best Male Torx Sockets for Pro Use?

[mspecperformance]

Hey guys, what Male Torx sockets do you guys like to use on a daily basis?

I have a Lisle set that has been beat on and chewed up for the past 4 years. A few have twisted, one or two have snapped. Looking for some stronger sockets.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

I had lisles, SK s2 steel bits, a few stahlwilles, craftsman, H/F, Facom - all seem to twist sooner or later. the SK's have lasted longer, and the lisles are a very good value for the money...

 

[mspecperformance]

I can't say I am too fond of the lisle ones.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I know that you are probably expecting this but i work on what is pretty much heavy equipment and i have had the best luck with snap-on for bit sockets, from what i know they are made from some variation of the s2 steel used in most bits, they put up to some serious abuse by me i find myself using torx and allen sockets heavily and find myself warrantying seldomly I can tell you that s-k last i knew had pretty much the same bits as matco/mac/********(well) and are very soft in my experience sure its nice to not strip things but if the bit strips before you can get the fastener out what good is it? just some food for thought

 

[wornoutoldman]

Snap -on fer sure!

 

[Theloniousmonk]

OH yea... Bondhus bits are frickin good too - never had a prob w/ the hex bits they make - never tried their torx though...

 

[Chris_R/T]

I had the craftsman set, twisted a couple of the bigger ones after just a couple uses.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Snap-on Heavy Duty Removal. I have others from Stahlwille, Hazet and a couple other companies but they're not so easy to find across the pond. I also haven't had a chance to really test them out. The Snap-on ones are good, but i've still twisted one. (T40 on a VM diesel engine waterpump.)

 

[dankicksass]

I had Lisle when I first started, never lasted, then I went to SO and those were good but I sold everything. When I started over I picked up Husky's set, no complaints.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have a set of TopTul 1/2" drive that have never been a problem. I have Snap on and Proto in 1/4" drive, and Kobalt in 3/8" drive. I broke a Snap on T-20 on a Taurus. Can't remeber what it was on. The Kobalts have done what I wanted, but haven't really been HD use. The TopTul set has been great.
I have also had the Lisle and Vermont American. Lisle, okay. The VA, ****. Every one of them broke with the first use.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

i've found that the lisles tend to twist at the tips while the others just crack/twist on the shaft. If I can, I just replace the torx or hex w/ 6pt. fasteners on reinstall, makes it easier for me in the future, especially on 25yr old. MB w/ 250k on the clock and the fasteners are at the end of their life anyway.

 

[pipsters]

Lisle ***** my HF torx are significantly better made than the Lisles I bought from Sears. They don't fit the fasteners and round them out and aren't durable.

 

[crewchief888]

ive had the best luck with SO torx and allen bits.
ive twisted a couple of allens, but never broke one yet.

 

[wafrederick]

I have had good luck Mac torx bits so far including Stanley and Craftsman.With Stanley you can get replacements,there is a 1-800 number on the packaging to call sending you a new one with no hassles.Watch on some torx,some are torx plus and there is a big differance.A conventail torx bit is pointy and the torx plus is rounded.Most are going to the torx plus,GM has gone to them.1998 and up 4l60Es with the two piece case are this way,use torx plus fastners to hold the bellhousing on.I have a set of torx plus bits too which have come in handy.

 

[mrholeshot]

This is one place I'll buy Snap-On for sure. I have an older set of MAC that are excellant that I also use in my everyday cart. I will cry when I break one becuse they replace with ****. The Snap-On Torx bits are the best

 

[kc-steve]

I'm just a home wrench-er, but I use Craftsman. The only reason I have them is because of a VW headlamp replacement, however, I was wondering what seems to be the most common use for these tools? Just asking?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[MadMark]

I twisted a Lisle one piece T40 socket on a rusted brake caliper bolt.
the same bolt broke off an import impact torx socket.
Had to drill the bolt out.
No love here for torx fasteners on rusty brake parts.

 

[pipsters]

I'm just a home wrench-er, but I use Craftsman. The only reason I have them is because of a VW headlamp replacement, however, I was wondering what seems to be the most common use for these tools? Just asking?

