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HF torx bits

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JasonCAT

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Oct 31, 2013
Messages
127
PoorOwner said:
Are these ok for the price?

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-14-and-38-drive-star-bit-set-67914.html

Vs

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J0TF6G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But this one doesn't have t50
Click to expand...
I've heard that the HF set is fine.
PoorOwner said:
Also, how come HF doesn't mention the word torx but calls it star bits?
Click to expand...

Torx and star bits are the same. Torx is a brand name i.e. Vise-Grips vs locking pliers or Channellocks vs Tongue-and-groove pliers.
 
R

roachie

Active member
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Sep 28, 2013
Messages
37
I have a set of those HF bits, they work well. My 3/8 impact hasnt killed them...the 1/2 impact will.

No comment on nieko types, ive been eyeing the 60pc set for myself.

Hey, look, another buy american fanboy.
 
S

Spudland_Dave

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Mar 12, 2010
Messages
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Location
Maine
CWP1616L said:
If they're not Pittsburgh Pro forget it.
Click to expand...

I'm not a HF shopper, so I have no clue either way, I did think of this while looking at a sale flyer I recieved from them once....but is there really even a difference between the normal Pittsburg & Pittsburg Pro?
 
T

TAMPAGT07

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Feb 20, 2008
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Palm Harbor, Fl
I've got a cheapo set of torx bits (in sockets) which I have had for a at least 25 years...I think that one of them is twisted, but it still works fine.. I don't think you need to spend a great deal of money to have a useable set...I really don't use them all that often...
 
P

pipsters

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mayday0017 said:
Sears has a set made my Lisle with a few more pices for a few more bucks. They are a GREAT set I have used and abused mine for about 6 years now. I wouldn't even consider anything else.... they also have the allen set which I highly recommend as well

http://www.sears.com/lisle-12-pc-torx-bit-set/p-00946345000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
Click to expand...

The Lisle torx are the biggest POS tool ever to ever be sold. Ever.

I picked up that set you linked to and the HF set and work to work on my car (Volvo). The Lisle set had thinner "flanges" and stripped out hard to turn bolts - the HF sailed right thru.

OP - the HF set you linked to is excellent, combine it with the 25% off coupons we are all getting now and for $7.50 you seriously cannot beat them. Great tool at a great price. Has taken off many torx on my cars with zero issues, using them with hand tools or air/electric.
 
S

signcrafter

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May 9, 2012
Messages
12,317
mayday0017 said:
Sears has a set made my Lisle with a few more pices for a few more bucks. They are a GREAT set I have used and abused mine for about 6 years now. I wouldn't even consider anything else.... they also have the allen set which I highly recommend as well

http://www.sears.com/lisle-12-pc-torx-bit-set/p-00946345000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
Click to expand...

This is the FIRST good thing I've ever heard about that black lisle set. I bought that set and it *****. They are soft and twist off. Waste of money. Tons of horrible reviews on the net.
 
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mayday0017

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Houston Texas
WOW, wonder if they switched where it was made... Now that I think of it, I have had it much longer then 6 years it is prob 10 years old. Thx for the info, I was looking at giving my dad the same ones for christmas this year, that won't be happening now!
 
W

woody 73

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Apr 14, 2009
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The Great State Up North
PoorOwner said:
Are these ok for the price?

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-14-and-38-drive-star-bit-set-67914.html

Vs

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J0TF6G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But this one doesn't have t50

Also, how come HF doesn't mention the word torx but calls it star bits?
Click to expand...



PoorOwner if you asked me that question in 1960, then I would have said that $9.99 would have bought you a ton of goods in your local candy store. Today if you asked me in 2013, you might get a candy bar, maybe a comic book and some gum forget about getting any gas for your car.

So yes that set will work for you and they are ok for that price.

Edit that man o man comic books for $3.99 Maybe two comic books and a candy bar...:rolleyes::eek::eek:

http://www.theawl.com/2012/05/how-much-do-comic-books-cost
 
S

SMKS

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I van putski said:
If you are going to buy imports at least get Vim or gearwrench.
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Remember, Gearwrench bits and bit sockets DO NOT have a lifetime warranty:
http://www.gearwrench.com/warranty
Product Exceptions to the Standard Limited Lifetime Warranty:


Tool Boxes, Bits, Bit Sockets, Taps, Dies, Files, Torque Products
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Your local store may warranty them if they don't know they're excluded, but you shouldn't buy them and expect to have any warranty.

