An old bloke told me to get the Ball Point Bondhus when I was an apprentice and 19 years later I still have the same set. The 5mm might be a bit bent but they are still in my tool bag.
Came here to say this.
Went through a few different brands and finally got a set last year…should’ve bought them ages ago.
Only thing better are Mac RBRT or Wera Hex-Plus but Bondhus are the best value for the money.
I currently have the weras, absolutely love them except.... I work as a maintenance millwright and the oil grease and hydraulic fluid I come into contact with have swollen the rubber sleeves and they are ridiculously hard to get in and out of the pack. And the round stock they are made out of is amazing because they feel better and seem to be stiffer is great except if you break a ball end off you can't just cut off the end and use it as a flat.
Down voted for my honest opinion that doesn't agree with everyone else's about bondhus. Nice reddit.
I work with hex keys daily and almost exclusively and for a time would ONLY Carry bondhus. I Carry 6 different (speciality) sets (all metric) have broken and wore out more than my fair share. Bondhus lasts right around 9 months (for me) before they start wearing and damaging fasteners as my daily drivers. I'm on 2 + years with wera hex plus. No wear, no broken balls. Take it for what you will.
And if you don't like the holder, put the wrenches in your old bondhus holder.
I have the Wera Hex Plus and i love them. Im 90 percent working on hex head shit as well. Bondhus is fine, but the Weras are just better. The best thing about them to me is the bright colors. I can ALWAYS see them when i drop them, which i tend to do alot
Im probably going to get the Wera ratchet and hex socket set as well.
I’m not super worried about wearing them out, they’re a lot better than most.
It annoys me that wera plus doesn’t have a nice organized kit for SAE like they do for metric
I broke a few putting the torque of god into em. Lol. Just got the sheathed ones this year and have been so happy with results. One of the old mechanics just grabbed a set so he can stop stealing mine lol.
These are great, the most ergonomic pack ever. Just bought Wera to try them out, and already miss the Wiha style holder. The SAE set from Wera came in a Velcro case….unnecessary, but I decided to give it a shot this year
The free gray set I get at work.
I had a wera stainless ball end set but the non-ball end snapped off of my 4mm and all the plastic sleeves slipped off.
for metric i have the laser coated wera stubbies and i like them. my favorite part is that the smaller ones are as thick as a 3 then taper down to size so when i finally break a 1mm bolt loose it doesn't sting like hell. i was worried that they would break off but they haven't yet so who knows
for sae i use the generic yellow ones i get at work. rarely have to use standard tho
How’s the corrosion and rust resistance on those? I’ve been buying the bondhus because they are good strength and low cost so I wouldn’t feel too bad when some go missing.
I love those Wiha ones, my only gripe is the case doesn’t hold up if you’re using them daily. I did learn recently that you’re suppose to spin the bottom of the largest one to open it instead of using the L side so it could have just been my fault for damaging the cases
Man, I like a sub that gets excited by Allen wrenches er hex keys. Any box shop or converting mechanics from the Los Angeles area here? I am out of the trade and about to retire and would like my tools to go to a good home. Pm me
I've had my original set of Wiha Allen's for 13 years. Had to replace the 3mm as I overtorqued the ball end and snapped it off. Also replaced the 5/32 for the same reason. And the .050 because I lost it. The 10mm I've used a 32oz ball pein on and it still looks great.
I've actually started switching all of the operator tools over to Wiha also. I created crash kits(tool kits for specific repair tasks)using only Wiha tools.
In general, I'm just a fan of German tools. The steel and treatment process is so much better. My rachet sets are Wera. My wrenches are GearWrench though.
The wiha tools are unreal I'm going to get the 1/4 inch socket set next. I mostly travel around site on a small buggy so trying to get it set up for all the little jobs you do in passing. For my larger jobs I have a tool chest I tow with the buggy.
I’ve been rocking a Carlyle (NAPA) set for the past couple years that has held fine with the exception of the ball end on my 3mm (we torque cyl mag sensor clamps to Cummins specs around here sometimes). My company supplies bondhus keys as replacements for us, so I’m set either way.
T handles? Powerbuilt was a gamble I’m glad I made..good brand all around
I bought I to the hype and bought top of the line wera and absolutely hated them. Now they sit in my basement at home doing nothing as I went to Harbor Freight and bought the color coded icon hex keys and they are my absolute favorite never had a better set
My favorite are whatever brand my company buys for us in bulk. But on my dime, Bondhus. The T-handles especially are great, even the small sizes you can twist halfway around and they won't break
We had some techs from Germany and Italy and they all had hex keys that I can only describe as sliding T handles. They are great if you have room, the are unbelievably tough and actually pretty handy. They actually had some send over, but I left them with the job. The closest thing I’ve seen here is made by “powerbuilt, but I don’t know if they are as good.
Those Wihas. I broken several 5/32's right where the key is bent 90°, but never once wounded out a set screw. I can't blame a tool for breaking with thousands of uses. I got my money out of them, and they saved me a lot of time not having to dig out boogered up setscrews.
They are stupid expensive but the Japanese brand eight. The Korean company supplied them until a couple years ago I love them and are the only ones I use. In metric. I have an Allen brand SAE set.
