What are the different types of hexagon key sets?
What are the different types of hexagon and Torx key sets?
While hex and Torx keys can sometimes be purchased individually, they are generally sold as a set, with individual keys usually being sold as replacements for lost or damaged keys from a set.
Cheap, poor quality individual hex keys may also be included with self-assembly furniture.
Standard Keys
Standard hexagon and Torx keys are usually sold as a set with a plastic storage sleeve, holder or case that helps to organise them in ascending order of size.
Unlike hex keys, which are measured across their flats and sized in either imperial or metric measurements, Torx keys have their own sizing and designation system, so you do not need separate imperial and metric sets.
Manufacturers will often colour code the storage case/sleeve to help distinguish their imperial set of hex keys from their metric set.
Standard hex and Torx key sets are available with many different features such as ball ends, chamfered edges, magnetised or non-magnetic fastener holders.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Standard Keys
Advantages
Available with many additional features
Can have colour coded cases to distinguish metric and imperial hex key sets
Disadvantages
Metric and imperial hex key sets have to be purchased separately
Keyring Sets
Ring sets are basic L-shaped hex or Torx keys mounted on a keyring with a spring retaining clip. These key sets are usually very cheap and can be stored with your house or car keys for convenience.
The way they are attached to the ring means that to use the long arm, you have to twist and pull the key from the retaining clip. To replace the key on the retaining clip, you push and twist the key.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Keyring Sets
Advantages
Low cost
Carried on a keyring for convenience
Disadvantages
Chamfered edges are the only common additional feature
Loose design can result in them damaging other objects when put in a pocket
Determining the size of each key can be difficult
Removing individual keys from retaining clips can be difficult
Retaining clips loose grip of keys over time if frequently removed and replaced
T-Handle Keys
T-handle sets come in four designs: one-piece continuous loop, sliding T-handles, plastic T-handle without a short arm; and plastic T-handle with a short arm.
T-handle keys are available with many features such as ball ends, chamfered edges and non-magnetic fastener holders.
One-Piece Continuous Loop
T-handle sets come in four designs: one-piece continuous loop, sliding T-handles, plastic T-handle without a short arm; and plastic T-handle with a short arm.
T-handle keys are available with many features such as ball ends, chamfered edges and non-magnetic fastener holders.
Sliding T-Handle Keys
The metal bar that forms the T-handle can be slid from one side to the other. By sliding the bar fully to one side more torque can be applied. The sliding bar can also be useful when working in restricted areas such as next to a wall.
Plastic T-Handle Without a Short Arm
Plastic T-handle hex and Torx keys allow you to apply more torque to a fastener than you can with the long arm of a standard hex key. On larger sizes the plastic T-handle can be used with both hands.
Better quality plastic T-handles are often made of two types of plastic (referred to as being bi-material), one of which is a TPR (thermoplastic rubber). The TPR gives the handle a soft, cushioned feel and provides better grip for the user.
Plastic T-Handle With a Short Arm
These are essentially the same as the plastic T-handles above, but with the addition of a short arm that protrudes from one side of the T-handle.
This additional feature means that the hex or Torx key can be used in more situations, such as ones with access that may restrict the use of other T-handles. The addition of the short arm also enables the user to apply more torque when using the long arm as a handle thanks to the additional leverage.
Advantages and Disadvantages of T-Handle Keys
Advantages
Available with many additional features
Can have colour-coded handles to distinguish metric and imperial sets
More comfortable grip
Able to apply more torque to a fastener
Easy to identify each key size
Disadvantages
Bulky design means you can’t fit a complete set in a pocket
Size of handle can prevent access to fasteners in confined spaces
Not always available with a short arm
More expensive than other types of hex and Torx key
Folding Key Sets
Folding hex and Torx key sets have short arm keys that fold into a storage handle. The storage handle can be made of either metal or plastic. The most common types of metal used to make the storage handles are galvanised steel or aluminium. Plastic storage handles are the most common type now found on folding hex key sets.
Folding keys are normally used folded out at 90 degrees from the storage case/handle to give maximum leverage and torque. However, one of their advantages is that the folding keys will usually fold out to 180 degrees or more, helping you gain access to hard-to-reach fasteners or turn a fastener quicker.
Better quality folding sets will have a storage handle made of two types of plastic (referred to as being bi-material), one of which will be a TPR (thermoplastic rubber) that provides a softer, more comfortable feel and better grip.
Some folding hex and Torx key sets now have buttons on the handle that release the folded-out hex key from locked positions of 90, 135 and 180 degrees. This feature enables you to secure the key in position, allowing you to safely apply more force to the handle without the risk of the handle altering position which could lead to grazed knuckles.
