How to Buy the Right Hex Key Set (Because You Need One)
If you assembled furniture from IKEA , you used a hex wrench. These thin L-shaped fixtures are often the only tool included, even if you need others to complete the job. There’s a good reason for this: most people don’t have hex keys, and when you need one, nothing else will work.
For some reason, hex keys, also called hex keys, hex keys, or hex keys, are not included in many basic tool kits, even though they are inexpensive and take up little space. Their hex heads (hence the “hex”) are used to loosen and tighten hex bolts and screws found in everything from bicycles to furniture and certain types of electronics. If you don’t already have the things that are held together with socket head screws, it is only a matter of time before you do – and this time it may not come with its own hex wrench . In other words, you should definitely buy your own. Here’s how to choose a wrench set.
Choose your size, metric or imperial
Hex wrenches are sold in sets of different sizes and fit different heads. You can buy metric or inch wrenches, depending on which screws or bolts you are working with. Most kits offer sizes from 1 to 10 millimeters or 1/16 to 3/8 inches.
If you only buy one set of keys, make it metric. The vast majority of manufacturers worldwide use the metric system, so metric wrenches are required for basic repairs. But if you live in the US, the imperial kit won’t hurt either, because this is the system used for most screws and bolts sold in US hardware stores. Imperial and metric wrenches are not really interchangeable, so owning a set of each is smart, not redundant – and besides, they don’t take up much space in your toolbox.
Choose your shape: ball or flat
Once you’ve settled on buying metric or inch wrenches (or a set of each), you’ll need to narrow down your options even further in shape. Some wrenches are flat at both ends, while others have a “ball end,” which is pretty much what it looks like. Both types do the same job, but ball wrenches are a little more versatile because their rounded shape is easier to maneuver in tight spaces . You can start the hard-to-reach screw from the ball end and then switch to the flat end to finish the job.
Even if you’ve never needed a hex wrench that was not included in the box, you will almost certainly want to at some point. Socket screws are all over the place – if one fails, you’ll be happy to get your own set of wrenches.