An Allen wrench is an tool that is used to turn a hexagonal socket. An Allen wrench is also often referred to as a hex key. Allen wrenches is made of a bent rod of hardened steel.
The tool is used to provide torque to a fastener without creating wobble in the tool. Allen wrenches come in much different sizes. The worker must select the size of Allen wrench that must be utilized for a specific bolt.
How to Choose and Use an Allen Wrench
If the Allen wrench that is selected are too small for the bolt, the Allen wrench will slip within the bolt and damage the bolt edges. If the Allen wrench is too large then the bolt, the Allen wrench will not fit into the bolt proper. Allen wrenches come in imperial sizes as well as metric sizes.
Imperial sizes are fraction of an inch in measurement. Metric sizes are expressed in units of millimeters. For instance, a 5mm Allen wrench is not the same size as a 3/16-inch Allen wrench.
As a result, using a 5mm Allen wrench within a 3/16-inch bolt will create rounded corner on the bolt. Many furniture products use metric Allen wrenches. Many older American machines and bicycles used imperial Allen wrench sizes.
Professionals in many trades have sets of both metric and imperial Allen wrench keys for there different tasks. Allen wrenches apply torque to the bolt. Allen wrench keys has a maximum amount of torque that they can take.
If that limit of the Allen wrench is exceeded, the Allen wrench may bend or snap. Additionally, if the torque limit are exceeded, the head of the bolt may be stripped. Allen wrenches that have ball ends allow for the Allen wrench to be inserted at angle of up to 25 degrees.
However, Allen wrenches with ball ends do not provide as much torque as standard Allen wrenches. Allen wrenches with ball ends are best for applications that requires torque to be applied at angles. Thus, utilize standard Allen wrenches when applying significant torque to bolts.
Allen wrenches come in different designs made of different materials. Long-arm Allen wrenches are used for providing the torque needed to turn recessed bolts. Short-arm Allen wrenches are used for quickly spin screws.
T-handle Allen wrenches provide more better grip on the bolt than standard Allen wrenches. Folding Allen wrench sets are easier to carry in ones pocket. Additionally, Allen wrenches can be made of different material.
The most common materials for Allen wrenches include alloy, chrome vanadium, and S2 steel. Allen wrenches that cost less money are generally made of materials that dull quick. The tips of Allen wrenches will dull if they are cheap tool.
Dull Allen wrench tips will damage the fasteners that the tool utilizes. Other types of tools are manufactured for different applications. For example, spline drives have 12 lobes instead of the 6 standard for Allen wrenches.
A spline drive can handle more torque then a Allen wrench. Additionally, Torx drives use a star-shaped insert instead of the hexagon use by Allen wrenches. The star distribute the torque applied to the bolt, preventing the tool from slipping.
Additionally, security bolts has a center pin. To turn these bolts, a security Allen wrench must be utilized as a standard Allen wrench will not allow the tool to engage with the bolt properly. To avoid damaging the bolt, the worker should test the Allen wrench that is selected to engage with the bolt for any wobble.
By inserting the Allen wrench into the bolt and twisting it gentle, if there is any wobble in the tool, a larger Allen wrench should of been purchased.
