Table of Contents
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.
Which way do you turn an Allen wrench to loosen it?
Using the traditional L-shaped Allen wrench, the user puts one of the two ends into the hex-headed screw or bolt and turns the wrench clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen.
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!.
Where can you use 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 open an Allen bolt without Allen key?
How to Remove Allen Head Screws Without an Allen Head Screwdriver Try to find a standard screwdriver that fits snugly between two of the points of the screw. It should fit with no wiggle room. Get your hacksaw. Put a small toothed blade on the saw. Use a standard screwdriver that fits the groove you just made snugly.
Are hex bits and Allen keys the same?
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 much torque can you apply with an Allen wrench?
On a little Allen key, you could probably apply a few pounds of force before things start to bend. On a 24″ breaker bar, you can easily apply a steady 50 pounds or so to the end.
What can I use if I don’t have an Allen wrench?
Sometimes you can use small types of flat headed screwdrivers as an allen wrench by putting the end in the socket so that the 2 edges of the screwdriver work as leverage in the hole to turn it. A wider socket on the bolt or nut, use a wider flathead screwdriver.
How do you tighten Allen bolts?
To tighten new, standard, alloy, cup point set screws, install an allen wrench with the short end in the socket, long end in your hand, and tighten until the wrench bends or twists about 30° (1 hour on a clock face). Then the set screw is as tight as it should be.
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.
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.
How do you remove a stripped Allen bolt from a rubber band?
It’s a pretty basic idea. Place a rubber-band between the driver head and stripped bolt head or screw head and keep rotating the screwdriver. The rubber band will give you extra traction. Lastly turn clockwise and pull out the screw.
Why are they called Allen wrenches?
The “Allen screw” name for the socket head cap screw and “Allen key” for the wrench originate from the products of the Allen Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. According to Bates, it is widely reported that the company trademarked the name “Allen wrench or key” for its range of hex wrenches in 1943.
Is a Torx the same as an Allen wrench?
No, they are two very different tools. The Allen wrench or hex key, as it is sometimes called, is a hexagon shape, that is why many refer to them as hex keys. The Torx key has a star shape. So if you are trying to use an Allen wrench on a Torx screw, it won’t work, and vise versa.
How many sides does an Allen wrench have?
These instruments are essentially L-shaped wrenches that have six sides. They are utilized to drive hexagon-shaped recessed holes. Greek “hex” means “six”.
Why technicians use Allen keys to fasten joints?
There are many benefits for the use of the screws and Allen keys: They are economic and easier to produce. Their lever arch mechanisms allows you to apply increased tightening torque. The key does not risk to get out from screw.
How much torque can a 1/4 hex drive take?
If you assume a reasonable quality tool steel that can handle 100K psi, a 1/4″ drive can take about 30 ft-lb, 3/8″ about 100 ft-lbs, 1/2″ about 230 ft-lbs, and 3/4″ about 800 ft-lbs. Really good steel will bump this up, while special tools like a wobble extension may cut it to half.
How are Allen wrenches sized?
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.
What size Allen wrench does IKEA use?
The Allen wrench bits you want are in sizes 3mm and 5mm. The smaller one, 3mm, is used the most with Ikea furniture, while the 5mm one is also common.
How tight should screws be?
In general, you should make the bolt tight enough so that the items it is holding together stay together, but not so tight that you damage the bolt’s threads. You should tighten bolts properly so that the bolt performs properly.
What is a square Allen key called?
still known as a robertson screw. they have been about for a while. mostly electricians use them now tho. In 1908, P. L. Robertson began to manufacture a square recess impression in the head of a screw in Milton, Ontario, Canada.
What is Torx key?
Torx keys are also commonly known as star keys. Like hexagon allen keys, most torx keys are small enough to be carried in a pocket and enable the user to drive the appropriate fasteners without needing a separate screwdriver or power tool.
