Any recommendations on allen keys?

[promufa]

I am looking to buy a decent set of allen keys, as the cheapo-tesco set I currently own just wont cut it.

I am having real trouble to undo bolts. They are very flexible and possibly not quite accurate size-wise. As a result as soon as you put some real pressure on them they just turn inside the bolt.

Thankfully since they are shit they have not yet managed to round off any of the bolts I tried using them on.

Socket type allens to fit on a ratchet will do as well

Thanks
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'02 Triumph Speed Four

[ruck bodgers]

might be yank sizes . there ever so slightly different

[kestrel]

Britool allen key sets are good quality and reasonably priced. Look for a metric long arm ball end set, these give good purchase for initially cracking the bolt then quick fitting of the key using the ball end, around £12-£15 for a set.
Britool also do good quality hex bit socket sets, 1/2" drive metric sets start at around £20-£25.
Avoid B&Q and Pound Shop allen keys like the plague.
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Isle of Man.........Road Racing Capital Of The World

[numpty2]

Yes, big thumbs up for long handled ball ended allen keys. Although there are some situations in which you need a shorter one.

Word of advice, if you go in the tool shop and ask, "have you got anything that's long with a ball end?", make sure you say it very clearly. You might get an answer you didn't expect.

[Dazbo666]

I got my socket type allens from Machine Mart, iirc
and I hear good things about "Halfords Professional" tools if availability is a problem
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Pete.]

I buy LASER ball-end allen keys for £12 a set from my local car spares place. They are a good fit and never twist or break. I go through two or three sets a year because I tend to lose them at work.

Worth considering.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[map]

I have a set of halfords 1/2" drive socket ones. These are good.

I also use the bit type in a ratchet screwdriver. These are also good as I have a selection of original 5mm and replacement stainless 4mm on the bike.

I can also recommend the ball type but find you need the longer lever of the square end to crack open the bolt first. I think my ball set were from aldi. They're ok but another set I have (can't remember where from) are a bit bendy.

So if you can I'd use a socket set and/or the bit type.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[sickpup]

[stinkwheel]

Hex bits are very good when used in conjunction with a good quality socket set.

Rediculously high quality set. Cheaper versions are available.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[P.]

I use Halfords socket based ones. Never had an issue

[DrDonnyBrago]

I prefer a hex socket bit on a wrench handle or a hex bit socket on a sliding T bar if it is for something like fairing bolts where there are millions of them.

[Kickstart]

Hi

I have a couple of Bondhus sets which had taken a lot of abuse.

Similar to these

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Pete.]

[grant965]

lidl have a set for £5, got some 2 days ago, seem good so far and heard good review about other lidl tools
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Ex bikes: 05 Suzuki En 125, '98 Yamaha Thundercat, '08 Honda cbr125, '05 Kawasaki z750, '03 Triumph Daytona 600, '91 Kawasaki ex250, '03 Hyosung Comet 125
Current Bike: '02 Suzuki TL1000R

[tahrey]

[WannaBeDude]

Draper expert ball end set 25 quid.
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Jogging on, destination living.

[neatbik]

I use socket type ones from Machine Mart.
The bonus being that you can torque them up if needed.

[BanditMonster...]

The kit i bought which was only cheap came with metric and imprerial im sure u can find a kit like this from any tool shop metric is in silver and imperial in black with my kit or its the other way round. but im sure if u go to a decent shop u can find a kit like this all you do is test them out to see which fit snuggly
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Derbi senda 50- Superbyke RMR 125 (chinese Suzuki rm)- Suzuki gs 500- Suzuki Bandit 600.

[promufa]

Thanks a lot guys.

To answer to a few people here:

Stupidgit: They are metric. They are just made of Brie.

tahrey: huh? TL;DR

Finally bought these:
https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&productId=169181

and since my £12 ratchet shat itself at 10Nm treated myself to one of those too:
https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&productId=241771

Thanks for the info guys
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'02 Triumph Speed Four

[symonh2000]

I have some Facom Hex keys at work, I have yet to twist of damage one despite plenty of trying.

Britool are good as well.

I think a 9pc metric set costs around £15 from RS or Farnell
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Four strokes is two strokes too many.

[Noxious89123]

Another vote for Machine Mart, I use these;
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/pro51-6-pce-38in-drive-hex-bit-set

Cheaper than Halfords equivalent set by about £5 and has a lifetime warranty.

Used with just a short extension bar they make a great hex-screwdriver for taking out squillions of fairing bolts. Anything that's tight, just attach a ratchet and crack it off.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Pete.]

The set I bought turned up today - less than 24hrs from ordering to reception.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[tahrey]