Save them, but not in a big drawer. Every time you need an Allen key for something specific, tape it to it or store it with the item. For example my dining room table has the Allen for the bolts it uses taped to the underside of the table. Something feels wobbly, easy fix. No need to hunt a specific key out of the tool box.
My main set is unfortunately at my parents right now, these are in my mobile toolbox always. nothing super fancy, but does 99% of allen key jobs. i've got an impact/drill set also for quicker assembly of furniture that requires them, just a $10 set off amazon.
i had an issue where i couldn't find the right hex key despite having a box of about 30-40 of various sizes and finishes, almost all came with some sort of furniture that needed to be assembled. after spending an hour finding them and testing them all to fit, i decided to never have that issue again. trashed them all and got clearly labeled and easily stored sets. nothing fancy, but won't be stuck not having the right key anymore.
It lives with its brethren in a shoebox on a shelf in my garage. Every once in a while, I try to remove duplicates which I will eventually probably scrap.
I had a neighbor that didn't have a job so would try to find creative ways to get money. He tried selling a drawer full of rusty Allen wrenches on Facebook for $100.
Strangely, I'm kinda ticked about cell phone manufacturers no longer giving us power adapters because 'everyone already has several, and it's wasteful', but would be 100% OK with never seeing another hex key provided with furniture.
25 Comments
TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today · 27 pts · 17d
Save them, but not in a big drawer. Every time you need an Allen key for something specific, tape it to it or store it with the item. For example my dining room table has the Allen for the bolts it uses taped to the underside of the table. Something feels wobbly, easy fix. No need to hunt a specific key out of the tool box.
thermal_shock@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 17d
I used to do this. Then I got a nice set of Allen and torx keys. I don't keep disposable shit anymore, I keep good, organized tools.
TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today · 4 pts · 17d
I have a great set as well, but that doesn't mean I want to go to my tool chest to grab them.
jaggedrobotpubes@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 17d
Wanna show us your nice set?
thermal_shock@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d
My main set is unfortunately at my parents right now, these are in my mobile toolbox always. nothing super fancy, but does 99% of allen key jobs. i've got an impact/drill set also for quicker assembly of furniture that requires them, just a $10 set off amazon.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Assorted-Metric-and-standard-SAE-25-Pieces-Hex-key-set/999920984
my portable torx is like this - https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klein-Tools-17-pc-Compact-SAE-MM-Folding-Hex-Key-Kit/5014590671
i had an issue where i couldn't find the right hex key despite having a box of about 30-40 of various sizes and finishes, almost all came with some sort of furniture that needed to be assembled. after spending an hour finding them and testing them all to fit, i decided to never have that issue again. trashed them all and got clearly labeled and easily stored sets. nothing fancy, but won't be stuck not having the right key anymore.
my other ones are like this - https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Kobalt-14-Piece-Standard-SAE-and-Metric-T-Handle-Hex-Key-Set/5015581691, don't remember the actual brand though, probably from harbor freight.
Landless2029@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d
I have a proper set of keys and masking tape anything that comes with a kit
TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 17d
Same. Saves a bunch of time and effort pulling out the nice set and finding out if it's in standard or metric.
farmgineer@nord.pub · 13 pts · 17d
It lives with its brethren in a shoebox on a shelf in my garage. Every once in a while, I try to remove duplicates which I will eventually probably scrap.
NaibofTabr@infosec.pub · 12 pts · 17d
I feel attacked.
crazycraw@crazypeople.online · 10 pts · 17d
build a shield out of all of those Allen wrenches.
NaibofTabr@infosec.pub · 6 pts · 17d
but I might need to use them
BeUnique@lemmy.zip · 6 pts · 17d
Tossed in the kitchen drawer that has all the odds and ends in it.
PunnyName@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 17d
I always lose them.
"Always two there are, no more no less. A master and an apprentice."
notthebees@reddthat.com · 4 pts · 17d
My dad does this, we have functional tools, he won't use them.
chiliedogg@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 17d
Best part is I don't even use them. I have a ton of nicer hex wrenches in multiple forms and just use them instead of what comes with the product.
Yet I keep the wrench they ship.
HCSOThrowaway@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d
But what if their hex nuts are 7.5mm and you only have 7mm wrenches?
chiliedogg@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 17d
I have a lot of hex wrenches.
jballs@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 17d
I had a neighbor that didn't have a job so would try to find creative ways to get money. He tried selling a drawer full of rusty Allen wrenches on Facebook for $100.
I don't think it sold...
Axolotl_cpp@feddit.it · 3 pts · 17d
Should've sold them as "metal scraps", he would've find an hobbyst blacksmith i guess
(Or maybe not because they would search for a specific metal...)
MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 17d
I do the same, but with those keys that come with the phones. Well, I actually needed them in the end.
TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d
Buy Wera or another really nice HQ set of these and you'll never need another one again.
well, you should buy two sets, because you might lose one....
daddycool@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d
And so it begins.
TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d
He made 20 rings for a reason.
LycanGalen@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d
Strangely, I'm kinda ticked about cell phone manufacturers no longer giving us power adapters because 'everyone already has several, and it's wasteful', but would be 100% OK with never seeing another hex key provided with furniture.
P1k1e@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d
Lol Me