Grip Edge drivers

[idickers]

I am intrigued by the Grip Edge technology for drivers like hex and star bits since these can so easily round-out the head of allen and torx fasteners. Has anyone tried them to see if they are worth the increased cost?

 

[GeoBruin]

I have some rbrt/grip edge stuff and it works well, but I don't know that I see the advantage for drivers. Drivers are for low torque applications where you want to rapidly install/remove fasteners. If you encounter a rounded out fastener, you go get your grip edge bit socket and throw it on a ratchet but when you're done, you switch back to your driver and keep working.

Maybe others feel differently.

 

[134k]

I have the Facom OGV 1/4 hex bits and the MAC RBRT hex key set that I carry with me for work. They are my bail out tools. I've only ever used them for stripped heads. They are aggressive in terms of fitment. Like the bite is solid and zero play once they are in. Sometimes you have to give a little love tap for them to seat. They're that tight. The Facom OGV socket bits are marketed as a remover and I've only ever used them for that. For me, the justified cost is relevant. I don't carry power tools to drill screws out, and I'ved used them enough, to know that I need to carry them daily.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Facom OGV

"OGV Grip" to give the full name. "OGV" is just normal off-corner engagement hex sockets and wrenches both in 6 and 12 point.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Although I have a large set, I mostly use the torx when I'm worried about damaging the torx head. So pocket knives with torx that's a really don't need to strip. I have not stripped a single one using those bits.

 

[idickers]

How does this tech work with the torx bits? I can imagine how it might work for the large flat surface of a hex bit, but there's not much surface area on the flats of torx bit.

 

[Ohio Andy]

How does this tech work with the torx bits? I can imagine how it might work for the large flat surface of a hex bit, but there's not much surface area on the flats of torx bit.

I looked at it when I got the set and they have worked well. You want me to attempt a photo tomorrow?

They have RPT for: HEX, Star (Torx), Star Plus, Square, and Triple Square.

They do not list it for Phillips or Pozidrive. For that I suppose you can use Zephyr ACR, Any diamond tip bit (snap-on, Craftsman, etc), or a few others that have something that they do.

There is an image at the link below. Look at their last image that has tags such as "Patented Design allows for increased torque on new & Damaged HEX. Yeah, it says HEX. I think they did not update their text.

RPT Star Driver Set - 14-Pc

GripEdge RPT Star Driver Replaces Standard Star tools - With Our Patented Unique Bi-Directional Design Enables Loosening & Tightening of New and Damaged Fasteners

www.gripedgetools.com

There is only one image here:

T8 - 1/4’’ Drive RPT Star Bit Socket

Discover the T8 - 1/4’’ Drive RPT Star Bit Socket at Grip Edge Tools. Prevent damage & boost torque. Try now & replace old tools! Innovative fastener tool.

www.gripedgetools.com

And if you zoom in on this image you can see their Torx Drivers pretty well. Probably better than I can quickly do from my BIT set

10-PC Security Star Driver Set

GRIPEDGE 10-PC Tamper Proof Star Driver Set offers 50% more torque on good fasteners, 400% on damaged. Sizes T8H-T50H, corrosion-resistant, with visible markings on an aluminum rail.

www.gripedgetools.com

This is what I bought

132-PC RPT Multi-Bit Driver Set

Experience superior torque with our RPT Multi-Bit Driver Set - 132 Pieces at Grip Edge Tools. Boost your efficiency today! Ideal for any toolbox.

www.gripedgetools.com

 

[Hakeem]

I thought they were the bees knees until I turned this internal hex drain plug into a Torx head. Got it out with a regular hex bit socket, btw.

i could see them being superior for imperfect fasteners but i think traditional, well fitting hex keys are best otherwise.

 

[KnurledNut]

I thought they were the bees knees until I turned this internal hex drain plug into a Torx head. Got it out with a regular hex bit socket, btw.

i could see them being superior for imperfect fasteners but i think traditional, well fitting hex keys are best otherwise.

I remember you mentioning this in another thread. I absolutely love when people share real world experience. Everything looks great on paper in a clean room environment, but actual results may vary depending on damage, corrosion, type, size and tolerances of fastener, depth of wrench recess, accessibility limitations, amount of wheaties consumed, etc etc. Tooling is only half the equation.
Nothing against GripEdge because they are highly regarded thus far, but the design may be a little too aggressive as seen in this case. Wera Hex Plus may have been a better solution here.
Cosmetically damaging a normal bolt head can be less than ideal, but distorting a SCHS or bolt really compromises removal or reuse, especially specialty ones that can be difficult to quickly source, like this plug.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I am intrigued by the Grip Edge technology for drivers like hex and star bits since these can so easily round-out the head of allen and torx fasteners. Has anyone tried them to see if they are worth the increased cost?

They need a proofreader. If they can’t handle this, why would I trust their tools?

 

[Ohio Andy]

They need a proofreader. If they can’t handle this, why would I trust their tools?

I was proofing a college math book for the 8th edition, and that chapter had been checked for all previous editions and I found a serious error. The original author missed it. Seven other proofreaders missed it. It can be adequately proofed and mistakes will still make it through.

 

[KnurledNut]

They need a proofreader. If they can’t handle this, why would I trust their tools?

Not to worry. AI's got this.

 

[WhataTool]

They need a proofreader. If they can’t handle this, why would I trust their tools?

Looks like they are quoting an actual review to me.
I'm not buying anything from Jacob after all. Then again, the head shot images they use for these look not real, so if they can use random person images they can fix someone's typo

 

[WWheeler]

Looks like they are quoting an actual review to me.
I'm not buying anything from Jacob after all. Then again, the head shot images they use for these look not real, so if they can use random person images they can fix someone's typo

Exactly. While they probably could have picked a review that didn't have a typo instead, I'd rather them post ones with typos unedited than going down the slippery slope of thinking it's OK to making any sort of changes to people's reviews and posting them. Real world reviews shouldn't need a proofreader.

Then again, who knows for sure? For all I know that review could be some marketing mountebank, or even an AI, that decided that purposefully including a typo in a fake review would make it seem more legit. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[wolfinator]

Exactly. While they probably could have picked a review that didn't have a typo instead, I'd rather them post ones with typos unedited than going down the slippery slope of thinking it's OK to making any sort of changes to people's reviews and posting them. Real world reviews shouldn't need a proofreader.

Then again, who knows for sure? For all I know that review could be some marketing mountebank, or even an AI, that decided that purposefully including a typo in a fake review would make it seem more legit. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

IMO the way to fix this is to put the edited word in brackets. That's the historical way in newsprint to indicate that you're substituting a word in a quote for clarity to the reader. I.e. "...hard time getting [allen] drain plugs out..."

 

[milkovich]

Confession: I buy cheap sets of torx bits and hammer progressively larger torx sockets into the fastener until it breaks loose. Grip edge might be the greatest thing since sliced bread but the price is just not going to do it for me since I can keep buying inexpensive torx sets or eventually just hold a puddle on the fastener with a tig torch and weld a larger bolt onto it.