Armory Sponsor
Posted: 1/6/2013 2:08:49 PM EDT
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I've quickly noticed a good set of these is crucial for a reloading bench. I've just been grabbing from the pile of them in my tool box as needed, but was going to get a dedicated set.
Since the ones I've been grabbing from don't have markings on them, are most things in the reloading kits SAE or Metric? I've been using both Hornady and RCBS equipment. Obviously these things are cheap, but I'd rather not have to buy both sets to figure out I only need one 
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Quoted:
I've quickly noticed a good set of these is crucial for a reloading bench. I've just been grabbing from the pile of them in my tool box as needed, but was going to get a dedicated set. Since the ones I've been grabbing from don't have markings on them, are most things in the reloading kits SAE or Metric? I've been using both Hornady and RCBS equipment. Obviously these things are cheap, but I'd rather not have to buy both sets to figure out I only need one Measure them with you calipers. The measurement across any of the parallel flats will be very close the their "listed" size. Example: A 1/16 allen wrench may measure .060" (not .0625") 1mm is .0394" So if you get one that does not measure close to a known SAE size divide your measurement by .0394 and see if it is metric. Edit to add. .050" is a common SAE size allen wrench that is not designated by a fraction. Why, because there is no simple fraction for .050" 
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I recommend full-size, individual wrenches, rather than the "folding knife" type sets; at times, you'll really want the extra leverage of a 4" long, 1/8" Allen!
This is a type of tool that, while inexpensive, should not be cheap. I can't count the number of "anti-tamper" screw driver bits I've wrecked because they were cheap, and you really don't want to goober up an Allen socket fastener on your press or your dies. With that said, there is no magic in buying a set of Allen wrenches branded by Dillon, RCBS, or any other loading tool company. Try out Lowes, or Home Depot for their house-brand wrenches. I'm using a set that's a good 10 years old and while I can't remember where I got them, they look an awful lot like a generic set from either of the two big box home improvement stores. Of course Craftsman can't really be beat, and their prices are comparable to Lowes and HD. If you have access to Snap-On or another professional tool source, go with them if you can afford it (your grand children will appreciate those tools!). |
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Quoted:
I will recommend NOT paying for the RCBS fold up set mentioned above. I've thrown away three of those just to prevent them from wrecking any more screw heads. Get a decent set. Hobby store kits are usually good quality, though you will pay accordingly. I didn't. 
I just used the sizes they had listed to find a decent set inclusive of the ones RCBS found useful. Thanks for all the help. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I will recommend NOT paying for the RCBS fold up set mentioned above. I've thrown away three of those just to prevent them from wrecking any more screw heads. Get a decent set. Hobby store kits are usually good quality, though you will pay accordingly. I didn't.
I just used the sizes they had listed to find a decent set inclusive of the ones RCBS found useful. Thanks for all the help. I posted that tool merely because it was an RCBS, and you have RCBS dies, so I figured they would sell the tool that works for their dies 
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