lost tool - generic replacement available?

longwave · Jun 27th, 07, 9:39 pm

i lost the tool to construct my ROBIN cd shelf. it's the hexagonal (octagonal?) L-shaped tool. can i buy it at a hardware store or is it something that i need to get at ikea? the closest store is a bit of a drive so i'd like to avoid that if possible.

schu · Jun 27th, 07, 9:46 pm

Pretty sure it is just a hex bit. You can get them in various sizes or in sets at Sears or anywhere else tools are sold.

woodswell · Jun 27th, 07, 9:52 pm

Those little hex shaped tools are called Allen wrenches or hex keys and usually come in a set with various sizes. I have no clue what size the IKEA tool is, but I suspect it would be metric.

longwave · Jun 28th, 07, 12:16 am

thank you both SO MUCH. my brother ended up having some hex keys in his bike repair kit. that saved me a trip to the hardware store. knowing the term will surely come in handy in the future!

Narf · Jun 28th, 07, 12:40 am

FWIW, most Ikea fasteners are 4mm or 5mm, with an occasional 3mm and 6mm. The only rare one I've ran across is the ones for the Galant legs ... they have a 10mm head.

The next time you're at Ikea, ask Customer service for one. They usually have plenty of spares.