This Wera color-coded hex key set looks to be an instant tool kit upgrade.
Wera hex keys are pretty decent, and they gave these ones a color-coded jacket so that you can identify sizes at a glance.
It might not seem like a big deal, but it can be very helpful to work with color-coded tools.
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In my experience with PB Swiss ball hex keys, the color coding comes in handy when working on more complex projects. I never committed the size and color matching to memory, but can usually remember which tool works with which at-hand fasteners.
Basically, with a whole bunch of parts and fasteners in play, the color coding helps me grab the right one.
So, you get color-coded versions of well-regarded Wera tools.
There’s also the 2-in-1 case, which you can place on your workbench or mount to the wall or any other vertical surface.
I describe it as a 2-in-1, but maybe it’s a 3-in-1 holder, since you can also detach it to bring the whole set of tools to where you need it.
I’ve purchased lots of different Wera hex keys and drivers, and their L-wrenches, screwdrivers, and similar have all been really good. I’d buy this set in a heartbeat – and I just might as I’ve been meaning to upgrade one of my Wiha sets.
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Price: ~$50
Should You Buy it?
I regularly work with hex-recess socket cap screws, set screws, and other such fasteners, and often in large quantities.
I consider most Wera products to be “upgrade” tools. They deliver a better user experience, at least in my opinion, and not everyone needs that. If you very rarely use hex drivers, and entirely for inconsequential tasks, get something less expensive.
The Wera set offers you i) great quality, ii) color-coding, and iii) a really convenient-seeming multi-functional holder. Do you need any of that? Probably not. The question to ask is whether you’ll be happy with your purchasing decision long after you forget how much the price stung.
I Want Something Cheaper!
You can save a bit of money by getting similar Wera tools but with the more compact portable case. Whether the workshop holder is worth it or not is up to you.
Got a 3D printer? Get the portable tool set and design a benchtop and wall-mount holder for it. Print one of each.
Here are some affordable USA-made hex key sets:
Bondhus Ball Hex Key Sets at Amazon
Eklind Ball End Hex Key Set (Metric and SAE) and Amazon
I’m Willing to Spend More!
Plain+grainy
I like colorful items. Cars, Trucks, Tractors, golf shirts. So I guess I could tolerate tools with color.. I guess they don’t offer T handled versions?
Shawn Yuan
You’ve mentioned your love of the PB Swiss colored set over the years and I’ve been convinced to put it in my to-buy list. The price has always kept me from pulling the trigger. I currently have the Wiha ball hex w rubber washers sets and the cheap Bondus.
Could you describe your experience w PB Swiss vs Wera, Wiha or any other “upgrade” L key sets (aside from the color coding since Wera has this feature too)? Right now, I’m just under the impression that they’re the best but don’t know why or how much better they are than #2. Thanks!
Shawn Yuan
Also, have you tried any other the Japanese ones like Eight, Wize, Asahi or Vessel?
eddiesky
Thanks for those other brand names! I like the look of the Eight hex sets!
I have the Klein T-handle sets and the stand is PITA. I also have Bondhus sets of L shaped that are hard to read size, and the holder depends on you flipping all of them around to get to the right of middle size.
I like the color idea but I need long shafts, that are able to get hex heads in deep sockets/pockets, thus the T handles. And I like options of a ball-end for those angled access.
Shawn Y
I’ve not looked into reviews of the Japanese tools much since they’re usually all in Japanese but your interest in Eight led me to this forum:https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/japanese-hex-keys-with-a-neat-twist.107474/.
The op noted hex tools being Eight’s specialty and their website seems to reflect that: https://www.eight-tool.co.jp/en. Now I’m doubly interested.
Stuart
I ordered a bunch of Eight Tool products from Zoro last night – will see how good they are soon enough.
I have some Asahi tools, but not hex.
fred
I find that the tight-space ones from another Japanese brand (Anex) come in handy:
https://www.amazon.com/Anex-6103F-Ultra-Profile-Handle/dp/B0028DGIEY
Jared
I have the Anex set and they are very handy. A bunch of other brands have copied the idea in years since including Neiko and Performance Tool.
