Allen Hexs & Torx Sets?

[383z]

I've been looking for socket sets that have a good variety of sizes of Allen Hexs and Torx bits to purchase.
Any suggestions that I could be missing before I buy?

Is there one set with a good variety of small to large sizes or will I have to buy 3-5 different sets which I don't mind as long as I have a good variety of sizes that doesn't skip sizes.

I really don't want to spend Snap-on money.
Proto money might hurt, but is doable.
Gearwrench money is preferred.
Husky, Craftsman, and kobalt money is very easily spent.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[dkroth]

Do you want external Torx? Torx Plus? Security Torx?

I bought this set back in 2017 to cover all my Torx needs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YOVIIU/?tag=atomicindus08-20











.

 

[Snapped-off]

I would recommend VIM or Tekton.

I've got a mixture of Snap on, VIM, and Tekton. Also have a 1/4" Napa set that's been fine, but pricey for what it is. I needed at asap at the time.

 

[383z]

dkroth, I would like regulator torxs at this moment, but I do want all the varieties of torxs or some of the other varieties in a set too. This Is why I think I'll have to buy different sets.

 

[sponfit]

VIM Tools have good quality sets for a decent price

 

[blarf]

What are you doing that you need a whole lot of variety? If you're at a shop that's one thing, but if you're working on your own fleet it would probably help to narrow it down a bit.

I only work on my own stuff so, for instance, I've never come across any SAE hex and the metric hex stuff I need is usually oddball stuff (long bit for K-Jet fuel mixture, stubby for brakes, 1/2" drive for counterholding struts). I've got the VIM 1/4" metric hex set and it's great but if you own a Mercedes you'll probably want some 3/8" or 1/2" bits.

That OTC TORX master set looks nice, but again for my use I see a ton of sizes I wouldn't use and it's missing Tamper Resistant TORX Plus (which I need exactly one size of for the Bosch MAF on my V8 disaster). If you're working on American stuff you'll probably see more variety, but for the euro stuff I've owned a handful of sizes come in handy (but I want those sizes in a variety of styles). For instance I've used a T60 twice but one time I needed a narrow shank T60. If you're willing to wait Zoro has that OTC set listed at $77 but it's backordered.

My go to TORX set is a cheapie Stanley. I like to live dangerously and since nothing rusts here it works well enough. The ball detents aren't cut deep enough though which is why I've been meaning to replace them. In TORX Plus I've got some PB Swiss screwdrivers that feel great in my hands and the OTC 1/4+3/8 set which works well enough for me. For ETORX I've got a bunch of ****, some box wrenches (VIM, Gearwrench), some impacts (Proto, HF), some Wright sockets. Really though what would've come in most handy is a slim universal E12 and a long box E12 wrench. Live and learn.

For interior stuff look at some screwdrivers.

 

[tez929rr]

A couple of recent threads on this topic:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8800888#post8800888
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463865

After reading the first thread I went to my local tractor supply and picked up the Gearwrench
84 piece set for 89.99

 

[Rattle]

Sunex 3569 is a pretty comprehensive set. Another option too consider

 

[spyerx]

Ive lots of VIM, stubby and regular torx, Triple Square, and hex. Also some OTC. A few Tekton long.

The VIM are the best of them and very good. Mostly use on my Porsches, old and new, The only gripe I have is the t15 stubby seems to be less 'sharp' than id expect, should warranty it.

Porsche seat rail bolts are notorious for rounding out (stubby hex head very little material) I've YET to have one round out using the VIM bits.

 

[383z]

VIM Tools have good quality sets for a decent price

I'll definitely look into their sets.

What are you doing that you need a whole lot of variety? If you're at a shop that's one thing, but if you're working on your own fleet it would probably help to narrow it down a bit...

This is mainly for my personal use to use on my vehicles, friends and family. I just want to make sure when it's 10pm at night and I run into that special torx or Allen (that I will never need again) I will have it.

A couple of recent threads on this topic:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8800888#post8800888
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463865

After reading the first thread I went to my local tractor supply and picked up the Gearwrench
84 piece set for 89.99

That's exactly the set I've been looking for. For that price and variety you can't beat it, buy they are sold out at this time.

Sunex 3569 is a pretty comprehensive set. Another option too consider

Thats a real NICE set!!

Ive lots of VIM, stubby and regular torx, Triple Square, and hex. Also some OTC. A few Tekton long.
"
Porsche seat rail bolts are notorious for rounding out (stubby hex head very little material) I've YET to have one round out using the VIM bits.

I'm definitely going to look into the VIM sets. You're the 2 or 3 person to recommend them.

 

[ovilla]

Allen Hexs & Torx Sets?

I have Porsches and an Audi and want to add that you also need triple square sockets in 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16mm - that’s just for the Audi (which will also cover any VW too). Anyway, I have a combo of Snap-on and VIM and consider the VIM to be just as good as the Snap-on stuff. Seriously, I have yet to ever break a VIM socket or bit. VIM makes full size, stubby, and even half-cut socket sizes that you’ll want to have. I know you’re looking for the common sizes (and other varieties) in a common kit but I’ve yet to find that anywhere. It’s best to just buy as many comprehensive sets of torx, hex, and triple squares as you can find in all the various lengths that you think you’ll ever need. Also, I feel you about needing a tool and not having it. Try finding a triple square - any size, on even a Snap-on truck, much less any actual store.

 

[jimmyin3D]

VIM, very affordable and they have complete “master” sets as well as single type sets. They handle very well and tool trucks like MAC and Cornwell rebadge them.

But you should know that no matter what brand you get hex and Torx do sometimes end up breaking the tool, it just does so keep that in mind.

 

[383z]

Re: Allen Hexs & Torx Sets?

I believe I'll have to piece together different sets like you suggest of torxs, hex, and even triple squares (brother has VWs). We were lucky that I owned a basic set when we started replacing his wife's water pump on her SUV.

 

[blarf]

Re: Allen Hexs & Torx Sets?

I believe I'll have to piece together different sets like you suggest of torxs, hex, and even triple squares (brother has VWs). We were lucky that I owned a basic set when we started replacing his wife's water pump on her SUV.

Yeah I would start trying to narrow down what you're going to work on. I doubt you'll see many SAE hex fasteners (probably not too many metric ones either) on a VW. If you do run into inhex stuff you may as well keep a decent set of hex keys around too. Eklind and Bondhus won't break the bank.

Start with a basic set of TORX and go from there. You can use a tamper resistant TORX driver in a normal TORX fastener (but with the big hole in the middle it's not as strong). You can use either of those in a TORX plus fastener (but with the sloppy fit it you have to be careful). But if you run into a tamper resistant TORX plus you'll need that specific five lobe driver. If you run into a TORX thing you don't have a driver for Harbor Freight carries a lot of TORX stuff (that they can't call TORX since they aren't licensed).

BMW certainly likes to use TORX inside, for those you'll want a few screwdrivers (T-20 is the most common, I might have seen a few T-15 and T-30). I like the PB Swiss SwissGrip (or multicraft if you prefer hard plastic) handles but the German brands (Wiha, Wera) also make nice drivers and they're still way cheaper than SnapOn.

Subaru, GM, and Ford seem to like big TORX and TORX Plus but I've not seen anything like that on my Bimmers. If you've got a five cylinder Volvo you'll want a long t-handle T40. These are things that just don't really make sense to buy in a set IMO. OTOH VIM has some application specific sets that might make sense (if you're pulling beds off of a Ford pickup you'll definitely want some impact bits).

If you're going with Proto, VIM, or OTC take a look at Zoro. They'll have competitive prices on some stuff.