Identifying and naming every Torx variation

[popit]

Informative PDF and additional info
https://www.semblex.com/files/Torx-Semblex.pdf
http://www.acument.com/products/torx-and-torx-plus/
http://www.exx.se/techinfo/bolt_heads/index.html

- Torx

- Torx tamper-proof

- Torx plus
http://www.nittoseiko.co.jp/en/en_p...ecial+Drive+Recesses&label=1&name=TORX&id=750

- Security Torx Plus (special pentalobe)
http://www.wihatools.com/700seri/716_ipr_serie.htm
http://www.nittoseiko.co.jp/en/en_p...+Drive+Recesses&label=1&name=TORX+PLUS&id=780

- Torx Plus Maxx
http://www.acument.com/licensing/licensed-products/torx-plus-maxx-drive-system/

- Torx plus star (not security torx plus) (probably)
http://www.edaboard.co.uk/strange-screws-t74279.html

- Swenson Slim Line Grip Screws Torx Head 1911
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/22...-line-grip-screws-torx-head-1911-package-of-4

- AudiTorx Standard (the torx head breaks at certain torque leaving an hex drive)

- AudiTorx tamper-proof (the torx head breaks at certain torque leaving a rivet-like head)

- TORXSTEM (double end stud bolt)
http://www.nac-corp.co.jp/jp/torx/details/product/escrew3.html

- Torx Plus Low Profile Head


Similar drives that may lead to confusion

- Polydrive also called Ribe (NOT torx)
http://www.brugola.com/en/products/polydriver

- Pentalobe from Apple (NOT torx)

- Motorq Spiral
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85712
http://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic-transmission/1539934-need-help-4-point-torx-bellhousing.html
http://www.phillips-screw.com/mortorq.php

- Motorq Super High Strenght Spiral


http://www.phillips-screw.com/mortorq_super.php

- Hexstix Stable
http://www.phillips-screw.com/hexstix.php

- External Motorq Super Spiral
http://www.phillips-screw.com/external_mortorq_super_spiral.php

- Exterior 8 Point Trailer (double square)
http://hickorytrailerparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=39&products_id=86
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24146763/print/true.cfm

- XZN (12 point triple square)
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum...-star-bolts-removal-tool-bit-w124-1987-a.html

- 12 point double hex

- OSG Corporation drives are NOT torx
- LHStix, Microstix and QuaStix
http://www.j-osp.com/en/index.html

If some drive is missing, comment below

 

[malykaii]

I was going to contribute ribe/polydrive. You day It's not torx.

May I inquire what "torx" is? A brand or sorts?

 

[Aerogt01]

Yes, but which ones can I jam a straight blade screwdriver in and make it work??

 

[malykaii]

^Well, all but the tamper proof (aka screwdriver proof) and the 5 point ones.

Hammering in a hex also works, lol.

 

[Commendatore]

Hammering in a hex also works, lol.

And the opposite works well for rounded hex socket cap fasteners

 

[ChevyEFI]

LHStix http://www.osg-global.jp/products/lhstix/


Speaking of Torx, how long before we have a chart of surface drive sockets that double as E-torx sockets?

 

[BFBOB]

Yes, Torx is a brand name. All those variants are probably to get around having to pay patent royalties.

A flat blade screwdriver will work on the security types too. Start with a small one and use it as a prybar to break off the center post. They're made of fairly hard, brittle steel and break off easily.

 

[Kracin]

what a wonderous day when there is only one type of fastener head for all socket cap fasteners. and what a wonderous day when there is only one measurement system for all things worldwide!!!


but that will never happen with capitalism afoot!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fp14jarnTP0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[popit]

LHStix http://www.osg-global.jp/products/lhstix/

That was a nice catch up! Looks like Koken is licensed to manufacture and sell tools with the LHstix trademark

http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/en/support/license.html

There's also Microstix
http://www.j-osp.com/en/products/neji.html

 

[Bran Diezel]

You forgot the twisted 4 point ones that look like a ninja star.

 

[LordPsychon]

You forgot the twisted 4 point ones that look like a ninja star.

Not sure if those qualify as Torx but they are pretty cool, have a set of bits that would fit them if I ever came across them.

