Torx T20 plus

[CraigStu]

Doing a small job and needed some screws. I had gotten Phillps and they just couldn't handle the torque needed for the last 1/2" of 3" screws. So I had to go to torx and spent some time looking at Lowes. I went over to the tips in the tool dept. Talked to an employee who has been helpful before and he has never heard of it. There were none on display. I was hoping for a new torx that is a tight fit. Nope. Same loosy goosey fit but they did drive all the way in. Have any of you seen this?

 

[Wrench97]

Torx+ is pretty common in automotive sockets, but I can't say I've seen loose bits yet.

 

[carap]

The box says bit included.

 

[Wrench97]

The box says bit included.

Spares never hurt...

 

[cgrutt]

Where to buy link on attached

T20 PLUS 2" BIT

SPAX® T20 PLUS 2" bits are made from durable S2 steel and designed for a precise fit with T-STAR drives, reducing wobble and improving drive performance.

spax.us

 

[paulsomlo]

I would be surprised if the people that work at Lowes or HD knew about Torx Plus.

I had an email exchange with Spax several years ago - at that time, only the short bits were available where the screws were sold, not the 2" ones; checking my local HD online, I see that's changed.

 

[nadogail]

I buy replacement bits at Home Depot and Harbor Freight. At Home Depot I buy the better quality brand named brand bits,
and at Harbor Freight, I buy their lower cost accessory items.

 

[mm08822]

It looks like that extended tip will be a help but also a potential hindrance.

It forces you to be aligned with the bit into the screwhead for a more positive engagement, which is fine when there are no obstructions for drill positioning.

Once there are obstructions preventing a dead-on positioning, you may have to switch to a standard torx bit.

Disclaimer: I haven't used these yet.

 

[ericm]

I used some torx+ screws when putting up bike racks. The bit that came with the 3" construction screws I got fit tight and did not slip. I would use them again.

 

[Rusted Nut]

You won’t get a tight fit with a Torx bit and SPAX screws. SPAX needs Torx Plus.

 

[cmandp]

HD should have extra Torx plus bits in the Spax screw section.

I switch back and forth between Spax and GRK. GRK use standard T25.

GRK quality has gone down though.

 

[paulsomlo]

It looks like that extended tip will be a help but also a potential hindrance.

It forces you to be aligned with the bit into the screwhead for a more positive engagement, which is fine when there are no obstructions for drill positioning.

Once there are obstructions preventing a dead-on positioning, you may have to switch to a standard torx bit.

Disclaimer: I haven't used these yet.

They stick to the bit very well and come in handy when you need one hand free.

 

[mm08822]

They stick to the bit very well and come in handy when you need one hand free.

Yeah, I know that challenge too well! Magnetic bits and Stainless screws isn't one-hand friendly.

 

[mattstevens]

Just to make things more confusing, what Spax calls T-Star Plus is different from Torx Plus. Torx Plus has differently-shaped lobes and T-Star Plus has that pin on the end to help keep the bit straight. A Torx Plus bit will not fit in a Spax screw, you kind of need to use the Spax bits for a good fit. The combination does work well though and you get a 1" bit in every box of screws.

 

[JSutter]

0009

 

[AEAdam]

You won’t get a tight fit with a Torx bit and SPAX screws. SPAX needs Torx Plus.

I’ve driven around 1000 or 2 of these and didn’t know they were Torx +. I drive them with my standard Milwaukee T20 and they drive fine. Ignorance is bliss? Now that I know I’m using the wrong bit, will I start stripping heads?

I usually throw away the little bits that come in the boxes (except for Simpson’s).

 

[CraigStu]

Great info guys. I really like the concept but needing a special bit that only fits one brand of screws could be a pain. I like phillips because they do lock together better than torx when needed for one handed install. I guess I will save them for shorter screws or softer wood though. Also T25 is much more common than T20 in #9 and #10x 3" or less construction screws so kind of a shame they didn't settle on that size.

 

[pancho400cid]

Wow.... I would have grabbed those without a second thought assuming a standard T20 would be fine. I just googled the differences between Torx and Torx Plus - which are not insignificant. Good to at least be aware

 

[moemc]

I thought it was “known” that Torx-plus hardware is backwards compatible with standard Torx drivers, just that Torx-plus drivers are not compatible with standard Torx hardware. This is how I’ve always read it. Torx-plus on both ends is just preferred/better when available. I have a whole set of Torx-plus drivers and bits. Never personally had any complaints about standard Torx though, they already are such an upgrade over Phillips.

 

[AdAstra]

From the photos of the lobe shape, it actually looks closer to regular Torx. Although hard to tell without a clear side by side.

I think this may be closer to Torx TTAP, unclear if licensed or not. Spax’s “Plus” branding is quite confusing.

 

[dscheidt]

Great info guys. I really like the concept but needing a special bit that only fits one brand of screws could be a pain. I like phillips because they do lock together better than torx when needed for one handed install. I guess I will save them for shorter screws or softer wood though. Also T25 is much more common than T20 in #9 and #10x 3" or less construction screws so kind of a shame they didn't settle on that size.

if t20 can handle the required, it’s a better choice. T25 on smaller diameter screws can lead to failures where the head meets the shank. A number of European brands have settled on t20 for that reason for a wide range of sizes. I expect to see more of that in the us.

