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Author Topic: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)  (Read 3829 times)

Offline CrashKLRtoConnie

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6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« on: August 20, 2011, 11:36:15 PM »
Was removing one of the handle bar riser screws today and had the 6 mm allen wrench shaft shattered at very little pressure.

Went to the local Sears and found they are sold out so bought a cheap set at harbor freight, but given the quality of most HF tools, I plan to
buy a better set and thought to ask this group.

Any suggestions for good metric allen sockets? (I am not a big fan of T wrench allen)

Thanks

Brent

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Offline Intruder

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2011, 12:15:07 AM »
I really like Snap-On. Should you ever break one they will replace it free.
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Offline CrashKLRtoConnie

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2011, 12:48:06 AM »
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Offline BrianM

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2011, 05:20:25 AM »
This is the set I own:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=79984&group_ID=11478&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

but I bought them Specifically for working on forks (getting to the cartridge/damper rod bolt) and they can be a bit of a pain to deal with in other situations.  Still, I have Abused these things for over a decade as both a dealer and independent mechanic and only the 6mm is starting to show any signs of needing to be replaced (rounding off of the points).

This is my opinion, but if you can, buy used (the warranty is the same).  And Blue Point stuff is the same quality as Snap-On, carries the same warranty and is sometimes cheaper.
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2011, 07:38:44 AM »
What brand were you using that shattered and was it a socket type or L shape?
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Offline okxd45

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2011, 08:24:58 AM »
I was getting ready to install some risers today as well.  The only metric allens I have are one of those corny foldout deals.  Started to tweak on the bolts this morning........and boy are they really torqued down!  I was afraid to push too hard; so I too need a decent set of allen wrenches.  What is best for this job?  Socket or L-shaped?
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Offline CrashKLRtoConnie

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2011, 08:53:19 AM »
Quote from: VirginiaJim on August 21, 2011, 07:38:44 AM
What brand were you using that shattered and was it a socket type or L shape?

Sorry, I forget what brand and product does not have it stamped, have had them for 5 years and use them a few times a month. I use a torque wrench and the riser screws were torqued to 18 ft lbs a few days ago when I installed the Murph bar risers (I did use blue thread lock on them)
.. again was very surprised when this broke.

Product stamped with

- Chrome Vanadium 6 mm (on chrome plated body of socket)
- Taiwan (on chrome plated body of socket)
- Allen shaft has 6 stamped on it and crack runs through the the 6 ......

See photos

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Offline CrashKLRtoConnie

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2011, 09:06:32 AM »
Quote from: BrianM on August 21, 2011, 05:20:25 AM
This is the set I own:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=79984&group_ID=11478&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

but I bought them Specifically for working on forks (getting to the cartridge/damper rod bolt) and they can be a bit of a pain to deal with in other situations.  Still, I have Abused these things for over a decade as both a dealer and independent mechanic and only the 6mm is starting to show any signs of needing to be replaced (rounding off of the points).

This is my opinion, but if you can, buy used (the warranty is the same).  And Blue Point stuff is the same quality as Snap-On, carries the same warranty and is sometimes cheaper.

Thanks. For your need the perfect length. For most of the Connie allen screws the shorter ones or perhaps the stubby ones. I have a few snap-on torque wrenches but no sockets or wrenches. Given I have rounded off a few allan screws on the Connie .. will add a snap-on set to my Christmas list.

Question: I always thought the longer the hex shaft the more "give" .. "gummy" feel in the torque feedback .. so a stubby hex would be stronger than a standard length hex shaft that would be longer than a long length shaft?
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2011, 09:26:54 AM »
Quote from: CrashKLRtoConnie on August 21, 2011, 08:53:19 AM
Sorry, I forget what brand and product does not have it stamped, have had them for 5 years and use them a few times a month. I use a torque wrench and the riser screws were torqued to 18 ft lbs a few days ago when I installed the Murph bar risers (I did use blue thread lock on them)
.. again was very surprised when this broke.

Product stamped with

- Chrome Vanadium 6 mm (on chrome plated body of socket)
- Taiwan (on chrome plated body of socket)
- Allen shaft has 6 stamped on it and crack runs through the the 6 ......

See photos

Wow....!
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Offline Pokey

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2011, 09:36:17 AM »
Harbor Freight works great for me!!!!! 8)
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Offline BrianM

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2011, 09:44:40 AM »
Quote from: CrashKLRtoConnie on August 21, 2011, 09:06:32 AM
Question: I always thought the longer the hex shaft the more "give" .. "gummy" feel in the torque feedback .. so a stubby hex would be stronger than a standard length hex shaft that would be longer than a long length shaft?

I can seem the flex, yes.  But they still provide accurate torque settings (tested with borrowed shorty sockets).  I've been on the fence about picking up a standard set for years and can just never bring myself to do it.  The cost is just too much for the perceived need, or I have something else that requires the money more.  I know that once I had them, I'd use them More, and I watch for used all the time (used metric is not very common), but things just haven't lined up yet. 

I don't think you'd notice Any difference between standard and stubby lengths.
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Offline CrashKLRtoConnie

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2011, 01:08:40 PM »
FYI

Just used the Freight Harbor 6 mm sockets and noticed the shaft has the same 6 marked. .....

Attached are photos of the 1/2" drive and 3/8" drive 6 mm allen sockets I just got from FH to replace the one that broke ....



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Offline stevewfl

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2011, 06:08:38 PM »
Snap-on if "what brand is best" is still the topic
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Offline Pokey

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2011, 06:50:39 PM »
Quote from: stevewfl on August 21, 2011, 06:08:38 PM
Snap-on if "what brand is best" is still the topic

More like "Snap-Off".
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2011, 09:07:02 PM »
Purchase enough snap-on tools and they may throw in a wife for free 






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Offline Intruder

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Re: 6 mm allen shattered (what brand is best)
« Reply #15 on: August 22, 2011, 01:40:13 AM »
I have the 4mm to 14mm set.

I have found that when a bolt is stuck, I use a manual impact driver to help break it loose.

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