Z Allen Wrench
02-15-18, 07:53 AM
#1
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Z Allen Wrench
I am down to only one of these z wrench tools and I can't find where to buy more. I have looked everywhere I can think of on the net, but haven't been able to locate one. I thought they used to be really common. They are perfect for a bike kit. 4mm on one end and 5mm on the other. Does anyone know where they can be purchased?
02-15-18, 08:15 AM
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Not quite the sizes you want, but Amazon has a Sunlite one 5 and 6mm -
Look for "Sunlite 5/6mm Hex Wrench"
Sorry, not enough posts to put the link :~)
Look for "Sunlite 5/6mm Hex Wrench"
Sorry, not enough posts to put the link :~)
02-15-18, 11:29 AM
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The only time I see those is when I get them as a tool included with something I have to put together, such as shelves or bed frames. I've got a few of them myself. Never seen them sold retail.
02-15-18, 12:57 PM
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Pedros makes a small Y shaped 4,5,6.
02-16-18, 02:10 AM
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Ikea?
$199 might be a little expensive for a combo allen wrench, but it comes with a free dresser, lol!
$199 might be a little expensive for a combo allen wrench, but it comes with a free dresser, lol!
02-16-18, 07:01 AM
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Those 5/6 Allens used to come with '80s Raleighs.
02-16-18, 07:26 AM
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You could try asking your local box stores that offer free assembly of furniture. They may have those wrenches just laying around.
02-16-18, 08:07 AM
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That's what I was going to say: IKEA. Not a bad idea to pack one in my on-bike repair kit. Less bulky than the multi tool that I'm using now and 4mm and 5mm covers most things.
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02-16-18, 09:32 AM
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Not exactly what you wanted (the ends are a little long) but its a 4/5mm hex key:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/m16-...478007315.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/m16-...478007315.html
02-17-18, 07:13 AM
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Not likely that you'll be able to file them, hex keys are usually hardened. The only way would probably be to grind it, but the downside is that if you grind through the hardening, you would expose the much softer metal underneath.
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02-17-18, 05:19 PM
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That is true, but i figure the freebie tools from ikea or that come in a bike box for assembly aren't exactly high quality super hard tools to begin with. They only need to hold up to 5 to 7 nm anyway right?
02-18-18, 08:10 AM
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snap-on use to sell them iirc.
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02-18-18, 11:39 AM
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Allen keys are around 57 Rockwell. You could file it, but you'd likely dull the file a bit. Not sure that making a 4 dollar allen key is worth ruining a 15 dollar file.
And allen keys are case-hardened. That is, the hardness is on the surface (put there either by a carburizing or other agent, or by selective heat-treatment - for example using induction hardening). This leaves a tough core. BTW, hard to do on smaller hex keys - which is why I've broken a lot of 1 and 2mm and 1/16" keys. If you grind off the surface, the hardened surface (which is also stronger, btw) is gone.
Better to find the thing already made, and properly hardened.
02-18-18, 06:04 PM
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I saw these "Fix-It Sticks" at InterBike and got a set. They're not quite as simple as "Z" wrenches, but they are able to be fitted with whatever ends you need. https://www.backcountry.com/fix-it-sticks-original-tool-with-bracket?CMP_SKU=FXS0004&MER=0406&skid=FXS0004-MOUSET-S456MMHETOS25W&mr:trackingCode=75EAA5F3-94E5-E711-8102-005056944E17&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&utm_source=Google&ut m_medium=PLA&k_clickid=bee84daa-d9a4-47b9-9212-5db4375813d2&rmatt=tsid:1042790|cid:213416677|agid:49514702840|tid
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02-18-18, 10:54 PM
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