Where can I find the cheapest decent triple square bits?

winlinmac · Sep 16, 2015

Where can I find the cheapest decent triple square bits?
I see Autozone having them for $31.99
I can't find them on Harbor Freight's website.
Any suggestions? Applicable to European Vehicles.

Thanks

DieselJH · Sep 16, 2015

I recently got a VIM set off of amazon for alittle over $25. They are the OE for Mac and some other truck brands IIRC.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XHYH48M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

shockwave · Sep 16, 2015

Look at vim Asian make but with snap on quality too been using them for years

SMKS · Sep 16, 2015

I've bought some at NAPA that have worked well for me. I was on short notice so I couldn't order online.

Itinker · Sep 17, 2015

Having not included what sizes you are looking for, here is a small set of smaller sizes from Cripe Distributing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391117654777?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Otherwise, I would also recommend a set from VIM Tools.

http://www.vimtools.com/store/page12.html

Mikerodrig27 · Sep 17, 2015

It's hard to pass on the VIM unit above. I don't do much work on Euro vehicles but how often do you need a triple square on them? The only time I've ever needed it is when I had to remove a shroud for an oil change on a beetle.

shockwave · Sep 17, 2015

Mostly use these for is rear caliper brackets on vw Touareg and rear toe adjustment on Mercedes Benz it depends on what work you do on German cars oil changes most likely not but general maintenance shop I would invest in 1/4 and 3/8 atleast

DieselJH · Sep 17, 2015

shockwave said:
Mostly use these for is rear caliper brackets on vw Touareg

Exactly what I bought my set for

and to do other little odds and ends on the car that require XZN bits.

rick carpenter · Sep 17, 2015

Mikerodrig27 said:
It's hard to pass on the VIM unit above. I don't do much work on Euro vehicles but how often do you need a triple square on them? The only time I've ever needed it is when I had to remove a shroud for an oil change on a beetle.

I used an 8mm hex-body triple-square bit on an 01 Jetta door a while back. I bought a no name four piece 2-7/8" USA set at a local parts house and had to have the 8mm bit cut down to 1-7/5" to fit. I think there were only four tri-sq's on the whole car! I don't remember the price but it was good.

Skin · Sep 17, 2015

Cheapest and bit sockets generally don't go well together. May as well throw your money in the trash and save yourself a trip to HF if you'd actually consider that place for this particular product. And this isn't just a random HF bash, their hex and torx are often improperly sized which leads to a much bigger headache when it either breaks off or doesn't fit stopping you in your tracks.

VIM are a known quantity (good quality) and about as cheap as you'd want to go.

619DioFan · Sep 17, 2015

I also have a set from VIM. excellent quality.

Mikerodrig27 · Sep 17, 2015

Skin said:
Cheapest and bit sockets generally don't go well together. May as well throw your money in the trash and save yourself a trip to HF if you'd actually consider that place for this particular product. And this isn't just a random HF bash, their hex and torx are often improperly sized which leads to a much bigger headache when it either breaks off or doesn't fit stopping you in your tracks.

VIM are a known quantity (good quality) and about as cheap as you'd want to go.

The VIM set is already so cheap and VIM products are so well spoken of. I think that if you are going to use a triple square on fasteners that are in good shape and you don't plan on using it that often then a junk set will cut it.

WhiffySpark · Sep 17, 2015

Mikerodrig27 said:
The VIM set is already so cheap and VIM products are so well spoken of. I think that if you are going to use a triple square on fasteners that are in good shape and you don't plan on using it that often then a junk set will cut it.

Until it strips out and you're freaking screwed.

I have Cornwell I believe their vim. Both my Mac and Cornwell sets look like vim

Mikerodrig27 · Sep 17, 2015

Hmm, I've used cheap triple square sets and have had no issues. I even used them with an impact driver.

thegroundpounder99 · Sep 17, 2015

I have the VIM set also and no issues and very affordable.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bro-Hio · Sep 17, 2015

I just recently bought the Capri Tools triple square bit set from Amazon for the same thing, VW work. They are good quality and come in a nice case. They held up and still look new after me beating on them pretty hard with a breaker bar trying to get my rear calipers off. I think they are around the same price, $20-25 bucks shipped if you are a Prime Member. Just another option to think about.

purplezr2 · Sep 17, 2015

I have a blue point set(VIM?) that have treated me well. I have a long snap on one that I use for VW/Audi Axles(12 I believe) and I have a long 10 for doing older head bolts.

jhelrey · Sep 17, 2015

I have Sunex..

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Thank you all for the recommendations. The one from VIM Tools caught my attention the most after reading through all the comments, but this set is all 3/8" drive.

I noticed the Capri set includes some sizes in each drive, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UQLR9U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Are all three drive sizes necessary?

