After breaking many torx bits, from Mac...and the gold snapon ones. It doesnt seem to matter what brand they are they are going to break. I have decided just to purchase some bits and put them in the mac holder. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with different brands of bits? Thanks for any assistance.
Best Torx bits?
- Thread starter Damage
- Start date
bart1
Well-known member
Try Hazet or Stahlwille.
Quote from another forum:
Quote from another forum:
cosmik binturong
Well-known member
or american-made Apex, a bit expensive and hard to find locally but well worth the price... 
edit: don't know why but i've read "sockets" not "bits" in the title... :/
the following ones are what i"ve used as Torx sockets:
Stahlwille and Hazet's are pretty good too, like Facom and Ko-Ken's ones...
as for "non-square drive" mounted bits, Apex, Wiha, PBSwiss and Wera's were the best i've ever used...
with any of those you can't go wrong!
edit: don't know why but i've read "sockets" not "bits" in the title... :/
the following ones are what i"ve used as Torx sockets:
Stahlwille and Hazet's are pretty good too, like Facom and Ko-Ken's ones...
as for "non-square drive" mounted bits, Apex, Wiha, PBSwiss and Wera's were the best i've ever used...
with any of those you can't go wrong!
Last edited:
Toolhorder
Well-known member
Use a breaker bar...
I've had good experience with the Wiha bits ...
Why would a breaker bar make a difference in the breaking of a Torx Bit?
bart1
Well-known member
I've had good experience with the Wiha bits ...
These are what I have, but I haven't really tested them.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
I have been pretty satisfied with my VIM made cornwell bits. When I initially bought them, I thought they were US made. Kept them anyway. Not bad, not amazing either. Solid deal for the ~20$ I won them for.
Have not been impressed with Matco bits in the past, actually very disappointed. SK Torx bits have been really good, although some people don't like the way they are retained. The actual quality of the steel bit is top shelf across the board for SK bits.
Have not been impressed with Matco bits in the past, actually very disappointed. SK Torx bits have been really good, although some people don't like the way they are retained. The actual quality of the steel bit is top shelf across the board for SK bits.
Last edited:
Toolhorder
Well-known member
They don't snap off with a breaker bar as easy compared to using an impact gun.
I've got older Snap-on torx bits and they have never broke on me. They were used when I got them and work perfect. Maybe you guys are not square on the bolt head or something I dunno. SO's torx bit sockets work perfect for me and I'm a pro wrench using them everyday.
tcsalvage
Well-known member
i remember this topic not to long ago here. ive used a couple different brands and the gold snap ons are about the best ive come across so far. i don't use mine on impacts but they still get broken, just not as much as others. might look into some of the others listed here because i just broke another t-50 today.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
My dealer had the gold set on $99 promo last week but I already got the $99 set from a couple months ago that are non gold. Haven't opened the new ones yet still using the vintage set with good success.
nato
Well-known member
Snap On, Snap On, Snap On......Snap On! 
And for a real zinger, I picked up a set of Craftsman Evolv polished Torx sockets to cover any Snap On snafu's and I must say, other than the fact that they're chamfered at the tips (don't always drive & bite into the fastener100%), you can't beat them for $10/SET. I'm impressed for such a cheap socket set.
And for a real zinger, I picked up a set of Craftsman Evolv polished Torx sockets to cover any Snap On snafu's and I must say, other than the fact that they're chamfered at the tips (don't always drive & bite into the fastener100%), you can't beat them for $10/SET. I'm impressed for such a cheap socket set.
Just bought these after seeing his reccomendation. Don't come with a t-47 is my only complaint.
cosmik binturong
Well-known member
try All-Spec, Pneumatic Tools Online/Lou Zampini or Grainger for a start; even Wally's World! has some of them...
be prepared to give your firstborn though...
Last edited:
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
I've had good experience with the Wiha bits ...
I've actually been looking at the exact same ones. Would love to hear if anyone is using these. Wanting to step up from Craftsman but prefer something other than Snap On, since that's probably overkill for me. If I went SO I'd get the gold ones everyone raves about, but pricing it out that's just too much to swallow for what little use they'd get. I'm assuming Wiha is still worlds better than Craftsman though. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.
Gort the giant robot
Well-known member
About 30 yars ago I bought a set by OTC. I still have about half of them left.
Gort.
Gort.
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
The best set I've EVER owned is "Crew Line" from Checker Auto - they are 20+ years old and I've never broken one.
I believe that Wilmar was the OEM on them, as they look REALLY similar.
I believe that Wilmar was the OEM on them, as they look REALLY similar.
joeswamp
Well-known member
try All-Spec, Pneumatic Tools Online/Lou Zampini or Grainger for a start; even Wally's World! has some of them...
be prepared to give your firstborn though...
Thanks, I had seen Lou Zampini before but I think they had some big minimum order requirement. I'll order some from pneumatic tools online. Crazy that you can get Apex bits from Walmart, something is seriously wrong there...
Looking on Grainger Apex is showing COO as Taiwan. These are for the hex inserts though. Not showing any sockets. 12.43 for a 5pk doesn't seem to bad. Guess there's no warranty involved. I've been getting SO ones for that purpose mainly. Have some SK's too that seem nice as well once other than the neck down on the larger ones to fit the socket. The friction ring design seems nice but its also not to hard to punch bits out either.
