What to Do With A Snapped Allen Wrench

algale · Post by **algale** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:55 pm

Has anybody come up with a good idea for what to do with a snapped, long 5/32nds Allen Wrench?

And for the record, the snapping happened BEFORE I spent 4 hours today trying to align my main table.

Seriously, what are these made of? Pig iron?

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:06 pm

Can't say what is up with the one you have/had. I have never broken any of the ones I have and some are from back in 1976 when I got my first new shopsmith.

I do have one that is bent, it came with one of my used machines. Still works.

You can grind it off and make a smaller version.

Then order 3 or 4 of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XM ... 00_details

Ed

algale · Post by **algale** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:17 pm

Thanks, Ed. Unfortunately, this one snapped right at the bend in the "L" so there's no way to use either piece as an Allen Wrench.

I've never had one of the nice looking plastic covered double handled Allen Wrenches like in the link. Can you get enough torque with it? Using the L shaped ones you can get serious leverage when you need it (apparently too much leverage

) to snug up or loosen a set screw.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:39 pm

algale wrote:Thanks, Ed. Unfortunately, this one snapped right at the bend in the "L" so there's no way to use either piece as an Allen Wrench.

I've never had one of the nice looking plastic covered double handled Allen Wrenches like in the link. Can you get enough torque with it? Using the L shaped ones you can get serious leverage when you need it (apparently too much leverage ) to snug up or loosen a set screw.

Yes sir just the right amount of torque but not enough to do damage. In six years I have never bent or broken one. The red is a painted coating not plastic handle. Jim

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:48 pm

Bad break, on the wrench, still could be used for some other task I guess, like if you had a small socket, 5/32 you could turn it with???

I don't see any issue with the amazon ones I posted about, they are what I have gotten from Shopsmith in the last few years so I'm guess a lot of us here have them.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:50 pm

fjimp wrote:Yes sir just the right amount of torque but not enough to do damage. In six years I have never bent or broken one. The red is a painted coating not plastic handle. Jim

It is a plastic coating, I just got a few back a few months back, identical to the shopsmith one I have.

Ed

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:53 pm

I have a few of these (mine are quite old). They use a straight Allen held in the handles with (would you believe) an Allen screw.
If you look at the picture in the link look at picture 2 to see the retaining screw. When you break one you just replace the rod part.

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=1196096&image=346364764&images=346364723,346364764&formats=0,0&format=0

The practical thing to do is just put it back someplace and when you need extreme torque turn it with a small pipe wrench or Vice-Grips

Or throw it away...

.

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:02 pm

Turn a nice wood handle for it and you'll have the fanciest "Shopsmith tool kit" in the neighborhood!

Gary

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:38 pm

I have not bent or broken mine, and for sure I am not gentle with it. As for broken allen wrenches, I have a few that I have cut so that they can be used in a power driver.

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:21 am

How broke? Can you weld it back together?
I've come to appreciate my welder now more than ever. Always have to weld the threaded rod that holds old plane handles. The threading is 9/32 24 and is not common. I get planes all twisted up and have to cobble the rods together at times.