Dealmonger: A 10-Piece T-Handle Hex Key Set For $6
By Stephen Cooke
Looking for a cheap-ass hex key set? Harbor Freight currently offers this 10-piece color-coded metric T-handled set for just $6. Standard $7 shipping kills the deal online, but you can always pick this up in-store (like I did). The set includes the following sizes: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 8, and 10 mm — all organized in a slotted stand.
37862-4VGA Hex Set [Harbor Freight]
Store Locations [Harbor Freight]
November 7th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Dont’ do it - one of my clients had these in a shop (MotoMaster variation) - the handles come loose or the smaller sizes twist instead of turning the fastener.
You can find fairly decent ones for a bit more that will not self destruct or damage your fasteners.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Since I am a self-appointed expert in all things Harbor Freight (by owning everything they sell), I’ll give my 2c worth.
These are pure junk, not even worth a dollar.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Just a note since we are talking about hex drivers, my buddy and I recently discovered that the brake caliper bolt on his ‘98 Dodge Dakota happens to be 7 mm hex, a size that not many metric hex sets have, including this one. Not sure if that’s because there’s an English size close to 7mm, but in our case 7 was a correct fit, not loose.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Since I posted this and purchased this set here is my review of them. Yes there are cheap, and yes they probably not going to stand up to a ton of abuse. For $6.99 though, it was totally worth it. I actually only really only needed 2 of the hex keys from the set and they did remove some very rusty hex bolts without problem. If you need a quality set for everyday use then these aren’t for you, I can defiantly see what you guys are saying about the quality of these. The stand works fine though.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
For those of you who want a beefier set and are willing to spend a few bucks for it, check out Bondhus’s T-drivers.
http://toolmonger.com/2006/08/15/t-handle-drivers-by-bondhus/
If you shop around, you can get them for fairly cheap.
use-enco.com has great deals on the Bondhus metric and SAE sets every now and then.
November 11th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I made the mistake of buying a set of these in standard and metric. One of the small size drivers rounded off on a relatively soft screw. Two others twisted in the handles. I cut the handles off and saw that the end inside the handles is just flattened slightly to hold it in place instead of “L” shaped like the good ones. Since then I spent the money and got a set of Craftsman T handled ones and two sets of Bobdhus L shaped ones.
Evan, the caliper bolts on my 2005 Grand Caravan also take a 7mm. None of my sets came with that size so I picked up a 7mm hex bit(3/8 drive) at NAPA for 5 or 6 dollars.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Don’t buy it. Piece of crap. Handles twist right off.