The Nuts & Bolts of maintenance and Hex/Allen Keys

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Having just answered a thread about Allen Key sizes I thought that the following information may be of help to members. I hope you find it useful and that the information will make life easier for you.

I have put together a small tool kit to help me in the maintenance and repair of my instruments.

Item 1 Pro Bolt Thread Identifier. Used to identify the thread size and bolt/screw length of Pan Head and Grub screws used in telescopes etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Gauge-Bolt-Measuring-Tool-Essential/dp/B009SQACP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431363853&sr=8-1&keywords=pro+bolt+thread+gauge

Item 2  Hex Key Chart. Used to match the correct size Hex Key to the bolt/grub screw.

http://www.allenhex.com/faq

Item 3  Hex Allen Keys. There are many available on the market. This set is more expensive than others but the quality of the tool and the fact they have an offset driver head at one end make them a joy to use. They are strong do not flex and good quality.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/wiha-magic-ring-hex-key-set?gclid=CjwKEAjwpsGqBRCioKet--bp_QcSJADCtbsbm19_hR_LPC0mPGppYTwfFFgWlyFsL3jF88OIEOEuyBoCWWfw_wcB

Replacement Grub screws and Pan Head bolts. The items below are available on line and are part of my spares box.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BSYKQB0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LG0TXG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Edited May 11, 2015 by Sirius Starwatcher

[bruno]

useful to know & have

[Peter Drew]

Things I've found out through experience. 1) Always buy good quality keys. 2) The ball ends are not as strong as the plain end. 3) Avoid sets packed in flimsy plastic holders, the keys never go back in unless you are either a Swiss watchmaker or a bomb disposal expert. 

[Steve Ward]

And get a set of Imperial A-keys too there are plenty ot times you'll need them.

[Zakalwe]

And an imperial thread gauge. Celestron kit seems to have a mixed bag of metric and Imperial threads in their kit.

Personally i would not use Allen keys. A good quality set of 3/8" or 1/4" hex socket tools tend to fit better and do less damage to the heads. Teng or Halfords Professional are very good value and last well.

Allen keys, hex heads and screwdrivers are all considered consumable items. They wear out in a surprisingly short time and will start to round. You usually discover this late at night when the last bolt to be opened for that "10 minute job" rounds off.

[Muhammad Amin]

I want to know about the replacement life of an allen key bolt of grade 12.9

 

[MarkAR]

On 12/05/2015 at 09:19, Peter Drew said:

2) The ball ends are not as strong as the plain end.

Yup, definitely weaker and are not supposed to be used for initial unbreaking or final tightening of bolt.

1 hour ago, Muhammad Amin said:

I want to know about the replacement life of an allen key bolt of grade 12.9

 

Depends on where and how its used. Outside in all weathers and getting rusty, constant hight torque tightening and loosening will speed up replacement time. 

If it's for a permanent fixing outside it will last years especially if its painted.

If in constant use it will depend on how much stress its put under all the time as the threaded section can stretch (especially if over torqued) and it will gradually lose its strength and break. Could still last you years though.

[Waldemar]

Price & quality for all tools are synonymous ...
Cheaper versions do not fit very well and kill the bolts & nuts they are used on as well as the tools themselves.

Good brands are Snap-on, Hazet and Belzer for example. Tools from home depot shops are best avoided.

 

[Louis D]

They cost a fortune compared to consumer grade tools, but commercial grade hardened steel driver bits and sockets pay for themselves over the long run.  For example, after chewing through countless cheap Philips head bits while screwing together a deck, I paid $6 20 years ago for a single hardened steel Philips head bit.  It's still going strong today after thousands more screws.