[Dennis in NH]

Hi, I tend to have to use a lot of allen wrenches to do things to my bike. I have all the sizes I need but the allen tools I use are all L shaped (except of the T tools I got with my Memphis Shades windshield. Is there such thing as an allen wrench socket wrench -- perhaps a socket that can hold L shaped allen wrenches?

If I have to, I'm ok buying a new set of allen wrenches specifically designed to be used by a ratchet handle. The L tools are ok. A ratchet set would just be really nice.

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[TFee3]

Dennis, I went to Wal Mart and bought a set of allen wrenches for a 3/8's ratchet. They look like standard sockets, but only have allen ends on them. I use them all the time, and they're easy to handle. One thing, however, they give you enough torque that you can easily twist the head off the bolt. I've done that twice now, but I lucked out, because I could get the theads out of the hole easily.

 

[Bullzaye]

We use these all the time where I work.
http://www.chapmanmfg.com/
Tim

 

[Dennis in NH]

I'll check these out. I guess I should just go to the tools shops and peruse the tools in more detail -- it's the first time I've had to deal extensively with allen style bolts so maybe that's why I didn't notice this stuff.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Dennis

 

[TFee3]

I went with Wal Mart, because as little as I'll use them in my garage on my own bike, putting lots of money in them didn't seem reasonable. If I used them every day in a professional environment, I'd go with Craftsman, SK, or Snap-on. But, Wal Mart's does fine for me.

 

[firemedic781]

Make sure when you buy these that you get a higher quality tool manufacturer. Many times the lesser manufacturers will slip and can round off causing damage to the bolts. I would also recommend making sure you have extensions for whatever drive size you get. A torque wrench can help alleviate the problem of shearing the heads off your bolts. I personally use either Craftsman or Snap on, they cost more but are well gauranteed (usually replaced on hand tools for any damage that comes from use or manufacturers defects)

 

[TFee3]

Fire has a point about cheap tools not being the right size and ruining your bolts. I never bought at Wal Mart for years because of that. Now, however, they sell Stanley tools, and those tools seem to be just as good as Craftsman. For years, Stanley specialized in woodworking tools, but it seems now they've branched out into mechanical tools, and I've not had any problems with them.