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annoyed with triple square...

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Snakebyt

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i already have 6,8,10,12,14,18, today i needed smaller.. Needed a 4 or a 5, found them for less than $3 each online, but i couldnt find a single one locally. All i found were a couple of sets for $30 or so that included 4 and 5. I ordered a couple just to have them, just annoying that i couldnt find any local.. just a post to vent...
 
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wkndwarrior29

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Hf sells a bit set that has the smaller sizes. I'm with you though, buying a VW is one of my few regrets of 2017 for reasons including this.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
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Mohawk Dave

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Don't buy cheap sets when it comes to the small triple squares, torx, hex.

Cheap enough to break off, hard enough to be a PITA to extract.

I'd rather go cheap on a 5/8 hex than a 2mm hex. At least on big ones you have room to extract.

That said, I only buy Snappy, Vim, Bondhus, Wiha, and Wera.oh yea...I did buy Sunex 3/8 and 1/2 impact hex...they seem skookum as well. But I know this thread is not about big hex. Just a little aside
 
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DerekV

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Snakebyt said:
i already have 6,8,10,12,14,18, today i needed smaller.. Needed a 4 or a 5, found them for less than $3 each online, but i couldnt find a single one locally. All i found were a couple of sets for $30 or so that included 4 and 5. I ordered a couple just to have them, just annoying that i couldnt find any local.. just a post to vent...
Click to expand...



I was in Autozone today. You can buy singles of 4 and 5mm triple squares (along with several other sizes). They're made in Taiwan, and no kidding around they seem pretty damn nice.
 
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Snakebyt

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Tallpilot

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Snakebyt said:
i already have 6,8,10,12,14,18, today i needed smaller.. Needed a 4 or a 5, found them for less than $3 each online, but i couldnt find a single one locally. All i found were a couple of sets for $30 or so that included 4 and 5. I ordered a couple just to have them, just annoying that i couldnt find any local.. just a post to vent...
Click to expand...

Now you made me panic and check mine. I have a 4 & 5 but not a 7. I really wish they would just sell full sets of this stuff. It’s maddening to think you have everything for a job then be held up over a $4 bit socket.
 
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Tonyuk

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Don't cheap out on spline or torx sockets, that's asking for issues. They'll round easily if the driver is too small.

I like Mac or Facom, as mentioned get at least 4-18, plus the security triple square to change transmission oil and hubs.
 
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JBradley500

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Are triple square sockets always bits (male socket, female bolt head) or is there an “e-torx” version of triple square?

I have only needed to remove triple square bolts once and I luckily got way with using a hex key.
 
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Snakebyt

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JBradley500 said:
Are triple square sockets always bits (male socket, female bolt head) or is there an “e-torx” version of triple square?

I have only needed to remove triple square bolts once and I luckily got way with using a hex key.
Click to expand...

as far as i know, I have never seen a e-torx version.
 
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purplezr2

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JBradley500 said:
Are triple square sockets always bits (male socket, female bolt head) or is there an “e-torx” version of triple square?

I have only needed to remove triple square bolts once and I luckily got way with using a hex key.
Click to expand...

The " E Torx" version would be a 12 point hex bolt basically.
 
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ChaseDE

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I have probably used these before and just never knew, never heard the term triple square, interesting. Most all the Benz fittings are torx, right?
 
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DerekV

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DerekV said:
I was in Autozone today. You can buy singles of 4 and 5mm triple squares (along with several other sizes). They're made in Taiwan, and no kidding around they seem pretty damn nice.
Click to expand...



I misspoke - had to go back in again today and the smallest loose size they had was 8mm. They have a nice set for $25 that has all the sizes from 4-16mm though.
 
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L.Cheapo

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ChaseDE said:
I have probably used these before and just never knew, never heard the term triple square, interesting. Most all the Benz fittings are torx, right?
Click to expand...

They've been around a long time. My 1970 and 73 VWs have them for the CV shaft retaining bolts. It's the only one I own and have ever needed, 8mm, IIRC.
 
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Spacey_G

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JBradley500 said:
Are triple square sockets always bits (male socket, female bolt head) or is there an “e-torx” version of triple square?

I have only needed to remove triple square bolts once and I luckily got way with using a hex key.
Click to expand...
If a triple square is an inverted 12-point hex as the name implies, using a hex key in a triple square would be analogous to using a 12-point socket on a hex head bolt, assuming the fits are the same.

Something tells me that would be even more prone to rounding than a 12-point socket on a hex head, though.
 
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L.Cheapo

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Spacey_G said:
If a triple square is an inverted 12-point hex as the name implies, using a hex key in a triple square would be analogous to using a 12-point socket on a hex head bolt, assuming the fits are the same.

Something tells me that would be even more prone to rounding than a 12-point socket on a hex head, though.
Click to expand...

While a hex key might work, it is not the proper tool. A hex key has 120* angles, a triple square is 90* angles.

Some people use 12 point sockets on square fasteners, same thing. It might work, but it's not the proper tool. The square has 90* corner angles and the 12 point socket has 120* angles.

At least the angles are correct for using a 12 point hex socket on a 6 pt hex bolt.
 
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WhiffySpark

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ChaseDE said:
I have probably used these before and just never knew, never heard the term triple square, interesting. Most all the Benz fittings are torx, right?
Click to expand...

Benz/bmw uses a lot of e torx. Internal and external.

Triple scqaure is most common on vw/Audi. But it’s showjng up everywhere now
 
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jshillin

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I bought VIM triple squares when I had my GTI, never had a problem with them.
 
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Tonyuk

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Spacey_G said:
If a triple square is an inverted 12-point hex as the name implies, using a hex key in a triple square would be analogous to using a 12-point socket on a hex head bolt, assuming the fits are the same.

Something tells me that would be even more prone to rounding than a 12-point socket on a hex head, though.
Click to expand...

Dont, just dont......... it wont end well.

The splines are much thinner on a spline fastener, much less material needs to be moved before it rounds off, and they get fragile when they rust up a bit.

That and i'm sure the sizing between hex keys and splines are different a bit.

Dont bother using torx on them either.
 
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Spacey_G

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L.Cheapo said:
While a hex key might work, it is not the proper tool. A hex key has 120* angles, a triple square is 90* angles.

Some people use 12 point sockets on square fasteners, same thing. It might work, but it's not the proper tool. The square has 90* corner angles and the 12 point socket has 120* angles.

At least the angles are correct for using a 12 point hex socket on a 6 pt hex bolt.
Click to expand...
Right you are...I didn't think that through all the way. Two hexes overlayed is not the same as three squares overlayed. Same number of points, different angles.
 
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rhandwor

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Felo,wera,wiha,make 1/4 drive bits. I think the seven and nine sizes are made for 8mm and 10mm bi hexagonal as many people were stripping out smaller spline xzn bits.
 
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AmishFury

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Snakebyt said:
like a jeep bub assembly bolt
Click to expand...

the reason i ended up with a nice collection of 13mm 12 point... every time i needed one i could never find them so i'd give up and drop the $3-4 on another and as soon as the job is done i find them all in a place i know i looked

guarantee the next time i need one they will all vanish
 
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seber

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The triple square system as well as the double square were developed from the Robertson drive for the purpose of giving additional wrenching angles. They were and are capable of being driven by a common Robertson driver.
 
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