I mention that because the Performance Tool version is pretty cheap, it’s not a tool I use regularly and seems to work fine. I bought a couple sets in different bit styles from my Anex ones, just to have around. I don’t think I paid much more than $5 for them.
fred
I’m a fan of T-handle hex wrenches – especially ones with sliding bars that form the “t”. I find them handy for bicycle repair and have a USA-made set (#THH) from Park Tool in metric sizes that I like very much. When it came to buying a set in SAE sizes (that I use less frequently) I went with the less expensive Taiwan-made Powerbuilt (#941644) – that also seem quite good. I do wish that Wera would make a set in their Hex-Plus style tip.
https://www.amazon.com/THH-1-Sliding-T-Handle-Wrench-Silver/dp/B0832GX3RV?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-T-Handle-Allen-Wrench-Storage/dp/B074PXSKQQ
Stuart
They just work.
Maybe up to 80% of the time anything will do. But there are many other times where access is a big problem, and the PB Swiss deliver where others don’t. I’ve torqued them beyond where I should, and they bounce back.
Sometimes when other hex keys slip – I can’t justify PB Swiss for every tool box or work station – I bust out the PB Swiss and they get it done.
I have developed a sense that I don’t have to worry about the tools and can focus on the tasks.
Wera came into my hands later, and my experiences have not been as universally good as with PB Swiss. One of the first bolts I used their 6mm hex socket on, with a torque wrench way beyond spec, it shattered. I asked around and apparently this happens a lot.
I was looking at Fujiya’s Wise line just last night, but the price is even higher.
Phranq
Really wish they would include half sizes in these sets. 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5
Tekton does, and that’s why I purchased Tekton.
Adam
There’s a 1.5 and 2.5 included. I actually really love this set, I used it a bunch last week and thought to myself “I really like these” after they had been tucked away for a while. I love the color coding and the slightly almost concave sides, makes it easy to insert. I’d highly recommend these, it’s a lifetime tool set at a decent price.
Doresoom
I’ve designed a few in-drawer Gridfinity organizers for my various Wera hex key sets too.
SAE: https://www.makeronline.com/en/model/Gridfinity%20Wera%20SAE%20Hex%20Key%20Organizer/113805.html
Metric: https://www.makeronline.com/en/model/Gridfinity%20Wera%20Long%20Metric%20Hex%20Key%20Organizer/99255.html
Stuart
Neat! Thanks for sharing!
Wojtek
Thanks ! Also a big fan of 3D Printing as well. Checked out your other models and they look great. Short hex keys are very cool, can’t find a reason to buy them, but they look really cool.
James
I really like these but I’ve never pulled the trigger on these or the PB Swiss because the sizing is incomplete. It drives me bananas when I have a tool set that doesn’t include all the sizes…
John E
Not a fan of these these thick plastic coated shanks. They invariably get torn up too making them uncomfortable to handle. I have several sets of Allen keys and these are never the first ones I grab.
jeff robbins
The wera hex plus head design is a game changer, it has so much less slop, and works a treat on buggered up hex socket screws. I have found them irreplaceable for working on bikes, and got a flight of the 1 inch hexplus bits too, and an adapter to use in my torque wrench too. It is far too easy to strip out 4 , 3 and 2.5 mm fasteners. It is also nice to have really good purchase with an 8 mm for cranks when you want to give it a really big tug. There is an even lower budget version without the colored sleeves that still gives you the benefit of the hex plus head design, and of course a far more expensive version in stainless too.
Chip
I’m so glad someone mentioned the Wera hex plus head design. The slightly convex “flats” do and incredible job grabbing damaged fasteners.
Thebear
Absolutely nothing worse than having cheap hex wrenches when you need them. Even if you don’t use them often (I use them all the time at work), damaging hex screws with cheap tools is just annoying. The Wera color coded stubby set is perfect for carrying around in the tool bag or pouch that takes up even less room than the full size L keys.
Doug
Thanks for the timely post, I am shopping for a new metric and imperial set. I am just a hobbyist so it is hard to pull the trigger on a Wera or Wiha set just yet. Anyone have any experience/thoughts on the Klein Tools BLS18 Hex Key Wrench Set?
Stuart
Maybe today’s post will help – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/best-hex-key-set-most-people/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I like Bondhus, and they also have ColorGuard versions.
