Q: What is the difference between an allen, hex and socket driver?
A: All these drivers are the same. They can be offered in a socket head cap screw (hence the term socket), pan head and flat head. An allen/hex/socket drive offers a more secure connection than say a flat head slotted driver. They all require an allen key to secure the bolt rather than a slotted or phillips drive screw driver. They are also an ideal option for low quantities compared to a phillips driver (for flat head and pan head screws) which require much larger production quantities. For a rounded/pan head with a hex/allen/socket drive it is usually referred to as a button head socket cap rather than a pan head.