High performance Torx bits

My last job before retirement involves quite a bit of small screw removals which are heavily Loctited in position, does anyone have personal industrial experience of a decent maker of small Torx bits, so far every bit I have seen in the company is just up from mild steel in performance.

Thanks

Tony

The Wera Impactor ones seem to last quite well, think they are Chrome Vandium Steel with diamond in the coating. Though must admit my torx don't get as much used as the pozi or phlips which do last for ages and I'm usually not using smaller than T15 under power.. I'm assuming you mean 1/4hex bits

Edited By JasonB on 12/06/2019 19:51:59

My experience is pretty basic, however we tried to use them at work in place of hex cap heads, the tools were always snapping off. They all seemed to be too hard or cheap whichever applies to them.

Heat always gets stuck bolts out that have had too much loctite on them. In ten years of trying to get the fitters to put a small amount on, i think its finally sunk in that too much is not good. I live in hope

Brian

Yes I should have mentioned 1/4" hex bits it is, unfortunately heat is not an option due to electronic components in close proximity.

Thanks,

Tony

I dont have industrial experience, but I have recently put 200 masonary screws in using a T30. I started off using one from a ratchet set but that broke quickly, I then bought a Wiha Maxxtor one from Screwfix that worked fine. I was at some points using a T bar to turn them in as they were also going through 2" of timber.

The builder I had used a small battery impact driver and that put screws in that i had trouble to undo, so impact driver bits are the way to go.

I also get the impression screwdriver and tox bits are regarded as disposable as you can buy them in multi packs.

Adrian

How set in stone is the hex bit requirement? If you are prepared to try L-shaped torx keys, Unbrako, GKN and even Wera are good. For some reason, the L-keys in both torx and hex seem to be made of better 'stuff' than the bits.

You might need to be creative with the heat. Something like the old-time copper-bitted soldering iron applying the heat directly to the head of the fastener and hoping it will percolate down the shaft.

Hmm there is a thought, turn down a torx bit to fit in the end of a 25W soldering iron. Wont be able to turn it, but sure would heat the bolt well.

+1 for Wiha or stop your local Snap-On van.

Robert G8RPI.

Personal, not Industrial but try Bondhus.

Bondhus

They make probably the best Hex drivers you can buy so I expect their Torx to be just as good using their own special steel.

Another vote for Wera, and if you are doing loads, and the space isn't limited, use a cordless impact driver.

Years ago (~30), I persuaded one firm to change from cheap (and nasty) screws to Reisser. Used 1000s without any problem (compared to the soft posidrive screws in use previously. The extra cost exceeded the aggravation caused by the cheap screws.

Reisser posidrive screwdriver bits proved equally successful.

I would expect the same for their torx options of the current day. But anyway, going to a proper tool and fixings supplier should get you the advice required.

The last posidrive #3 tips have come from Highland Industrial Supplies or from my local bolt and nut supplier (Sterling Bolt and Nut Co). Yes, more expensive than a pack of rubbish tips but so much better in the long run. I no longer use many of any, at my age, but I believe quality counts for more than cheapness, every time.

A certain car door hinges were held by largish torx screws to remove with a conventional tool normally resulted in twisted or broken bits.

Using an air impact wrench and no problems getting them out sudden shock in this case was the answer.

I swear by PB Swiss for 1/4" bits. I've used their Torx and Allen bits for a few years now and they have been fantastic. I haven't tried Bondhus 1/4" bits but I have a set of their Allen keys and they are also fantastic. I'm not a industrial user but I recommended the above brands to someone who is and he says he wouldn't use anything else now.