Bondhus are indeed excellent, I have a metric set, but my ball ended "expert" .Draper set obtained from my local branch of Allparts is every bit as good at half the price. Where do they hide?

regards Paul

Eklind make a decent set of T handle Allen keys. Bondhus are my preferred supplier, get the metric set with all the odd sizes like 7,9,5.5 and other odd sizes. Used the 7 on Audi brake caliper pins yesterday. Haven't found a use yet for some of the odd sizes but armed and ready when they do turn up. Don't you just hate having to grind Allen keys to fit the non preferred sizes?

Mike

Something else that can be very handy on occasion is a long, plain Allen key (just the straight part, no L, no T). They are made, if you can find them. You can drive them from a socket wrench and if you have a screw that's buried deeply in a recess where you don't have room to swing a cat (or a bent wrench) it can be a life-saver. (There's one in the head of the ML7 that's like that).

I also like the Eklind tee ones, proper metal tee not a plastic moulding on a L shape.

If you are filing down ends are you mixing metric keys and imperial fixing

I want a set of hex screwdrivers!

‘However they we cheap Silverline ones from eBay”

So, not very surprising. I reckon those are cheaper rubbish than Rolson used to be 20 years ago! Use once and throw away, unless it is simply threading in and out without any serious tightening or loosening. In fact, likely not get to using them once on really tight fixings – they can easily either strip, due to improper fit, or bend.

I bought a Deltec branded set from HIS, last time we were in Inverness. Not used much and I don't try to undo any tight cap screws with a ball end. I use my Stanley or CK for the tough jobs, so they have not been unduly stressed.

The Deltec ones were cheap as there are both hex and torx in the one box. Just a useful set hanging on the wall. Bought because I was impressed with a set bought from HIS and used for motor repairs, by my step SiL.. His were red, my set are yellow, so I am not yet sure if they are comparable on quality.

The market seems to have been flooded with cheap socket screws. The fit of the socket is poor even with good keys.the fit of an Unbrako hex key in an Unbrako socket is excellent, no slop at all even makes a pop if pulled out quickly. Beautifully formed threads as well.

Mike