Thorlabs offers a wide range of general laboratory tools and tool holders to make the construction of an optomechanical assembly as quick and effortless as possible.
For information on compatible balldrivers/hex keys and various types of screws, please see the Hex Key Compatibility tab.
Among the most essential general-purpose tools in any optics laboratory, balldrivers are used to secure standard cap screws and setscrews in optomechanical assemblies. Balldrivers can be purchased individually or in kits. See the tables to the right for the balldrivers included with each kit.
Unlike standard hex wrenches, the unique hex ball design of the balldriver tips allows them to operate at angles, which is ideal for tightening or loosening screws in hard-to-reach places. Imperial balldrivers have a yellow handle, while metric balldrivers have a red handle. All balldrivers have a high-strength steel alloy blade. The BD-3/16L and BD-5ML have an extra long 8" (20.3 cm) shaft with an overall length of 11" (27.9 cm), including the handle.
The BD-1.3M is labeled as a 1.27 mm balldriver. Please note that the industry standard is to round 1.27 mm hex measurements to 1.3 mm, and thus the BD-1.3M is compatible with all 1.3 mm hex components. For compatibility information between other balldrivers/hex keys and screws, see the Hex Key Compatibility tab above.
