Some screws are turned by hand, others lost their head, and one looks like a sea monster. It might be time you read up on ...

Mix two-part epoxy and spread it into stripped screw head. Attach the hex key, let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, then try to turn the stripped screw. Multi tool.

Simple—Allen publicized them, stressing how much better it was to have a tool that took more of a lock-and-key approach to joining with the screw. The timing was fortuitous: Industrial manufacturing ...

Our pick: Amazon Basics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End; Runner-up: ... This unusual shape allows the tool to enter the screw head and still turn it at an angle of up to 25 degrees.

For some reason, Allen wrenches—which are also called hex keys, Allen keys, or hex wrenches—aren’t included in many basic toolkits, despite being inexpensive and taking up basically zero space.