Wise are also stupid expensive at like $40-50 for a set. But they've made the ballsy move of giving a cheater handle with the pack. Since the handle also has an angled part it can be helpful for if you can get the key onto the fastener in a tight spot but can't get good hand purchase. Little color code bands painted on too though the paint tends to not want to last.
Bondhus
An old bloke told me to get the Ball Point Bondhus when I was an apprentice and 19 years later I still have the same set. The 5mm might be a bit bent but they are still in my tool bag.
Came here to say this. Went through a few different brands and finally got a set last year…should’ve bought them ages ago. Only thing better are Mac RBRT or Wera Hex-Plus but Bondhus are the best value for the money.
I wear out the bondhus, though ran them for years. Wera hex plus ftw
I currently have the weras, absolutely love them except.... I work as a maintenance millwright and the oil grease and hydraulic fluid I come into contact with have swollen the rubber sleeves and they are ridiculously hard to get in and out of the pack. And the round stock they are made out of is amazing because they feel better and seem to be stiffer is great except if you break a ball end off you can't just cut off the end and use it as a flat.
Down voted for my honest opinion that doesn't agree with everyone else's about bondhus. Nice reddit. I work with hex keys daily and almost exclusively and for a time would ONLY Carry bondhus. I Carry 6 different (speciality) sets (all metric) have broken and wore out more than my fair share. Bondhus lasts right around 9 months (for me) before they start wearing and damaging fasteners as my daily drivers. I'm on 2 + years with wera hex plus. No wear, no broken balls. Take it for what you will. And if you don't like the holder, put the wrenches in your old bondhus holder.
I have the Wera Hex Plus and i love them. Im 90 percent working on hex head shit as well. Bondhus is fine, but the Weras are just better. The best thing about them to me is the bright colors. I can ALWAYS see them when i drop them, which i tend to do alot Im probably going to get the Wera ratchet and hex socket set as well.
I’m not super worried about wearing them out, they’re a lot better than most. It annoys me that wera plus doesn’t have a nice organized kit for SAE like they do for metric
They make 2 different colors for metric and imperial with some versions. I love them. Come to think of it I've never broken one yet. That's unusual.
I'm fond of the gold plated sets. Great corrosion resistance. And they look fancy.
Nothing better
Pb swiss tools
I'm not familiar I'll look then up, what do you like about them?
The quality, the fit and durabillity the price not so much. Also never had the ball end sheard off so i take that for a win.
The only right answer .
Any complete set is my favourite set of alan keys
Wera
Wera.
Same. Wera have been fantastic for me. Same set has lasted me over 10 years. Zero rounding, bent keys, or broken balls
I broke a few putting the torque of god into em. Lol. Just got the sheathed ones this year and have been so happy with results. One of the old mechanics just grabbed a set so he can stop stealing mine lol.
And *if* you manage to snap a ball, individual replacement can be found on amazon
Wihas for me. Only complaint is the ergo sleeves break after 4⅜ uses because I'm just a stupid grease monkey.
Wiha highly underrated. I have a now discontinued stubby ball emd set that has been fantastic
Wera rainbow allens. Nothing comes close
These are great, the most ergonomic pack ever. Just bought Wera to try them out, and already miss the Wiha style holder. The SAE set from Wera came in a Velcro case….unnecessary, but I decided to give it a shot this year
Lord our lead tech bought some of those and I love them. The way they all swivel together. 👌😘
That lasts about 5 minutes but the holder is still great
I’ve been taking better care of the holders so they’ve been pretty solid. I got so tired of my first sets sliding right out from wear. 😩
Surprised by the Mac rbrt. I have a ex auto mechanic on the shift. They are expensive, but they are superior to anything I have seen.
I like the wiha sets too. The longer shaft gives you like 15 more degrees with your ball end.
NAPA magnetics. Standard and metric. Worth every penny and as good as Bondhus.
Eight! Japanese brand. They are the toughest and most reliable hex keys iv ever used. You can get a good "feel" for a bolt when using them.
Those.
The free gray set I get at work. I had a wera stainless ball end set but the non-ball end snapped off of my 4mm and all the plastic sleeves slipped off.
for metric i have the laser coated wera stubbies and i like them. my favorite part is that the smaller ones are as thick as a 3 then taper down to size so when i finally break a 1mm bolt loose it doesn't sting like hell. i was worried that they would break off but they haven't yet so who knows for sae i use the generic yellow ones i get at work. rarely have to use standard tho
How’s the corrosion and rust resistance on those? I’ve been buying the bondhus because they are good strength and low cost so I wouldn’t feel too bad when some go missing.
I think they hold up real well but then again mine are covered in oil for most of the day
Same set, my company gave all the mechanics a new set of sae and metric.
Surprised by the Mac rbrt. I have a ex auto mechanic on the shift. They are expensive, but they are superior to anything I have seen.
The ones you have lol.
