Bondhus 12191 HL22L L-Wrench 22mm, Long'

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Figure 1 – The cross-section of an Allen™ key showing the measurement for width across flats Types of Allen™ Wrenches Range of access – Allen™ wrenches that feature a hex ball end can allow fasteners to be accessed from angles other than directly in the same plane as the fastener. This can simplify assembly & disassembly in close quarter conditions. Size and weight – Allen™ keys tend to be smaller and lighter than the equivalent tools used to apply other fastener types, making them easier to carry. This can be an advantage for applications where mobility is important such as with cyclists that might want to carry a bike tool kit along on a ride. Allen™ screws and wrenches are not the be-all-end-all in the world of fasteners and tools. Some complaints focus on the tool size being too small to allow for one to apply sufficient torque in all cases. Also, inferior materials used in the manufacturing of either the wrench or the screw can render them easy to damage in spite of the increased number of pressure points. But they are still popular more than 100 years after William G. Allen™ filed for his patent and will likely be here to stay for the foreseeable future. Summary

Pressure points – the hex design of the Allen™ screw distributes force from the tool against 6 surfaces compared with 4 for the Phillips head screw and 2 for the slotted screw. This makes it easier to loosen or tighten these fasteners and can make it less likely to strip or damage a fastener while loosening or tightening. There are a few variations of hex keys available, the most common and the one that is synonymous with the tern Allen key is the L-shaped hex key. To help choose the right key for the job we have outlined the most common types below as well as a few of their features and benefits. Access to fastener **- Operating in tight working environments can result in limited access to the fastener you're working on. Ball-end hex keys allow for tightening and loosening of fasteners at a variety of angles, so if you're working in places where space is limited they might be the answer to your troubles. Did you know that most people use the wrong screwdriver for the job? It’s essential to distinguish between the various screwdriver types and know what screw you’re using. A set from Halfords will include a variety of screwdrivers for slotted head screws, Phillips drive screws and Pozidriv screws, perfect for any job. Impact drivers & screw bits This article provided a summary of the commonly available sizes of Allen™ wrenches/keys and explained the different types of Allen™ wrenches as well as the advantages of these tools. For information on other topics, consult our additional guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform where you can locate potential sources of supply for over 70,000 different product and service categories, including suppliers of Allen™ wrenches and other hex key wrenches.L-shaped hex keys The most common type of hex key. The L-shaped key is double ended allowing you to use torque to tighten and loosen fasteners with the short end, whilst the long end can be used in the same way as a straight key. Besides the common types described earlier, Allen™ wrenches are available with other features that improve safety or increase convenience for using the tool. T-handle hex keys The T-handle feature a good grip thanks to the shape of its handle, from where it gets its moniker, allowing for significantly increased torque.

Hex keys also referred to as Allen keys or Allen wrenches are used in the application of loosening and tightening hexagonal fasteners. They are used in a variety of industries and are also a handy domestic tool with many uses. They are available in a number of different sizes with both imperial and metric variations available. Ball end hex keys Ball ended hex keys allow access to fasteners in tighter spaces, giving the user an in creased range of angles from which to access the part thanks to its rounded hexagonal bulb-shaped head. Allen™ wrenches are available as individual keys of a given size but are also sold in sets that contain a range of standard sizes. Allen™ keys are identified as being either metric-sized keys in millimeter sizes or SAE (Imperial) sized keys in fractions of an inch or decimal equivalents.Allen™ wrenches or Allen™ keys are generally available in several different styles or types. The most common Allen™ wrench type is the one mentioned earlier – the L-shaped hex key – but there are other variations that incorporate different handle designs, utilize different materials, or add special features. A summary of the most common Allen™ wrench types is found below: Torque needed **- When tightening or loosening a fastener (particularly loosening) the amount of torque needed to move the part is key. An L-shape or T-handle have particular leverage in this area, their extended handles allow for greater torque when dealing with fasteners

Hex keys are available in many different sizes and in both imperial and metric measurements. The size needed will depend on the size of fastener you're working with. Size of fastener - probably the most important consideration as the wrong sized key either won't fit the fastener or fit loosely resulting in either damaging the tool or rounding off the fastener making it difficult to remove. Figure 1 below shows the cross-sectional profile of the Allen™ wrench or Allen™ key. The important parameter that establishes the size of the Allen™ wrench or Allen™ key is the width across flats, which is the distance between any two of the faces of the tool that are parallel to each other. Straight hex keys These resemble screwdrivers and function in much the same way except the head features either a flat or ball ended hex key, instead of the traditional screwdriver bit. This article will present information on Allen™ wrenches, what they are, their advantages, and the common sizes that are available in the marketplace. To learn more about other types of fastener products, see the list of related articles at the end of this article. What is an Allen™ Wrench?

Types of Allen™ Wrenches

There are a number of things to take into account when choosing the right hex key for the job, below is a few of the main points of consideration.