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The Allen wrench itself is a small L-shaped wrench with six sides. If you look at a cross-section of the Allen wrench, it looks like a hexagon. When you need to use the Allen wrench, stick the short end of the L shape into the bolt head and press down on the longer side of the L to turn the bolt.
What can I use instead of an Allen wrench?
Wrenches Similar to Allen Wrenches Hex Wrench of Hex Key Wrench. Torx Key. Torque Wrench. Things Around the House. In Your Kitchen. Screwdrivers. Nuts and Bolts. Open Ended Wrench or Combination Wrench.
Is an Allen key the same as an Allen wrench?
A hex key, also known as an Allen key or Allen wrench, is a small handheld tool that’s used for for driving bolts and screws with a hexagonal socket. They are available in many different sizes, though they all have the same hexagonal-shaped tip.
How do you use an Allen wrench?
Allen keys work like most other screwdrivers and wrenches but with a few nuances. You can use them by placing one of the ends inside a fastener with a hexagonal socket head and turning it. Turning the Allen key clockwise will tighten the fastener, whereas turning it counterclockwise will loosen or remove the fastener.
How do you screw Allen keys?
You just insert the end in the screw and turn. Lefty-loosey-Righty-tighty. An Allen wrench, or “hex key” is tool used to turn Allen screws or bolts. Pick up the Allen wrench. Stick the end into the hole that looks like a 6 sided stop sign. Turn clockwise to tighten and counter clockwise to loosen. Voila! You did it!.
How do I remove Allen screws without Allen wrench?
Try a plastic toothbrush. Take a plastic toothbrush and lightly melt the end using a lighter or other source of heat. Once the plastic is soft you can insert it in the head of the screw and allow the plastic to harden once more. Once it is hard try to turn the screw counterclockwise to unscrew it.
Can I put an Allen wrench in a drill?
Can I put an Allen wrench in a drill? Yes. You can cut off the branch of the L-shaped hex key. Create a straight wrench that can fit into the chuck of a power drill.
What does a hex Allen wrench look like?
An Allen wrench is one of the simplest wrenches to use. The Allen wrench itself is a small L-shaped wrench with six sides. If you look at a cross-section of the Allen wrench, it looks like a hexagon. Since the Allen wrench has such a specific shape, it can only be used with items especially designed for it.
Is a hex wrench an Allen wrench?
Are hex and Allen keys the same thing? Although there’s always some potential for confusion wherever two different terms are used for the same item, in this case it’s pretty straightforward – to all practical intents and purposes, hex keys/wrenches and Allen keys are indeed essentially the same thing.
How do you tell what size an Allen wrench is?
Measure the Hex Key As long as you know how to measure a hex key, you can always determine the size you have. Hex keys measurements are done across-flats or AF. This simply means that they are measured from one flat side of the head to the one directly across from it.
Why is it called an Allen wrench?
Originally named Allen Manufacturing Company, the business produced hexagonal set screws and wrenches to fasten them. The terms “Allen wrench” (American English) and “Allen key” (British English) are derived from the Allen brand name and refer to the generic product category “hex keys”.
How do you cut an Allen wrench?
Start by securing the hex key wrench in a vise and cutting off the shorter end of the wrench with a hacksaw or grinder. Chuck the straight piece of wrench in a drill and set the torque on the lowest setting, so it will slip instead of damaging the piece or fastener.
Why do some Allen keys have a ball end?
The ball end makes it easier to slide the key into the receiving slot. It allows you to reach at an offset 30 degree angle so that you can feel your way to the needed position much faster – great for blind or difficult areas to reach or if the bolt or screw is close to an obstruction on one side.
What do I do if I get the wrong size Allen key?
6 Answers Find a bolt whose head is the required size. Insert the bolt head half-way into the socket. Find a bolt whose head is the required size. Turn two nuts on and counter-tighten them (jam them together). You can get a decent set of hex wrenches for $10 – $15; possibly much less if you wait for a sale.
What does a hex bit look like?
A hex bit socket is a specially designed bit that fits into a manual or power screwdriver or drill. Such sockets are usually two-sided, with one side featuring the male, or driver, unit and the other side featuring the female, or socket, unit.
How do I make my Allen key faster?
????To speed up the furniture assembly process, cut off the short L-leg of the wrench with a grinder or Dremel tool, then chuck the remaining long leg into a cordless drill. Now use the speed of the drill to quickly tighten all the hex screws. Allen wrenches come in both SAE fractional-inch sizes and in metric sizes.
