T-handle hex keys - ball head or not?

[mark mcfarlane]

I'm going to purchase some T-handle hex keys for working on equipment, bikes,...

I've never used the ball-head style of wrenches before, but I have had many occasions where I can't get 90 degrees into the hex head..

Do these work OK?

I was thinking of a Klein set (https://www.amazon.com/T-Handle-8-Piece-Klein-Tools-JTH68MB/dp/B004DB8GSK/ref=pd_sbs_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B004DB8GSK&pd_rd_r=BGZ7QYN3QHR8H3EMCAP5&pd_rd_w=z8Q8E&pd_rd_wg=L5Uwf&psc=1&refRID=BGZ7QYN3QHR8H3EMCAP5)...

Thanks,

Mark

[Frank Pratt]

They work quite well, but you can't apply as much torque because the ball end can break off. I'd get a conventional set as well so you aren't tempted to use the ball end ones where not needed.

[Nick Decker]

What Frank said. I use ball heads most of the time, just because they make it easier to hit the hole. But if it's an easy access and I need lots of torque, straight head.

[Jim Becker]

I've been thinking about getting a set of these, too, and would probably get both ball-head and regular for the reasons that the previous two posters mentioned.

[Dan Friedrichs]

As you said, they're great for when you can't get at the fastener straight-on (as they'll work at an angle).

In sets I've seen, the smaller ones are not-ball-ended, presumably because the necessary thinning of the wrench (to make the ball end) makes it too weak below a certain size.

I've had one case where I couldn't get enough torque on a particularly stubborn bolt, and had to go buy a non-ball-end version of the same sized wrench to get it out. Real outlier, though.

Consider the Bondhus ones - they're well-regarded: https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-13390-T-handles-Stand-8-Inch/dp/B00012WYEC/ref=sr_1_6?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1530375493&sr=1-6&keywords=bondhus

[mark mcfarlane]

I've read of failures on the cheaper ball heads, but I'm suspecting (hoping) that a Klein or Wiha set will handle a fair amount of torque and not break.

[Alex Zeller]

The only brand I would buy are the BondHus. They are American made and come with a lifetime warranty. Some of the smaller ones don't come with the ball end because of breaking the ball off but for the most part the ones that do have the ball ends will take a lot of torque before breaking. Also the T-handle is all steel with just a vinyl cover. Some other brands the handle is plastic. We use them all the time here at work.

[mark mcfarlane]

...

Consider the Bondhus ones - they're well-regarded: https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-13390-T-handles-Stand-8-Inch/dp/B00012WYEC/ref=sr_1_6?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1530375493&sr=1-6&keywords=bondhus

Thanks for the tip Dan, these are about 1/2 the price of the Klein (https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-JTH610EB-Standard-Ball-End/dp/B004DB8GSK/ref=pd_sbs_469_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B004DAZD96&pd_rd_r=ZSVCHJ658RQZDNMTNV69&pd_rd_w=vymor&pd_rd_wg=Yvkvl&refRID=ZSVCHJ658RQZDNMTNV69&th=1) and a third of the Wiha versions, but the Klein and Wiha have 2 hex ends on each handle, one short 'normal end', and one long 'ball head': 2-in-1.

[Cary Falk]

We use Eklind and Bondhus at work. Ball end for most unless you need to apply a lot of torque.

[Lee Schierer]

Consider the Bondhus ones - they're well-regarded: https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-13390-T-handles-Stand-8-Inch/dp/B00012WYEC/ref=sr_1_6?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1530375493&sr=1-6&keywords=bondhus

I have two sets of regular "L" shaped wrenches and have never had one fail. My 13 piece set goes from 3/8 down to .050 and all of them have ball ends. Get the plated ones if you can find them as they don't rust. Plated Bondhus (https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-20399-L-Wrench-BriteGuard-GoldGuard/dp/B00132CGTW/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1530378687&sr=1-2&keywords=bondhus)

[Matt Day]

Get these.

https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-20199-Balldriver-L-Wrench-1-5-10mm/dp/B00012Y38W/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530382736&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bondhus+allen+wrenches&dpPl=1&dpID=41KnD0HHgUL&ref=plSrch

I’ve worked in bike shops for 10 years and that’s all we used. Never seen a broken one. I can’t stand t handled ones - why would you want them!

[Doug Dawson]

I'm going to purchase some T-handle hex keys for working on equipment, bikes,...

I've never used the ball-head style of wrenches before, but I have had many occasions where I can't get 90 degrees into the hex head..


In the case of clearance issues (or even not,) don't forget that you can also get hex head _sockets_ for the sizes you want, and drive them with a sliding t-drive or breaker bar, or a ratchet, and various attachments to extend them limited only by your imagination.

Stuff like this:
https://store.snapon.com/SearchResults.aspx?q=stubby%20hex%20socket&IsPartsSearch=0&departmentName=Tool%20Catalog
although it doesn't have to be SnapOn, Kobalt makes okay ones for a few dollars.

[Chris Parks]

I use 1/4'' drive allen keys and if you need to go in at an angle a universal joint and extensions. I tried the ball end versions and stopped using them due to the torque limitations. We race karts and every fastener is hex drive. I have a set of Blue Point 1/4 drive and would not recommend them because the sizes are hard to read. For bigger stuff I use 3/8 or 1/2 as needed.

[Chris Fournier]

I don't prefer T handles except for fiddly light duty work. Ball ends on the long end of my Gray Tools extra long S2 wrenches, one of the best hand tool purchases I've ever made.

[John Gornall]

I like tee handle for 1/4" and larger - for smaller I like regular screwdriver handles

[Tom M King]

If you have a lot of one size to handle, it's worth buying singles from Wiha. I don't know if the hex heads are the same as the TORX, but the T27, that fits almost all the fasteners on Stihl small equipment, has a shaft that you can feel twist when you reach the proper tightening torque.

I like these: https://www.wihatools.com/magicringr-ball-end-hex-inch-t-handles

[Dave Sabo]

If you get this type , you'll have the best of both worlds. Ball end for close quarters, and a squared off short end when you really need to apply some force.

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-33494-11-piece-softgrip-hex-sae-t-handle-set/

[Mike Henderson]

I like the T-handle hex keys for certain work but I really want a "pouch" to keep them in, not a stand that has to sit out (I store them in a drawer in my upright tool box). I have some cheap T-handles and they came in a pouch where the T-handle wrenches go in from each side. I put them in the pouch with the biggest ones are at the bottom and the smaller on top. Makes it fairly easy to find the right size.

I also like the T-handle hex tools that have the short hex key in the handle. Comes in handy in certain instances. I'd like to buy a better set that came in a pouch and had the keys in the handle, also. Does Bondhus make a set like that?

I also have 1/4" Craftsman sockets with hex keys in the sockets. Those are good for larger hex fasteners.

Mike

[Peter Kuhlman]

T-handle hex wrenches work great but for me are a pain to store. Take up lots of room in a drawer. I have 2 sets but find I always end up using the multi-tool sets that have about 8 sizes in in a foldable hand unit. Easier to find, provide a T type handle, very compact. If I need more torque I use sockets with hex tips. I leave a multi-tip tool near each tool that occasionally needs hex wrenches.

[mark mcfarlane]

Thanks every one for the great input. I ended up ordering a metric set of Kleins. The Bondhus looked like the best deal by far, but the Kleins have short non-ball heads in the T handles (2-in-1), which hopefully will come in handy when the ball head can't provide enough torque.