Snap-on torx bits replaceable?
- Thread starter Achilleus
- Start date
demonspeed
Well-known member
Couldn't you just get the entire socket warranteed by your dealer?
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
My older Snap On Torx sockets have a allen set screw in them that allows you to take the actual bit out of the socket and replace it but all of the newer ones I have they seemed to be pressed in.
I can fix anything
Well-known member
no press required.
So, vice? Hammer? Teeth?
Seanbev24
Well-known member
The couple I've had to warranty, my dealer just hammers the bit out with a punch.
shampoop
Well-known member
When i've had them replaced the dealer has a vice with a copper cover so not to mar the socket, punches the old one out and pops a new one in. I don't like how they're "pressed" in. Long ball hex bits have the tendency to get a little stuck in a fastener (no rounding going on) and have to be pulled out. When this happens, the bit pops out with it. Very obnoxious, I really wish they would come with set screws or roll pins holding them in place like the old style ones.
MrMark
Well-known member
Yours probably aren't all the way in. They should be so tight that they never come out like that. I had a dealer do a couple for me and he didn't get them fully seated. I've done a few and I sit the socket over the slightly open vise jaws and drive them out with a punch. Then tap the new one in until fully seated when viewed from the back.
Wrenches of Death
Well-known member
My Snap-on ones are not recent, but the bits are retained in each socket with a roll pin. I had one break a while back and went ahead and changed the roll pins in every SO one I had. Both my torx and hex bits are like this.
I also have a set of Mac torx bits. They are retained in the socket with a set screw.
My Vulcan and Williams ones also have set screws.
My 1/2" drive, bigger ones like 3/4" etc are made by Proto. The bits on those are pressed into the sockets with no retainer.
The bits that the SO ones that I have all have holes in one end for the roll pins. This isn't something that lends itself to an easy or cheap substitute. I'm guessing that those holes were made before the bits were hardened.
I prefer retention with a set screw. In a pinch, I can sacrifice a regular hex wrench to get the socket drive one back up and running. Ditto if I need a long reach type socket. I suppose that I could simply thread one of the two roll pin holes in the SO type and install a set screw in it and grind a notch in the bit if I had to.
WoD
tooljunkie4
Well-known member
New Snap-on replacement bit socket bits are struck with something akin to a centering punch prior to hardening. The result is an interference fit. No set screw or roll pin required - even when the newer-style bits are applied to the older set screw or roll-pin equipped bit sockets. Also very easily replaced by the end user. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the drive end of smaller sizes of torx or allen bits during installation, though.
Holy thread revival but I'll add to this. I guess I'm not old enough to remember Snap-on's older style. My SO hex bit sockets are all interference fit, purchased 25 yrs ago.
Years ago SO had an issue where their standard length 3mm hex replacements were not staked/punched. And of course because they are hardened you can't center punch them afterwards. The dealer didn't know why but he said it was only for the 3mm hex replacements. Not sure if that's still the case now.
One SO dealer just pressed out an extended length bit out of one he had on the truck & gave me that. So I just cut pieces off of that when needed & I use green Loctite to hold it in the socket, haven't had one fall out during use yet.
At work I use HF Pittsburgh chrome hex sockets daily with an impact driver (yeah yeah I know I know, whatever, the entire 6pc set costs me less than $6 on sale). Surprisingly they hold up well & I have never broken one. However the smallest size 5/32 I do wear out after a while, again I'm surprised how long they last. HF will warranty them no questions asked & I have but after the 2nd time I felt guilty as it's not their fault even though they will warranty them for just wear.
So now I bought a bunch of 2" length bits, cut the end off, machine them down to size & chamfer, press the old one out & the new one in. The HF ones are all 1/4" hex shank for sizes 1/4"/6mm & smaller. The socket is friction fit for 1/4" hex, no staking needed.
No idea how many times I can swap bits before they start get loose but I'm not worried about them, I'll either use Loctite or just buy new ones. Sure I could just buy 1" length bits & press them in without the extra effort but the bits used in bit sockets are longer than 1" & not just the HF ones. I've tried to find exact replacements for them but have had no luck.
I also cold blue the bit before pressing back in just so they don't look out of place in my tool cart next to the others.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Clean work as always man.Holy thread revival but I'll add to this. I guess I'm not old enough to remember Snap-on's older style. My SO hex bit sockets are all interference fit, purchased 25 yrs ago.
Years ago SO had an issue where their standard length 3mm hex replacements were not staked/punched. And of course because they are hardened you can't center punch them afterwards. The dealer didn't know why but he said it was only for the 3mm hex replacements. Not sure if that's still the case now.
One SO dealer just pressed out an extended length bit out of one he had on the truck & gave me that. So I just cut pieces off of that when needed & I use green Loctite to hold it in the socket, haven't had one fall out during use yet.
