How it connects
Inserts axially into a matching female hexagonal socket or quick-change sleeve. Torque is transferred positively via the six hex flats, and retention is provided by an annular detent groove engaging a spring-loaded ball bearing or collar mechanism.
Male and female halves
Male hexagonal shank that mates with a female hex collet, bit holder, or quick-release chuck.
Usually connects to
- 1/4" female hex bit holder
- quick-release hex drive chuck
- impact driver 1/4" hex collet / receiver
- standard 3-jaw drill chuck
Common sizes
- Nominally 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) across flats; occasionally 5/16 inch (8 mm) or 7/16 inch (11 mm) on heavy-duty tools.
Where it is used
power toolsdrilling and fastening accessoriesimpact driverscordless drill driversconstruction and woodworking
Variations
- DIN 3126 / ISO 1173 Form E 6.3 (power bit shank with retention groove)
- DIN 3126 / ISO 1173 Form C 6.3 (insert bit style with notch)
- Plain hex shank (smooth hex without power groove, for standard 3-jaw chuck grip)
How to recognise it
A solid metal shaft with a regular 6-sided hexagonal cross-section (measuring 1/4 in / 6.35 mm across flats) extending from the rear of a drill chuck or chuck arbor adapter, typically featuring an annular circumferential detent groove near the tip for ball detent retention.
Often confused with
| Confused with | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| SDS-plus shank | SDS-plus has a round 10 mm diameter profile with asymmetrical open and closed longitudinal ball-locking grooves, whereas a hex shank has flat hexagonal faces (typically 6.35 mm across flats). |
| Threaded drill chuck arbor (e.g. 3/8-24 or 1/2-20 UNF) | Threaded arbors use helical machine threads to attach to the chuck body, whereas the hex shank portion is a straight prismatic hexagonal shaft with flats and an optional retention groove. |
Also called
1/4" hex shank drill chuck arbordrill chuck hex shank adapter1/4 inch hex power bit shankquick-change hex chuck arborhexagonal drive drill chuck shaft
Good to know
Described on tools like the Simpson Strong-Tie Quik Stik rafter fastening tool and various keyless drill chuck adapters where a 1/4" hex shank allows rapid conversion between driving sockets and standard round-shank drill bits.
Related connections
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