eTorx fitment comparison

[bobofbuffalo]

Having multiple brands of eTorx sockets that never seem to feel as tight as I think they should but still managing to remove bolts with heat and care for years I finally ordered some Ko-Ken and Hazet ones to compare and they fit so much better. They have a much deeper countersink as does the Proto socket I got to replace one of the Wurth ones that grew legs. I've seen some recent posts about eTorxPlus having low and ultra low profile designs now that warrant no countersink but does any of that exist with regular eTorx sockets?

Also anyone else have recommendations from other hobbyist priced brands that have the deeper countersink in Torx and maybe no countersink/deep countersink for eTorxPlus?

 

[mikey03]

I don’t touch etorx much honestly but what I’ve heard people here say alot is for etorx the only answer is snap on. No personal experience just what I heard alot.

 

[Samuel D]

Also anyone else have recommendations from other hobbyist priced brands that have the deeper countersink in Torx

Toptul does External Torx sockets with the deep countersink to allow better engagement with the fastener. And very reasonably priced, albeit not widely available. Bizarrely they call them “star sockets”:

https://www.toptul.com/en/2-2179-58024/product/Star-Sockets-id325195.html

and maybe no countersink/deep countersink for eTorxPlus?

Does this count?

https://www.toptul.com/en/2-2179-58024/product/Torx-Plus®-EP-Sockets-id729466.html

I have no experience with Toptul’s External Torx Plus sockets so can’t vouch for those.

 

[F-22]

Bizarrely they call them “star sockets”:

Torx patent expired, not sure about etorx. Many companies call internal torx "star" now because they do not use the trademark name but can use the expired patent shape. I guess Toptul wants to be consistent and does not want to pay for the name?

 

[bobofbuffalo]

Toptul does External Torx sockets with the deep countersink to allow better engagement with the fastener. And very reasonably priced, albeit not widely available. Bizarrely they call them “star sockets”:

From their pictures it looked like Toptul were deep but it's hard for me to tell from pictures. From pictures I don't think Tektons or Capri are deep but I might order a single E12 to check. I use Toptul chrome sockets often but as you mentioned they are kind of hard to get in the states. I think JM and Wren both have eTorx or external STAR sockets whatever they want to call them but no eTorxPlus ones. I haven't come across TorxPlus yet but I like to be prepared... And buy more tools

 

[AJHD]

Torx is a trademarked name. It costs money to use the name.

That's why you'll often see manufacturers use the term Star instead.

 

[Samuel D]

I hadn’t noticed other makers calling them star sockets. Guess I haven’t shopped for these things in a long time.

I don’t own External Torx Plus sockets from any brand, so I can’t help there.

I do have Toptul’s regular External Torx sockets. They have the very deep countersink and work well.

Toptul is easier to find in Eastern Europe, where I got much of mine. In Western Europe where I live, it’s rare. Only online and even then only a couple of sources.

 

[KnurledNut]

Lisle.

 

[F-22]

I hadn’t noticed other makers calling them star sockets. Guess I haven’t shopped for these things in a long time.

I don’t own External Torx Plus sockets from any brand, so I can’t help there.

I do have Toptul’s regular External Torx sockets. They have the very deep countersink and work well.

Toptul is easier to find in Eastern Europe, where I got much of mine. In Western Europe where I live, it’s rare. Only online and even then only a couple of sources.

Got them on ebay.de shop, I think their name is "motointegrator". May even come from a polish supplier, not sure (I forgot).

Top quality tools for sure, always impressed me. I think I got a set of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" deep sockets (with deep broaching) for about 70-80€. And a 3/4" set of sockets, ratchet and T handle and extensions for about 200-300€. The 3/4" set really surprised me on quality, the big tools from many brands often come a bit lacking in fit and finish but these are really perfect - they do not skimp. I think many other brands would charge 2 or 3 times are much for this kind of quality.

All only metric of course (being in Europe...).