 

[Murphy4570]

what a wonderous day when there is only one type of fastener head for all socket cap fasteners. and what a wonderous day when there is only one measurement system for all things worldwide!!!


but that will never happen with capitalism afoot!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fp14jarnTP0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You speak of the metric system. It is not capitalism which has so many dissimilar fasteners. Can you imagine the wasted man hours from dealing with all the different fasteners and standards?

 

[ChevyEFI]

That was a nice catch up! Looks like Koken is licensed to manufacture and sell tools with the LHstix trademark

http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/en/support/license.html

There's also Microstix
http://www.j-osp.com/en/products/neji.html

Guilty; I'd have not known of LHStix without having perused the Ko-Ken catalog.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yes, Torx is a brand name. All those variants are probably to get around having to pay patent royalties.

Torx Plus, was introduced about 1990 when the original Torx patent was expiring.

 

[Rico.]

what a wonderous day when there is only one type of fastener head for all socket cap fasteners.

I know right.... It is all just so unnecessary to have all these different types of fasteners.

IMHO the best cap screw fastener has to be the square drive or "Robertson" fastener.

Even with cheap tools the fastener would likely break before it rounds out. It's just unreal how rare they are in the UK and how common Allen hex type fasteners are which really demand quality tools and can still round out.

 

[Wakefield]

You forgot the twisted 4 point ones that look like a ninja star.

"Mortorq" ?

 

[MFolks]

Torque-set?

http://www.browntool.com/Default.aspx?tabid=344&CategoryID=271&Level=a

 

[unslow1]

I had to tighten up some double square screws today. Inside panels on an enclosed trailer. Thinking it was a Torx I tried several before I looked close enough to realize what it was.
Pics of several types of fastener heads.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives

 

[Jack Olsen]

Triple Square (XZN) is not so different -- Torx with a German accent.

 

[Kracin]

You speak of the metric system. It is not capitalism which has so many dissimilar fasteners. Can you imagine the wasted man hours from dealing with all the different fasteners and standards?

i was talking about capitalism creating more nonstandardized systems.

create a new type of fastener, create 10 different types of tools for it.... simple and ridiculous

 

[popit]

Updated the first post with a lot of new drives, most of them aren't even listed on Wikipedia. Even some of them are not meant to be of public knowledge (LHSTIX, Microstix, Quastix).

Torq-set not included since is very different anyway.

 

[LordPsychon]

Updated the first post with a lot of new drives, most of them aren't even listed on Wikipedia. Even some of them are not meant to be of public knowledge (LHSTIX, Microstix, Quastix).

Does that mean by sharing with us your life is in danger from the Microstix corporations? Everyone, unfriend him now before he drags us down into the pits of corporate espionage!

 

[Mechanical Noise]

An old time drive which can be mistaken for torx is Bristol drive. Bristol is essentially a spline drive. Most Bristol sizes are six point but the smaller ones are four point.

 

[skan]

Do you know of any screw bit set including most of these types? (also TA, TP3, Bristol, Outlaw Unigrip and Pentalobe).

Most sets at eBay or Amazon are only able to open some of this screws and have just a few sizes of the strangest ones. The best ones I've found include 130 bits but many of them are redundant in different sizes or tamper-proof vs regular ones.

Or any brand selling them assorted for a goof price?

I would like to have them most common ones, but I always find something new.

Regards

 

[mmason7764]

This distasteful trend is out of control. Proliferation of fastener heads is the opposite of standardization.

I used to think a complete bit set was the answer a couple decades ago. Now I have the bits I need, a local industrial supplier for something special should it arise.

The time may be getting close to substituting left handed drill bits and Turbo Sockets to round out your toolbox.

Mark

 

[popit]

Do you know of any screw bit set including most of these types? (also TA, TP3, Bristol, Outlaw Unigrip and Pentalobe).

Most sets at eBay or Amazon are only able to open some of this screws and have just a few sizes of the strangest ones. The best ones I've found include 130 bits but many of them are redundant in different sizes or tamper-proof vs regular ones.

Or any brand selling them assorted for a goof price?

I would like to have them most common ones, but I always find something new.

Regards

Check this:
BGS 20100 - 121 Bit Set with screwdriver and box

Also, check the iFix kits.