The Critic
Well-known member
Product not found | Matco Tools
Can recessed Torx sockets be used for “standard” ETorx fasteners?
Recessed Torx
- Thread starter The Critic
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Can recessed Torx sockets be used for “standard” ETorx fasteners?
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Recessed? HA HA! That's Matco trying to avoid saying "Female" Torx. You gotta be politically correct these days. 
It's not "Male and Female" anymore. It's now "Plug and Receptacle."
It's not "Male and Female" anymore. It's now "Plug and Receptacle."
BlitzcrankJapan
Well-known member
They are generally known as External Torx. This is also shown in the naming of the drive sizes, all having an E prefix.
T prefix are for normal Internal Torx and E prefix are for External Torx.
They are two separate fasteners and not interchangeable.
T prefix are for normal Internal Torx and E prefix are for External Torx.
They are two separate fasteners and not interchangeable.
Jack Ryan
Well-known member
Are they on a break?
3jakes
Well-known member
Well, they do have "austempering" as a feature.
OP
The Critic
Well-known member
I am familiar with external Torx. Curious if these are different than the usual external torx.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Yes. Just a different name for the same intended use.
Rabid Badger
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- Apr 2, 2018
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There are different types of e-torx. These are designed to work with fasteners that have the torx cap on a rounded base, hence the pronounced taper at the socket opening.
Other e-torx fasteners have the torx cap on a flatter base and won't fully engage with these. For those, Matco sells "inverted" e-torx sockets that have less taper.
Other e-torx fasteners have the torx cap on a flatter base and won't fully engage with these. For those, Matco sells "inverted" e-torx sockets that have less taper.
Those sockets are standard E-torx.Product not found | Matco Tools
www.matcotools.com
Can recessed Torx sockets be used for “standard” ETorx fasteners?
The only other version that I have seen is the low-profile E-torx fasteners, for which Matco calls the sockets inverted Etorx. I believe Snap-On refers to the sockets as "with Countersink".
OP
The Critic
Well-known member
Thanks - that makes sense.
So, the "countersink" that Snap-On refers to....is also for the torx cap on a rounded base?
The head of the low profile etorx fastener is not nearly as tall. The regular etorx sockets won’t fully engage as the sockets have a lot of taper. Low profile etorx fasteners are typically used in special applications requiring the low profile.
Enter Snap-on “with Countersink” and Matco inverted. These sockets lack the taper, so they can fully engage the low profile fastener.
Enter Snap-on “with Countersink” and Matco inverted. These sockets lack the taper, so they can fully engage the low profile fastener.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
The heavy chamfer of standard E-torx sockets will get better engagement of the portion of the flute that extends down the rounded base.
The Snap-on countersink sockets should really only be used on low profile head fasteners. The sizing is the same, so they will fit but with less purchase.
These are not to be confused with Snap-on’s low-profile standard etorx sockets that are just short in height for use with their low profile ratchet.
I dont believe Matco offers sockets for use on low profile standard torx. I think their inverted and recessed both have the standard profile.
If the picture on Matco's site is to be believed, the chamfer on their inverted sockets appear to be the same as Snap-on with countersink.
For some reason, Matco chooses not to mention the special low profile fasteners in their advertising. I think they designed the socket with low-chamfer and a low profile, which may not be the best solution for either scenario. As you mentioned, a regular E-torx fastener head really needs the standard E-torx socket for best fit.
OP
The Critic
Well-known member
Comparison:
E12- 1/4" DR E12 INVERT TORX SKT AGAE12T | Matco Tools
Snap-on Store
It looks like Snap-On only offers them in E12, E14, E16 and E18.
Looks like Matco has two different varieties of inverted torx. This is the one I saw, below. Matco calls this one inverted and stubby.
Comparison:
E12- 1/4" DR E12 INVERT TORX SKT AGAE12T | Matco Tools
Snap-on Store
shop.snapon.com
It looks like Snap-On only offers them in E12, E14, E16 and E18.
OP
The Critic
Well-known member
Interesting. It seems very odd to only offer these in a u-joint.Looks like Matco has two different varieties of inverted torx. This is the one I saw, below. Matco calls this one inverted and stubby.
I am guessing that none of these are made by VIM; VIM appears to only offer one flavor of etorx.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
When I was a little kid about 5 years old, I went to the hardware store with my dad. We were walking down the plumbing section when the hardware man said, "can I help you gentlemen find something?" I said, "no but I have a question: Why are all these pipes labeled male and female?" Hardware man said, "I can't answer that question for you son, your dad will have to help you with that." I looked up at my dad said, "Why are all these pipes labeled male and female dad?" Dad's face turned beet red. He'd never been so embarrassed in his life.
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Jack Ryan
Well-known member
I would have thought the chamfer was defined in ISO 10664 and there would not be need for variations.
Jack
Jack
I don't think External Torx has an ISO standard. ISO 10664 is only for internal (and generic "Hexalobular") Torx.
Here is a good side view of the low profile vs full height heads where you can see the domed areas near the base are significantly different. This is for Torx Plus but same idea... Are people seeing low profile *non-Plus* External Torx fasteners?
Here is a good side view of the low profile vs full height heads where you can see the domed areas near the base are significantly different. This is for Torx Plus but same idea... Are people seeing low profile *non-Plus* External Torx fasteners?
OP
The Critic
Well-known member
Where did you find this chart? Very cool.I don't think External Torx has an ISO standard. ISO 10664 is only for internal (and generic "Hexalobular") Torx.
Here is a good side view of the low profile vs full height heads where you can see the domed areas near the base are significantly different. This is for Torx Plus but same idea... Are people seeing low profile *non-Plus* External Torx fasteners?
Jack Ryan
Well-known member
You might be right, I am going from memory. I believe "Hexalobular" describes Torx as per the standard. Was Torx not originally a trade name.
Your table describes Torx Plus - that is not the same as Torx. (Sorry, as you said)
Jack
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BombShelter
Well-known member
Hopefully your not doing the BMW Oil Thermostat from hell job. I bought the VIMs but they move too much, one guy on YouTube had a rubber sleeve on his, I'm not sure where he got that but it looked necessary when you couldn't see the bolt head. I ended up with an impact set from Autozone for $22 that fit in the space perfectly.