Allen Wrench Extension

[rgsparber]

I threw together this tool in a few minutes, and it saved me hours of work.

If you are interested, please, click here.


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.


Thanks,

Rick

[DIYer]

Thanks rgsparber! We've added your Allen Wrench Extension to our Fastening category,
as well as to your builder page: rgsparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Allen Wrench Extension by rgsparber

tags: wrench

[Toolmaker51]

Good one Rick. Simple solutions are always winners, especially driving it with a capscrew planted in the end. Stronger than milling a hex, and replaceable.

Before they were commercially available, we'd extend hex keys, but they were one-off affairs, and not capable of different sizes. Simple enough, drill right under size across flats into a rod and press into place, weld an 'L' or 'T' for torque. Still beneficial, very compact, cheap and uses up broken hex keys.
Provided they're 'saved for later'.

[wizard69]

Another great idea.

Often I need more leverage or with my old hands a more comfortable purchase. For larger Allen wrenches EMT cutoffs are good for larger wrenches. For smaller wrenches I scored some hollow tubes off of old printers. The trick is to develop a supply of tubes with different bores. In the end though you can't beat cushioned T-Handle wrenches if you have a lot of screws to work on (unless of course power tools fit the job). Fatigue and Arthritis in the joints though, really make simple things like a tube slipped over an Allen wrench a huge positive.

[mklotz]

Another great idea.

Often I need more leverage or with my old hands a more comfortable purchase. For larger Allen wrenches EMT cutoffs are good for larger wrenches. For smaller wrenches I scored some hollow tubes off of old printers. The trick is to develop a supply of tubes with different bores. In the end though you can't beat cushioned T-Handle wrenches if you have a lot of screws to work on (unless of course power tools fit the job). Fatigue and Arthritis in the joints though, really make simple things like a tube slipped over an Allen wrench a huge positive.

If you have socket wrenches, you might want to consider hex drive bits. This complete set...

https://www.amazon.com/LEXIVON-Compl...s%2C132&sr=8-7

covers most of the more common sizes, i.e...

• 16-Piece Metric HEX Bit Socket Set
1/4” Drive: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm;
3/8” Drive: 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 12mm;
1/2” Drive: 14mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm

• 16-Piece SAE HEX Bit Socket Set
1/4” Drive: 5/64”, 3/32”, 1/8”, 5/32”, 3/16”, 7/32”, 1/4”;
3/8” Drive: 9/32”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16”, 1/2”;
1/2” Drive: 9/16”, 5/8”, 11/16”, 3/4”

If that's more than you need, there are a vast variety of smaller sets available.

[Toolmaker51]

Another great idea.

Often I need more leverage or with my old hands a more comfortable purchase. For larger Allen wrenches EMT cutoffs are good for larger wrenches. For smaller wrenches I scored some hollow tubes off of old printers. The trick is to develop a supply of tubes with different bores. In the end though you can't beat cushioned T-Handle wrenches if you have a lot of screws to work on (unless of course power tools fit the job). Fatigue and Arthritis in the joints though, really make simple things like a tube slipped over an Allen wrench a huge positive.

The orange big box store has a hex key (SAE & mm!) kit with a feature worth describing. It's a screwdriver handle sized hexagonal block, with about 10 holes and a sliding collar. Where a hole aligns with a groove in the handle; insert long end of a key into appropriate hole, the short end winds up in the groove, retained with collar slid into place. Larger holes at the ends offer significant grip and torque, smaller become a 'normal' Tee wrench. Compared to conventional sets, this is more compact and can really save the day. Longer bit than a folding set,
Admittedly, sort of a tool snob, it's not about the label or seller, its entirely how well it works. At same price per set without that handle, it seems better than a good deal. I'm betting the patent is out on them, now sold more widely.
Wanted to post a pic.......seems design has changed but concept remains, including ball tip sets, so.......

[mklotz]

Is this...

https://www.amazon.com/Hexagonal-Aux...s%2C135&sr=8-4

the sort of handle you're talking about?

Handle with wrenches here...

https://www.amazon.com/SEDY-Allen-Wr...%2C135&sr=8-22

[Toolmaker51]

Aye-Aye Mr. K; that be one o' them.
I'm better finding/ posting stuff via laptop than phone.
Fact is, most don't regard phones decent web access; I guess the popularity is content-dependent.

[mklotz]

Aye-Aye Mr. K; that be one o' them.
I'm better finding/ posting stuff via laptop than phone.
Fact is, most don't regard phones decent web access; I guess the popularity is content-dependent.

I don't own a smart phone and I touch-type so I can't imagine using that miniscule keyboard much less viewing web pages.

[wizard69]

If you have socket wrenches, you might want to consider hex drive bits. This complete set...

https://www.amazon.com/LEXIVON-Compl...s%2C132&sr=8-7

covers most of the more common sizes, i.e...

• 16-Piece Metric HEX Bit Socket Set
1/4” Drive: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm;
3/8” Drive: 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 12mm;
1/2” Drive: 14mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm

• 16-Piece SAE HEX Bit Socket Set
1/4” Drive: 5/64”, 3/32”, 1/8”, 5/32”, 3/16”, 7/32”, 1/4”;
3/8” Drive: 9/32”, 5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16”, 1/2”;
1/2” Drive: 9/16”, 5/8”, 11/16”, 3/4”

If that's more than you need, there are a vast variety of smaller sets available.

I have those at work but they sit in a bigger tool box most of the time. It is far easier to travel light to the machinery, plus the tight fits often require short Allen wrenches. In fact we make extensive use of this type of ratchet: https://www.specialized.net/wadswort...SABEgJht_D_BwE. Those little ratchets where for years the standard in the specialized machine industry. We have more choices now but these are still great for tight spaces.

As for the bigger 3/8 & 1/2” drive, the larger the handle the easier it is on the hands. I never thought that these words would pass my fingertips but Snap-on’s comfort grips are really nice!