I had pretty good experiences with Klein’s T-handle drivers (I was only set the inch sizes). https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/klein-journeyman-ball-hex-drivers/%3C/a%3E The tools were marked as being made in Slovenia.
https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-BLS18-Heat-Treated-18-Piece/dp/B0DJCG12DY/?tag=toolguyd-20
While I’m sure they’re fine, personally I wouldn’t buy their made-in-Vietnam hex key sets for $40. Other than it looking like a “me too” copy, I don’t have a good reason why. I’ve seen them before a bunch of times and every time I can’t help but think “meh.”
fred
The Klein T-handles sure look like they come from Unior – a bicycle tool manufacturer in Slovenia. Here’s their metric set:
https://uniorusa.com/products/set-of-t-handle-wrenches-8pcs
Wayne R.
Stuart,
You wrote, “I regularly work with hex-recess socket cap screws, set screws, and other such fasteners, and often in large quantities.”
In the case of turning a lot of these sorts of fasteners, I’d think using a motorized tool with hex Power Bits (or whatever name they use now) in a small 12V tool just for speedy assembly would be a slick solution. The machine screws would spin in fast, then maybe come back with a wrench and torque them as needed.
But maybe you just go full manual. What’re your thoughts on adding in a power tool?
Thanks.
Mike
If I’m by the tool box I’m grabbing a socket version 60% of the time. Either with a some form of power or a speeder ratchet. I’d guess about 35% of the time would the a screwdriver form of allen, especially with the smaller precision sizes. Really I probably only grab a set of either L’s or the old folder style is when it’s only a couple fasteners I don’t know the size of them.
Doresoom
I use the Vessel Ball Grip USB screwdriver with Wiha hex bits for small machine screws all the time, but it’s not a complete replacement for having hex keys as well. Sometimes only a hex key has clearance, sometimes you want the manual feedback.
Stuart
Power tools aren’t always possible, as you’re limited to how insert and power bits are designed.
Let’s say there’s an access hole designed for use with a 3mm hex key. A lot of different types of hand tools might fit, but most power bits won’t.
You also run the risk of stripping parts or damaging fasteners. Tightening an M4 set screw, for example, takes feel with a 2.5mm hex hand tool. Use a power tool, and there can be a lot of variability even if you use an adjustable clutch.
I have learned to use a power tool where possible for maybe 90% of the work, and then a hand tool for the remainder. But a lot of the time I can do the same with a hand tool for the same time and maybe even less fatigue.
For some tasks, forget about it – I can maneuver hand tools so much easier than with a heavy cordless drill or screwdriver.
I think everyone needs good hand tools and can then explore power-assist options.
Even with hand tools, not everything fits. Consider Beta T-handle hex drivers. https://www.amazon.com/Beta-Torque-Handle-Wrench-Hexagon/dp/B00FEK2JIM/?tag=toolguyd-20 Notice how the shaft is rounded and then machined at the tips.
Look at how the Bondhus drivers are made – https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-10686-1-5-5mm-Balldriver-Screwdrivers/dp/B0006O4AD8/?tag=toolguyd-20 . For smaller sizes, the Bondhus might fit where the Beta wouldn’t.
It’s worth exploring further – I ordered some new hex tools today to check out – but it’s a more complex category based on how the machine, equipment, or contraption is designed.
fred
Almost every time that I’d visit out metal fabrication shop I’d hear some story about the challenges in disassembling then re assembling or completely repackaging some aircraft component. It often sounded like some assemblies were not made with service in mind – but dealing with those issues was what we cut our teeth on. Specialty manufacturers also make tools to deal with restricted access situations – from super-thin wrenches to tools with almost “pretzel-like” bends to clear obstructions – and adapter drills for tight spots.
A few examples:
https://thrustaviation.co/ols/products/5-slash-8-11-slash-16-brewer-wrench
https://www.browntool.com/Listview/tabid/344/ProductID/201/Default.aspx
Stuart
Sometimes it’s a matter of convenience. If I’m building a test rig with 80/20 extrusions, I sometimes only have the space to assemble in place, and not upside down or on its side. That can make for very awkward angles.
Mike
We have the Wera set at a repair bench. My only complaints about them is sometimes the plastic color bumper is too thick to get into the hole to reach that bold head. Doesn’t happen often but ran into that problem a few times. I have a set that the is PB Swiss ones that are “painted” colors which seems to be the best of both worlds, still thin and colorful.
Frank
I’ve been waiting for the wall mount Wera set in standard since I saw this in the 2023 Advent Calendar