Small Allen Keys

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

As most do, I buy sets of Allen keys from time to time.  Mainly from Aldi or Lidl I admit.

As a result have have a large number of biggish Allen keys (mainly from 3mm up) but few smaller ones as the smaller ones fail after a while.  I think this is to be expected (though happy to hear of 10 year old, well used Allen key sets which are still complete and who to get them from!).

My question is, ‘Are there any sources of 2, 2.5, 3 mm keys on their own – or in small bundles.

It hurts my shrivelled Yorkshire soul to have to keep buying sets because the 2.5mm key has broken…

 

Iain

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Plenty of sources of individual one in standard, long, stubby and ball end, i’m sure Google will sort you out just search 2.5mm allen key

I have the opposite problem and have to throw those sort of sizes into the scrap as I accumulate far too many

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Full disclosure, copied verbatim from my notes of 05-Jun-2023:

http://www.richarddelaney.co.uk/

________

Allen Keys : requested two of each size, Imperial and metric series, under 3mm AF

Man said ‘that’s a lot of Allen Keys’ etc.

… ended up costing £16.20 for two little bags

That should teach me to look after stuff !!

 

Metric: Qty.2 of each of 5 sizes

Imperial: Qty.2 of each of 5 sizes

Ouch! … that’s only Qty. 20 in total … so they average £0.81 each.

_________

How does that suit your shrivelled Yorkshire soul, Iain ?

It is very false economy to buy anything but the best quality in these small sizes.

The Ouch! was because I had ‘lost’ my previous collection in last-year’s relocation.

MichaelG.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, like it or not, there are those on e-bay that sell individual hex keys. e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153032017461?hash=item23a16b4635:g:4PAAAOSwo8pbM261&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4HSrLg60QsOgXLkiqF6K5hro09SE2qGJPTmdmWk8mz9aVwCz6selggLihqP3aYl9ubb3dR8DVa6KGjqoOtLAl9tWLo8zP1%2Bh9OEyuXOrX1uJqbTpyCLcVt14GxwwS09s7iQ82qXQhvb3X3nXahfXzqMmeIIY0kRp0auyfwoycGqeYb3E621KWkVXHnki0dFSJaLl58h9kPBOByxb2SOBOvR1khdGxAfXA%2FtvtYPWm%2Fc3WIxf90FCVqJomTHDc8XwMUbyUHUpOcac2H32S5n9yqUey%2B%2FjNpLuu5nkOmYMo7OZ%7Ctkp%3ABFBMpKWRl_xi

Regards Nick

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

If you are after a set of small keys then these are very good

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Metric-Wrench-Japan-ENGINEER-twh-01/dp/B002F9MNK4/ref=sr_1_16?crid=HYX5FXHY7YXW&keywords=Small+allen+key+set&qid=1700298977&sprefix=small+allen+key+set%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-16

I also bought a similar set in imperial sizes.  I took the fact that they are made in Japan as a sign of quality and have not been disappointed

Rod

[David AmbroseParticipant @davidambrose86182]

Another vote for the Japanese Engineer brand.  The small ones are dimensionally accurate, so less likely to slip or stretch the socket.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

try ITEMS MAIL ORDER 01427 848880 and request a catalogue!!!!. he does keys from 0.028″ to 5/32″ and1.5mm to 3mm. they range from 22p to 92p. Just a happy customer.

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Plus another one for the Japanese Engineer keys, I bought the Imperial set, and they perform very well.

Rob

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

Thanks to all.  My previous google searches did not come up with anything useful (or perhaps I bore easily).  The engineer ones look just like what I want

My soul will be soothed.

 

Iain

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

sorry  thought your original request was for individual keys?

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

Whenever I see old Allen Keys for sale for very little money, I tend to buy them. Not because I need more of them, but because they are made from hexagonal steel.

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

Yes, I was thinking of individual keys, but the set quoted above has over half the ones I break and is a cheaper option than buying individual ones, so seems like a good idea.

 

Iain

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

have a look on RS components.

RS PRO 5 piece L Shape Metric Hex Key Set, 2.5mm

RS Stock No.:
735-071
Brand:
RS PRO

£4.04 a set of 5.

David

[Nigel BennettParticipant @nigelbennett69913]

Machine Mart do a miniature set and I’ve been very happy with mine (usual disclaimer)

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/laser-miniature-hex-key-set-mm-and-af/

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

David – the RS sets look perfect – and reasonably priced.

 

Nigel – thanks for that ref.

 

Iain

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