Over at Amazon, they recently listed new Stanley FatMax folding diamond-coated ball hex key sets.
We’ve seen something similar before – Craftsman came out with Extreme Grip diamond-coated folding hex key sets nearly 2 years ago.
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The hex keys feature ball ends, which allows users to access fasteners from other than straight-on. The ball shape gives you a little latitude. Each tip is coated with an industrial-grade simulated diamond coating, which is said to provide up to 40% better grip on fasteners.
The rest of each hex key has a black phosphate finish for rust prevention.
Each hex key can also be locked in at several angles: 90°, 135°, and 180°. I imagine that you should see some pretty strong torque delivery at 90°.
Hmm, I wonder if they’re using higher quality diamond particles (check out my images here!), or lower cost diamond particles that look a very different.
Price: ~$24 per set (as of the time of this posting)
Available in SAE (Yes, ), and Metric (FMHT80765) sizing.
- SAE: 3/32″, 7/64″, 1/8″, 9/64″, 5/32″, 3/16″, 7/32″, 1/4″
- Metric: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm
Buy Now(SAE via Amazon)
Buy Now(Metric via Amazon)
There’s also a 22pc hex key set, currently priced at $23 on Amazon.
See Also: ToolGuyd Roundup of 16 Awesome Hex Keys and Hex Drivers
First Thoughts
As with the Sears Craftsman Extreme Grip hex key sets, I’m torn between “that could be useful!” and “uch, what a useless gimmick” points of view.
I’ve tried Dewalt folding hex key sets before, and they’re okay.
Yes, I’ve had ball hex keys slip in fasteners before. But will “up to 40% improved fastener grip” provide measurable improvement?
I’d like to believe that Amazon’s preorder prices are a little inflated, or perhaps simply wrong. $23 for each folding hex key set seems like a bit much to me.
Would you use this?
fred says
I guess ball-end drivers offer the advantage of being able to enter and drive the fastener even if you are a bit off-axis. Maybe the downside is that the driver can slip out of the socket head. So maybe the diamond coating will help.
About price, while some manufacturers offer special lower introductory prices, I agree with you that Amazon’s pre-order prices are often on the high side – nothing special about them – unless you want to pay more to be the first in line. This sort of pricing strategy might be a gambit by Amazon to test the market on price.
Hilton says
I don’t find this type of set that useful. I have one of no doubt Chinese origin which has no locking feature so the keys often slip. I think it is more useful for the cyclist.
Stuart says
As mentioned in the post, the keys do lock in position. Sorry if I wasn’t clear enough about that.
Hang Fire says
Might be useful, might be junk. It depends on the quality of the underlying metallurgy, heat treatment, and the quality of the SIMULATED diamond coating.
I have no problem with calling synthetic diamonds “diamonds” for non-jewelry and tool use, but SIMULATED? What the heck does that mean, Stanley?
Big Adam says
“Swarovski Stanley”?
😉
Stuart says
Man-made?
Look at the links to images of diamond abrasive particles.
Manufactured diamond particles should be cheaper, more consistent, and more controllable than natural diamond.
If they’re not sythetic diamonds, they could be something else, a diamond-like abrasive designed for better application properties.
Koko the Talking Ape says
Yes, but in that case, the synthetic diamonds are actual diamonds, and the label would say “diamonds” or “synthetic diamonds.” These are “simulated” diamonds, which to me could be cubic zirconium or sand or glass.
Hang Fire says
Exactly. And “better application properties” might mean “cheaper” not “better”.
dll932 says
You can apply a little valve grinding compound to the tip of screwdrivers and allen keys for more traction when the fasteners are worn.
Nathan says
never really thought of that – thanks.
fred says
We used to use Ajax scouring compound – before they started adding bleach and detergent. Maybe you can still get something like it, or use the valve grinding compound. A bar of Ivory soap was also used on many a wood screw thread to help lubricate its entry. Candle wax was actually better and less corrosive.
ktash says
Maybe Bon Ami scouring powder? It doesn’t have extra stuff added, though it’s less abrasive, I use it on my corian sink. Anyway, I’ll try it next time I need it. Good advice here.
T says
This is golden advice folks.
fred says
I just posted about Cal Van’s new socket sets for removing severely worn (they say stripped) hex socket screws:
https://discuss.toolguyd.com/t/have-you-seen-any-interesting-tools-that-are-new-to-you/230/128
Rcward says
A 10 dollar item
RX9 says
Heads up, there’s a new M18 High-Torque impact wrench coming in fall, upping the power to 1,000 ft-lbs fastening and 1,400 ft-lbs nut-busting (for the friction-ring model).
Mizzourob says
Looks like the Craftsman extreme grit set
Thom says
I have had folding key sets before and find them too bulky for tight spaces. My personal preference is for individual keys in different lengths.
Scott K says
I have a very old folding hex set that I used to carry when cycling. However, its heavy and my new bike doesn’t necessitate carrying it.
Would the diamond coating damage cheaper/softer fasteners?
Raoul says
It’s amazing how very few fasteners over the years have “stripped” out when using quality hex wrenches. I have some Allen and Bondhus wrenches that are up to 30 years old and still in perfect condition. They have seen a lot of use and very few damaged fasteners. The newer wrenches, especially the chinesium stuff, don’t work as well. Lots of damaged heads and usually the good wrenches will get the fastener out when others have failed.
Toolfreak says
Ball-end hex keys in a bulky folding set makes very little sense.
If I’m needing a ball-end hex key, I’m usually in a situation where access is a problem, and having a short hex key attached to a relatively large set of other hex keys with handles on either side isn’t going to help me access the fastener at the weird angle I’m trying to get to it from.
It would have been a million times better and made a lot more sense to have these in a set of individual L-shaped hex keys, with the ball end on the long part, and both ends diamond-coated for extra grip.
It might also make sense to have these in a T-handle set with ball ends that are diamond-coated, maybe even with a regular hex end sticking out of the T-handle like the sets from Craftsman.