Even good tools die.

[2ndGearRubber]

Tekton bit sockets are S2 steel, and in my experience basically anything S2 is good quality and long lasting. I have a few other tekton bits, which are fine. So I bought a T30 impact 3/8 for rotor set screws.

This is the result on the first set screw of a Chevy Volt.




It did manage to still remove the screw on the other side. Looks like I'll need to see if Snap On has an insert bit I can swap in Monday.

 

[KnurledNut]

Was that with an impact?

 

[General Geoff]

Those rotor placement screws are the worst. Destroyed three different bits in one day trying to get one off a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr once. I eventually gave up trying to unscrew it and ended up drilling it out.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Was that with an impact?

M12 stubby impact, setting 2.

I would believe tekton like most brands, have the same bits for impact and hand use, with different bit holders. For instance snap on has the same replacement bits for impact and standard sockets.

Those rotor placement screws are the worst. Destroyed three different bits in one day trying to get one off a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr once. I eventually gave up trying to unscrew it and ended up drilling it out.

Another day this week I broke two Zephyer ACR Phillips bits on a Honda rotor screw. Rough week for rotor hold down hardware.

 

[yellowbox]

I use a impact driver on those stubborn ones
I'm talking the kind you smack with a hammer to loosen the set screw
Sometimes you do have to drill em out though

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I use a impact driver on those stubborn ones
I'm talking the kind you smack with a hammer to loosen the set screw
Sometimes you do have to drill em out though

I normally do for Phillips, and impact out the torx/hex unless they're already rounded or blatantly rotted.

 

[Fedwrench]

Twisting is better than snapping off.

 

[signcrafter]

Tekton bit sockets are S2 steel, and in my experience basically anything S2 is good quality and long lasting. I have a few other tekton bits, which are fine. So I bought a T30 impact 3/8 for rotor set screws.

This is the result on the first set screw of a Chevy Volt.




It did manage to still remove the screw on the other side. Looks like I'll need to see if Snap On has an insert bit I can swap in Monday.

Snap on has heavy duty removal torx bits, they are gold color. I don't have many snap on tools but do splurge for things I think are worth it. I have never broke one of them and put them to the test many times.

 

[Firebrick43]

Snap on has heavy duty removal torx bits, they are gold color. I don't have many snap on tools but do splurge for things I think are worth it. I have never broke one of them and put them to the test many times.

Snap on gold hex and torx bits twist and are not up to par with many of their other tools.

Its one thing that Proto and bondhus do much better than snap on. One of the very few of my snap on tools I have been disappointed in.

 

[f121]

Snap on has heavy duty removal torx bits, they are gold color. I don't have many snap on tools but do splurge for things I think are worth it. I have never broke one of them and put them to the test many times.

The good bits are better, but they still snap. I warranty one most months.

 

[AJHD]

Snap on gold hex and torx bits twist and are not up to par with many of their other tools.

Its one thing that Proto and bondhus do much better than snap on. One of the very few of my snap on tools I have been disappointed in.

What makes Proto and Bondhus different?

I have the gold Snap On hex and torx. But they don't see heavy use these days.

 

[Steve_P]

Yeah, it's not possible to make indestructible torx bits, or any bits really, at least in the smaller sizes. My last failure was twisting a non-impact Capri S2 torx bit, smaller size, maybe T20, like the OP did. Instead of warrantying it, I just ordered a bunch of Wiha 1/4" bit packs.

 

[Firebrick43]

What makes Proto and Bondhus different?

I have the gold Snap On hex and torx. But they don't see heavy use these days.

The steel and design. The don’t twist up like the dozens and dozens of SO did on me. Nor do they round over the tip edges like the SO

I would go thru maybe 10 each of both 4mm and 5mm SO bits every year. And a 1 or 2 of other sizes up to about 8mm or T30

With proto they lasted over a year and I ground back the tip a few MM and got another year out of them before hammering on some really rusted fasteners and finally breaking a tip off , no twisting just finally fatigued.

I am not a proto fan what so ever ( I don’t like most of their tools) but I will give them credit for their socket bits.

 

[AJHD]

I find the topic interesting. When researching hex and torx bits, I found very little deviation in terms of steel or design.

