Excellent allen keys

[vyv_cox]

<<< Where did you get these figures? >>>

From many years as a metallurgist. 80 tons per sq in represents a hardness of 400 Vickers, about 1250 MPa. Without attempting to baffle the readership with science, if you can cut it with a hacksaw it's too soft, if you can't it's probably OK, assuming all the heat treatment hasn't left it too brittle.

 

[MoodySabre]

Blimey - I never expected all that response!

Points taken. Just take my other point - the ones with the hexed ball shape on the end were necessary to get my VP starter motor off. I have (really good quality obviously) allen keys fittings for my socket set but they wouldn't fit in the gap. So Lidls saved the day and if they break next time I use them they will have been worth the outlay - £1.99.

 

[mcframe]

Best suggestion I ever heard regarding tools was "Buy the best you can afford, then replace the ones that break with Snap-On" - on the grounds that you're more likley to break the ones you use most often and really need.

Hence, I've a set of 1/4inch-drive 2->8mm Snap-On Allen drivers, Snap-On 10, 13 & 15mm spanners and a Snap-On dead-blow hammer ;-)

Still, I once fixed the furling gear on a YouCanGuessWho charter boat with a cyclist-style penknife set of allen keys from my bodge-bag, so even cheap tools are better than none - especially if the boat kit contains *no* allen keys...