peted Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Hi, Can anyone recommend a brand, or even brand and retailer for those really small allen keys that you use to adjust your guitar bridge? I rounded off both of the ones I had in my kit and I fancy getting decent replacements. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstuk Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I prefer to use hex drivers as you get much better contact on the head. They're like a screwdriver handle with an Allen key head.. I'll check what make mine are. Generally you can't go wrong with Wera tools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fftc Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I've got one of these. Quite handy. http://www.dawsons.co.uk/cruztools-guitar-multi-tool?gclid=Cj0KEQiAtqHEBRCNrdC6rYq9_oYBEiQAejvRl7B788cU1cvMbPMUqxUpWIdcgPwkvNRSUXvHWjy0WOsaAk1O8P8HAQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downdown Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 http://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/hex-keys/cat9780003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I've used Bahco tools but not sure about my Allen keys. Got a feeling they might be Stanley. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I'd strongly recommend not to use the 'ball end' of any hex driver unless necessary for access (thinking truss rod access at headstock). They will work off axis by around 30 degrees but will inevitably leave some sort of lip on the screw with repeated use. Not really much of a problem with M3 / M4 machine screws but def not good at bridge saddle set screw type dimensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Simplest thing to do is to Dremel the rounded portion of the Hex key off - hey presto! - fresh hex key with nice square end. (That reads a bit wrong, but you know what I mean!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I got a set from Wickes. They've been used a fair bit and never rounded any off yet, although I have had this problem with hex keys from other places. http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Long-Pattern-Hexagon-Key-Set-of-30/p/167811 No cheap, but with cheap comes rounded ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peted Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 Thanks for your help everyone! Think I'll go with a Bahco set from ScrewFix - http://www.screwfix.com/p/bahco-long-ball-end-hex-key-set-9-pieces/3494k but make sure I don't use them at an angle so as not to overly damage any of the bridge fixings. I'll also see if I can find a buddy with a Dremel tool to re-instate my existing key for backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterT Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 How's this? £1.60 inc VAT for 5 of them including delivery. http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/0609584/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 [url="http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/hex-keys-sets/0537748/"]/[/url][quote name='MisterT' timestamp='1486227134' post='3230184'] How's this? £1.60 inc VAT for 5 of them including delivery. [url="http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/0609584/"]http://uk.rs-online....oducts/0609584/[/url] [/quote] But that's 5 of the same size 1.5mm But something like this: [url="http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/hex-keys-sets/0537748/"]http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/hex-keys-sets/0537748/[/url] would seem to fit the bill. The Bahco set chosedn should work out well though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 [quote name='peted' timestamp='1485556970' post='3224998'] Thanks for your help everyone! Think I'll go with a Bahco set from ScrewFix - [url="http://www.screwfix.com/p/bahco-long-ball-end-hex-key-set-9-pieces/3494k"]http://www.screwfix....-9-pieces/3494k[/url] but make sure I don't use them at an angle so as not to overly damage any of the bridge fixings. I'll also see if I can find a buddy with a Dremel tool to re-instate my existing key for backup. [/quote] Not sure how a Dremel type tool is going to really help. It can 'clean up' rounded edges but it's still taking metal away rather than restoring the original shape and dimensions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterT Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 [quote name='rmorris' timestamp='1486375342' post='3231132'] But that's 5 of the same size 1.5mm [/quote] Indeed, I can lose these things like there's no tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickster Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 [quote name='rmorris' timestamp='1486375427' post='3231135'] Not sure how a Dremel type tool is going to really help. It can 'clean up' rounded edges but it's still taking metal away rather than restoring the original shape and dimensions... [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 [quote name='mickster' timestamp='1486385412' post='3231268'] [/quote] fair enough. Use a small hacksaw and a dremel type tool / file to finish off ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 No, just grind the end off with the Dremel. Allen keys are hardened steel and a bit of a pain to hacksaw. You don't need to take a lot off to restore the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1486492948' post='3232274'] No, just grind the end off with the Dremel. Allen keys are hardened steel and a bit of a pain to hacksaw. You don't need to take a lot off to restore the end. [/quote] You could be right. Guess I tend to be a little heavy handed with rotary tools and go through more of the cut / grind accesories than I'd like. I'd likely use a linisher myself as I have access to one at my work but I guess that's not generally an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Yes, a linisher is good. Use something to protect the fingers though, it's surprising how quickly a hex key will heat up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1486560754' post='3232766'] Yes, a linisher is good. Use something to protect the fingers though, it's surprising how quickly a hex key will heat up! [/quote] Hold the Allen key in a set of molecular grips or a vice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Gotta love autocorrect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1486596717' post='3233226'] Gotta love autocorrect! [/quote] I use molecular grips all the time, especially for small jobs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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