Using Torx Socket on Hex Heads

[xroad]

Can we use Torx sockets on hex heads? Of course we can. It'll be like using a "super flank drive" socket. The lobes of the Torx socket will be applying pressure on the face of the hex head, not the corner.

Question is, what size Torx fits what size hex? We always compare the compatibility between SAE and metric, I haven't seen any comparison between Torx and metric. I can measure the distance from lobe to lobe but I don't have any Torx sockets. Specs found on Torx do not have the number for lobe to lobe. They have "Anti-lobe" to "Anti-lobe" .

 

[lynam]

I don't think thats a good idea!
But i will say this i have removed striped Hex bolts with a torx socket because it was so round off inside nothing else would fit and it did work. I think it was on a B16 engine block taping into a oil passage or something.

A set of torx sockets or drivers arnt that expensive anyways.

 

[richfinn]

I think what you mean is Torx sockets make pretty good extractors for rounded out and broken off **** (I know as I use a large Torx socket to remove broken spark plugs)

 

[Wakefield]

The (e) torx socket might never be the same again.

 

[Slingshot Engage]

Can we use Torx sockets on hex heads? Of course we can. It'll be like using a "super flank drive" socket. The lobes of the Torx socket will be applying pressure on the face of the hex head, not the corner.

Question is, what size Torx fits what size hex? We always compare the compatibility between SAE and metric, I haven't seen any comparison between Torx and metric. I can measure the distance from lobe to lobe but I don't have any Torx sockets. Specs found on Torx do not have the number for lobe to lobe. They have "Anti-lobe" to "Anti-lobe" .

Short answer: No
Long answer: While a torx pounded into a rounded out hex works very in a pinch, you be substituting. thats just lazy.

 

[smothers33]

I've done it when I didn't have the right size bit but have since bought a nice complete set of hex bits. It does work but you'll eventually damage the torx bit if you do it often. I would reccomend the old saying to have the right tool for the job

 

[rt dak]

I've done it the other way around, hex bit to remove torx screw. Wouldn't recommend either though.

 

[mscribellito]

Not something I would do on a daily basis, but if the circumstances call for it, why not?

i.e. stranded on the side of the road...

 

[earlthegoat2]

Ive found the correct tool for a job is best.

But when those hex heads round off, (which is a lot) then the torx works in a pinch sometimes.

 

[Griff93]

I use torx on a regular basis on allens that someone else has rounded out. You have to pound them in but they work extremely well for this use.

 

[smothers33]

Another thing to think about typically the reason any fastener gets damages is rust or not using the right size socket or both. If rust has anything to do with it using a torx bit to remove an Allen bolt is just asking to damage both the fastener and your bit. But again if you got no other option it does work.

 

[xroad]

Short answer: No
Long answer: While a torx pounded into a rounded out hex works very in a pinch, you be substituting. thats just lazy.

No need to pound, just get a torx SOCKET that can slip over the hex nut or head.

 

[xroad]

I've done it when I didn't have the right size bit but have since bought a nice complete set of hex bits. It does work but you'll eventually damage the torx bit if you do it often. I would reccomend the old saying to have the right tool for the job

Wrong "***" ..... not Torx bits, I mean using Torx SOCKETS.

 

[xroad]

The (e) torx socket might never be the same again.

The wear and tear of the Torx socket would be at the tip of the lobe. Even if there are wears, it would not affect the normal use of the Torx socket on a Torx head.

 

[battlegraduate09]

i use 6 point sockets on hex headed bolts

 

[davesnothere]

Come on now, are we trying to talk ourselves out of 2 different sets of sockets?
Hex for hex, torx for torx. You need them both.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

It should be more like using Torx on Torx-Plus/S2

 

[JDS968]

Wait, are you talking about using E-Torx as an extractor for rounded hex cap bolts, or as your primary socket for perfectly good bolts? In the former case, use a real extractor like this:

In the latter case...no, just don't do it.

 

[smothers33]

Wrong "***" ..... not Torx bits, I mean using Torx SOCKETS.

doesn't matter if its a bit or a socket it will wear if you to it enough and or apply enough torque.

 

[JDS968]

doesn't matter if its a bit or a socket it will wear if you to it enough and or apply enough torque.

I think he means E-Torx rather than regular Torx...right?

 

[smothers33]

I think he means E-Torx rather than regular Torx...right?

oH ok so using a e-torx on a standard 6 point bolt? Never thought of that. That makes a hell of alot more sense. Now I get what he meant when he said itd be like a flank drive wrench. I need to try this now. Great idea. And your right someone needs to make a list of what size etorx fits what size bolts. At least the common sizes

 

[xroad]

I did a quick eye ball measurement of the lobe to lobe distance of an E14 and E16 wrench. E14 shouldd fit a 9mm hex head fairly snug. The E16 will be very loose on a 10mm but if you file down the peaks of each lobe a tiny bit, it will fit a 11mm hex head.

(the information is the best recollection as I was in a realy hurry and I did this 3 weeks ago.)

 

[offwhite]

Sorry for dragging up this 5 year old thread but... Haven't anyone in here heard about metrinch sockets? They are expensive, metric- and Imperial compatible sockets which looks suspiciously much like torx sockets! I have been looking for metrinch sockets but I haven't found any online, so now I am thinking about buying torx sockets instead.

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[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Can we use Torx sockets on hex heads? Of course we can. It'll be like using a "super flank drive" socket. The lobes of the Torx socket will be applying pressure on the face of the hex head, not the corner.