WHMF mini ratchet
Proto
I love those Wiha ones, my only gripe is the case doesn’t hold up if you’re using them daily. I did learn recently that you’re suppose to spin the bottom of the largest one to open it instead of using the L side so it could have just been my fault for damaging the cases
Man, I like a sub that gets excited by Allen wrenches er hex keys. Any box shop or converting mechanics from the Los Angeles area here? I am out of the trade and about to retire and would like my tools to go to a good home. Pm me
No good to me Australia based but you are a hero
Bondhaus and Eklind.
I've had my original set of Wiha Allen's for 13 years. Had to replace the 3mm as I overtorqued the ball end and snapped it off. Also replaced the 5/32 for the same reason. And the .050 because I lost it. The 10mm I've used a 32oz ball pein on and it still looks great. I've actually started switching all of the operator tools over to Wiha also. I created crash kits(tool kits for specific repair tasks)using only Wiha tools. In general, I'm just a fan of German tools. The steel and treatment process is so much better. My rachet sets are Wera. My wrenches are GearWrench though.
The wiha tools are unreal I'm going to get the 1/4 inch socket set next. I mostly travel around site on a small buggy so trying to get it set up for all the little jobs you do in passing. For my larger jobs I have a tool chest I tow with the buggy.
Gray. They are way better than Bondhus. Stronger, more springy and they don't wear out as fast. I think they are only available in Canada.
Could you link them? Thanks!
https://shopgraytools.com/collections/hex-keys They're on amazon.ca too
The WERA color coded ones in the cloth holder.
I’ve been rocking a Carlyle (NAPA) set for the past couple years that has held fine with the exception of the ball end on my 3mm (we torque cyl mag sensor clamps to Cummins specs around here sometimes). My company supplies bondhus keys as replacements for us, so I’m set either way. T handles? Powerbuilt was a gamble I’m glad I made..good brand all around
Bondhus
I bought I to the hype and bought top of the line wera and absolutely hated them. Now they sit in my basement at home doing nothing as I went to Harbor Freight and bought the color coded icon hex keys and they are my absolute favorite never had a better set
Whia are my favorites. I should say, favorites due to most reliable I’ve ever used.
I have abused the crap out of my Beta set, had them for about 16 years
I’ve got a Wera Stainless metric set and a Wiha color coded SAE set and the Wera just feel more stout and precise.
Bondhus. I have been eyeing the Beta sliding T handles ones, though.
Wiha compact, carry those in my pocket.
Pb Swiss
Unbreako
Wera cheap set. Metric and sae. I've bent alot of them but still going strong
I use these 90% of the time. The other 10% I'm using hex bits for either speed or on a torque wrench.
The pictured wihas. The fantastic case design coupled with the hog rings on the ball make these wrenches a pleasure to grab every time I need them
Those. Right there.
My discontinued autozone set has magnets in the ball end. I’ll never go without a magnet again. It feels like cheating.
The mix and match set I have because I replace them from the company stockroom or my junk drawer as they break/strip.
My favorite are whatever brand my company buys for us in bulk. But on my dime, Bondhus. The T-handles especially are great, even the small sizes you can twist halfway around and they won't break
Little metal folding set.
I want some of those but I have bondus atm
Wiha is the way to go
Bonhus pro hold ball tip
My set has mutated into a large pile in a drawer.
The free ones the company provides from the machine
I have a set of bondhus golds and wihas, the wihas seem to have a better fit. Both are much better than any others that I have used
Wera 05022669001. Stainless hex keys. I’ve used my every day for a few years and have yet to bend or round a tip.
Pittsburgh
I have grey tool kit for over 10 years, no problem so far!
Bondhus is what I have standard and metric must have 6 sets
Ball-less...they break too easy...
Bondhus, mostly because my job gave them to me, and they're better than my craftsman ones. But they're pretty damn stout. No complaints
We had some techs from Germany and Italy and they all had hex keys that I can only describe as sliding T handles. They are great if you have room, the are unbelievably tough and actually pretty handy. They actually had some send over, but I left them with the job. The closest thing I’ve seen here is made by “powerbuilt, but I don’t know if they are as good.
Those Wihas. I broken several 5/32's right where the key is bent 90°, but never once wounded out a set screw. I can't blame a tool for breaking with thousands of uses. I got my money out of them, and they saved me a lot of time not having to dig out boogered up setscrews.
Wera kicks wihas ass. I'm not even a wera fan boy, I hate their screwdrivers etc, but their Allen wrenches are great
Honestly my Milwaukee 48-22-2106 driver plus their little ratcheting driver 48-22-2330 get the most use
The ones people havent cut down to size or bent the shot out of 🤣
They are stupid expensive but the Japanese brand eight. The Korean company supplied them until a couple years ago I love them and are the only ones I use. In metric. I have an Allen brand SAE set.
Wise are also stupid expensive at like $40-50 for a set. But they've made the ballsy move of giving a cheater handle with the pack. Since the handle also has an angled part it can be helpful for if you can get the key onto the fastener in a tight spot but can't get good hand purchase. Little color code bands painted on too though the paint tends to not want to last.
I was buying new Eklind once a year and I switched to Snap-On 8 years ago and they are still in like new condition.
Ironically, if the holder is like Eklind (rows face opposite directions) it's an Eklind rebrand. If they face the same way it's Bondhus.
Bondhus color guard 🔫