Chris wrote in, asking for help in finding a good set of straight-tip hex keys.
Ball-end hex keys are quite popular, and seem to be reached for much more often than straight-end hex keys. They often provide the best of both worlds – a ball hex end on the longer side for greater reach and accessibility, and a straight hex tip on the short size, for greater torque delivery.
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But I can see why straight hex wrenches might be desirable. I was recently loosening some fasteners with a ball-end hex wrench. I didn’t have a long-reach socket, and neither the short end of my hex keys or a ratchet with extension, bit holder, and short bit would fit.
So I used my Bondhus ball-end T-handle wrench and hoped that I didn’t shear the ball end off on the more stubborn fasteners. If this was an important application, I would have paused and bought or ordered a better tool.
Back to Chris’s question:
Regular reader here and big fan! Pretty big “tool connoisseur” and own various high quality hand tools and am always reading and looking out for my next purchase. It’s pretty rare when I cannot find anything that will suite my needs hence this question.
I am on the search for a good quality set of hex drivers. I would like all of the sizes possible in the set (both SAE/ metric) but here is my issue. ALL of the sets I find on amazon, kc tool, harvey epstein, ebay, etc are all BALL end hex drivers. I want a set that is high quality that is NON BALL END.
My question is, does such a set of NON ball end hex drivers exist? And if so, where do I find/ buy them?
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YES, non-ball end hex tools do exist! But due to the popularity of ball-end styles, you generally do have to hunt for them.
I discussed a couple of straight hex key options in my “These 16 Hex Key and Driver Options are Anything But Ordinary” post, but as the title suggests, most of the tools are not exactly standard.
I did a little digging. I know that there are straight end hex keys out there, and they are hard to find unless you know exactly where you look.
PB Swiss makes straight hex keys, and they’re probably the best in the business. I seriously love my PB Swiss hex keys (ball end). They cost a pretty penny upfront, but you’ll never think of that again after you pay your credit card bill and move on.
It took a lot of digging to find their inch sizes, which don’t seem to be available in rainbow finish. The ball end ones are.
In inch sizing, PB 212Z refers to the ball end hex keys, PB 213Z seems to refer to short-arm straight-end hex keys, and PB 214Z seems to refer to longer straight-end hex keys.
For metric sizing, PB 212 is for the ball-end, and PB 210 and PB 211 for the short and long straight end hex keys.
PB Swiss also has straight end hex drivers with cross handles and P/T handle styles. There are also screwdriver-grip straight-end hex keys (PB 8205).
Retailers like Amazon might tend to show you the more results for your search queries. As such, searching for straight hex drivers will likely requite a trip to your preferred brand’s website or product catalog.
On the more affordable end of the spectrum, Bondhus also has a strong selection of straight end hex keys.
They also make straight hex end T-handle drivers.
Hopefully this is a good start, but I can also do a little more digging if need be.
As for where to find them, Amazon might have some SKUs, but you might have to look at industrial suppliers such as McMaster Carr, MSC, or Zoro. PB Swiss distributors Count-On Tools and ToolLady can help with that brand, although they might need to make a special order to get them.
Some Links
Bondhus T-Handle Page (One example, as there are different finishes available.)
Bondhus Hex Key Page (One example, same reason.)
PB Swiss PB 214Z H (Long style, inch.)
PB Swiss PB 211 H (Long style, metric.)
Hilton
The only straight end ones I have are the cheap and nasty type and those collected over the years from a variety of pack flat appliances that needed some assembly of sorts.
I think if you have a serious hex head bolt to remove, then a special socket set is preferable.
fred
Proto makes them – and Is suspect that many others do as well. The “original” hex key maker (Allen) sells a variety:
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hand-Tools-Hex-Keys/Allen/N-5yc1vZc265Zb6c
matt
I am with you, Stuart. A set of ball end hex keys for 95% of my work (pb swiss), then a set of T-handle, long, non-ball hex drivers for the tough, buried stuff. Get the long T-handles; if you could reach the fastener easily you would just use the short end of your L-hex wrench, anyway.
PB Swiss makes the best T-handles, but the Bondhus T’s are really, really good too, regardless of the cost. Wiha and Wera T’s have good steel, but I never liked their handles.
Just my 2 cents- if you are going to have one hex wrench set then get a good set of ball-ends. The ball end comes in handy far more often than not, and for the times you NEED a long, flat end hex, pull out your t-handle, or bit driver, or screwdriver with hex inserts and turn away.
skfarmer
i have ball end sk sockets in sae and metric as well as normal L type with the ball end. i find little advantage to them and rarely use them. maybe i work on tougher things than most people but i have seen more buggered up stuff and broken ball ends than i care to.
get high quality hex keys with a straight shank and forget about. the slight amount of time you may save will sooner or later be offset with the agony of a stripped or cracked fastener that will not come out. ball end hex key tool are one of the few things i have purchase over the years that i purposely avoid using if at all possible.
