Types of Allen Wrenches and Their Uses

An Allen wrench is a driver tool used to turn bolts or screws that have internal hexagonal sockets.

They are usually made of hardened steel hexagonal bars with blunt ends that fit into screw sockets of the same size. These hexagonal bars are bent at 90º, forming two sides of unequal length, like the letter "L" of the alphabet.


The tool is held by its long handle and rotated, creating a greater torque at the tip of the short handle. Allen wrenches are designed to fit the socket size and are manufactured to very tight tolerances. These tools are commonly used to fasten hex-type screws into wood, metal, and even plastic.

Types of Allen Wrenches

Types of Allen Wrench are as follows

1.     L-style Allen wrench

2.     T-handle Allen wrench

3.     P-handle Allen wrench

4.     Folding hex

5.     Ratcheting hex

6.     Torque wrench

7.     Allen screwdriver

8.     Ball hex

9.     Adjustable Allen wrench

10. Combination Allen wrench

11. Open-end Allen wrench

12. Socket Allen wrench

13. Crowfoot Allen wrench

1. L-style Allen Wrench     

These are standard-type Allen wrenches, readily available online or at a local hardware store. This Allen wrench is shaped like an L, so it can reach tight spaces and provide control when needed.

If you are looking for a set, this would be a great choice. Although there are many options available in the market, here the 1.5-10mm L size Allen wrench is perfect for all needs.

2. T-handle Allen Wrench  

The T-Handle Allen Wrench gives you an instant way to turn the wrench, which greatly facilitates general use. T-handle wrenches are the most popular among bike mechanics and are widely used in the motorsport industry.

3. P-handle Allen Wrench  

The P-Handle Allen Wrench is a modified version of the L-style Allen Wrench with a comfortable grip on the twist giving it the same advantages as the T-Handle. These types of Allen wrenches are very commonly seen in professional workshops.

4. Folding Hex  

Folding hacks have small arm keys that fold into a storage handle. This folding hex storage handle can be made of metal or plastic as needed. Folding keys are typically used by folding at 90 degrees from the storage handle to apply maximum torque.

However, this gives you a significant advantage in that folding keys will fold through 180 degrees or more, allowing you to access hard-to-reach fasteners or replace fasteners more quickly. Will they are growing in popularity among motorcyclists and cyclists?

5. Ratcheting Hex    

Ratcheting hex counterparts offer superior movement and are available with either a folding handle design or a T-handle. They will often come with screwdriver bits. Bits are held onto the handle by means of a magnetic bit holder, which houses the entire Mechanism.

Reaching hex wrench bits are useful in electric drill drivers. Therefore, this makes it perfect for rotor bolt handlers.

6. Torque Wrench  

This type of Allen wrench is used to apply a specified torque to a fastener such as a nut, bolt, or lug screw. It is similar to a socket wrench with a special internal mechanism. These are used where the rigidity of screws and bolts is important.

It is an essential tool for any workshop, especially when working with sensitive components. However, this torque wrench is not a replacement for the hex counterparts.

7. Allen Screwdriver

These types of Allen wrenches are used when your project involves tight clearance and low torque. They look just like a screwdriver, except they have a hex or Torx-shaped profile on the tip.

Spinner handles typically have a hexagonal cross-sectional shape that runs the entire length of the Allen wrench. An Allen screwdriver set is perfect for adjusting disc brakes and other types of levers. The most common sizes of Allen screwdrivers you'll find are 1.5mm to 5mm.

8. Ball Hex   

A ball hex is a simple tool used to turn bolts and screws with hexagonal socket heads. These consist of ball-molded heads with hard edges. The ball end of the Allen wrench makes it easy to slide the key into the receiving slot.

It allows the user to reach up to a 30-degree angle so you can get to the position you need. It's great for getting into tight spaces that are beyond the reach of L-shaped counterparts.

9. Adjustable Allen Wrench  

Adjustable Allen wrenches have a movable jaw to adjust the size of the wrench and a fixed point of the jaw at the top of the wrench. This is a handy tool also known as a network wrench. These Allen wrenches are available in 200mm, 300mm, and 250mm sizes.

These tools are perfect for loosening or tightening angled nuts or screws. In addition, it is used in applications such as plumbing, electrical, self-assembly furniture, and car repair. If you want to get an adjustable Allen wrench, you will need to choose according to the size of the wrench.

10.  Combination Allen Wrench

Combination Allen Wrench is designed with double ends with a box end on one side and an open end on the other. A box-end Allen wrench is available with a locking ring for different diameters depending on the size.

They are often called multi-purpose tools because the open end of an Allen wrench is used to loosen and tighten bolts and nuts in tight spaces, while the box end provides a firm grip around them. These are mostly found in bicycle repair applications.

11.  Open-end Allen Wrench

These are types of Allen wrenches, designed to be used as an advantageous tool for tight project areas that are usually difficult for thicker or larger wrenches.

Typically, they are made with different-sized holes to fit the required nuts or bolts. This Allen wrench has a U-shaped opening at each end that provides a firm grip for objects.

12.  Socket Allen Wrench   

These types of Allen wrenches consist of a hollow cylinder that is firmly attached to the end of the handle and is fitted with a bolt to loosen or tighten. A socket wrench is considered a useful tool for use in objects of various sizes.

As they can provide unmatched performance and speed, they are useful from multiple angles. They are often called shaft wrenches.

13.   Crowfoot Allen Wrench   

Croft Allen wrench tools are similar to box-end or open-end wrenches, the only difference being that the tool does not have a handle and has an opening in the back of the wrench face.

These types of Allen wrenches can fit into the side of a bolt or nut, just like you've probably seen in their socket counterparts. They are ideal for tight spaces and useful in various fittings such as valve adjustments, clutch or brake, power steering, and some abs modulators.

Common Sizes of Allen Wrench

Allen wrenches are sized on an inch or metric basis.

Standard Size Allen Wrench: Allen wrenches are considered the standard in the industry based on inches. It will have a wide range of sizes in all types of sets.

European Size Allen Wrench: Metric sizes are used as the standard in Europe. This includes the typical size of an Allen wrench in mm.

Sr.#

Inch-based Sizes

Metric Sizes

1

1/8 inch

2.5 mm

2

3/32 inch

3 mm

3

7/64 inch

4 mm

4

5/32 inch

5 mm

5

3/16 inch

6 mm

6

1/4 inch

8 mm

7

7/32 inch

10 mm

Advantages of Allen Wrench

·        Allen wrenches are easier to manufacture and more economical.

·        The lever arch mechanism of an Allen wrench can provide a much tighter torque.

·        The key does not run the risk of slipping, so as not to damage the surfaces around the screws.

·        Allen keys prevent accidental separation of fasteners.

·        Because they are used with hexagonal fasteners, they will hold fasteners better than screwdrivers and wrenches.

·        They have a strong grip action that prevents the fasteners from snapping during installation or removal.

Disadvantages of Allen Wrench

·   When most of the force is applied to the edges at shallow depths, this will cause wear on the Allen wrench.

·   If you are using your Allen wrench regularly, the tip of the Allen wrench may break. To avoid this, pay attention to the condition of the tips.

Closing It Up

As I said above, an Allen wrench is a small tool used to turn bolts. The design is user-friendly and the price is also important when you consider what you are buying. Allen Wrench also offers a lifetime guarantee, making it even better value for money.



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