Reader Find: PB Rainbow Hex Keys
By Chuck Cage
These Swiss-made hex keys were submitted by a reader who asked for no credit. Besides the fact that they’re made in the land known for fine watches, the main advantage over standard hex wrenches seems to be the color coding. Rather than reading the litte numbers, you can just grab the correct color.
The reader who submitted this said he couldn’t find them available in North America, and we couldn’t either. Have you had any luck?
Rainbow Hex Keys [PB Swiss]
December 3rd, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Looks like they are carried by Count-On Tools, the US distributor. You can order online here:
http://www.pbbaumann.com/
December 3rd, 2006 at 1:28 pm
They’re also here:
http://www.toollady.com/
Unfortunately for the same high price.
December 3rd, 2006 at 9:11 pm
But unless you memorize the color coding, they’re no use. I already have a pretty good idea what the various sizes/lengths are in the sets I have. It’s the same idea as color coded sockets. I prefer clear markings of size over random colors…my 2c
December 4th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
I found myself learning the sizes of my Craftsman nutdrivers after just a few days. These days I don’t even know what size the HHCS on SPM top-plates are, but they take a yellow nutdriver, I’d bet my life on that.
The color doesn’t replace normal markings, it augments them. If the color means nothing to you, you’re back to looking at stamped markings like before, no harm done. But you unconsciously learn the colors you use a lot, and you’ll find yourself reaching for them out of habit.
For similar reasons, I stick bits of adhesive-backed sandpaper and Velcro to various buttons and controls. I find that I can distinguish among 3 grits (80, 200, 800) and obviously tell the difference between hook velcro and loop velcro, without any effort whatsoever. Try it on your car stereo’s buttons and after a few days, you’ll find yourself keeping your eyes on the road more.
May 24th, 2008 at 5:49 am
If you look closely, the biggest advantage of these is that the relief ground behind the ball is much longer than Bondhus and similar brands. This lets you use these at a much greater angle without the ball riding up out of the fastener.