Stuart
There are times when you NEED a ball end hex driver.
80/20 anchor fasteners, for example, have socket head cap screws horizontally within a T-slot. There is simply no way to access those fasteners head-on, and so you need a ball end hex key, T-handle driver, or socket with long arm.
Brando
I found a really great set of Hex Keys from Sunex.
They do not have the ball end and they are as tough as nails.
I would recommend them to anyone-
Amazon: Sunex Tools (SUN9858M) 8 pc. T Handle, Hex, Metric Hex Key Set
Just my 2 Cents!
Joshua Latham
I have both ball end and straight L type. Eklind, inexpensive, made in USA, and haven’t let me down yet.
Stuart
I have always considered that I *should* try Eklind, but with so many other good brands out there, I never went through the hassle of buying them. It always seemed that, whenever my interest piqued, none of my usual retailers carried them.
I keep wondering, though – am I missing out?
Joe Hanson
After hearing complaints about Bondhus tips on their hex keys I went with Eklind. I found them in Menards but I know that local Do It Best stores also carry them.
Toolfreak
Eklind also seems to be the hex/torx key brand in most Ace, True Value, etc. hardware stores.
I don’t have any Eklind stuff at all, but if I needed a set, Made-in-USA Eklind stuff seems like it’d fit the bill for availability and price.
Might not be a bad idea to pick up a set and compare them to the Bondhus products to see how they compare.
Joe Hanson
I’d like to see how they compare too. Sounds like a date with a digital micrometer is in order. I don’t have any complaints about the multiple Eklind hex keys I bought and use.
Joshua Latham
I got mine from Zoro, they had one of their 20% off codes. I bought 2 ball end sets, 2 straight end sets, metric and standard of each, and a torx. I don’t think i spent much more than $50 on all of them. They really came in handy rebuilding my compressor pump. I don’t use them that much, but it is nice knowing that I have all those options available. I will start looking for some T-handle and socket style in the future to round out my collection.
Joshua Latham
*Scratch that, I think it was more like $30 for all of them.
Greg
L Type Hex Keys Standard End
https://www.mcmaster.com/#=1bgc3go
T Handle Hex Keys Standard End
https://www.mcmaster.com/#=1bgc4sx
Their Hex Key sections in general, you can specify Standard or Ball End once you get into a specific category.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#hex-keys/=1bgc676
Granted, you don’t know exactly what brand you’ll get till it shows up at your door, but these are some options
Diamond Dave
I have quite a few hex key sets including t-handle and socket but none of them are the ball end sets. (purposely) I don’t see the advantage of ball end sets or at least not in the normal Hex end usage I come across? It always appeared to me the ball end would mean less contact in the fastener therefore more chance of rounding it out? Looking for input?
Toolfreak
It does have the disadvantages you mention, BUT there are times where a ball end is either necessary because the fastener is in a spot where you can only get to it at an angle, or where the ball end will be a time saver because you’ll be able to access the fastener without removing lots of other stuff for direct access with a straight hex key or hex bit.
The ball end sets also make for a good spare set of long-handle hex keys, even if you only use the short end and rarely use the ball end but have them around if you ever do.
Really just another nice-to-have that is sometimes a must-have depending on the job.
Diamond Dave
Appreciate the input!
Benjamen
I like these ones from Milwaukee: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Hand-Tools/Fastening/Screwdrivers-and-Nutdrivers/48-22-2106
It’s basically a 10in1 multi-screwdriver for Hex bolts.
Unfortunately there’s just seven sizes in Metric and SAE.
I purchased the Metric set when I was putting together my 3D printer and it was really handy that you can chuck the bits into a driver like the Bosch PS-20. It was also super handy for assembling my Axial Yeti RC car. There are plenty of hex head screw that you need to drive and doing it by hand takes forever.
I also like the fact that they are longer than the 1″ hex insert bits that come in many sets. The longer bit make it easier to get into tight spaces.
I ended up buying the SAE set when HD was clearancing them.
When I mentioned them to Stuart he said he didn’t like them because the bits are a pain to get out of the handle. He’s definitely right about that, but if you remove the bit in the driver and use it to lever out the bit you need, it isn’t too bad.
michaelhammer
The fact that the bits are REALLY difficult to remove from the handle becomes exacerbated when one does not know the size needed. By the third try, one may entertain the thought of hucking it into a deep, water-filled quarry.
firefly
I also own that particular driver. Perhaps I am lucky but I never had any trouble extracting the bit from the handle.
All I do is using the existing bit to push out the new bit. Seem pretty easy to me but perhaps some might be tighter than other.
john
There’s also the Gray Tools set — they have some kind of copper finish on them.
I got mine for really cheap (like $15 for SAE and metric) when they were first introduced on Amazon.ca, but they shouldn’t cost you too much nowadays.
