Long Allen sockets?

[JHZR2]

Looking for quality long Allen sockets, ideally with a ball end. Any recommendations?

 

[2EHA]

i have snapon, works great….the max torque number on the side is only a suggestion


anyways the hf icon has a ball end and it’s cheap. heard good things about them

 

[simple_gifts]

when i worked in a machine shop, 1990's Bondhus were the ones to buy.

editops, my recommendation is for wrenches, not sockets.

 

[Trav]

Bondhus has always been a quality manufacturer of these tools. Hazet and Stahlille are almost unavailable at the moment, SK is Chinese owned and Snap on are IMO not the best value or quality for this type of tool.

https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-3088...771&hvtargid=pla-572502349417#customerReviews

Edit: Simple gifts posted at the same time.

 

[atikovi]

This set for $30 looks nice. https://www.amazon.com/NEIKO-10077A...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Ball end ok after breaking screw loose, but I've stripped out the hex in bolts with a ball end too often and will not use that to break it free.

 

[The_Jeff]

^ Yeah you want a straight allen to get things started. There isn't enough mating/ surface area as it is and the ball end reduces this some more.

I work with a bunch of butchers who cut the ends off of a typical L-shaped wrench then drive them with equal sized sockets. If you have just one size you need for one job, it's a potential solution.

 

[Vern_in_IL]

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/33309410

 

[JHZR2]

when i worked in a machine shop, 1990's Bondhus were the ones to buy.

editops, my recommendation is for wrenches, not sockets.

I have ball end bond his wrenches. I used a box end wrench on them to remove bolts that held my intake on.

Bondhus has always been a quality manufacturer of these tools. Hazet and Stahlille are almost unavailable at the moment, SK is Chinese owned and Snap on are IMO not the best value or quality for this type of tool.

https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-3088...771&hvtargid=pla-572502349417#customerReviews

Edit: Simple gifts posted at the same time.

I’m inclined to get that bondhus set.

^ Yeah you want a straight allen to get things started. There isn't enough mating/ surface area as it is and the ball end reduces this some more.

I work with a bunch of butchers who cut the ends off of a typical L-shaped wrench then drive them with equal sized sockets. If you have just one size you need for one job, it's a potential solution.

Interesting point. May be a better bet to buy a set of L shape bondhus Allens for $16, and cut them and stick them in six point sockets. Then I can have reversible ball and flat end. What’s the downside?

 

[AutoMechanic]

If Tekton or Capri has the ball Allen’s available I’d get those. I use their regular hex and torx bits in a professional environment everyday and they hold up very well and the finish is nice. I’d buy their tools without hesitation. All the Snap-on ones I’ve had have come loose and they say we can’t replace them till they break and I hate the loose bits.

 

[spasm3]

Interesting point. May be a better bet to buy a set of L shape bondhus Allens for $16, and cut them and stick them in six point sockets. Then I can have reversible ball and flat end. What’s the downside?

I like that idea, i may try it.

 

[Trav]

May be a better bet to buy a set of L shape bondhus Allens for $16, and cut them and stick them in six point sockets. Then I can have reversible ball and flat end. What’s the downside?

The biggest downside is the bit falling out and dropping down dark places under the hood.

 

[JHZR2]

The biggest downside is the bit falling out and dropping down dark places under the hood.

Noted, but not really a risk on the intake manifold bolts of an OM603.

 

[clinebarger]

Bondhus has always been a quality manufacturer of these tools. Hazet and Stahlille are almost unavailable at the moment, SK is Chinese owned and Snap on are IMO not the best value or quality for this type of tool.

While value could easily be argued, Snap-on's latest bit socket offerings are the best I've used. Yes....The whole roll pin debacle was a mess, But I don't think that design has been used since the mid 90's.

I do like Bondhus though.....Just about all my Allen Keys are Bondhus.

 

[Chris142]

Don't buy the Corwell ones. They are Junk. Break off with very little tq put to them. I threw my whole set into the trash.

 

[clinebarger]

All the Snap-on ones I’ve had have come loose and they say we can’t replace them till they break and I hate the loose bits.

Are these the roll pin style? I have some updated press fit "hex to hex" Snap-on bit sockets that are older than you that never gave me a lick of trouble.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Are these the roll pin style? I have some updated press fit "hex to hex" Snap-on bit sockets that are older than you that never gave me a lick of trouble.

Yes they are. 1979 date codes on the ones I have haha. I’m glad they done away with that pin. I think everyone realized it was not a good thing.

 

[KenshinHimura]

No ball end but these are a great quality set and made in the USA out of USA made steel

https://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-316-Socket-7-Piece/dp/B00279NBDU

 

[dlundblad]

Another vote for Capri. They should come with a case too.

 

[Trav]

While value could easily be argued, Snap-on's latest bit socket offerings are the best I've used. Yes....The whole roll pin debacle was a mess, But I don't think that design has been used since the mid 90's.

I do like Bondhus though.....Just about all my Allen Keys are Bondhus.

I will have to buy a coupe of the new ones that I use a lot like 5mm long ball end. My L keys are all Bondus and have lasted as long as I can remember. My only concern with some Snap on stuff is other than the bread and butter tools eg ratchets, sockets, wrenches are they really snap on or a rebrand like the Malco vise grips and Trusty Cook hammers that are rebranded and have a much higher price.
Snap on branded and Snap on made tools are usually some of the best in the business and well worth the price.

 

[clinebarger]

I will have to buy a coupe of the new ones that I use a lot like 5mm long ball end. My L keys are all Bondus and have lasted as long as I can remember. My only concern with some Snap on stuff is other than the bread and butter tools eg ratchets, sockets, wrenches are they really snap on or a rebrand like the Malco vise grips and Trusty Cook hammers that are rebranded and have a much higher price.
Snap on branded and Snap on made tools are usually some of the best in the business and well worth the price.

Bit Sockets are made in-house by Snap-on, Always were far as I know....Even the crappy roll pin style before they got their act together.