PB212L
Rainbow Allen keys – Review
Product
Code: PB 212.LH-10 RB
SwissTools
These
Allen keys are the longest serving set of hex keys I have ever owned, the set
includes 9 keys sized 1.5,2,2.5,3,4,5,6,8 and 10. {{PB Swiss Tools}} as a
brand, are a high quality Swiss tooling manufacturer who have been producing a
range of tools for over 130 years. They have such faith in their products that
they provide an unlimited lifetime guarantee on everything they have ever
produced. There is even a neat feature on the website which allows you to track
when and where your individual tool was produced. Their tool replacement policy
is available on the website but as I have never used it I am unable to offer
any comment.
Pros:
General
selection of Hex keys
Helpful
colour coding aids in size selection when working
Incredibly
tough
Powder
coated
30°
Bull end for angled use
Cons:
Possibly
Cost - £42.98 Including delivery to UK
Price
no object – None
Hex
keys or ‘Allen’ keys as they are often referred to are commonly used for all
types of cap head and socket head screws. The name ‘Allen’ is thought to have
originated from the ‘Allen Manufacturing Company of Hartford in Connecticut’
who are said to have been the first to invent the method of producing a Hex
socket drive and where the first to patent the idea.
Review:
The
‘L’ shape as with most hex keys allows for either a deep reach approach to
fasteners or for the keys to be used in a high leverage position.
“For the toughest rusted in fasteners its sometimes
easier to loop the end of a spanner over the end of the hex key as shown to
provide a bit of additional leverage to help loosen even the toughest bolts.”
The
colour identification of each key covers nearly the whole item bar the driving
ends and is highly distinctive yet individual for each size. The vividness of
the keys apart from being aesthetically pleasing also has other advantages; For
instance, gone are the days looking for dull coloured Allen keys under benches
which have been dropped the colours just pop right out even when covered in
grime.
Another
unexpected bonus of the colours is that if your working with a little helper
then its far easier to say hand me the ‘Blue’ one or the ‘Yellow’ one than
specifying sizes which is often followed by “which ones that”.
The
plastic key holder is pretty standard, fit for purpose with no bells or
whistles attached, I find this preferable to most of my other sets which fold
in half and all sorts.
The set I have are equipped with a ball or bull end on the long leg of the ‘L’ I have always found this to be the best option opposed to two square ends. The bull end of each key allows for the key to be used at a variety of angles in tight spaces where the square ends sometimes have a problem getting a good seat. Bull ends are also better for fasteners which have suffered a bit of corrosion within the drive of the bolts as the rounded ends mean a small amount of crud build up won’t affect the tools seating ability.
Conclusion:
I
judge this set of Allen keys to be the best I have ever owned and despite the
higher price than some other options I would defiantly recommended them
especially for their longevity. They would make a perfect present for any
mechanically minded individual or professional and would last them a lifetime.
I rate them even higher than my Teng 1479 set which is also a good product but
somehow just don’t seem so tactile during use.
My set is also now about 6 years old, been abused hammered overpowered and still I have not a bent, broken or even properly damaged the paint on one of these... However I do have 1 problem. I lost my 4mm aka golden allen key and in South Africa I can not find 1 anywhere to replace it with. BUT this is our shit country not the product failing!!!!
ReplyDeleteFKN awesome product!
The David Engineer such a nice post about Allen Keys, Thanks for Sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks You wrote awesome, I have learn lots of things from your Swiss Tools Rainbow Allen hex Keys. Its really helpful for any readers.
ReplyDelete