I don't have HF Torx bits but I have the long HF allen bit sockets and they've worked well for me. I think they're made in Taiwan, but I'm not at home so I can't check.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-38-drive-metric-long-reach-hex-bit-socket-set-67890.html
 
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B

Brownsfan

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Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,974
Location
Cleveland Ohio
I have the sets of USA craftsman. One set has lasted well over 10 years. I also have the hex and tamper torx sets. They have been great. I won't pay the current price for the china versions. The USA sets are still out there. For the money the HF Taiwan made sets are hard to beat.
 
C

cnttxmdc

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Oct 11, 2013
Messages
385
Location
Granbury, TX
I have a set, and they're pretty good for the price. I am slowly working to go to all American made tools just for the principle of the matter, but that doesn't mean I'm throwing out all my import stuff. Because of that I won't be buying another set, but it has nothing to do with the tools themselves.
 
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SMKS

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pipsters said:
The Lisle torx are the biggest POS tool ever to ever be sold. Ever.
Click to expand...

signcrafter said:
This is the FIRST good thing I've ever heard about that black lisle set. I bought that set and it *****. They are soft and twist off. Waste of money. Tons of horrible reviews on the net.
Click to expand...

mayday0017 said:
WOW, wonder if they switched where it was made... Now that I think of it, I have had it much longer then 6 years it is prob 10 years old. Thx for the info, I was looking at giving my dad the same ones for christmas this year, that won't be happening now!
Click to expand...
The one-piece Lisle bits are still made in the USA and lots of people say they're junk. But they are cheap, so that's what you get sometimes.

But, Lisle makes a more expensive two-piece set that are supposed to be considerably stronger. I have them, but I haven't used them too much. These ones are also made in the USA.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NYC0E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

31C3SY3KR4L._SX385_.jpg
 
M

m4rkz0r

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Oct 23, 2012
Messages
110
Location
Texas
I have the black 1 piece solid HF bits in 1/4 drive. Ive twisted one of them, I think the t30. Theyre nothing to write home about but they've held up decent so far.

Ill also suggest the Bondhus prohold socket bits. They are quite a bit more expensive and I dont actually own them (Yet!). I do have some Bondhus hex keys though and they are very nice. You can use your own sockets or buy them with sockets. They are made in the USA, and I believe they're also impact approved. Cheapest place Ive seen them is Amazon, I think they're somewhere around 50-60 bucks.
 
C

cburnscrx

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Jan 15, 2013
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Indianapolis
I've never tried the HF set, but generally speaking if it's made in Taiwan it's probably okay. Pittsburg Pro stuff usually is made in Taiwan, so they're pretty safe as a rule.

I have a set of Stanley's I bought at Wal Mart, when they were going through a "decent tools" phase. My set is made in Taiwan and is at least 10 years old. When I looked a month or so ago, they were made in China. YMMV. This is back when Walmart was selling Stanley insulated electricians tools, and whatnot. You could pick up some pretty decent stuff if you looked around.

If it were me and I needed a set now, I'd either go HF, or I'd go the other end of the spectrum and get SK's. No need for much in the middle in my opinion.
 
OP
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PoorOwner

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CA
The reason I don't want to spend like $30 or more is because I have not really needed it
But there is a under car air dam and I think a screw on the valve cover..
I have usually grabbed my cman pro screw driver.. but so far I didn't come across much in my cars yet
 
D

donthelegend

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Nov 7, 2011
Messages
203
Location
St. Louis, MO
I have the 1/2" HF set... they have held up better than the Lisle set that everyone has already mentioned as being garbage, and just as well as an older Craftsman set.

Use them on an impact regularly, and Jeep is fond of torx for some reason, so they get used all the time. I bought them because I had to have a set right then but didn't have the cash for a better set. I've been looking at replacing them with something nicer but they continue to work just fine so I'm not in a huge hurry to throw them out.
 
