Allen keys (known also as hex wrenches) are all well and very much so; but you never have the size you want at hand. A full set is also annoyingly bulky.

MaxCo. is therefore slightly proud to announce the launch of its Nested Allen Key tool.

The business end of this hex-wrench consists of a tightly-nested series of hexagonal tubes, of diminishing diameter. The central element is a small solid hexagonal rod. The tubular sleeves are cunningly sprung.

When this remarkable tool is pressed against the head of a small hex bolt, the central hexagonal rod enters the bolt's recess. The larger hexagonal sleeves slide back, springwise, leaving the central rod to do its hexy business.

When the tool is pressed against a slightly larger hex bolt head, the innermost rod _and_ the first one or two sleeves enter the bolt's socket, whilst the larger outer sleeves are pushed back against their springs.

Finally, when the tool is used on a very large hex bolt, all segments of the tool work as one in the bolt's socket.

One tool. Many hexes.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 19 2017

Telehex https://www.telehex.ca/
[2 fries shy of a happy meal, Dec 19 2017]

Pin matrix tipped universal screwdrivers only_20size_20matters
Convergent evolution in action? [Wrongfellow, Dec 19 2017]

telescoping torx/allen tool telescoping_20torx_2fallen_20tool
[xaviergisz, Dec 19 2017]

US 1997948 https://www.google....u/patents/US1997948
Automatic socket wrench [xaviergisz, Dec 21 2017]

Very good. (+) In fact so good that it is getting kick-starter-ed as we speak.
[link]

Scroll to the bottom for the video.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Dec 19 2017


Bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 19 2017


No, [MB], no British MP's here, only halfbakers.

A great idea, even if it is a bit behind the curve. [+]

[suggested-for-deletion], not a new idea, Prior Art.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 19 2017


Do you have a "session" of Allen-key usage?
-- hippo, Dec 19 2017


//You could do a better version//

I was about to add that, if the central hex rod is also sprung, the same tool would work on those irritating "security" hex bolts that have a pip in the middle of the hex hole.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 19 2017


Hexa-gone.
-- xenzag, Dec 19 2017


// irritating "security" hex bolts //

Ah, yes.

Fortunately, easy to deal with -

1. Identify a "security" Hex or Torx bolt.

2. Remove and discard.

3. Replace with a plain non-security equivalent.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 19 2017


Yes. The problem tends to arise at step (2) of your otherwise brilliant plan.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 19 2017


Shaped charges. No problem.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 19 2017


And would you care to explain how, for instance, a shaped charge can remove a security hex bolt that is fitted into a blind hole, whilst leaving said blind hole capable of receiving (and retaining) a non-security hex bolt of the same size?

There should be a Youtube channel dedicated to the precision application of shaped charges. For instance, I presume it is straightforward to take the top off a softboiled egg and leave the egg edible. But presumably it would be harder to, for another instance, remove a dental filling using a shaped charge without adversely affecting the remainder of the tooth or its neighbours.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 19 2017


// whilst leaving said blind hole capable of receiving (and retaining) a non-security hex bolt of the same size? //

Now you're moving the goalposts.

Admittedly they're moving on an elegant and very satisfying parabolic trajectory, but they're definitely moving.

// I presume it is straightforward to take the top off a softboiled egg and leave the egg edible. //

Yes. Admittedly it removes the bottom of the egg too, and sprays it over quite a wide area, but yes.

// But presumably it would be harder to, for another instance, remove a dental filling using a shaped charge without adversely affecting the remainder of the tooth or its neighbours. //

That would be very challenging. The probability of collateral damage would be very high.

However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you would be so good as to lean your head right back, open your mouth wide, and indicate which of your fillings we can have a go at first, we will make a start.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 19 2017


The world's millitary forces have missed a trick. A totally straight Youtube channel "Will it blast". The inevitable conclusion will be reached. First two videos: Blendtec and hydraulic press.
-- bs0u0155, Dec 20 2017


//Admittedly it removes the bottom of the egg too, and sprays it over quite a wide area//

Oh dear. I was fully expecting a properly calculated solution involving an ultra-fine bead of explosive piped around the top of the shell, complete with overpressure calculations and contingency analysis.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 20 2017


That sounds almost like some sort of actual effort is being asked for.

Don't be silly.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 20 2017


Just dip the top 5-10mm in common household concentrated hydrofluoric acid for a few mins and the shell will be efficiently removed. You don't need to go messing with anything dangerous.
-- bs0u0155, Dec 20 2017


You're no fun any more ...
-- 8th of 7, Dec 20 2017


//remove a security hex bolt//

A punch and a sharp, right sized easy out that supplies the same torque as the the original tool, maybe.
-- wjt, Dec 21 2017


// common household concentrated hydrofluoric acid //

We wonder; apart from more technically-inclined halfbakers of course, how many mere proles actually bother to keep a stock of HF and other useful chemicals at home?
-- 8th of 7, Dec 21 2017


<raises hand>

Actually, for eggs, HCl would be fine and is relatively benign.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2017


I assume they already have a variation of this for socket wrenches as well no?
-- doctorremulac3, Dec 21 2017


Google "universal socket wrench" - a thing exists, consisting of a bundle of hexagonal rods in a cylindrical shell.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2017


Those work OK, providing the nut or bolt is in very good (near new) condition, and no more than a moderate amount of torque needs to be applied.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 21 2017


Ah, but CaF2 is insoluble. That really helps the forward reaction by removing the product. Just run the reactant through a coffee filter then dump in a scoop of spare protons and it's good to go again. HCl seems so inelegant.
-- bs0u0155, Dec 22 2017


Yes, but the stoichiometry and kinetics are such that a modest amount of HCl will do the job nicely.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 22 2017


Sorry HCl, if you don't have any pent up energy left, and an Easyout.
-- wjt, Dec 23 2017


[MB] You could go the Ponzi screwdriver. Great at fixing anything pyramidal..
-- not_morrison_rm, Dec 25 2017


//Google "universal socket wrench" - a thing exists, consisting of a bundle of hexagonal rods in a cylindrical shell.//

Yea, I've seen those, but what I'm talking about is simply the inverse of your idea. In fact, for modeling purposes, a mockup could be made by extending your allen wrench and sticking it into a clay tube.

It's just your idea inverted, so a socket wrench in a socket wrench etc.

That HAS to have been done right?

Oops, sorry, thanks for the link Xav. So how come this isn't a thing? Public domain now for some enterprising tool mogul.
-- doctorremulac3, Dec 28 2017



random, halfbakery