Don't buy the Craftsman chrome e-torx socket set...

[tlinmd]

... instead, go two aisles down where the Lisle tools are, and pick up the US-made Lisle set for 1/3 the cost of the Chinese Craftsman set.

As I did today because I needed an e-torx socket to work on my MB.

Hope this saves someone some dough.

tlinmd

 

[dirtmister16]

a agree on china vs usa. but im not a fan of lisle i don't think they grab that well, ive stripped out bolts with lisle ones. those were smaller ones of course.

i bought blue points for a fair price that don't seem to give me a problem and am very happy with them.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I've used a torx bit made by lisle and it was complete junk. I don't know about their e-torx but I decided to stay away from lisle and use Wiha, rebranded Heyco. I'm sure the Gearwrench E-Torx set is worth the money as well, it's not too much more than the lisle set and it has more sockets I believe.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

... instead, go two aisles down where the Lisle tools are, and pick up the US-made Lisle set for 1/3 the cost of the Chinese Craftsman set.

As I did today because I needed an e-torx socket to work on my MB.

Hope this saves someone some dough.

tlinmd

Are those now from China? Haven't seen the torx stuff outsourced yet but it wouldn't surprise me seeing how most everything else is

 

[carterbeauford]

I've used a torx bit made by lisle and it was complete junk.

same exact thing happened to me, broke right in half.

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80582.aspx

also the Snap-On set isn't horribly priced considering it's Snap-On.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

same exact thing happened to me, broke right in half.

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80582.aspx

also the Snap-On set isn't horribly priced considering it's Snap-On.

I have two sets of the Lisle torx bits, both passed onto me... brand new. I opened both sets and threw them in my tool box. Used the T25 bit for air filter changes, a little too much torque on the fastener and the bit starts to strip it. The T50 bit almost stripped my idler pulley bolt at 15 pounds of torque.

The E-Torx I have by Wiha/Heyco are awesome. I beat on them and they look perfect. And that reminds me, I bought them for 68 on Amazon... they are 55 now. Pretty good deal to me.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032FOZF6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jeeper]

Hmm, when i checked recently they were still USA. I will have to go back tomorrow and use a gift card and get them if they are about to switch over.

 

[tlinmd]

The E-8 socket worked fine just now in removing and replacing the camshaft position sensor on my E320. But once the package was opened, I could clearly see the attention to detail was absolutely not what it is on my Wiha bits.

95% of my torx and hex bits are Wiha. I go and buy ONE Lisle set, and you guys almost crucify me

I'd feel better too, if this one was Wiha...another excuse to buy more tools ;-)

Thanks, guys.

tlinmd

 

[gatewaysysop]

Are those now from China? Haven't seen the torx stuff outsourced yet but it wouldn't surprise me seeing how most everything else is

Hmm. I bought these from C-man several years ago in a set, they were USA at the time (just checked to be sure!). I guess this isn't surprising, but it's still disappointing. Haven't had any problems with mine as of yet. Will add this to the list of things to replace rather than warranty if they should break one day.

 

[dirtmister16]

not trying to make you feel bad man. i just don't care for them, they will do the job if you need em. when working on the small sizes i don't want them to strip out.

we keep ya informed so you don't have these problems, we try to keep educate around here.

 

[Coach James]

I have two sets of the Lisle torx bits, both passed onto me... brand new. I opened both sets and threw them in my tool box. Used the T25 bit for air filter changes, a little too much torque on the fastener and the bit starts to strip it. The T50 bit almost stripped my idler pulley bolt at 15 pounds of torque.

The E-Torx I have by Wiha/Heyco are awesome. I beat on them and they look perfect. And that reminds me, I bought them for 68 on Amazon... they are 55 now. Pretty good deal to me.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032FOZF6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You mean the hole in the fastener was stripping out?

Coach

 

[carterbeauford]

I have two sets of the Lisle torx bits, both passed onto me... brand new. I opened both sets and threw them in my tool box. Used the T25 bit for air filter changes, a little too much torque on the fastener and the bit starts to strip it. The T50 bit almost stripped my idler pulley bolt at 15 pounds of torque.
[/url]

I had this set, twisted the end right off of one of the bigger bits, maybe a T47. haven't bought a Lisle tool since. maybe just a one time bad experience.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

You mean the hole in the fastener was stripping out?

Coach

Yeah the fastener.

I had this set, twisted the end right off of one of the bigger bits, maybe a T47. haven't bought a Lisle tool since. maybe just a one time bad experience.

Same set I have.

 

[kythri]

Y'know, I've had great experience with Lisle, but it seems that their Torx products are one of those few, glaring weak spots.

Wonder if it's something they themselves outsource?

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

First time I used a Lisle torx bit it snapped. They mailed me out a free replacement, but it's obviously junk, and I bought one of their master sets thinking it was something that would last me forever.

