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Half Cut Torx & Hex -- Any love for 'em?

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T45

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Nov 20, 2014
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Any love for the 1/2 cut bit sockets?

Looks like VIM and snappy make them in both Torx and Hex.

Are they worth it? My understanding is they are stiffer.

I like they are compact and less likely to twist.

Not sure what, if any, the tradeoffs are? :dunno:

Thanks for any comments you might have.
 
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nicksnothereman

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T45 said:
Any love for the 1/2 cut bit sockets?

Looks like VIM and snappy make them in both Torx and Hex.

Are they worth it? My understanding is they are stiffer.

I like they are compact and less likely to twist.

Not sure what, if any, the tradeoffs are? :dunno:

Thanks for any comments you might have.
Click to expand...

There might be clearance issues. Hex would be more beneficial than torx in my opinion. Smaller size hex can be dicey in socket form...well any form to tell you the truth. Small size I usually use a t handle, shouldn't require that much torque anyway.

Would I buy a set? Nah. It's a nice to have type thing and I usually don't bite on these types of sets. Vim used maybe if they were cheap enough otherwise no.
 
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devoncoolman

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Have them in all three standard, metric, & torx. Being a professional mechanic that works on everything and anything. You need them from time to time. Rear caliper pins on the new 2500hd & 3500 chevys you need stubby torx. They come in handy more often then not.
 
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NewEdgePerf

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Nov 24, 2012
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Stubby hex are a "must-have" for older FWD VWs. 6 & 8 mm for alt and front t-belt cover.
 
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GTA Matt

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I have the vim stubby hex, torx and triple squares. When you need them for those low clearance areas, they are a life saver.
 
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BFHtime

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I have some of short, long, hex, torque, and ball hex. Clearance is where having the different sizes helps. It is better than having to remove more parts to get to a particular fastener.
 
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2ndGearRubber

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Torx is amazing working on on german stuff, and the occasional domestic. Torx is annoying enough, without having to deal with a minimum bit length of 1 inch.
 
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zcbauer89

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I've got a Mac set of stubby torx sockets. They are rebranded Vim, and they do come in handy on some late model John Deere equipment, and I do feel they are a bit stronger.
 
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csargents1546

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Westminster CO
The torx are a must for working on Ford 6.0 Diesels, need them to remove the oil feed rail for the fuel injectors on the passenger side. Well worth the money spent!!!
 
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SRSemenza

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Looking at various torx and hex sockets. OK, what exactly does "1/2 cut " mean?

Seth
 
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wkndwarrior29

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VIM makes them for snap on. I recently purchased a set of security hex sockets from thier bargain basement deals website and they came branded blue point. I was so impressed with the quality for the one that I bought a set for my mechanic father for Father's day. Half cut or stubby tools are required working on German cars... The only thing that is better is when they are dual drive....

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
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SRSemenza

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kythri said:
So is half-cut just another name for stubby? As in, they cut half the thing off?
Click to expand...

That's what I am trying to figure out?

It looks VIM has half cut stubby sets and non-half cut stubby as well.


Seth
 
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Tallpilot

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Orlando
kythri said:
So is half-cut just another name for stubby? As in, they cut half the thing off?
Click to expand...

Stubby, low profile, etc. Lots of names for similar concept. In 1/4" drive these things are ridiculously tiny and with modern stronger drive tools will take way more torque than you would imagine.
 
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WWheeler

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VIMs half cut bits differ from a bit you just cut shorter. The shoulders are where the notches in a standard bit would be so they utilize the retaining clips in bit holders and their ratcheting bit wrench. They also seem to fit better in fasteners and last longer than most of the standard size bits of other brands that I've used.



I find their half cut drivers more useful. We use the **** out of the half cut hex sockets at work and they hold up really really well.

 
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Gmonkee

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May 9, 2010
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My boss has mid length? 10 mm bits and AZ house brand 3/8 socket types. I stayed with only quality 10mm bits after selling him the socket types.

A lot of VAG family cars come through the shop and we do well with the totally not extended types just fine.

I do prefer the Wurth bits over my Surtek rebrands. Still none have mushed and only one broke of the cheaper ones.
 
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metaleltr

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Sep 4, 2009
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Western Ohio
I have the the 1/4" drive stubby half cut torx set. I use them all the time even when the stubby length isn't a must. In the smaller sizes they seem to fit screw heads better than snap on heavy duty gold bits.
 
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mcmtech

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Feb 12, 2014
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New Orleans, La
I’ve got the vim torx and hex half cut sockets. Use the torx quite a bit. Both are life savers at times. Probabaly need to get the triple square as well.
 
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