Alloy Steel Hex Keys

Alloy steel hex keys, commonly known as Allen wrenches or hex key wrenches, are precision tools designed for installing and removing socket head cap screws, socket set screws, button head socket cap screws, flat head socket cap screws, shoulder screws, and other fasteners with internal hex drives. Their compact L-shaped design provides access to recessed fasteners in applications where conventional wrenches or sockets cannot be used.

Manufactured from alloy steel, these hex keys are intended for demanding industrial maintenance, manufacturing, assembly, and repair applications. They are commonly used throughout industrial machinery, automation equipment, robotics, tooling, fixtures, maintenance departments, machine shops, production facilities, OEM manufacturing, and field service operations. Hex keys are an essential tool for installing and servicing internally driven fasteners across a wide range of mechanical assemblies.

Proper tool selection should consider the required hex size, available installation clearance, fastener accessibility, and application requirements. Individual product pages provide verified hex key sizes and additional dimensional information where available to assist engineers, maintenance professionals, and purchasing teams in selecting the appropriate tool.

Cold Headers supplies alloy steel hex keys in a broad range of inch sizes to support socket head cap screws, button head socket cap screws, flat head socket cap screws, socket set screws, shoulder screws, and other internally driven fasteners. Our catalog is organized to simplify exact-size selection while providing consistent engineering information across every product family.

Why Choose Alloy Steel Hex Keys?

  • Designed for internal hex fasteners: Suitable for socket head cap screws, socket set screws, button head, flat head, and shoulder screws.
  • L-shaped design: Provides access to recessed fasteners in confined spaces.
  • Alloy steel construction: Intended for demanding industrial assembly and maintenance applications.
  • Wide industrial use: Commonly used in manufacturing, maintenance, automation, machine shops, tooling, and OEM production.
  • Verified sizing: Product pages provide hex key size information where available.

Selecting the Correct Hex Key

Begin by confirming the required hex size for the mating fastener. Review installation clearance, fastener accessibility, tool length, and application requirements before selecting a hex key. Proper tool selection helps ensure efficient installation and maintenance of internally driven fasteners.

Cold Headers Inc. has supplied specialty industrial fasteners and related products since 1962. Our catalog helps engineers, distributors, maintenance professionals, and purchasing teams locate exact sizes and difficult-to-find industrial fastening products without unsupported inventory claims.

Call 773-775-7900 or email Sales@coldheaders.com for pricing, availability, or a quote.

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Unit of Measure
Items
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0.028 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key
List Price (per 100 pieces) $6.00
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0.035 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key
List Price (per 100 pieces) $6.00
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0.050 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key
List Price (per 100 pieces) $3.50
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1/16 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key
List Price (per 100 pieces) $4.00
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5/64 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key
List Price (per 100 pieces) $4.40
Description N/A

0.028 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key is an L-shaped alloy steel hex key for socket-drive work where the exact 0.028 in. width matters. The ASME B18.3 width band is 0.0275-0.0280 in.; the key is held just under nominal so it enters an in-tolerance socket and bears on the flats.

Assembly benches and tool cribs use loose hex keys when individual driver sizes need restocking without a full kit. Short Arm geometry favors compact reach and quick hand rotation; the same width in Long Arm form is the natural comparison.

Since 1962, Cold Headers has supplied specialty socket hardware and the hex keys that complete the working system. Review the 0.028 in. width, Short Arm format, short-leg length, and arm length before ordering. Cold Headers can review non-catalog widths or arm-series requirements as quote requests. This width is part of the hard-to-find end of the range, where loose-driver restocking is often the real problem.

Technical Highlights

  • Style: L-shaped hex key, Short Arm
  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Width Across Flats: 0.028 in. (0.0275-0.0280 in.)
  • Short-Leg Length: 0.125-0.312 in.
  • Arm Length: 1.125-1.312 in.
  • Dimensional Standard: ASME B18.3

Call 773-775-7900 or email Sales@coldheaders.com for pricing, availability, or a quote.

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0.035 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key gives tool cribs a short arm driver for socket fasteners that need a correctly sized hex key. The ASME B18.3 width band is 0.0345-0.0350 in.; the key is held just under nominal so it enters an in-tolerance socket and bears on the flats.

Die and mold work can require dedicated driver sizes near tooling plates, clamps, and adjustment hardware. Use the Short Arm series when clearance is limited, and compare the Long Arm twin when added reach is needed.

Cold Headers supports exact-size sourcing for socket-product tooling, including individual alloy steel L-keys. Review the 0.035 in. width, Short Arm format, short-leg length, and arm length before ordering. This width is part of the hard-to-find end of the range, where loose-driver restocking is often the real problem. The listed B and C ranges keep the tool geometry tied to this exact catalog row.

Technical Highlights

  • Style: L-shaped hex key, Short Arm
  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Width Across Flats: 0.035 in. (0.0345-0.0350 in.)
  • Short-Leg Length: 0.250-0.438 in.
  • Arm Length: 1.125-1.312 in.
  • Dimensional Standard: ASME B18.3

Call 773-775-7900 or email Sales@coldheaders.com for pricing, availability, or a quote.

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0.050 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key supports the socket-screw system by matching a 0.050 in. width across flats to the working tool. The ASME B18.3 width band is 0.0490-0.0500 in.; the key is held just under nominal so it enters an in-tolerance socket and bears on the flats.

Heavy equipment and large socket cap screws at the upper end call for wider keys that are harder to restock loose. The Short Arm key is the compact member of the pair, while the Long Arm version covers deeper socket access.

For industrial purchasing and maintenance teams, Cold Headers helps match width, series, and catalog identity. Review the 0.050 in. width, Short Arm format, short-leg length, and arm length before ordering. This width is part of the hard-to-find end of the range, where loose-driver restocking is often the real problem.

Technical Highlights

  • Style: L-shaped hex key, Short Arm
  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Width Across Flats: 0.050 in. (0.0490-0.0500 in.)
  • Short-Leg Length: 0.438-0.625 in.
  • Arm Length: 1.562-1.750 in.
  • Dimensional Standard: ASME B18.3

Call 773-775-7900 or email Sales@coldheaders.com for pricing, availability, or a quote.

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1/16 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key is selected when a worn or undersize key should be replaced before it damages the screw socket. The ASME B18.3 width band is 0.0615-0.0625 in.; the key is held just under nominal so it enters an in-tolerance socket and bears on the flats.

Repair benches use short and long formats to cover both open access and recessed socket locations. Many buyers stock the Short Arm key beside its Long Arm twin so the same width is available in both geometries.

Cold Headers keeps this driver family tied to the broader socket-fastener catalog rather than treating it as a commodity tool. Review the 1/16 in. width, Short Arm format, short-leg length, and arm length before ordering. Hex Socket Pressure Plugs are a related catalog section for buyers sourcing socket-drive closure hardware.

Technical Highlights

  • Style: L-shaped hex key, Short Arm
  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Width Across Flats: 1/16 in. (0.0615-0.0625 in.)
  • Short-Leg Length: 0.469-0.656 in.
  • Arm Length: 1.656-1.844 in.
  • Dimensional Standard: ASME B18.3

Call 773-775-7900 or email Sales@coldheaders.com for pricing, availability, or a quote.

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5/64 Short Arm Alloy Steel Hex Key covers the 5/64 in. driver position in an alloy steel hex-key range used throughout machine work. The ASME B18.3 width band is 0.0771-0.0781 in.; the key is held just under nominal so it enters an in-tolerance socket and bears on the flats.

Machine setup and changeover work often needs a repeatable L-key at the station rather than a shared tool set. Short Arm geometry favors compact reach and quick hand rotation; the same width in Long Arm form is the natural comparison.

Since 1962, Cold Headers has supplied specialty socket hardware and the hex keys that complete the working system. Review the 5/64 in. width, Short Arm format, short-leg length, and arm length before ordering. Non-catalog hex-key widths and series can be reviewed when a tool crib needs a special driver.

Technical Highlights

  • Style: L-shaped hex key, Short Arm
  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Width Across Flats: 5/64 in. (0.0771-0.0781 in.)
  • Short-Leg Length: 0.516-0.703 in.
  • Arm Length: 1.781-1.969 in.
  • Dimensional Standard: ASME B18.3

Call 773-775-7900 or email Sales@coldheaders.com for pricing, availability, or a quote.
Brands N/A Cold Headers, Inc.
Type N/A Short Arm
Width Across the Flats N/A 0.028 in N/A 0.035 in N/A 0.050 in N/A 1/16 in N/A 5/64 in
Material N/A Alloy Steel
Quantity N/A 100
Package Type N/A Box
Note N/A Less Than Package Quantity Specified Plus 2 N/A Less Than Package Quantity Specified Plus 2 N/A

Less Than Package Quantity Specified Plus 2

 		N/A Less Than Package Quantity Specified Plus 2 N/A Less Than Package Quantity Specified Plus 2