 

[bobofbuffalo]

I agree that manufacturing is lacking innovation and capability compared to what we had decades ago. I mean the bad fitting sockets were all from Taiwan and that's a bit surprising as they are usually pretty good and brands that have decent reputation (Wurth) and trying to make a name for themselves with rebranded quality tools (Ares). Normally Gearwrench sockets are fine so I figured eTorx would be the same but apparently not so. Some of their other offerings and probably just all offerings in general maybe getting cheapened some with shift more to China and Vietnam for them. It's not like these were much cheaper if at all compared to some others that fit very well so my main goal was to kind of have this be a PSA that not all eTorx are the same especially with their growing use.

For from my testing and what others have said good fit for reasonable price sockets: Proto (USA), Lisle (USA), Hazet (Germany), Ko-Ken (Japan), Toptul (Taiwan)

Lacking good fit for sockets: Gearwrench, Ares, Mayhew, Wurth

I'm curious if anyone has experience with Astro Pneumatic, CTA or OTC ones. I do see CTA has a flat cut set but I'd still be iffy on this as even the low profile heads look like a very little amount of countersink would sit better than a completely flat cut even taken from their stock photo

.


For more comparison this time of wrenches we have Beta and Genius tools. Still could sit deeper on bolt and Beta with matte finish does seem to have a slightly better fit I'm thinking because of the coating.

**Edit with a follow up thought I had that maybe they thought they could split the difference and make a socket that could kind of do low profile and regular and try and be a jack of all trades master of none.

 

[Professor Gascan]

I have a Tekton chrome and a Grey Pneumatic impact 18mm e torx sockets for an upcoming job. Tested the fit with the replacement bolt and the GP fits like your Koken and Hazet, the Tekton fits more like the others where you can see a bit of the flutes from a less than ideal recess.

These were an add on to a cheapo Pittsburgh set from HF that stops at 16mm. The HF set all have a shallow recess also but it wasn't a problem for the 10 and 12mm I needed as it was only on a valve cover gasket replacement.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Toptul does External Torx sockets with the deep countersink to allow better engagement with the fastener.

The fastener drive section is non-tapered. The tapered section blocks the tool from hitting the assembly and this is by design. And further fitment onto the fastener stands to fail to enhance drive fitment strength besides. The taper of the fastener certainly has less grip than the star drive section and, again, by design, it presents a cam-out opportunity, when it stands to be the snuggest area of fitment.

 

[KnurledNut]

Be sure to pick up a set of 5 point tamper resistant EPR Torx Plus sockets while you're at it.

 

[Samuel D]

The fastener drive section is non-tapered. The tapered section blocks the tool from hitting the assembly and this is by design. And further fitment onto the fastener stands to fail to enhance drive fitment strength besides. The taper of the fastener certainly has less grip than the star drive section and, again, by design, it presents a cam-out opportunity, when it stands to be the snuggest area of fitment.

I read that a couple of times but can’t figure out what you’re saying.

Are you disagreeing with the part of my post you quoted?

The External Torx sockets from all of the most reputable brands like Facom, Hazet, Snap-on, Stahlwille, Gedore, Toptul, you name it, have the very deep countersink (or whatever you want to call it).

Shallow-countersink designs seem to come from low-end brands that outsource with minimal discernment.

 

[Fedwrench]

Interesting that no one mentioned Capri or Vim for E Torx sockets.

 

[bobofbuffalo]

Interesting that no one mentioned Capri or Vim for E Torx sockets.

I'm pretty sure they will fall in with Tekton sadly with them not being deep enough at least from what my broken eyes can tell from their product pictures.

 

[KnurledNut]

Some randoms to add...

Grey Pneumatic (note E11 and E12 is 1/4dr too which can be hard to find) and Snap-on.
Gearwrench deep vs Gearwrench swivel. Both E10. Note the difference in chamfers.
Apex USA (probably the brand that originally installed the etorx at the factory), Matco, Snap-on.
MAC (think the chrome is VIM sourced).
Old Snap-on.
Lisle USA set, NAPA single.

 

[bobofbuffalo]

Great selection there, much appreciated! Of course the GP stays the course as a Taiwan standout.

Most have the countersink start at the lobes but that one MAC impact one has a lot of lead in before hand so I'm curious how the engagement is on those vs all the others, seems like it would hit the head of the bold before making complete contact with the lobes.