither the hex, handle, or nut were often manufactured to perform under.
Pete
I guess it depends on the size of the fastener. The most common size i deal with is a 1/4-20 stainless button head. They can accept quite a bit of torque especially if theyre seized