Hex Key, Short Arm, Metric Sizes
What Is a Short Arm Hex Key?
A short arm hex key is an L-shaped hex wrench sized so the short leg does the driving. This lets the tool seat into a recessed or tightly clustered socket head fastener where a full length long arm key cannot swing clear of surrounding parts, walls, or housings. The long leg remains available as a lever, so once the short end is seated in the fastener you can still apply solid torque.
Short arm hex keys are a standard companion to long arm hex keys, letting you pick the leg length that fits the clearance around the fastener you are working on. They are common in equipment service, electronics assembly, and any job with fasteners set into recessed pockets or tight enclosures.
Key Features and Benefits
- Compact Short Leg: fits into tight clearance and recessed fastener locations.
- Long Leg for Leverage: provides a solid lever arm once the short end is seated.
- Hardened Steel Construction: resists rounding and wear under repeated use.
- Full Metric Size Range: matches standard metric socket head fasteners.
- Pairs with Long Arm Keys: a companion to long arm hex keys for jobs needing either reach or clearance.
Materials and Finishes
- S2 Tool Steel: hardened for long service life under repeated torque.
- Black Oxide Finish: a low glare finish with light corrosion resistance.
- Chrome Finish: a bright, wear resistant finish for general shop use.
Standards Compliance
- ISO 2936, Hexagon socket screw keys, dimensions
- DIN 911, Hexagon socket screw keys
- ASME/ANSI B18.3, Reference dimensions for hex socket head fasteners and keys
Size Range and Availability
Available in a full metric hex key size range, sold individually or as multi size sets.
Related Categories and Products
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a short arm hex key used for?
It is used to drive socket head fasteners in tight or recessed locations where a long arm hex key cannot swing clear of surrounding parts.
2. How is a short arm key different from a long arm key?
A short arm key is sized so the short leg does the driving, giving more clearance, while a long arm key uses the long leg for driving, giving more reach and leverage in open spaces.
3. Can I still get good torque with a short arm key?
Yes. Once the short end is seated in the fastener, the long leg still functions as a lever, giving you solid torque even though the driving end is compact.
4. Do short arm and long arm hex keys fit the same fasteners?
Yes. Both are sized to the same standard metric hex socket dimensions, so they fit the same fasteners, the choice comes down to available clearance.
5. Are these available as individual sizes or full sets?
Both. We stock individual short arm hex keys as well as complete multi size sets.
6. What finish should I choose?
Black oxide gives a low glare finish with light corrosion resistance, while chrome offers a bright, wear resistant finish for general shop use.
7. What sizes do you stock for short arm hex keys?
We stock a full metric hex key size range, available individually or as multi size sets.
