looking for a great set of hex tools
 

my cheap hex wrenches are not trustworthy. I have two park tool 3 way hex tools, but I want some single hex tools with handles. I was looking at craftsman - they were half off over the thanksgiving weekend. Any ideas - outside of park tools?

Bondhus Gorilla-proof

I have the craftsman and have had them for many years, as I use them on cars and motorcycles all the time.

Hex wrenches, particularly small ones, do wear out over time and use. The edges of the hex round off and you either have to cut them off shorter* or replace them. Even good quality hex wrenches aren't a long term investment. Craftsman tools are generally very good quality and very reasonably priced.

* Do not attempt to cut a hex wrench, even a cheap one, with a hacksaw as they are much too hard. Use a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel and feed the wrench slowly with frequent dips in water to keep the steel cool and protect the temper.

Discount auto stores usually have hex bit sets, combo 1/4 and 3/8 drive for about $10.

+1 on Craftsman. I use Craftsman for both automotive and bicycle tools. Great tool and lifetime replacement policy. I've broken many Craftsman sockets and breaker bars, and returned them for replacement without question.

As another poster said, the edges of the hex do wear with time. I don't know if Craftsman warrants worn edges - anybody successfully return a worn hex tool?

Boy, craftsman warrantying tools that have been worn sounds too good to be true.

Dremel will work, but if available use a bench grinder. Go slowly and use water like Hillrider says.

I don't know about that... I'm tempted to think they might. I've got some crappy tire tools that have the same "lifetime" warranty and I've returned several for a replacement that were downright abused causing the break (think 3' pipe on a ratchet) They switched it no questions asked. At that retail level... your typical sears or crappytire employee doesn't really care.

+1


http://www.bondhus.com/products/body-0.htm

+2 on the Bondhus with the ball-end.

I like these thingies. http://www.parktool.com/products/det...7&item=AWS%2D1

I returned a Craftsman 1/2" ratchet yesterday that stopped ratcheting while I was doing a brake job on my daughter's car. When asked if I had a receipt, I responded that the wrench is 25 years old and of course I don't. He just shrugged and handed me a new one. He must be new. They're not supposed to ask.

I'm due for some new metric hex bit sockets. My current one (Proto "Challenger" brand) are showing wear. I think Proto has a lifetime warranty, but not sure where the nearest retailer is. In the sake of retail science, I plan to buy Craftsman brand and see if they'll warranty the worn edges. Realize it may take many years for me to conclude this experiment, so be patient.

Also, note that KMart and OSH sells Craftsman tools too. I suppose you can return to those locations for warranty. KMart does not stock all Craftsman tools, but if they have hex wrenches, I doubt the average KMart employee would know much about tools.

When I've returned tools to Sears in the past, the clerk would say "go get one that is equal to this one" and the clerk would just toss the old tool into a bucket under the counter. I'd return and he ring me up as a no cost sale. I've noticed (in my experience), the clerk would hardly even look at the old tool, and gave a quick glance at the new tool. I assume as long as it was of the same rough dimensions and weight, the clerk was satisfied.

"My friend" broke a 1/2 breaker bar once (think 4' steel fence post on the end) and the clerk said something like "Wow, how'd that happen?" I just shrugged my shoulders, and left the store with a new breaker bar. Oh for the record, I was just returning the obviously abused tool for my friend.

While the ball end feature is very useful, a worn Bondhus wrench is a major PITA. It'll stick in the bolt and become very hard to remove the wrench.

i've used the same set for years. they are the best that i've ever used.

ed rader

+1 for Craftsman. May not be the best, but very good and the convenience of the warranty and price is what makes them my primary tool choice. Don't have time dealing with mail in warranties, and chasing down the Snap On tool truck guy.

Sears has been skimping on giving out new ratchets though. They swap you a rebuilt one. I believe for a period they switched tool manufacturers, and they shipped a bunch of crappy ratchets. People were breaking them left and right. I broke my old 3/8 levered ratchet, and they wouldn't give me a new one. I was given a choice of rebuilds. I wasn't very happy. As for wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, no questions asked. My Craftsman hex keys have held up very well after 20 years of car/motorcycle/bike repairs.

Bondhus, and Allen are excellent brands for hex keys. Although I did snap off a ball head on an Allen hex key.

I use my tools for a living, not DIY. But in my opinion, Crapsman ratchets are junk. Low count on the engagement teeth, sloppy mechanism fit, forward/reverse too easily bumped back.

When I've taken them in for replacement, yes, replaced with like item no questions asked. But what's it really worth when the replacement is as crappy as the original?

One source of standard hex key Bondhus: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...&PARTPG=INLMPI
Order today and receive Wed in most metro areas. They also sell the T handle versions, but
I prefer the standard variety in long arm. This is the combo metric + inch sets, both included.
A bit of mousing around will bring up each individual set.

The cheaper ones that come with the sets are not very good tools. They have better ones, but they cost more. They're worth it to me. The cheaper ones in 1/2" drive are $23.99. The good ones are $39.95. I was looking at them yesterday.

I've never had Sears swap me a rebuilt ratchet, but they once gave me a kit to rebuild mine. The kit didn't do it, so I took it back and they gave me a new wrench.

+ 1 on long arm. Always.

That's an excellent price on two sets. If I needed it and the shipping was $5 or less, I'd go for it.

The craftsmen ratchets they give you are rebuilds not new. I own Snap-On ratchets and Craftsmen both, and will use either, but my Snap-On is much better quality and I have never had to take one back for repair or replacement. The Sears has seen me for about 4 ratchets in the last 10 years and the tools are over 20 years old.

No they're not. He took it right off the rack and it still has the tag on it. It was the same way the last time I returned a ratchet. I think that was about 40 years ago.

I might own some Snap-On tools if the truck would stop at my house. Whatever happened to Proto Tools?

I used to make a living with my tools (motorcycle repair), still run a motorcycle race team, and have used a lot of different brands including Craftsman, Mac, Snap-on, Hazet, Stahlwille, Eklind, Bondhus, etc., etc... As time moved on, I had worked my way up the tool food chain in terms of cost and quality.

And then I tried Beta Tools. My first Beta tools were these t-handle hex wrenches as a matter of fact:
http://www.procarestores.com/product...s_id=000960934

I'm never looking back. I have been (and will be) replacing all of my tools with Beta as my old tools wear, break, or I need new tools.

The ones in the link (with the orange handles) have forged tips; they're not just a piece of hex stock with a handle. They have cheaper ones, but they are just hex stock in a handle.

It may sound weird, but the fit of these wrenches have a fit that just feels good to use. These tools really are a joy, as are all of their tools that I have, which range from screwdrivers to torque wrenches now.

They are the top tool in Italy (think: Italian Snap-On), and are the "Official" tool of Ferrari (if you're in to that kind of marketing stuff.)

Their quality, fit, and finish beats the heck out of Snap-On (no mean feat), and cost less, too. The only downside is that you have to order them online, but my experience with these guys has always been great. (The importer is based in Colorado.)

No, I don't have any affiliation with them... I just love their tools. And besides, they're Italian!

The last three have been rebuilts and they said that is all that is being given out with returns are their rebuilts.