Folding triangle key sets are, as their name suggests, in the shape of a triangle. It is claimed by their manufacturers that this design provides increased turning power. The triangular design does, however, mean they take up more room in your pocket or toolbox than a regular folding hex key set, and they are unable to deliver the same level of torque as standard L-shaped keys.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Lathe Filing
Advantages
The compact design enables them to fit in small pockets
Individual keys can not be lost from the set
Soft grip bi-material handles are more comfortable to use than standard keys
Colour coded handles distinguish between metric and imperial sets
Disadvantages
Few additional features are available
Movement of non-locking handles can can lead to grazed knuckles
Can’t replace individual keys should they be damaged
Three Way Keys
These feature three different size hex or Torx keys fitted to one tool. They are mainly supplied for use on pushbikes where only a few key sizes will be needed.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Three Way Keys
Advantages
Low cost
Disadvantages
Only has three key sizes within the set
Only additional feature commonly available is chamfered edges
Can’t replace individual keys should they be damaged
Ratcheting Key Sets
Ratcheting hex and Torx key sets are available with either a T-handle or folding handle design.
The hex and Torx keys of these sets are separate pieces to the handles. They will often come with screwdriver bits as well as the hex and Torx keys.
The bits are held to the handle with a magnetic bit holder that houses the ratchet mechanism. The ratchet only allows the bit to turn in one direction when the handle is turned.
The direction in which the ratchet mechanism allows the bit to turn can be altered from clockwise for tightening to anti-clockwise for loosening a fastener.
This enables them to turn a fastener with short repeated clockwise or anti-clockwise movements of the handle, which can be useful when working in confined areas as you do not have to repeatedly relocate the key into the fastener head each time the turning action meets an obstruction.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ratcheting Key Sets
Advantages
Allows for quicker turning of fasteners in confined spaces as no need to relocate key in the fastener head
Can also be used with other bit designs for other fastener types
Disadvantages
Handle design may prevent you from accessing some fastener heads in certain confined areas
Mixed Hex Key Sets
A mixed hex key set is simply a selection of both metric and imperial hex keys included in one set. These are useful if you are purchasing your first set of hex keys and are likely to be working with both metric and imperial fasteners.
A mixed key set will often cost less than two standard hex key sets in metric and imperial sizes. Mixed hex key sets are available with all the features that you can find on a standard hex key set such as ball ends, chamfered edges, and magnetised and non-magnetic fastener holders.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Mixed Hex Key Sets
Advantages
Includes both metric and imperial keys in one set
Available with many additional features
Disadvantages
May be too large to fit in pockets or small toolboxes due to the number of keys held within the set
Stubby Keys
Stubby or shallow hex and Torx keys have a shorter short arm than standard keys.
The short arm of stubby keys is approximately half the length of the equivalent size standard key’s short arm.
They have a tighter inside radius which is required to allow the maximum amount of the stubby end to locate into the fastener head. This stubby design enables them to fit in areas a standard key would not.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Stubby Keys
Advantages
Can be used to gain access to fasteners that other keys can’t
Disadvantages
Reduced distance to the workpiece when using the stubby end can lead to grazed knuckles
Very little torque can be applied when using the long arm as the driver in the fastener head, due to reduced leverage provided by the stubby short arm
Flag Handles
Flag handle hex and Torx keys have no short arm, instead, they have a rectangular plastic handle that sits off to one side of the key and gives it a flag-like appearance. The plastic flag is more comfortable to turn than using the short arm of a standard hex or Torx key.
This type of hex and Torx key is most commonly found on smaller size keys, where turning the short arm of a standard key will be more uncomfortable.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Flag Handles
Advantages
More comfortable than turning the short arm of a standard type of key
Disadvantages
Unavailable with short arms
Often only available with smaller key sizes
Available with a limited number of additional features
Storage stands for sets are too large to fit in a pocket
Spinner Handle
Spinner handle hex and Torx keys look just like a screwdriver except they have either a hex or Torx shaped profile at their tip. This means they are also called hex or Torx screwdrivers.
Like other hex keys, hex keys with spinner handles usually have the hexagonal cross-sectional shape running the entire length of their shaft.
The spinner handle itself is usually made of an injection moulded plastic (see How are Torx and hexagon keys manufactured?) with better quality ones often featuring TPR (thermoplastic rubber) for improved grip and comfort. However, there are some which have handles made of aluminium.
Spinner handles are excellent at turning a fastener quickly and models with extra long shafts enable you to reach deep into recessed areas of a workpiece to access fasteners, but as they lack a short arm you can not apply as much torque to a fastener as when you use the long arm of a standard hex or Torx key as a handle.
To combat this problem some spinner handles will have a hole through the top of the handle or an in-hex bolt head at the top of the handle. Models with a hole through the top of the handle allow a second key to be slid through the hole and used as a lever to turn the first key. This greatly increases the amount of torque you can apply.
Models with an in-hex bolt head at the top of the handle allow you to connect a standard hex key, in order to provide greater leverage to turn a fastener.
Advantages and Disadvantages of T-Handle Keys
Advantages
Can turn fasteners quickly
Can reach into deep workpiece recesses
Many additional features available
Colour coded handles distinguish between metric imperial and Torx sets
Disadvantages
Take up more space in a toolbox than a standard set
No short arm