Question is, what size Torx fits what size hex? We always compare the compatibility between SAE and metric, I haven't seen any comparison between Torx and metric. I can measure the distance from lobe to lobe but I don't have any Torx sockets. Specs found on Torx do not have the number for lobe to lobe. They have "Anti-lobe" to "Anti-lobe" .

Mayday Houston - Uh, we have a problem...

 

[wolf_from_wv]

You should never get so caught up in whether you can do something, that you don't stop to wonder whether you should do something. (I don't see a velociraptor smilie...)

Rare circumstance - maybe

Everyday - no

 

[dnschmidt]

These items are super cheap so why bother with this question. Use the right tool, live a little spend $10.

 

[stage20]

ive hammered in a torx to remove a rounded hex socket screw but never to use intentional on a nice fastener.

if the allen rounds out find a bolt that will fit inside or on top and put a couple tacks of weld on it. use the new welded on bolt for removal of the rounded one. works great.

 

[WWheeler]

Sorry for dragging up this 5 year old thread but... Haven't anyone in here heard about metrinch sockets? They are expensive, metric- and Imperial compatible sockets which looks suspiciously much like torx sockets! I have been looking for metrinch sockets but I haven't found any online, so now I am thinking about buying torx sockets instead.

Not really sure why you're having trouble finding any metrinch sockets online.

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=shop&q=metrinch
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=metrinch
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=2&_nkw=metrinch&rmvSB=true

And the latter is a really bad idea. e-torx sockets are not even close to the same thing.

 

[M6erfan]

Sorry for dragging up this 5 year old thread but... Haven't anyone in here heard about metrinch sockets? They are expensive, metric- and Imperial compatible sockets which looks suspiciously much like torx sockets! I have been looking for metrinch sockets but I haven't found any online, so now I am thinking about buying torx sockets instead.

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What in the hell do Metrinch have to do with with the OP???

Anyway, using the wrong tool to get by in an emergency is acceptable IMO. As a matter of course = amateur hour...

 

[disston]

I use chrome sockets instead of impact socks in an emergency only or when I have misplaced the impact somewhere, where did that damn thing go

 

[offwhite]

Not really sure why you're having trouble finding any metrinch sockets online.

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=shop&q=metrinch
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=metrinch
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=2&_nkw=metrinch&rmvSB=true

And the latter is a really bad idea. e-torx sockets are not even close to the same thing.

Thanks for looking it up!

Unfortunately, those are all the older versions of metrinch kits, which are inferior since they are sure to strip your bolts. They have a sort of like "16 pointed star"-pattern in alternating Imperial and metric sizes, so that one socket fits both. The result is that the gripping surface in the socket is just by the edge of the bolt, which is perfect if you are looking for rounding off bolts...

The newer metrinch kits have a pattern that looks a lot like a torx female bolt, the gripping surface is on the middle of the flat surface of the sides of the bolt, which is great since energy is only transferred to the parts least likely to strip.

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[offwhite]

What in the hell do Metrinch have to do with with the OP???

Anyway, using the wrong tool to get by in an emergency is acceptable IMO. As a matter of course = amateur hour...

Metrinch sockets, the newer versions that is, have a pattern that looks a lot like torx Female patterns.

There are many reasons to use metrinch instead of ordinary sockets, and if one could use female torx sockets instead, then why not?

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[M6erfan]

Metrinch sockets, the newer versions that is, have a pattern that looks a lot like torx Female patterns.

There are many reasons to use metrinch instead of ordinary sockets, and if one could use female torx sockets instead, then why not?

Hey man, go for it. Let us know how it turns out...

 

[WWheeler]

Thanks for looking it up!

Unfortunately, those are all the older versions of metrinch kits, which are inferior since they are sure to strip your bolts. They have a sort of like "16 pointed star"-pattern in alternating Imperial and metric sizes, so that one socket fits both. The result is that the gripping surface in the socket is just by the edge of the bolt, which is perfect if you are looking for rounding off bolts...

The newer metrinch kits have a pattern that looks a lot like a torx female bolt, the gripping surface is on the middle of the flat surface of the sides of the bolt, which is great since energy is only transferred to the parts least likely to strip.

http://www.metrinch.tv/#

Looks to me like the same sets available for sale on the Metrinch site, which I assume are the most current, are also available at the other links (google shopping, amazon, ebay)

 

[offwhite]

http://www.metrinch.tv/#

Looks to me like the same sets available for sale on the Metrinch site, which I assume are the most current, are also available at the other links (google shopping, amazon, ebay)

You're absolutely right!

I haven't been searching for them for a couple of years and then it seemed they had gone out of business, since all sellers online were out of stock. I just assumed that they were out of business and didn't look properly.

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[M6erfan]

You're absolutely right!

I haven't been searching for them for a couple of years and then it seemed they had gone out of business, since all sellers online were out of stock. I just assumed that they were out of business and didn't look properly.

Yet you took the time to sign up and join a forum, drag up a 5 year old thread, and make a new post.

Rather than simply googling "Metrinch"...

 

[offwhite]

Yet you took the time to sign up and join a forum, drag up a 5 year old thread, and make a new post.

Rather than simply googling "Metrinch"...

Wow, woke up on the wrong side of the bed? I was not looking for metrinch sockets, I was curious if anyone knew whether torx sockets would work instead. Sometimes people ask about things out of curiosity, you know!

Are you a moderator of this forum? Have I done something against the rules of this forum?

Because if not, are you aware that you are writing a reply to a discussion that is useless to you, of no interest to you, and does neither concern you. Is your time worthless? Or do you find a certain pleasure in pointing out other people's flaws and fallacies? Please, if you value your time even the slightest, spare us your reply and ponder on your priorities.

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