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

I'm stuck between Capri Tools and VIM

1949 caddyman · Sep 17, 2015

Never heard of tripple square, is this the same as torx?

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

From Wikipedia,

The triple square, also known as XZN, is a type of screw drive with 12 equally spaced tips, each with a 90 degree angle. Common sizes are 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm. Its name derives from overlaying three equal squares to form such a pattern with 12 right-angled tips (a 12-pointed star). In other words, 3 Robertson squares superimposed at 30° rotation. The concept is similar to that of the double-square—in both cases, the idea being that it's like a square (Robertson) but can be caught at more frequent angles by the driver bit. These screws can be removed with standard Robertson bits.

Triple square drives are often used in high-torque applications, such as cylinder head bolts and drive train components. The heads are hardened and tempered to withstand the driving torque without destroying the star points.

Triple square fasteners are commonly found on German vehicles such as Audi, BMW, Opel, Mercedes, Porsche, and Volkswagen.[48]

1949 caddyman said:
Never heard of tripple square, is this the same as torx?

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Reading a little more into the reviews on Amazon for the Capri Tools set, some say the bits are too short, but the item description does not indicate whether or not these bits are stubby-type. The VIM Tools discretely state stubby. Not sure if this really makes a difference or not as one can always use an extension to aid.

Zrexxer · Sep 17, 2015

winlinmac said:
The VIM Tools discretely state stubby. Not sure if this really makes a difference or not as one can always use an extension to aid.

I prefer short driver bits, they're less likely to twist on you. They only need to be long enough to fully engage the head of the fastener.

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Which is most suitable for Audi Work, Short, Long, or both?
I came across this one as well,
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DKHVM8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Makes me wonder now

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Thank you

Zrexxer said:
I prefer short driver bits, they're less likely to twist on you. They only need to be long enough to fully engage the head of the fastener.

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Do I need Tamper Proof XZN's as well?

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

VIMTools,

Our Customers include:

Snap-on
Matco
Proto Tool
Stanley Tool
Cornwell
Techni-Tool
Blackhawk
Rainbird

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Even the VIM Tools are Made in Taiwan, but expect better quality as they are the OE for some of the major truck brands

R. Johnson · Sep 17, 2015

I have the short Neiko set and it's held up well doing various jobs including breaking head bolts.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WK9I3O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

1949 caddyman · Sep 17, 2015

I didn't work on German cars, thats why I never heard of the triple square. You learn something new every day!

Adam.C · Sep 17, 2015

+1. Cheap triple squares are a REALLY bad idea. These are used in high torque low access applications. Brake parts, half shafts, engine mounts, seat mounts. You often won't get a second chance with one of these.

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Haha, no wonder they offer lifetime warranty for that second chance. :bounce:

Adam.C said:
+1. Cheap triple squares are a REALLY bad idea. These are used in high torque low access applications. Brake parts, half shafts, engine mounts, seat mounts. You often won't get a second chance with one of these.

Itinker · Sep 17, 2015

winlinmac said:
Thank you all for the recommendations. The one from VIM Tools caught my attention the most after reading through all the comments, but this set is all 3/8" drive.

I noticed the Capri set includes some sizes in each drive, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UQLR9U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Are all three drive sizes necessary?

The 9pc VIM Set XZNS1000, includes bits in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives.

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Thanks, I can't seem to find them on Amazon. I guess I'll have to resort to Capri Tools for this one. They all are Made in Taiwan.

Itinker said:
The 9pc VIM Set XZNS1000, includes bits in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives.

WhiffySpark · Sep 17, 2015

Itinker said:
The 9pc VIM Set XZNS1000, includes bits in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives.

Not sure on model number but my Cornwell set is all 3/8. I think it goes down to 4 or 5

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Probably manufactured by Vim Tools too as someone else put it
http://www.durstonmfg.com/About_us.html

WhiffySpark said:
Not sure on model number but my Cornwell set is all 3/8. I think it goes down to 4 or 5

K-Dog · Sep 17, 2015

Let me jump in. I also have the VIM set. Way stronger than they look. I am very pleased with these sockets. A few of them are quite high milage and still fit great.

winlinmac · Sep 17, 2015

Thanks

VIM Set it is then. Can't wait to order before I begin suspension work

K-Dog said:
Let me jump in. I also have the VIM set. Way stronger than they look. I am very pleased with these sockets. A few of them are quite high milage and still fit great.

PJNJ · Sep 17, 2015

OTC also makes a short set that has a hex on the outside of the socket so you can use a wrench on them -
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JF5FAHO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't have them so can't speak to their quality though they have good reviews on Amazon.

:beer:

Where can I find the cheapest decent triple square bits?

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