Park Tool 3-Way Hex Wrench AWS-1

Out of all the tools a home mechanic, there aren’t many more commonly used than a good set of Allen wrenches. Of the most common are the 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm. Park Tool makes a three sided wrench set that has all three sizes (Park Tool AWS-1 Hex Wrench Set). I’ve owned mine for over 8 year now and here are my impressions:

Construction:

Park Tool designed the AWS-1 exceptionally well. They used high quality steel with covered with durable plastic that not only a great product but something that is comfy to hold in hand. The tolerance on the machining of this tool is top notch as well. The 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm sizes are tight and I have never stripped out a bolt while using them.

Not indestructible however:

With all the good this tool offers, it’s important to know that it is not indestructible. As you can tell from the photo the AWS-1 shows a bit of wear on the end of the key (where it comes in contact with the face of the bolt). Although I haven’t had any issues with this stripping bolts, I have seen a few get so worn that they have. Fixing this is very simple. All you need to do is grind down the end of the worn out key 2 to 3mm and you’ll have a fresh, brand new surface that should last for years.

Bottom Line:

Like I said before, a good set of allen wrenches is a must for any home mechanic. The AWS-1 is an excellent one to have on hand because of it’s craftsmanship as well as ease to use. It’s comfy in hand and was machined with great tolerance. I strongly recommend this product.