Even got some cheap Amco's or something in the Jeep that seem to have held up ok. Not daily use though. Got some Kobalts when they were closing out and seem to be just as good a finish as the SO ones ( I found a pretty old set) of course you can't see the steel difference. Wow, just thinking about it I've got alot of torx sets. But how could you not get the $99 SO heavy duty ones.
Even got some cheap Amco's or something in the Jeep that seem to have held up ok. Not daily use though. Got some Kobalts when they were closing out and seem to be just as good a finish as the SO ones ( I found a pretty old set) of course you can't see the steel difference. Wow, just thinking about it I've got alot of torx sets. But how could you not get the $99 SO heavy duty ones.
devoncoolman
Well-known member
Snap-on bits have always been the best for me. But cost is outragous on them. I still break them from time to time. Just the way it is. Had many brands over the years. Broke craftsmans almost instantly everytime.
The gold snap on ones last the longest for me, but I still snap the tip off right around every 6 months or so on my T30 (impact use). I should mention however, Matco bits have got to be made out of glass or something... I will never buy any of their torx bits again.
devoncoolman
Well-known member
Ill second epmills on the matco bits. I have a set and i wont even touch them anymore. I litterally break them everytime i use them. Complete ****. I cant believe people dont riot over this i cant be the only one that breaks them everytime i pick them up. Theres a reason why every tech where i work uses snap-on bit sockets. Even the mac and matco fan boys have snap-on bit sockets.
shockwave
Well-known member
I have had the best of luck with the gold bits from snap on or the single piece from vim hold up the best
I have grey pnuematic, and gearwrench, both are okay.......If the bolt is tight I will break one. Then usually the other bit I have for backup gets it out. Except the t-55. I have a 3rd option for that size. A gold snap on. Never lets me down.. I use that on my gun ( the only chrome socket that EVER goes on my impact gun) and on my long breaker bar with a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. I will someday get a whole set, just cant justify it right now.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Snap On Heavy Duty Removal have done well by me... yeah, the gold ones. I like that there is not ridge/lip at the end of the bit like most others (including regular snap-on bits). I think it really helps the bit bite in with the most surface area.
For long torx, I really like my HF torx impact set. I've broken 1 in 2 years of daily use, usually on an impact.
In general, torx is a *****. Bits will break, fasteners will round, that's how it works. It may be great for assembly and high torque, but it really ***** for corroded/rusty environments. Male torx bolts are the absolute worst though.
For long torx, I really like my HF torx impact set. I've broken 1 in 2 years of daily use, usually on an impact.
In general, torx is a *****. Bits will break, fasteners will round, that's how it works. It may be great for assembly and high torque, but it really ***** for corroded/rusty environments. Male torx bolts are the absolute worst though.
quattroJoe
Well-known member
Maybe a dumb question, but does anyone make impact rated torx sockets? Specifically in the T45-55 range? I know you can get impact rated bits with a 1/4 hex base, but they are much smaller than what I'm looking for.
chicane
Well-known member
This ^.
Grey Pneumatic is what I have for impact hex & torx sockets.
I have this set as well as hex bits, they are not as good as the gp sockets..........but only a fraction of the price of snap on (I dont know if so makes impact rated) If they break they get warrantied no problem, but I seem to shatter one once a month.
My SK bits have held up REALLY well.
Dave455
Well-known member
A lot of these things seem to twist or break if you lean on 'em hard! Trouble is, manufacturers insist on using stuff like relatively big countersunk screws with a stupidly small Torx recess!
Best bit's I've found, by far, are PB Swiss, but I think they only offer smaller hex bit's like 1/4 and 5/16.
For the larger style to use directly with say a 1/2 inch ratchet or breaker bar, I've got Snap On, Ko Ken and Stahlwille, and havn't twisted or broken any of 'em yet! None of 'em are intended for impact use though, so I don't use 'em for that!
I've used a load of others, and twisted or broken most of the makes sooner or later. Anything Taiwanese, whatever name it's sold under, seems to twist! I only really buy the above now, though I suspect the Hazet and the Nepros are good and tough too!
KoKen make impact Torx sockets, and I think Stahlwille do as well! If you're going to be using them on an impact driver or suchlike then I think you'll probably break any tool designed for hand use!
Best bit's I've found, by far, are PB Swiss, but I think they only offer smaller hex bit's like 1/4 and 5/16.
For the larger style to use directly with say a 1/2 inch ratchet or breaker bar, I've got Snap On, Ko Ken and Stahlwille, and havn't twisted or broken any of 'em yet! None of 'em are intended for impact use though, so I don't use 'em for that!
I've used a load of others, and twisted or broken most of the makes sooner or later. Anything Taiwanese, whatever name it's sold under, seems to twist! I only really buy the above now, though I suspect the Hazet and the Nepros are good and tough too!
KoKen make impact Torx sockets, and I think Stahlwille do as well! If you're going to be using them on an impact driver or suchlike then I think you'll probably break any tool designed for hand use!
Last edited: