Boiler pump multitools are perfect for convenience. Once you have bought one, you will be able to use it to loosen or tighten any of the screws that hold your boiler pump together.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
You don’t need to worry about whether or not you have the right-sized tool to loosen your retainer bolts as all three sizes are covered.
You have the correct tools for turning your rotor shaft and undoing the bleed screw cover plate.
Interchangeable bits are magnetic and can all be attached to, and safely stored within, the tool.
Can be more expensive than buying separate allen keys and screwdrivers.
The alternatives
Allen key sets
You can buy sets of allen keys that include 4mm (5/32″), 5mm (13/64″) and 6mm (15/64″) tools as well as a range of other sizes that can be used for other DIY tasks.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
You don’t need to worry about whether or not you have the right-sized tool to loosen your retainer bolts as all three sizes are covered.
There are no flat headed tools that can do the job of a screwdriver (such as turning the impellor shaft in your boiler pump), so you will need to buy one separately.
All of the tools are separate, so they are easy to put down somewhere and lose.
Allen key multitools
An allen key multitool is designed in a similar way to a Swiss army knife. Rather than containing things like scissors, knives and bottle openers, it contains a variety of allen key bits of different sizes.
Some allen key multitools also contain a screwdriver, usually with a cross head.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
You don’t need to worry about whether or not you have the right-sized tool to loosen your retainer bolts as all three sizes are covered.
All of the allen key bits are connected to a tool handle in the same way as a Swiss army knife and are therefore difficult to lose.
It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to use this tool to turn the impellor shaft in your boiler pump, so you may need to buy a flat 4mm (5/32″) screwdriver as well.
Individual allen keys and screwdrivers
Rather than buying a multitool or a set of tools, it’s always possible to get specific and track down the individual tools for the job you’re doing.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Buying individual allen keys and screwdrivers may be less expensive than buying a boiler pump multitool.
These tools are not as adaptable as a boiler pump multitool.
You will need to make sure you know what size allen key you need for your retaining bolts before you make a purchase. If you buy the wrong sized tool, it won’t work.
Hex nut drivers
Hex nut drivers work in a similar way to allen keys. They have an even better grip as they have a hexagonal nut that fits into the top of a screw head as well as a socket that fits around the outside.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
They provide a very firm grip on a screw thanks to their socket head.
There is even more risk of the tool not fitting the screws on your boiler pump. This tool does not work on grub screws.