What is the ball end of a hex key for?

The ball end makes it easier to slide the key into the receiving slot. It allows you to reach at an offset 30 degree angle so that you can feel your way to the needed position much faster – great for blind or difficult areas to reach or if the bolt or screw is close to an obstruction on one side.

Does Ball end hex or regular?

You will often see ball ends on the long arm of hex keys, and straight hex ends on the short arms. That way you can have an easier time turning a loose fastener, and rely on better engagement and higher torque delivery on tight ones. Ball hex ends CAN break off, and when they do, you’re in for a world of trouble.

Is a hex key the same as an Allen wrench?

A hex key, also known as an Allen key or Allen wrench, is a small handheld tool that’s used for for driving bolts and screws with a hexagonal socket. They are available in many different sizes, though they all have the same hexagonal-shaped tip.

What is the most common hex key?

Allen keys: everything you need to know

• Many different hex wrench variants exist for a reason.
• The L-shaped hex wrench is the most common and works perfectly.
• T-handles provide well-balanced weight to spin the wrench, but they aren’t suited to every application.

Why are hex keys called Allen keys?

Originally named Allen Manufacturing Company, the business produced hexagonal set screws and wrenches to fasten them. The terms “Allen wrench” (American English) and “Allen key” (British English) are derived from the Allen brand name and refer to the generic product category “hex keys”.

What are Torx keys?

Torx keys are also commonly known as star keys. Like hexagon allen keys, most torx keys are small enough to be carried in a pocket and enable the user to drive the appropriate fasteners without needing a separate screwdriver or power tool.

Why do we use Allen keys?

Hex keys, commonly known as Allen keys/wrenches in the UK and various other countries, are a very simple hand tool of the general spanner and socket family, used for tightening and loosening hexagonal bolts and other compatible fasteners.

Can you use torx instead of hex?

Torx to Allen Key Conversions We actually don’t recommend using your torx wrenches in place of a hex key or Allen wrench. With that being said, torx size, T9, won’t doesn’t really work with any of the SAE hex sizes. However, it’s actually a perfect match for metric size, 2.5 mm.

How are Allen wrenches sized?

Most Allen wrenches have the size stamped clearly on the side of the tiny, angled tool. The inch or millimeter size may have rubbed off with use or may be entirely too small to read. In this case, an Allen wrench or hex key chart can make finding the right size for your socket head much easier.

What’s the smallest Allen key?

Sizes contained in the set are 0.71mm , 0.89mm (the two smallest hex keys in this set are metric) – then 1.27mm (0.05″), 1/16″; (1.59mm), 5/64″ (1.98mm), 3/32″ (2.38mm) and 7/64″ (2.79mm).

Who invented Allen wrenches?

In 1909–1910, William G. Allen too patented a method of cold-forming screw heads around a hexagonal die (U.S. Patent 960,244).