Most use S2 tool steel (finish can vary).
Some are rated for impact, most are not.
Some are 1-piece, most are 2-piece.
Some 2-piece have a set screw, most don't (they are press fit).
Some have chamfered ends, and some step/neck down to the end.
Some use an RBRT or some form of extractor design.

At first glance, most of them all look the same.

 

[JradM]

I find the topic interesting. When researching hex and torx bits, I found very little deviation in terms of steel or design.

Most use S2 tool steel (finish can vary).
Some are rated for impact, most are not.
Some are 1-piece, most are 2-piece.
Some 2-piece have a set screw, most don't (they are press fit).
Some have chamfered ends, and some step/neck down to the end.
Some use an RBRT or some form of extractor design.

At first glance, most of them all look the same.

Makes me wonder if it's a heat treat issue. Not something you can see or will ever find details about, but if someone you know has a hardness tester...

Heat treatment can make a HUGE difference in steel toughness.

 

[Zewnten]

Agreed all of my SO hex and torx bits twist, even too easily. Proto out lasts them easily and actually get the bolts out as the twist isn't absorbing the impacts.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Texton will warranty that.....

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Texton will warranty that.....

It was cheaper to buy this bit than a holder for impact bits. Figured it would last longer.

Snap on gold is a tight fit with their retension divits on the side.

 

[Wrench97]

M12 stubby impact, setting 2.

I would believe tekton like most brands, have the same bits for impact and hand use, with different bit holders. For instance snap on has the same replacement bits for impact and standard sockets.



Another day this week I broke two Zephyer ACR Phillips bits on a Honda rotor screw. Rough week for rotor hold down hardware.

Snap On has the same bits now, but that was not always the case, back when I bought my first set they had no intention of them being used on a impact, I use to break them on the old hand impact tool if I hit it with a BFH finally my rep just replaced them with impact bits......

 

[Rinspeed]

The steel and design. The don’t twist up like the dozens and dozens of SO did on me. Nor do they round over the tip edges like the SO

I would go thru maybe 10 each of both 4mm and 5mm SO bits every year. And a 1 or 2 of other sizes up to about 8mm or T30

With proto they lasted over a year and I ground back the tip a few MM and got another year out of them before hammering on some really rusted fasteners and finally breaking a tip off , no twisting just finally fatigued.

I am not a proto fan what so ever ( I don’t like most of their tools) but I will give them credit for their socket bits.

I agree 100% on the Proto bits, they do hold up very well compared to many others.

 

[signcrafter]

Agreed all of my SO hex and torx bits twist, even too easily. Proto out lasts them easily and actually get the bolts out as the twist isn't absorbing the impacts.

I'm not an expert but I think that is how they designed them. They didn't make them as hard so they won't snap but will take more torque until they twist. Not sure which is better but I know I broke a lot of craftsman and other brand bits trying to take out ford seat belt bolts which stick through the floor and get rusty. I don't use them everyday like 2ndgear and other full time mechanics but they have seemed to hold up well when I put them to the test. I will have to look into the proto in the future.

 

[AJHD]

Snap On has the same bits now, but that was not always the case, back when I bought my first set they had no intention of them being used on a impact, I use to break them on the old hand impact tool if I hit it with a BFH finally my rep just replaced them with impact bits......

What impact bits would those be? Is the "holder" (socket portion) also "rated" for impact or still non-impact chrome?

 

[Zewnten]

I'm not an expert but I think that is how they designed them. They didn't make them as hard so they won't snap but will take more torque until they twist. Not sure which is better but I know I broke a lot of craftsman and other brand bits trying to take out ford seat belt bolts which stick through the floor and get rusty. I don't use them everyday like 2ndgear and other full time mechanics but they have seemed to hold up well when I put them to the test. I will have to look into the proto in the future.

Agreed it's by design but a bit twisting and absorbing the impact instead of transferring to the bolt doesn't do any good, even if it doesn't break. I have a 17mm SO hex bit twisted over 90 using a 1/2 breaker bar, didn't break but also didn't do it's job. The proto and wright hex bit sockets worked great, sometimes they break so I keep spare bits on hand.