L-shaped Allen™ keys – feature a hexagonal profile bent in the shape of an “L”.A summary of the most common Allen™ wrench types is found below: The most common Allen™ wrench type is the one mentioned earlier – the L-shaped hex key – but there are other variations that incorporate different handle designs, utilize different materials, or add special features. Image credit: E.Edwards/ Figure 1 – The cross-section of an Allen™ key showing the measurement for width across flats Types of Allen™ WrenchesĪllen™ wrenches or Allen™ keys are generally available in several different styles or types. The important parameter that establishes the size of the Allen™ wrench or Allen™ key is the width across flats, which is the distance between any two of the faces of the tool that are parallel to each other. The short end is typically inserted into the fastener and the longer end serves as a handle or lever by which the fastener the user to tighten or loosen the by applying torque through the wrench to the fastener.įigure 1 below shows the cross-sectional profile of the Allen™ wrench or Allen™ key. The most common form of the Allen™ wrench is a simple metal profile bent in the shape of an ‘L”. What is an Allen™ Wrench?Īn Allen™ wrench is a small handheld tool that features a hexagonally shaped profile of a specific size which is designed to fit into the recess of a hexagonal socket head screw or hexagonal set screw. To learn more about other types of fastener products, see the list of related articles at the end of this article. This article will present information on Allen™ wrenches, what they are, their advantages, and the common sizes that are available in the marketplace.
These types of fasteners are designed to be installed or removed using a special tool commonly known as an Allen™ wrench or Allen™ key. These types of fasteners are known as hexagonal socket head screws or Allen™ screws, a nod to the man who patented the idea of a fastener that utilized a screw head with a hexagonal-shaped recessed socket. Among the most useful fasteners are ones that are equipped with a hexagonal-shaped recess in the head of the fastener. Fasteners come in a wide variety of types, sizes, and materials.
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