http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Allen keys on offer en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:21:46 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116218 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 14:07:15 +0000 kaputnik 116218@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<strong>Allen Wrench </strong></p> <p>A solid hexagonal bar, usually "L" shaped for leverage, that fits into the hollow hexagonal hole of an Allen bolt head. This tool is sometimes confusingly called a "hex wrench," "Allen key" or "hex key." </p> <p>The terms involving "hex" can be confusing, because normal cap screws also commonly have (male) hexagonal heads, and hexagonal box or socket wrenches fit them. </p> <p>I prefer not to use the term "key" for such a tool. Many languages use the same word for "wrench" and "key", but I believe that it is one of the richnesses of the American English language that it makes this distinction. <u>Since "wrench" is not used in this context in British usage, "Allen key" is acceptable if the appropriate accent is used.</u></p> <p>One of the nice things about Allen wrenches is that they can be sharpened very easily, just grind the worn part off with a bench grinder, and an old, tired Allen wrench becomes as good as new, so long as you don't let it get too hot while you are grinding it"</p> <p>So, "<em>Key</em>" is acceptable, so long as you are using an RP accent! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116212 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:56:56 +0000 allebong 116212@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You mean just because Sheldon said something, that doesn't immediately alter reality and make it true? Well I never! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116209 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:51:47 +0000 Arellcat 116209@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sheldon is wrong.</p> <p>Allen's original patent stated "which socket is designed to receive a strong key or crank end for turning the screw in or out of its desired position."</p> <p>ISO 2936:2001 is entitled "Assembly tools for screws and nuts - Hexagon socket screws keys", while 'wrench' is used in reference to square drive sockets, and spanners and sockets for traditional hexagonal bolt heads.</p> <p>This is sort of counterintuitive, since we think of a key being a tool requiring finger torque, and a wrench requiring, well, wrenching. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116207 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:40:19 +0000 kaputnik 116207@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sheldon Brown says they're not a key they are a wrench. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116206 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:37:36 +0000 Arellcat 116206@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Is there a difference between an Allen key and a hex tool?</em></p> <p>Only in the sense that Allen (from William Allen of Hartford in Connecticut) is a tradename owned by the Apex Tool Group who discourages the genericisation of their brand. There was some wrangling in the early days which saw Standard Pressed Steel produce similar 'Unbrako' products. 'Hex key' is the general term.</p> <p>I'm beginning to prefer Torx heads over hex though because of the anti-cam out design. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116145 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:09:52 +0000 kaputnik 116145@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Get these, they're good - although they used to have the multiangle heads on them, have they been removed as an economy? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116132 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 07:41:54 +0000 chdot 116132@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Is there a difference between an Allen key and a hex tool?"</p> <p>Only an ocean. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116131 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 07:39:21 +0000 gembo 116131@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is there a difference between an Allen key and a hex tool? Also the girl key for bleeding a radiator what do you call that, apart from the radiator bleed key? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10595#post-116130 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 07:36:11 +0000 chdot 116130@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>EBC's coloured Allen key set is on 'sale' again. </p> <p>Ideal for children/schools (and maybe you too) for finding 'right size' quickly. </p> <p>A fiver instead of nine quid. </p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-tune-up-7-hex-key-set" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-tune-up-7-hex-key-set</a></p> <p><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/9157761558_3c047e4693.jpg"> </p>