Top-notch Allen keys?

[David Marshall]

My most used are a set of chrome vanadium 1.5mm to 6mm, black oxide in an orange plastic clip in holder - the shorter ones, from Builder's.  (The green holders are imperial) All the tips have worn silver and the 4mm and 5mm are completely silver - but the surfaces are still sharp.  A longer 4mm and 5mm with ball ends are also handy.  I use a 1/4" drive set (3 to 6mm) on the torque wrench.  I have the Y type but find it more difficult to get to the correct end than to pick up the right loose tool from the start. 

 

Whatever you do get good tools - can't tell you how many (not so) cheap tools I have binned. 

[Skylark]

A set of imperial allen keys is handy to remove some stripped cap heads.... The use of a persuader is sometimes required though......

Indeed that's a handy trick

[gummibear]

Bought this Raco set almost 8 years ago and gets used daily.Think it was from Servistar.

 

The Metabo set probably my favorite and gets used the most.2 years old and still on original bits.

 

L set gets used mainly on the bigger things that need some force.

 

 

 

 

[AlanD]

I have a set from buildrs in an orange package that comes with a handle you can use and its served we really well.

[kosmonooit]

These are great:

 

http://techno.com.my/online/images/Stanley%2069-119.jpg

[Breezer]

I bought a set of king tony. They are nice and long for extra leverage. I even removed a pedal that was stuck with them. I cant remember where I bought them, but it was either Midas or spares link.

[Daniel J Méssem]

Have a set of these and they are awesome, think they are the same as the park ones.http://www.adendorff.co.za/ProductDetails/Hand-Tools/Drivers/Allen-Key-Sets/9-PCE-ALLEN-KEY-SET/3308

[Cadre]

Best Allen keys in the business are EIGHT (Yes that's the brand).

Not even Snap-On come close.

EIGHT is the only word anyone will ever need to remember. Take it from someone who has been in Mechanical Engineering for nearly 30 years. Star Willy, Snap-on and Tony King brands will have to jostle for a very bad second place. Disregard all other brands with impunity. Eight is not that expensive either. Good choice quintonb, pour yourself a Bells 

[Cadre]

One more thing. Chrome vanadium is simply a composition of metal found in the Allen key. Manganese is abundant in Railway lines, if I could explain it better. CV has a very high content of rust prevention in the Chrome part and reasonable durability in the Vanadium part. CV, coupled with Manganese and a few other metals it is not a bad option to have in the toolbox. I have used them all and Eight comes out tops, even on socket Allen keys used on Impact Wrenches. High volume Engineering manufacturing environment teaches you where to put your money.   

[Daniel J Méssem]

One more thing. Chrome vanadium is simply a composition of metal found in the Allen key. Manganese is abundant in Railway lines, if I could explain it better. CV has a very high content of rust prevention in the Chrome part and reasonable durability in the Vanadium part. CV, coupled with Manganese and a few other metals it is not a bad option to have in the toolbox. I have used them all and Eight comes out tops, even on socket Allen keys used on Impact Wrenches. High volume Engineering manufacturing environment teaches you where to put your money.

So proper CV with an accurately ground finish right?

[jimmycool]

http://www.toolcentre.co.za/brands/eight-brand-allen-keys#.VmKJrJ9BvqA

 

They cost less than I would have thought. Cool beans. I have been wanting to get me a decent set for a while now.

[quintonb]

They extremely well priced considering they have to be the best out there. Try and get ones with a ball on the long end. Really makes life much easier.

[Skylark]

Does Eight also make Torx keys?