It’s a great set, and mine came with one of those holders/handles for you to get a better grip on the tool.
Diplomatic Immunity
Here’s a question…. how come nobody makes hex flag drivers? I see plenty of torx flag drivers and even Wera makes a few combo torx/hex flag drivers but they generally don’t exist. Just kind of wondering.
Noah
I’d go for that!
Toolfreak
The larger Craftsman ratchet/socket sets used to come with long and short hex keys as filler, I still have mine, a full set of metric and standard in short and long, no ball end. They are great quality and I keep them in their original plastic pockets so if I ever need a size or straight hex and don’t have it anywhere else, I know I have one there at least. Of course I have the long ball end ones too, sometimes that ball end will save you even if you just need a little bit of an angle for access.
You can still get the Craftsman stuff, pretty sure it’s made in China now though:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0OBBH3/
Allen also made their own branded straight hex keys. Same as the Craftsman, Allen being the manufacturer of the Craftsman stuff.
I do like having high quality hex keys around for important jobs, but keep a fair bit of cheap ones around so they can be used for the nasty/rusty stuff or tweaked as necessary.
Lukas
I have the Bondhus T handle with the straight end, Wiha ball drivers with magic ring, Wiha long shank colored ball end keys (35% off at KC Tool right now) and some Eklind metal folders. They’re all good. My preference is to use the drivers or the t handles if I can. I really hate using folders and L keys, but it’s a great way to get a lot of sizes in a small space. PB swiss looks like a great option, but I haven’t gotten over the price yet.
Rod
I have found that my go-to favorite is the Wera Hex-Plus series in both inch and metric. They have a unique geometry that resists stripping and are extremely tough. I have never broken one even though I have abused them using long cheaters for extra torque. They do come in ball-end sets but I have discovered that McMaster Carr sells them individually: https://www.mcmaster.com/#allen-wrenches/=1bghuy4. There is no indication that they are Wera but when you get them, they have the Wera name on each one.
The PB Swiss are probably my second favorite.
Lukas
I haven’t seen anything in the Wera lineup that’s referred to as Hex-Plus. Can you link to the set you’re talking about on the Wera site or KC Tool?
Bleo
I’m far from the definitive source for this, but I’m fairly sure just about all of wera’s hex offerings are “hex plus”. I’ve switched almost exclusively to using their offerings because I deal with a lot of aluminum and titanium fasteners between 2.5-6mm.
These tests on youtube by German Tool Reviews were interesting and are pretty much in line with wera’s hex plus claims:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t82jTk3mP5E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRZjNYGHeRQ
Rod
Here is an example of a metric set on the Wera site: http://products.wera.de/en/l-keys_l-keys_for_hexagon_socket_screws_950_spkl_9_sm_hf_multicolour.html
Adam
Tekton has a great set that includes both SAE & metric. I would prefer a rubber sleeve for the ‘keys,’ but they come in an adequate hard plastic case storage.
$15 – https://www.tekton.com/hex-key-wrench-set-25253? – free shipping over $30.
Chris Kelly
Just wanted to add to everyone I appreciate all the replys. I was not clear in my original email and I apologize for that. I am specifically looking for screwdriver handled hex drivers that are non ball end.
I am aware of all the other non ball allen keys, t handle drivers, sockets etc.. I cannot find a full set of SAE and meteric non ball screwdriver handle hex drivers.
Stuart thank you again so much for the posts and help.
Chris
Noah
Looks like Elkind makes a set but it only goes up to 5/32”
http://eklind.biz/90xxx.htm
Peter Fox
Look at Xcelite
http://cms.weller-toolsus.com/page/xcelite-tools
They have a good line of non ball end screwdrivers. They also made them in their series 99 style interchangeable blade screwdrivers.
lots of them on eBay, I personally think the older ones are better quality, however the current ones are decent.
Vaco also used to make them
Alick
I have bondhus, wera, wiha and wise brands but the best of them all are Japanese “eight” brand hex keys. They specialise and have an extensive range.
There are certain jobs where long reach keys or slimline with a very short, short leg are the only way to gain access.
At a slight tangent, I once assisted some machine techs assembling a large CNC machine that included a lot of hex socket fittings. These guys made extensive use of long sliding T bar hex wrenches in the smaller sizes 4-8mm as well as ordinary allen wrenches. Beta Tools from Italy make these in excellent quality.
John
Over the last 49 years I have amassed a good collection, with some ball ended added lately (last 10 years) and all up enough to fill a 4 gallon bucket! Some came with flat pack furniture and many came as sets both Metric and AF.
I think it’s time for some “T” handle additions with long shafts….but then I have to choose straight end or ball end…..crikey, maybe both!
Hilton
Given that the T-handle implies either leverage or more force then perhaps the straight normal ends are the best?