Why Are Hex Keys Called Allen Keys?

Originally named Allen Manufacturing Company, the business produced hexagonal set screws and wrenches to fasten them. The terms “Allen wrench” and “Allen key” are derived from the Allen brand name and refer to the generic product category “hex keys”.

Is Allen key hexagon?

A hex key, also known as an Allen key or Allen wrench, is a small handheld tool that’s used for for driving bolts and screws with a hexagonal socket. They are available in many different sizes, though they all have the same hexagonal-shaped tip. To learn more about hex keys and the benefits they offer, keep reading.

What is the point of a ball end hex key?

The ball end makes it easier to slide the key into the receiving slot. It allows you to reach at an offset 30 degree angle so that you can feel your way to the needed position much faster – great for blind or difficult areas to reach or if the bolt or screw is close to an obstruction on one side.

What is the difference between an Allen wrench and a hex key?

The truth is that both terms actually lead you to the same tool. A hex key is a small tool used for tightening screws and bolts into materials. The unique hexagonal ends are what give it its name. As for Allen wrenches, which is the same tool, this name was given to the tool with respect to the man who created them.

What is the difference between an Allen key and a hex key?

The terms “hex wrench” and “Allen wrench” refer to the same tool: an L-shaped hexagonal device designed to fit and drive bolts and screws that have a hexagonal socket in their heads.

Can you use a drill instead of an Allen key?

If you have an electric drill check the bits that came with it, there’s a good chance that you have some. They will work for hex bolts with a lot less slipping than a flat head.

What’s the difference between Hex and Allen?

What kind of tool is an allen key?

The Allen key is an everyday tool that goes by many names. Commonly known as a hex key , Allen wrench , zeta key, or hex head, it is a six-sided tool used as a driver for screws, bolts, and other fasteners designed to fit the tool.

How did the hex key get its name?

Commonly known as a hex key, Allen wrench, zeta key, or hex head, it is a six-sided tool used as a driver for screws, bolts, and other fasteners designed to fit the tool. The name “Allen wrench” came from the Allen Company, a Hartford, Connecticut based manufacturer who produced the tool.

What do you call a hex key with an allen wrench?

It’s our understanding that ATG would prefer that the standard name, “ hex key “, pick up momentum (which is certainly understandable). However, it appears that Americans have decided that they prefer the name, “Allen wrench”. Most hex keys and bits feature the traditional flat ends as they are suitable for most uses.

What’s the difference between an allen key and a torx key?

What Is the Difference Between a Torx Key and an Allen Key? Allen keys, also called hex keys, feature a hexagonal cross section, while Torx keys feature a star- or asterisk-shaped cross section.