I would have been better off with something from Harbor Freight.

 

[JMcFly]

I'll check my store when I go Wednesday I have a set of HF e torx but I'd prefer craftsman if it's USA made. My OM606 engine from a '98 E300 Turbo is nothing but e torx

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I've noticed the Lisle bits are flat on top while other bits are flat only in the center of the bit... does this give any sort of advantage? Perhaps this is why my fastener almost stripped.

Lisle bit...

Wiha bits...

And just for comparison... Snap-On bits.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Lisle's torx bit failures ('break'/shatter) tend to occur the first time or two they're used - survivors usually good until they disappear.

Fitment issues appear to be a fastener issue, not the bit, most of the time.
If anything a Lisle torx bit tends to fit 'tight'....

Primary industries: process & fabrication equipment, automotive

 

[kiatech]

The OP Posted about e-torx and everyone else is talking regular torx bits

 

[smogtech]

I would look into a VIM set. Alot of the newer guys at Euro dealerships start off with that set before stepping it up to snap on because of the cost; and most guys that have snap on keep these as the back ups.

http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-tms34pf.aspx

 

[bimmerZ5]

so another made in USA tool (lisle e-torx) that's a *************?

 

[kythri]

The OP Posted about e-torx and everyone else is talking regular torx bits

Yeah, but in the context of Lisle (which was a recommendation), there's consistently a LOT of negative reviews of Lisle's Torx product, be it E-Torx, normal Torx, or security Torx.

The recommendation was given to step away from Craftsman and use Lisle, hence the discussion migrating that way.

As with everything, your mileage may vary, and some folks have undoubtedly had no issues with the Lisle stuff, but considering that Lisle's not often a company that gets bashed simply because of their brand name, it's probably safe advice to look at a different brand.

 

[sberry]

I cant understand why Lisle doesnt fix this, its about like the Craftsman ratchet. It seems many of the top brands have solved it for 150 a set with warranty bits etc and you can get set from Walmart for 15$ that is good. Lisle has some good products in their lineup but these are such a commodity item that they need a satisfied customer with the bits.

This is the only torx bit set I have not been satisfied with, not saying that I and others havnt broken some from cheap sets but we abused them on stuck stuff. Farm equipment, truck stuff etc. Have went right next to the failed brand with a cheap import. Some still survive.

 

[carterbeauford]

The OP Posted about e-torx and everyone else is talking regular torx bits

I originally suggested two good quality e-torx bit sets.

 

[billymade]

For some reason; Lisle just doesn't seem to heat treat their torx sockets very well... very SOFT! That being said; I have other tools they make and they are well made: overhead valve spring compressor tool for GM and oil filter socket (asian) for the ecotec engines... it hit or miss. Bit sockets have been poor in my experience and thos of customers when I sold them at Sears.

 

[shoturtle]

I've noticed the Lisle bits are flat on top while other bits are flat only in the center of the bit... does this give any sort of advantage? Perhaps this is why my fastener almost stripped.

Lisle bit...

Wiha bits...

And just for comparison... Snap-On bits.

If you look closes at a torx bolt. They are a bit rounded inside. So rounding the top of a torx bit lets the bit sit deeper into the bolt. So you have a much more exacting fix, and in high torx applications less chance of stripping out the bolt.

Cheaper torx keys, bit, and drivers do not round off, while the more expensive ones do.

 

[Rory Bellows]

A few years ago (3-4) I was in Sears and was looking at the Lisle torx sockets. The brand new sealed package had a broken bit in it sealed in the plastic wrapping. It was clearly broken missing more than 1/4" of the bit from the factory. I decided then Lisle was not for me.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

Torx, external torx, even hex bits lead to failures due to using the wrong sizes, dirty fasteners or sockets leading to the tool not seating properly. Cocking the bit causes them to break easily too. I have seen this, and have done this myself. But lisle one piece torx are garbage and so are the external ones. When it comes to bit sockets get ones that you can exchange with little hassle. I personally have SO's at work and keep extra bits for the common ones i change them out my self and just exchange the damage bit to my dealer. I do this with my screwdriver bits too, especially the ones I use with my impact driver.

 

[b1ghwx]

I have two sets of the Lisle torx bits, both passed onto me... brand new. I opened both sets and threw them in my tool box. Used the T25 bit for air filter changes, a little too much torque on the fastener and the bit starts to strip it. The T50 bit almost stripped my idler pulley bolt at 15 pounds of torque.

Most likely the fastener is Torx Plus... a regular torx would seem to fit but is actually loose - hence you can strip the fastener when you are using the wrong tool.

 

[Jeeper]

Another thread that forced my hand to buy something. I went to tmy local sears and they had 2 sets of external torx. Both sets were made in the US. I bought a set using a Xmas gift card. I would have liked to pick these up on sale but if they are switching over to China production, I'd rather get a US made before they are gone.