Worst tool ever because:
1. Theyre normally made of crap that just gets chewed up after 2 turns.
2. The little ones just snap.
3. The mid size ones twist.
4. Theyre too small to grip properly and after tightening 50 bolts your hands are covered in blood.
5. 9 times out of 10 a normal screw-head or a proper bolt would be much better than an allen bolt.
6. You can get decent ones with big handles or get screwdriver bits but theyre expensive, and stuff that uses allen bolts is normally designed in such a way that there is only room to use an allen key anyway.
7. They come on a keyring with little springs on or they come in a box. You always lose the one you need yet the others are always present and correct. This phenomenaomaneaonoma may be linked to the "I have 6 13mm sockets but I cant find a single one" mystery, but I think its more likely a seperate issue.
8. Theres no mark on them to say what size they are. Cue trial and error process that ruins 2 bolts and 15 allen keys because theyre .00005mm off size.
It is allways good to spend a bit extra on tools to get good quality :)
So sdp really loves them ;)
TBH I have never had those problems, perhaps because I check a bit more and go a little easier?
Whos been buying cheap crap tools then :?:
Allen bolts are good in small confined spaces, good quality allen keys are fine.
But I agree large bolts in accessible areas should use normal bolts.
Allen keys are the bomb. I have a high quality folding set for travel, and a set of drivers for the drill when Im assembling stuff from IKEA. :D
QuoteWhos been buying cheap crap tools then
See point 8. This is why Ive got 6 sets of cheap sockets (that have never failed yet) and not one set of expensive ones. Stuff goes missing/gets stoled...
edit: also furniture and stuff normally comes with the "spanner" and allen key you need to make it and theyre appalling.
I got bits for the eleccy screwdriver, and theyre ok I guess except both the eleccy screwdrivers are duff and I cant find the cordless drill :( Even if I did have a working one theyre still a pain in the arse cos the bits tend to stick in the bolt heads.
Ive built, taken apart, and rebuilt a complete bedroom suite in solid pine and a kitchen table n chairs in the past two days, I reckon about 160 allen bolts altogether. I hate them so much and Ive lost my faith in Jesus. Thanks Allen Keys.
Go to your local bike shop, and look at Park Tools, or Crank Bros.
They are "THE" allen key sets to have.
Quote from: sdp8. Theres no mark on them to say what size they are.
All mine have the size marked on them(good quality ones do)
3/8" allen headed socket set sorts my bike and its panels out,
the cheap alloy keys they send with flat pack are terrible which is why ill use the multibit screwdriver and some allen bits every time.
We got a tool kit at work that came with one of these
http://www.millsltd.com/productDetail.cfm?partNo=F00-1842
Theyre were really good at undoing allan key bolts, and its nice and small. So small that the caretaker we loaned them too lost them. Doh. Been meaning to order some new ones for myself and work but never got round to it yet.
Pfff. Who cares if cheapy ones only last a few uses? At Ã,£2 for 8 or whatever, you can replace the commonly used sizes about 10 times before you even come close to park tool Ã,£Ã,£Ã,£.
Im a big fan of my 7.5" long 8mm Alan, torques my pedals up a treat 8)
Quote from: sdpedit: also furniture and stuff normally comes with the "spanner" and allen key you need to make it and theyre appalling.
Had those spanners, if you arent extremely careful you end up with a mild steel pretzel. Normally the allen key is better than the spanner.
Worse still was the easy assemble shelving I got from Aldi...
You read the instructions, check you have all the bits and then try assembling the first level. The instructions say push the leg firmly into the hole, you give it a reasonable push, you try harder, you give it all you have, nothing. You try standing on the b*****d thing with as much weight as you can, finally out comes the rubber hammer and welt it a few times, first joint finished, four more and you can put the second level on... :evil:
forget the L shape ones. just get the ones that go into your socket set.
Allan bolts arnt great though, torx are the best type of bolts imo.
IIRC Torx were produced because computer perated machinery kept damaging standard allen bolts too often. They can withstand more pressure.
got a set of socket style ones that snap onto the wrenches only issue then is stuck bolts that round off, torx FTW tbh
Whats wrong with a nice phillips head?! Nice and simple!
I like square head screws, allen bolts, and torx all just fine. Slot and philips may go sit in the corner.
Philips has no place in a world with electric drivers. Phase it out, I say.
Quote from: DoomsWhats wrong with a nice phillips head?! Nice and simple!
I dont care what shes called providing she gives good head and screws...! :mrgreen:
They can end up mangled with modern power tools or even a screwdriver if they get stuck. Although I still use the things I prefer slotted screws, preferably from brunettes :heehaw:
:puke:
Quote from: maximusotter:puke:
*Someone* had to do the old jokes.
/gets hat and coat...
/leaves...
Quote from: funkychicken9000Im a big fan of my 7.5" long 8mm Alan
You have a miniature effigy of Knighty to worship? :bowdown:
^^^
/me just found a new business idea !