Edit: they are all using variants of torx. Regular torx bots fit their screws, but the proprietary ones work better.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

I’ll leave this link with some information here:

Show your new tool arrivals

USAG set was ~$50 delivered (Lowes) CMan set was ~$150 delivered (Mr Worker) Typo?

www.garagejournal.com

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[dnschmidt]

The only thing unique about the SPAX bits is the tip extension which really doesn't gain you much. A normal Torx will work fine but the real nuts is the Torx Align bit that fits the standard Torx headed screw much tighter.

 

[garfieldzzz]

The SPAX t-star plus is a normal torx with the extended alignment nose and is NOT a Torx plus! Torx IP ( torx plus) used with normal torx will not work and vice versa damages the fastner.

I don't own their special bits but used them, its a bit better but no must have.

 

[AEAdam]

Doing a small job and needed some screws. I had gotten Phillps and they just couldn't handle the torque needed for the last 1/2" of 3" screws. So I had to go to torx and spent some time looking at Lowes. I went over to the tips in the tool dept. Talked to an employee who has been helpful before and he has never heard of it. There were none on display. I was hoping for a new torx that is a tight fit. Nope. Same loosy goosey fit but they did drive all the way in. Have any of you seen this?

No kidding, exactly as I’ve said before. I didn’t know these were torx +. I’ve been using a Milwaukee T20 bit and it worked fine. I made the mistake of reading this thread. Now I know I’ve been using the wrong bit. Was driving these yesterday and stripped every other one I drove.

I’m being punished for knowingly using the wrong tool. I switched to the little included bit. Of course it doesn‘t fit well in the Milwaukee extension holder and falls out on every fastener (I.e., the bit fits the fastener tighter than the magnet holding it in the extension). Now I need a locking extension to drive these bits (or maybe I’ll JBweld it into one I already have). Or maybe never use these screws again. Thanks GJ!

 

[dnschmidt]

Knowledge can be a dangerous thing. And, these are definitely not Torx Plus as garfieldzzz correctly noted. All they are are a normal Torx with a little *** on them which I think accomplishes nothing. That stated SPAX does make a hell of a screw. The ones I've got are not Torx but have a combination head which can be used with either Phillips or Robertson screwdrivers.

 

[KnurledNut]

Great info guys. I really like the concept but needing a special bit that only fits one brand of screws could be a pain. I like phillips because they do lock together better than torx when needed for one handed install. I guess I will save them for shorter screws or softer wood though. Also T25 is much more common than T20 in #9 and #10x 3" or less construction screws so kind of a shame they didn't settle on that size.

I consider the Spax pilot Torx a proprietary drive system. The fitment with the dedicated bit is excellent. But standard Torx is a sloppy fit and I would only use it as a last resort.

Knowledge can be a dangerous thing. And, these are definitely not Torx Plus as garfieldzzz correctly noted. All they are are a normal Torx with a little *** on them which I think accomplishes nothing. That stated SPAX does make a hell of a screw. The ones I've got are not Torx but have a combination head which can be used with either Phillips or Robertson screwdrivers.

Spax makes a proprietary bit for those too.

 

[KnurledNut]

No kidding, exactly as I’ve said before. I didn’t know these were torx +. I’ve been using a Milwaukee T20 bit and it worked fine. I made the mistake of reading this thread. Now I know I’ve been using the wrong bit. Was driving these yesterday and stripped every other one I drove.

I’m being punished for knowingly using the wrong tool. I switched to the little included bit. Of course it doesn‘t fit well in the Milwaukee extension holder and falls out on every fastener (I.e., the bit fits the fastener tighter than the magnet holding it in the extension). Now I need a locking extension to drive these bits (or maybe I’ll JBweld it into one I already have). Or maybe never use these screws again. Thanks GJ!

It’s not so much that standard T-20 won’t work, but it’s a sloppy fit which may or may not become a problem depending on application and cycles. It will definitely accelerate bit wear at the tip. Spax is engineered to work primarily with their optimized pilot bit and yes it’s a tight interface.

 

[Wamsutta]

It looks like that extended tip will be a help but also a potential hindrance.

It forces you to be aligned with the bit into the screwhead for a more positive engagement, which is fine when there are no obstructions for drill positioning.

Once there are obstructions preventing a dead-on positioning, you may have to switch to a standard torx bit.

Disclaimer: I haven't used these yet.

The extended tip is supposed to help hold the screw upright when screwing into overheads; or at least that's what they say anyway.

 

[BlindViper]

Spax screws have a great bit included I have never worn one out. At home depot "extra" bits are sold next to the screws.

 

[cherrybomb]

I usually add my screws to my compartment boxes and throw the cardboard away,so if the brand is Spax,I should keep the bit with the screws.Until reading this informative post,I was unaware.When I got ready to use some screws,I picked a bit,sometimes it would or wouldn't fit correctly. I would find one that was correct.I now have a better understanding. A great screw,nonetheless

 

[bonneyman]

I had my brother do some construction work for me last year, and he did wonders with the siding and shop door he made. He used these Torx screws and just drove screws all day with no issues. I snagged a partial box at an estate sale for $1. Don't know what style they are but I have no issues driving in the screws with standard Torx bits. Maybe ignorance IS bliss?