T-handle for Allen wrenches

**mklotz** · Jul 4, 2018, 03:27 PM

T-handle Allen wrenches are comfortable to use and can exert a lot of torque. On the other hand, a full set takes up a lot of room in the tool box.

But trying to exert a lot of torque with a conventional L-handle wrench is difficult and uncomfortable. In my mind the solution was to make a single removable handle to convert an L-handle wrench into a T-type.

The first photo...

shows the handle. It's nothing more than a three inch length of 3/8" steel with a hole drilled through the center and a channel milled from one end to the central hole. I mostly use the smaller size wrenches so my handle is sized to fit wrenches 5/32 and smaller. (Larger wrenches would require a larger handle.) The hole is 3/16 and so is the width of the channel. Also shown is a piece of heavy gauge plastic tubing with a nominal 3/8 ID. This is used to secure the wrench in the handle and make the channel edges less irritating to the hand.

This photo...

shows how the wrench passes through the handle hole and the short arm of the L drops into the channel. The plastic retainer has been slipped partway onto the handle.

This photo...

shows the underside of the handle with the protruding wrench. The plastic sleeve has been slipped all the way on, retaining the short wrench arm in the channel. A notch in the plastic aligns the wrench and pins it against the side of the hole to keep the wrench orthogonal to the handle.

A side-by-side comparison...

**DIYer** · Jul 5, 2018, 06:58 AM

Great idea Marv! I use Allen wrenches a lot and this will be a great addition to my toolbox.

**bobs409** · Jul 5, 2018, 07:55 AM

I agree! They do take up a lot of space and I'm SEARCHING for the best way to store them. (still haven't found it) The typical wall rack some come with are a pain when you go to put them back and have to fish thru the holes! Argh!!!

**mklotz** · Jul 5, 2018, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by bobs409

I agree! They do take up a lot of space and I'm SEARCHING for the best way to store them. (still haven't found it) The typical wall rack some come with are a pain when you go to put them back and have to fish thru the holes! Argh!!!

I have to agree that those racks are an annoyance. You can reduce the (rack) size a bit by drilling more closely spaced holes in a block of wood but the interference of the handles still prevents a package as compact as that obtainable with the L-type wrenches. A healthy countersink on the holes in the rack will guide the wrench placement and make it easier to put them back in the rack.

For wall storage, a magnetic bar such as those given away by Harbor Freight works well and the induced magnetism in the wrenches can be a help when placing fasteners in difficult to reach locations.

I buy the cheap, plastic-handled T-type (as shown in the first photo), as a supply for dedicated wrenches left where they are used so they are seldom returned to the rack. My bench top wrenches, including the tiny jewelers' screwdriver types as small as 0.7 mm AF, are kept in wooden holders.

**Rorschach** · Jul 5, 2018, 01:27 PM

I have a commercial version of this, came with a set of allen keys. Multiple sizes can be accommodated. Very handy but rarely used since I have several t-handle keys already.

**mklotz** · Jul 5, 2018, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Rorschach

I have a commercial version of this, came with a set of allen keys. Multiple sizes can be accommodated. Very handy but rarely used since I have several t-handle keys already.

Who makes the commercial version? I'd like to see it. My version was designed in the shower so I'm interested in the nuances provided by the professionals.

**Imabass** · Jul 5, 2018, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by mklotz

Who makes the commercial version? I'd like to see it. My version was designed in the shower so I'm interested in the nuances provided by the professionals.

I too have a commercial version of this. Mine is a bulky plastic job that also holds the allen wrenches. I's have to search for it but I think it is in my motorcycle tool bag.

**Toolmaker51** · Jul 5, 2018, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by mklotz

Who makes the commercial version? I'd like to see it. My version was designed in the shower so I'm interested in the nuances provided by the professionals.

Well Marv, I can direct you towards the concept. It's a plastic barrel about an inch in diameter with a variety of cross holes for hex keys, roughly 5/32 [?] thru 3/8. Each hole has a slot at a depth coinciding to hole size, not different than your design. A plastic ring slides over the L section of the wrench to contain it in the slot, again like your solution. They are sold through well known big box stores, especially one with orange prominent in their logo. The blue one might as well.

**Beserkleyboy** · Oct 26, 2018, 04:58 PM

Marv. Here's the one Rorshach was speaking about. I got much the same from ALDI for $10AUD. Always handy, but mine are about 150-200mm long and the twist is substantial, so not good for high torque...but works a treat tightening the pulley set screw on my table saw arbor for the drum sander...so, all up, a useful if a bit compromised tool. Your idea maintains the integrity of standard sized keys. Cheers

T-handle for Allen wrenches-allen-keys.png

Jim in sunny south coast NSW

**Rorschach** · Jul 5, 2018, 02:14 PM

It came with a set of allen keys I bought at a supermarket (lidl), the keys were cheap but superb quality steel. I'll try and remember to take a picture for you tomorrow.