Affordable Torx set?

[Jim85IROC]

I rarely break tools, but now I've managed to break 2 of my Craftsman Torx bits. The first one I dismissed as a fluke, but now I just broke another one. Ironically, both of them were broken when trying to disassemble a TPI 305. The first one was 12 years ago when I was taking the TPI 305 out of my IROC, and the 2nd was last weekend when I was pulling the TPI 305 out of my GTA.

When I broke the first one, I replaced it with some cheap thing from Advance Auto, and not only did it remove the same bolt that the Craftsman couldn't, but it's held up for another 12 years, although now it's looking a little chewed up.

I'd like American made, but I also don't want to pay a fortune. Is there an affordable USA-made set that's stronger than the Craftsman?

 

[metaleltr]

Not sure on coo but Iv'e been looking at OTC's master set. Keep them oiled though, I am aware of one of these sets that has rust on every socket where it sets in the case.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Not sure on coo but Iv'e been looking at OTC's master set. Keep them oiled though, I am aware of one of these sets that has rust on every socket where it sets in the case.

I bought the OTC set a few months back and just checked, they are from Taiwan. I just had to order an external torx set and wish I had just gone with the master set now.

 

[otis66]

If you do not want to spend the money on Snap On I would go with SK
http://www.skhandtool.com/products/bit-sockets/product.aspx?ID=4176&view=view

 

[turbowoodworker]

My local Sears (Burlington NC) has a set by Lisle on sale for 19.99 reg 39.99. COO not sure but the company is based in Iowa and that was all I could determine from the packaging. 8 or 9 piece set as I recall.

 

[metaleltr]

Lisle may be Taiwan, on their u.s. made products it is displayed proudly.

 

[SIDECAR BOB]

actuallly have had very good luck with the harbor freight ones too, I know, but I bought them as basically disposables and the have worked better than the lisles or craftsman.

 

[sberry]

When I broke the first one, I replaced it with some cheap thing from Advance Auto, and not only did it remove the same bolt that the Craftsman couldn't, but it's held up for another 12 years, although now it's looking a little chewed up.

That should be proof from your own experience,,,, why mess with it?

actually have had very good luck with the harbor freight ones too, I know, but I bought them as basically disposables and the have worked better than the lisles or craftsman.

A shame but true. Last replacement set I bought was from Walmart, as far as I can tell about as good as any.

Some of the best I have ever had, must have lost them were a set from Ace Hwd, bought in a pinch for about 15$, had the same scheme of replacement in mind but they worked so well I never replaced them till they disappear.

 

[pilotman81]

I have both the OTC and SO sets, they both work and have held up about the same.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

My main set is Mac, but I have a HF backup set that I am equally pleased with.

 

[Jim85IROC]

That should be proof from your own experience,,,, why mess with it?

I'd like to replace the whole set with stuff that will last. The cheap replacement has more or less held up, but not as well as I'd like.

 

[davesnothere]

Whatever you do, don't waste your money on the lisle sockets.

 

[DanMasshardt]

I'd say 12 years out of the craftsman is pretty good. A quick trip to sears and you're good to go.

 

[6-Speed]

I have a set of Lisle Torx that I purchased from Sears ... they are well made and in the USA.

 

[BajaBound]

Williams, Blue Point or New Holland they are all the same oem.

 

[dirtmister16]

i have used the craftsman torx sets at work, my boss bought a big set of sockets last year.

anyway ive messed up more of those sockets then any other ive encountered. i personally have snap on and sk for torx. they have held up great for what i have needed.

 

[Mastermind]

i have some older MaC ones made by OTC i assume, have held up very well used daily.only broke the 50 recently, ford bed bolts are hard on torx bits.
also have a cheapy stanley set from wally world that have held up pretty well, broke the 40 couple weeks ago on a tough bolt, just got a bit from the matco guy to replace.
heard good things on here about the vim stuff.

 

[86k10]

I got the SK 3 torx set deal and also added a torx plus set for $300 shipped. I have a older MAC with the retainer screw instead of being pressed in. I don't like those. I also have some CM and SO. With Torx I would recommend a quality set if used a lot. They do tend to break more than hex sockets. I have warrantied torx sockets more than any other sockets in my collection.

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-19763.aspx

They were about $200 when I got them.

 

[CWP1616L]

Is Proto too expensive for you?

LINK

 

[Jim85IROC]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. I might pick up the SK set. I've always liked the SK tools that I've used, and it seems like a couple folks in this thread have had good luck with their Torx.

 

[shoturtle]

how big of a set are you looking for, you can get a set of wiha 3/8dr set of 8, and for smaller sizes they have a 1/4 dr set. And the bits are very tough, and they last. And the socket is may by hayco.

 

[archirelic]

I used to have this master torx set by Genius till it developed legs.

I recently just replaced it with this master torx set by ATD. Bits are made from S2 steel and coo is Taiwan. I can say, upon first inspection when I received mine, that the kit is pretty damn near flawless. I picked it up at Fox Run Tools, which had the cheapest price I could find on it.

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either set.