C

cburnscrx

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PoorOwner said:
The reason I don't want to spend like $30 or more is because I have not really needed it
But there is a under car air dam and I think a screw on the valve cover..
I have usually grabbed my cman pro screw driver.. but so far I didn't come across much in my cars yet
Click to expand...

Exactly! They're on sale for $9.99 and you can use the 25% off coupon bringing them down to $7.50. They also have a lifetime warranty. Seriously, this is a question? I spent more on lunch at Chick fil A yesterday.

My point with the SK was... IF I felt the need to buy a "better" product, I would go with the SK's. I am not recommending them in this situation.

Now go get your HF torx bits. :bounce:
 
M

mrjaw14

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May 22, 2012
Messages
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Location
Nashville, TN
For $10 with a 20% coupon I think it's probably ok for non-rusted fasteners. If I didn't have these already I'd buy some.

The other option here is buying Bit holder sockets and using 1/4" hex bits in torx, allen, etc and you can get your choice of bits for them. I have 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 versions of them. That way if I break a bit I likely have 20 more of the same one to keep going on what I'm working on. I also have a snap on u-joint insert bit socket so I can have universal joint torx, allen, etc.

Here's a SK 1/4" insert bit holder for $5
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X1PBXC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here's a SK 3/8" drive insert bit holder for $10
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HI6DAG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

a Beefier option is from bondhus. They sell the inserts that uses your regular sockets as a holder
http://www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/tool_categories/socket_bits/index.html

With this option you don't have to have a seperate set of torx sockets, seperate set of allen sockets, you just buy the bits, then use your regular sockets.
 
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C

cheechi

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Feb 29, 2012
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Triad, NC
I have plenty of insert bits like you mention, but they're not perfect if you need bigger sizes. That's where the Bondhus is the best option but, I don't think it takes up too much space or is a waste of money to have a torx bit set anyway.

I use a mix, whatever I have when I need it. My Kobalts are roughly the same as the HF set, they work ok though I haven't put them through anything really hard. if the Kobalt was not on sale I'd have got the HF ones.
 
M

mayday0017

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Oct 20, 2010
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Houston Texas
SMKS said:
The one-piece Lisle bits are still made in the USA and lots of people say they're junk. But they are cheap, so that's what you get sometimes.

But, Lisle makes a more expensive two-piece set that are supposed to be considerably stronger. I have them, but I haven't used them too much. These ones are also made in the USA.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NYC0E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

31C3SY3KR4L._SX385_.jpg
Click to expand...

Ah mine are 2 piece I wasn't paying that much attention when I looked up on the sears site. Guess that explains why I have been very happy with mine.
 
S

SCscoutguy

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Feb 23, 2010
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South Carolina
The ones made by Lisle in the USA are pure garbage. I have used the HF Pro ones for a while now and have been really happy with them.
 
S

SMKS

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SCscoutguy said:
The ones made by Lisle in the USA are pure garbage. I have used the HF Pro ones for a while now and have been really happy with them.
Click to expand...

You mean the one-piece ones made by Lisle, I assume. As noted above, they have more than one quality level.
 
M

Mastermind

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Jun 28, 2012
Messages
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Ypsilanti, MI
i have older MAC ones wich were made by OTC, two piece, been alright. broke a fe over the years.
have 5 yr old Stanley ones from walmart,two piece, broke one, t40, on a rusty jeep.
have the hf set, havent broke any, but they see limited use in the carry bag. seem fine.
have the lisle 1 piece set, not impressed under "high" torque applications. broke a few.
bought a t30 3/8 gold snap on (most common auto body size on average cars) never a problem. also made a couple 1/2 drive snappy's for ford bed bolts, cant blame a bit for breaking there. those bolts ****.
know the difference between torx and torx plus, clean out the recieving end of debris, and good penetrant, you should never break one.


worked with an old timer once, watched him break a snappy, go to the"back-up" set of benchtop tiwaneese ones and never break one. those things must have been like thors hammer.

and i've been eyeing the vim's for stubbys...anyone try them?
 
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