At work I use HF Pittsburgh chrome hex sockets daily with an impact driver (yeah yeah I know I know, whatever, the entire 6pc set costs me less than $6 on sale). Surprisingly they hold up well & I have never broken one. However the smallest size 5/32 I do wear out after a while, again I'm surprised how long they last. HF will warranty them no questions asked & I have but after the 2nd time I felt guilty as it's not their fault even though they will warranty them for just wear.
So now I bought a bunch of 2" length bits, cut the end off, machine them down to size & chamfer, press the old one out & the new one in. The HF ones are all 1/4" hex shank for sizes 1/4"/6mm & smaller. The socket is friction fit for 1/4" hex, no staking needed.
No idea how many times I can swap bits before they start get loose but I'm not worried about them, I'll either use Loctite or just buy new ones. Sure I could just buy 1" length bits & press them in without the extra effort but the bits used in bit sockets are longer than 1" & not just the HF ones. I've tried to find exact replacements for them but have had no luck.
I also cold blue the bit before pressing back in just so they don't look out of place in my tool cart next to the others.
How long is that 5/32? Tekton bits are 30mm.
Thanks!Clean work as always man.
How long is that 5/32? Tekton bits are 30mm.
Oh really!? 1.185" so yeah 30mm is perfect. I could only find 5/16" hex shank bits that are 30mm long. Do you have a link to where I could buy the 5/32" bits? I could not find them on Tekton's website.
Last edited:
KnurledNut
Well-known member
https://www.tekton.com/1-4-inch-shank-hex-bit-set-9-piece-dzx93001Thanks!
Oh really!? 1.185" so yeah 30mm is perfect. I could only find 5/16" hex shank bits that are 30mm long. Do you have a link to where I could buy the 5/32" bits? I could not find them on Tekton's website
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-Inch-Rail-9-Piece-DZX93001/dp/B0BQ7P67GY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I dont know if they sell individually. Might be worth asking if they could do a bulk purchase.
But the 9 piece SAE hex set is only $5.
I see, ok thanks. Although only $5 for the set I really only need the one size. I can just buy Tekton's 5/32 hex socket for $5 and again the entire 6pc set from HF I can get for under $6 when on sale.
I'm just being cheap here & trying to keep the cost down.
The bits I'm buying now cost me $1.60 ea from Zoro & that's including $5 shipping. If I buy even more than three 5 packs at a time I could save more but 15 of them should last me a while.The other option I considerd was buying Tekton's extended reach 5/32" hex socket. It uses an actual 5/32" hex shank bit rather than a 1/4" hex shank bit that is machined down to 5/32. I could then replace the bit as needed using 5/32" hex keys.
But I believe hex keys aren't commonly available in S2, only CR-V, & CR-V wears much faster for screwdriver bit in my experience.
Sorry, one more post & orry for the thread hijack. So you got me on the search again. I never though to actually search for "30mm length screwdriver" bits so thanks for the idea.
I just found 30mm length 5/32 bits from Genius tool that don't cost much. However I considered buying their 2" length bit but shipping for them was much more than I wanted to pay. They also don't list what the 30mm bits are made of, they just say high speed steel which I don't believe.
https://www.geniustoolsusa.com/genius-tools-1-4-hex-shank-5-32-hex-screwdriver-bit-30mml-3110.html
So during my search I found some bits by X1 Tools on ebay & Zoro that look longer than 1". But I didn't have good luck with that from another brand I tried purchasing. They also list them as CR-V so I passed. However when I saw the 30mm Genius tool pic, it looked familiar, it's the same photo & p/n X1 Tools is using. But again X1 Tools say CR-V. I'm thinking about buy a few to test now.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/374047614845
Man the things I do & time I spend just to save a few bucks. Haha. Well I emailed Tekton also so thanks again, never knew they had em.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I forgot that Genius bits were 30mm. I don't know what grade of hex stock they are using, but it seems to hold up pretty well. I have a lot of their tools and everything I have seen comes from Taiwan. Interesting find on the X1. It sure looks like they may be connected to the manufacturer producing Genius bits. Genius stamps their logo on the reverse side of those bits. I'm curious if thats blank.
I could be remembering wrong but for some reason I thought Genius Tools was a Korean company. First time I heard of them yrs ago I was looking for a couple of semi deep impact sockets, which I did find but at them time I could only get them shipped from Korea. Looks like they have a location here in CA now but their cheapest shipping is $10. I.also tried adding the 30mm bits to cart but says they are not currently available.
I think I also had my eye on their zero offset xl wrenches back then but I found a set of Snap-on for a great price.
I'm gonna wait till I hear from Tekton first, if they can't sell me individuals I'll order the X1 bits to try out. They are $13 for a 12 pack shipped which is a good price, if they meet my needs that is.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
Williams offers their version of of the Snap On type replacement bits .
Sold at Zoro .
Sold at Zoro .