The hexagonal wrench is an L-shaped wrench tool with a hexagonal cross section that can be turned to tighten or loosen the hexagonal screw. With the development of the hexagonal wrench, there are also T-shaped and plastic handles.
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. Hex keys are most often encountered as a single piece of steel formed into a small L-shape, although there are a number of variations on this basic format available to buy from many different manufacturers and suppliers.
According to the national production standard requirements, the general appearance of the hexagonal wrench has four parameters. As shown in the figure below, they are the cross-section distance s, the cross-section distance e, the length of the short side l, and the length of the long side L.
The size of the hexagonal wrench is determined according to the cross-section distance S. For example, a 2mm hexagonal wrench requires the cross-section distance S of the wrench to be between 1.96-2mm, and a 4mm hexagonal wrench requires S to be between 3.95-4mm. Because the hexagonal wrench is used to screw the concave screws, the size of the hexagonal wrench is actually determined by the size of the hexagonal hole. If it is too large, it will definitely not fit in. It is okay to be smaller. If it is smaller, it will be difficult to screw and it is easy to slip.
The specifications of hexagon socket wrenches are divided into metric and imperial. There is little difference in use, only the measurement units are different. Generally, the specifications of hexagon socket metric are as follows: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 32, 36. The following figure is the basic size table required for the production of hexagon socket wrenches.
Types and shapes of hex key
There are numerous Allen key types sold on today’s market, many of which adhere very closely to the fundamental early design blueprint. According to their different structures, they can be divided into open wrenches, torx plum key, combination key wrenches set, socket wrenches, hook wrenches, hexagon wrenches, Ball end hex key, and special-purpose wrenches ,T-handle hex keyssuch as percussion wrenches.
L-shape Allen hexagon keys
- Material – L key wrench is quenched and heat-treated chrome vanadium alloy steel (48-52 HRC), nickel plated surface, high strength and hardness, rust-proof and wear-resistant.
- L-Shaped Design：Angle: 90°，Provide comfortable grip handle foroptimal torque and control
- Features – The long/short arm design provides additional reach for deep work points on the long end and additional leverage for tightening fasteners on the other short end.
- Applications – L-handle hexagon wrench is widely used in removing and installing hexagon socket head screws in towel bars, door handles, assembled furniture, equipment, etc.
- Chamfered – Chamfered hexagonal ends slide fasteners in easily, reducing wear on wrenches and fastener heads.
- Size:M1.5-M10.
Ball end hex keys
High Hardness and Durable Material: The hex keys are made of high-quality chromium vanadium steel material, with exquisite workmanship, smooth edges and no burrs, strong strength, corrosion resistance, rust resistance, and high hardness, providing you with maximum durability.- Hex Allen Wrench Set: 1/16″, 5/64″, 3/32″, 1/8″, 5/32″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 5/16″ , 3/8″ (1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm), allowing you to easily and quickly find the size you need at work, easy for daily use, and can withstand the harshest conditions environment to meet different usage needs.
- L-Wrench Hex Tool Kit: Ergonomically designed, L key design can help you loosen each screw, reducing discomfort in your hands, making it easy to hold and operate. The high-leverage principle allows it to slide into the fastener easily, reducing wear on the wrench and reducing damage to the fastener head.
- Flat Head & Ball Head Design: The flat head design allows for a longer reach, provides a larger contact area and greater torque, and can save more effort during use; the ball head design entrance is easy to work in narrow spaces and can enhance leverage. for tighter fasteners.
- Multi-scene Application: Suitable for repair and assembly work, easily remove and install most screws in cars, bicycles, scooters, furniture, appliances, instruments and equipment, repair/adjust machines, meet almost all repair needs.
High Hardness and Durable Material: The hex keys are made of high-quality chromium vanadium steel material, with exquisite workmanship, smooth edges and no burrs, strong strength, corrosion resistance, rust resistance, and high hardness, providing you with maximum durability.Torx Star Allen Key Wrench
- Star L wrench set has 9 different sizes(T6, T7, T 8, T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27) to choose, convenient and practical, meeting your different needs.
- Star hex key set is manufactured from hardened and heat treated chrome vanadium steel. The surface of the L wrench is brightly chrome-treated, and the surface is treated with chrome-plate, durable for long time use
- Star hex L shaped wrench is designed with the basic star head for providing greater torque, allowing easier access to those hard-to-reach spaces and making it easy for adjusting in all angles, and the hollowed out ends also provide the ability to be used on the specialty security star head.
- This L-shape hex wrench set is designed with standard 90° angle, accordding with ergonomics, which makes you feel comfortable to use. Unique packaging, convenient for convenient tool access and portable to carry.
- The L-shape hex wrench set is good for diy repairs of electronics, bikes, electrical work, machinery, automobile and motorcycle
What is a hex key used for?
Using them is pretty simple – you simply insert one end of the driver into the recessed hexagonal fastener head and then apply torque on the other end to turn it. Typically, you’ll use the shorter of the two shanks on a hex wrench as the handle, giving the tool a longer reach and improved maneuverability in smaller spaces. However, when more torque is needed, the longer shank can also be used as a “handle” as long as there’s enough room in the work area to turn the longer-handled tool. However, while the basic application and quality of an allen wrench doesn’t vary greatly from brand to brand and product to product, there are some potential differences in the specifics of how to use a hex wrench correctly, depending on the type and format of tool you decide to purchase.
When choosing between hex wrenches, torus wrenches, and ball wrenches, you can choose based on the following factors:
Type of fastener:
Hex wrenches are suitable for standard hex bolts and nuts.
Torx wrenches are suitable for star head bolts, which have a torx-shaped groove on the head.
Ball wrenches are suitable for ball head bolts and are usually used in situations where a larger contact area or aesthetic requirements are required.
Space constraints:
The straight handle design of hex wrenches and torus wrenches is suitable for use in situations with more spacious spaces.
The ball head of the ball wrench can provide better flexibility in space-constrained situations.
Torque requirements:
If more torque is required, choose a hex wrench or torus wrench with a long handle.
Ball wrenches may not be suitable for high-torque work environments due to their design.
Ease of operation:
The straight handle design of hex wrenches and torus wrenches is easy to apply force.
The ball head of the ball wrench can provide better operation convenience in hard-to-reach corners or angles.