Thanks,
Steve

I'm not a mechanic either but the sets I've seen have all mentioned "brake caliper" on them, so apparently they are used a lot on brakes. On my Volvo there is a T45 holding the timing belt tensioner on, as well as various other places throughout the car. Lots of small interior fasteners are T10-T15-T20 for some reason.

 

[MadMark]

Does anyone know how the Nepros torx set holds up?
they have a limited selection though, only 25 to 50 in 3/8 drive I think.

 

[Chris_R/T]

I'm just a home wrench-er, but I use Craftsman. The only reason I have them is because of a VW headlamp replacement, however, I was wondering what seems to be the most common use for these tools? Just asking?

Thanks,
Steve

Alot of interior pieces, the tailgate mounts on older F150's, the little piece on the end of the fuel filter housing on 6.0L Powerstroke diesels are what I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[rayzor32]

Snap on. Nothing else is going to hold up to heavy use, not even mac.

 

[jethro29]

been doing this for 23 years and have tried them all and in my opinion ,snap on is the best by far.

 

[crewchief888]

been doing this for 23 years and have tried them all and in my opinion ,snap on is the best by far.

+1

 

[Joelfke]

I'm not a mechanic either but the sets I've seen have all mentioned "brake caliper" on them, so apparently they are used a lot on brakes. On my Volvo there is a T45 holding the timing belt tensioner on, as well as various other places throughout the car. Lots of small interior fasteners are T10-T15-T20 for some reason.

brake caliper bolts, seat belt bolts, transmission bolts including valve bodies, certain sensors (MAF iirc), interior screws, rotor screws, just to name a few...and thats just GM

ive also seen em on almost every single bolt for an AUDI A4 my buddy and I worked on...

as for the OP:

I have a lisle set and some misc snap on stuff. ive broken my snapon t30 a bunch because its used to commonly, and i abuse it

 

[Stephenw]

Snap-on, but not just any Snap-on torx bits. The Snap-on heavy duty gold colored ones.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have Matco's, Craftsman and a few Mac's but my Snap-on's have been with me for a LOT of years and I rarely have a problem with them. I can't say that with the others although the Matco's are closer than the rest.

 

[scottmlew]

The Snap On heavy duty removal bits seem to be the way to go. But be aware that there are 2 variants of bits...you need to make sure you're getting the heavy duty removal bits -- they're goldish in color instead of black. iirc, chadster has stated that you can swap the bits in the same socket, so as you break the regular black ones you can upgrade.

 

[hammergodthor]

Yet another vote for Snap On H-D removal bits. They can really save your rear.

 

[Joelfke]

The Snap On heavy duty removal bits seem to be the way to go. But be aware that there are 2 variants of bits...you need to make sure you're getting the heavy duty removal bits -- they're goldish in color instead of black. iirc, chadster has stated that you can swap the bits in the same socket, so as you break the regular black ones you can upgrade.

how much is it to upgrade?

 

[firstgenCamaro]

I broke a Lisle T55 in half a couple weeks ago. I tried to use it to remove the rear caliper bolt on a 2009 Chevy K2500, I should have known better. I have a set of Snap On heavy duty torx and a 1/2 inch drive Craftsman T55, but I wanted to put the Lisle to the test.

 

[Stephenw]

how much is it to upgrade?

The heavy duty replacement bits are $10 each.

 

[Fedwrench]

As others have mentioned, there's no substitute for the gold colored Snap on heavy duty Torx bits. They will fail too as I have broken a few T45s over the years but, they will last longer than any other brand I have ever used.
There's no need to buy a full set though unless you find a deal. Get the sizes you use most and go from there. They're not cheap but, this is one of a few areas it's worth paying for over time.

 

[Goinlow]

I think the snap on bits are great but I don't how they aren't flat on the tips they are slightly rounded so my ratchet will move slighty.

I have a few older Mac torx bits and I really like them because they are flat and not rounded like SO. I have beaten the **** out of a snap on on and it's still not twisted.

 

[vssjim]

Vim tools have a very tough sets also

 

[tonydanzah]

how about grey pneumatic impact torx?

 

[quattrojon]

A.S.T torx sockets get my vote, not brittle and don't seem to twist, with nice knurling on the base of the socket. I haven't had to warranty one yet. Too bad they only make standard length. Koken are also excellent, and available in umpteen different lengths.