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Where can I find the cheapest decent triple square bits?

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Adam.C

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winlinmac said:
Haha, no wonder they offer lifetime warranty for that second chance. :bounce:
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Maybe you missed my point there, friend. I've been working on German cars almost exclusively for 30 years. Its the fastener that fails. And once its even a little bit stripped, it can be VERY difficult to remove. The tool warranty won't help you there. The same is true for all cap socket head screws. I only usually get one chance with them. They are not like normal hex heads, where you will get a second chance with penetrating oil, then heat, then when the head strips, you can try again with vice grips.

Its only happened to me a couple times. But I did have to tow a car for a stripped cap head screw once. That one trip paid for a full set of Snappies.

A shop owner friend of mine takes a different approach. He buys triple square bits in bulk that you drive with a std socket. If he encounters a screw that looks like it will be tough, or is worn, he gets a brand new bit. He had probably 10 sets in his drawer last I looked. As they get worn, he simply throws them away and buys new. For the price, he said they weren't worth warrantying. Not sure what maker they were.

Not sure this approach is the one I recommend. But it is merely evidence that what I tell you is true. VIM are probably good enough. I have no experience with them. OTC may or may not be. I would ask someone who has used them. I'm gonna tell you I don't think Blue Point bit sockets are good enough. The allen set I bought quickly became rounded over. They weren't hard and they didn't perfectly fit good hardware. In short order their corners were off. I would expect the same from other Taiwan tools.
 
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winlinmac

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Excellent and Valid Point. I'm sure these German Manufacturers thoroughly thought this through. Every time I worked with Torx bits on the vehicle, especially on a 1/4" drive, the the head of the fastener would have already appeared stripped by the previous owner and a 3/8" drive, though more durable, would have been too much torque to be working with.

Even the most basic set of Hex Keys need to be Made in a company that knows how to make them to spec.

Adam.C said:
Maybe you missed my point there, friend. I've been working on German cars almost exclusively for 30 years. Its the fastener that fails. And once its even a little bit stripped, it can be VERY difficult to remove. The tool warranty won't help you there. The same is true for all cap socket head screws. I only usually get one chance with them. They are not like normal hex heads, where you will get a second chance with penetrating oil, then heat, then when the head strips, you can try again with vice grips.

Its only happened to me a couple times. But I did have to tow a car for a stripped cap head screw once. That one trip paid for a full set of Snappies.

A shop owner friend of mine takes a different approach. He buys triple square bits in bulk that you drive with a std socket. If he encounters a screw that looks like it will be tough, or is worn, he gets a brand new bit. He had probably 10 sets in his drawer last I looked. As they get worn, he simply throws them away and buys new. For the price, he said they weren't worth warrantying. Not sure what maker they were.

Not sure this approach is the one I recommend. But it is merely evidence that what I tell you is true. VIM are probably good enough. I have no experience with them. OTC may or may not be. I would ask someone who has used them. I'm gonna tell you I don't think Blue Point bit sockets are good enough. The allen set I bought quickly became rounded over. They weren't hard and they didn't perfectly fit good hardware. In short order their corners were off. I would expect the same from other Taiwan tools.
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purplezr2

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What do you need them for on suspension work, are you removing the axle. If so I would recommend the Snap on bit that is looking as it gets around the boot well. Also if it wears just call and get a new bit insert sent to you for nothing. Also they will wear. Best 40 bucks I have spent.
 
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bart1

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Dec 14, 2010
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Alabama the Beautiful
This doesn't add much new info, but: I've had German cars for several year and these are very common on them. I have one low profile Blue Point branded VIM and it's very high quality. Also have some hazet and stahlwille - all extremely good. I bought the 4 pack at the parts store once when I was in need. Got me through one axle change and didn't look too healthy after that. The vim set is gonna be the best deal, splurge for hazet or stahlwille if you plan to use them daily (honestly, they may not be any better).
 
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Strouty

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I am still looking for a set, hoping the OP can let us know what he ended up buying. I also have no idea what they are, but I would like to buy them anyways. When I was working at Kmart, one of my coworkers, Timmy, always told me they were a great tool to own. I have to admit, that his buddy Cody told me they collect pet hair like crazy, so I will also need a link to a good lint roller. I was going to ask another member, DETECTO, but he has been banned??? I wish I could move out of my parents basement, but I can't seem to get anywhere in life, between my failed attempt at ebay sales of HF ratchets that I added Snap On handles to and the fact that I have to get glasses, well you know.
 
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CNGsaves

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^ ^ ^ Timmy was a great guy at K-Mart wasn't he ??

He always bought up all the little purple dolls !! :D . . :bounce:
 

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winlinmac

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Ended up with the buying the XZN100 from VIM Tools 3/8" drive.
I'll probably get the 1/2" drive set in the future.

Strouty said:
I am still looking for a set, hoping the OP can let us know what he ended up buying. I also have no idea what they are, but I would like to buy them anyways. When I was working at Kmart, one of my coworkers, Timmy, always told me they were a great tool to own. I have to admit, that his buddy Cody told me they collect pet hair like crazy, so I will also need a link to a good lint roller. I was going to ask another member, DETECTO, but he has been banned??? I wish I could move out of my parents basement, but I can't seem to get anywhere in life, between my failed attempt at ebay sales of HF ratchets that I added Snap On handles to and the fact that I have to get glasses, well you know.
Click to expand...
 
A

Adam.C

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I don't like the look of a bit that necks down to fit a common chrome socket. That's a cheap toolmaker trick. I sheared a torx bit made like that removing seats from a ford van. There should be a customized chrome socket for each bit, especially the big ones.
 
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Displaced Hokie

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Sep 19, 2009
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Western NC
Just bought a set of four, 8-12mm for $5.99 at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Performance brand. Did what I needed. They went into a 13mm socket.
 
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trxrx7

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Jan 6, 2014
Messages
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also have the vim set, no complaints. as others have mentioned its the same set that you buy off the truck for 5 times the price. some have asked where/when these sockets are necessary, pretty much if you work on german vehicles porsche audi volkswagen mercedes, the only german vehicle that i havent seen tripple square bolts on is bmw, but maybe the newer ones use them too now. also asian vehicles are starting to use tripple square bolts, but so far i have only seen them inside engines.
 
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