RBRT Hex bit extractor in the opposite direction?

[bkdc]

Is there a RBRT type hex bit which bites in the opposite direction (tightening)?

The RBRT style Torx bites are bi-directional but the hex bits are unidirectional to extract a stripped fastener.

However, the particular use case is for ball joints on car suspensions. Either a torx or hex bit is used to keep threaded ball joint in place while a wrench turns the bolt. Thus, the direction of additional grip for the hex bits needs to be in the tightening direction In order to take apart the suspension.

 

[assassin10000]

Not sure if it'll be made in a size large enough for you but Wera makes their Hex plus (hex+) which is bi-directional. They have them in 1/4 hex bits up to 10 mm iirc.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I thought that gripedge claims bidirectional.

RPT Hex Driver Set - 8-Pc 1/4'' Drive Short Metric

GripEdge RPT Hex Tools Replaces Standard Hex Tools Our Patented Unique Bi-Directional Design Enables Loosening & Tightening of New and Damaged Hex Fasteners

www.gripedgetools.com

Specifically

In an emergency situation where you don't have a suitable replacement, RPT gives you the ability to reuse a damaged fastener and tighten it back down

 

[KomatsuTech]

I thought that gripedge claims bidirectional.

RPT Hex Driver Set - 8-Pc 1/4'' Drive Short Metric

GripEdge RPT Hex Tools Replaces Standard Hex Tools Our Patented Unique Bi-Directional Design Enables Loosening & Tightening of New and Damaged Hex Fasteners

www.gripedgetools.com

Specifically

In an emergency situation where you don't have a suitable replacement, RPT gives you the ability to reuse a damaged fastener and tighten it back down

It should work to tighten it down. The demos I saw in person on the Cornwell truck worked to tighten it within reason on the test block he has.

 

[Jaywalk3r]

Vera Hex-Plus and Vessel Rainball keys should each dig into the fastener in either direction, compared to standard “true-hex” keys, given sufficient torque is applied.

edit: A similar size (e.g., T30 is about the same size as 5mm) Torx-plus key/bit should work as well as most other solutions. The critical features of Hex-plus/RBRT bits are sharpened corners and empty space immediately ahead of the corner (provided by the concave sides of Hex-plus, for example) in the direction of turning. Torx-plus also has these features, so it will work in the appropriate size.

 

[bkdc]

My emergency is an angle grinder, but the grinder doesn’t fit in some situations. . I’ll buy a set of the Wera Hex-Plus keys. I should have tried Torx Plus the last time I had this issue.

 

[malacti]

My emergency is an angle grinder, but the grinder doesn’t fit in some situations. . I’ll buy a set of the Wera Hex-Plus keys. I should have tried Torx Plus the last time I had this issue.

Note that Torx Plus is a different screw/driver than regular Torx. It’s not really the same as Wera’s hex plus that works on regular hex fasteners.

 

[bkdc]

I have a set of Torx Plus bits, but it never occurred to me to try them out when I was stripping the fasteners.

 

[Jaywalk3r]

Note that Torx Plus is a different screw/driver than regular Torx. It’s not really the same as Wera’s hex plus that works on regular hex fasteners.

Torx -> Torx-plus -> Hex-plus -> hex

Aside from different approaches to sizing, the primary difference between the fastener socket shapes is the depth of the concavity of the flats (along with the acuteness of the corners). As long as the corner to corner measurements are similar, any of the profiles will work fine in an hex SHCS (in a pinch).

As torque increases, the bits begin to deform the fastener. First the deformation is elastic, then plastic. The empty space ahead of the bit’s corners, provided by concave sides with Hex-plus (and Torx, Torx-plus), provides empty space into which the screw material can move as it’s deformed (cold forged), creating a small bump and enhancing purchase of the bit on the fastener.

 

[NutsBoltsElectrons]

Is there a RBRT type hex bit which bites in the opposite direction (tightening)?

The RBRT style Torx bites are bi-directional but the hex bits are unidirectional to extract a stripped fastener.

However, the particular use case is for ball joints on car suspensions. Either a torx or hex bit is used to keep threaded ball joint in place while a wrench turns the bolt. Thus, the direction of additional grip for the hex bits needs to be in the tightening direction In order to take apart the suspension.

I think both sides of the fastener are loosening.

 

[tarbellb]

20min into Torque Test Channel they cover this exact thing, worth watching