Snap-on if I;m guessing. I see they have regular and heavy duty versions. Anyone use them? My problem is with Torx fasters in the interiors on CAT equipment (T-30) I`ve broken mastercraft, crastman,napa ultra pro, jet, jet impact, westward, etc off the top of my head. This is where warrenty means nothing if your tools let you down and you can;t do your job. Also, when replacing the front window, the bolts in their excavators, the buggers are tight. They aren`t big, but I have had to chisel, spin them out. I always neversize them for the next guy, who is me anyway!
Who makes the strongest torx bit socket?
- Thread starter Hammell
- Start date
signcrafter
Well-known member
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- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,490
From my experience all torx bits will eventually fail. I have the snap on heavy duty gold colored ones and they are the best I have ever used but I don't think there is any of them that won't eventually break.
EmptyWallet
Well-known member
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- Jun 19, 2012
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claymont
Well-known member
What are you driving them with?
crewchief888
Well-known member
SO heavy duty (gold) bits are the only one i havent managed to break or twist.
SO std duty bits aint bad either, but i've twisted a couple of them.
SO std duty bits aint bad either, but i've twisted a couple of them.
shampoop
Well-known member
The standard non gold snap on bits are weak. Very soft and twist easily. I've twisted many of the smaller ones.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I use GRK Fasteners T30's.
May not be the strongest, but have served me well even with impact use.
Like this one...
http://www.treehousesupplies.com/T30_Bit_p/grk-t30.htm
...but i get em in a twin pack at the local lumberyard.
May not be the strongest, but have served me well even with impact use.
Like this one...
http://www.treehousesupplies.com/T30_Bit_p/grk-t30.htm
...but i get em in a twin pack at the local lumberyard.
Gort the giant robot
Well-known member
Back in the 1980s i had a set made by OTC. I got alot of use out of them. Used them with hand tools only. Still have some of the smallest ones.
Gort.
Gort.
Like Hiball said, they all break. I have a couple extras on hand in case one of them breaks so I can still finish what I'm doing.
JASTECH
Well-known member
I have a few sets of each in different brands because they will break and you never know when so be safe. Was at Menards a while back and they had their Tool Shop brand that's made in Taiwon for sale at $9.99, regular price $14.99. Then next time they had a Clearence tag so I scanned them and $2.99 displayed. Needless to say I bought them in SAE & MM. I have not used them yet, lol
Thanks, JASTECH & Son
Thanks, JASTECH & Son
bart1
Well-known member
Try a Hazet.
regguy1
Well-known member
snap on gold here, they're tough
nato
Well-known member
Snappy gold and normal black/grey (impact grade????)
I've recently twisted a damn T20 to the point of being able to sniff its' own *** and it did not break....A T20!!!
How they do it, I'll never know
I've recently twisted a damn T20 to the point of being able to sniff its' own *** and it did not break....A T20!!!
How they do it, I'll never know
What a coincidence, I was just using my T30 today. The bolt that holds down my air cleaner box is a T30.
Are you buying a whole set, or do you just need one?
those would be VIM rebrands, quality bit sockets.
The nice thing about Snap-On is you can buy spare bits, so there is no down time, then warranty out the broken ones as required. Other brands would require spare sockets be kept on hand.
Last edited:
This is actually one of Cornwells own socket. Its stamped USA so it isn't a VIM rebrand.
That's what I like about Snap-on, the tips are replaceable by the dealer. I don't have to send the whole socket off in the mail somewhere.
Cat equipment mostly uses the T30 in their interiors and window frames, so thats all I;m looking for.
Sounds like the SO truck is going to get a sale...Again. Probally walk out with a bunch of other stuff I ``need`` Isent that always the case, go in for one tool, walk out with 10.
Subyroo651
Well-known member
One of these:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=680902&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
And one of these(Just to be safe) and you'll be set.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=680902&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
If you like how it performs, then grab the whole set. I found a set open(unused) for half price on FeeBay
transittech
Well-known member
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- Feb 27, 2012
- Messages
- 299
Couple suggestions:
1. Try impact bits and a 12v impact.
2. If you go Snap On, you can get just the bits for about $3.50 or $10 for gold IIRC. Buy 2-3 extra, swap them out on your own and warranty them when the SO guy comes around.
3. These Cornwell bits are Taiwanese, but pretty good, available individually for $10:
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CBSTX1302S-%252d-13-Piece-1%7B47%7D4%E2%80%9D-%26-3%7B47%7D8%E2%80%9D-Drive-Star-Bit-Socket-Set
4. I've had very good success with a set of Wiha insulated drivers I picked up on a fluke from a pawn shop. No idea if the metal is different from non-insulated, but I've been very impressed with my set.
http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-32592-Screwdriver-SoftFinish-Handle/dp/B000T9SHWU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350273190&sr=8-1&keywords=Wiha+32592
1. Try impact bits and a 12v impact.
2. If you go Snap On, you can get just the bits for about $3.50 or $10 for gold IIRC. Buy 2-3 extra, swap them out on your own and warranty them when the SO guy comes around.
3. These Cornwell bits are Taiwanese, but pretty good, available individually for $10:
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CBSTX1302S-%252d-13-Piece-1%7B47%7D4%E2%80%9D-%26-3%7B47%7D8%E2%80%9D-Drive-Star-Bit-Socket-Set
4. I've had very good success with a set of Wiha insulated drivers I picked up on a fluke from a pawn shop. No idea if the metal is different from non-insulated, but I've been very impressed with my set.
http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-32592-Screwdriver-SoftFinish-Handle/dp/B000T9SHWU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350273190&sr=8-1&keywords=Wiha+32592
shockwave
Well-known member
I have had the best luck with the solid 1-piece bits from blue point I believe made by vim but if there is a lot of torque involved try hazet I have heard great things from them
Mickey O
Well-known member
The old VIM sets used Apex USA made bits which used to be excellent, not sure what VIM sells now or if Apex bits are still USA made bits.
Anyhow I thought the Apex and Snap-On bits were some of the best out there. And as stated above they all eventually break and in my case always at the worst time and the broken off piece gets stuck in the bolt, and I mean stuck.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The Cornwell and Vim tools torx sockets are very good. I have Hazet and USAG bits with many years of service.
demoman
Well-known member
Go get yourself a set of APEX brand torx. They are the company that supply assembly manufacturers. There is a guy that sells apex tools on ebay. We use them to drive the torx head screws that hold down semi trailer floors. They were the only ones to stand up to the use. They will be pricy but you will not be disappointed.
snap on has the best ones in my experiance as far as longevity and warranty. no one seems to have the same warranty on them, they say there are not supposed to break if they do they replace it.
to me torx eventurally wear,break just part of how the tool is if you ask me. ive had terrible luck with craftsmans breaking on me on any somewhat stuck bolts, unless they are bigger in size.
to me torx eventurally wear,break just part of how the tool is if you ask me. ive had terrible luck with craftsmans breaking on me on any somewhat stuck bolts, unless they are bigger in size.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
Sadly I agree. I twisted one last week. T30 driven with a cordless 3/8 Matco impact to install a roof rack rail on a new truck. 2 screws and it was twisted. Not worried it was replaced no sweat but I was sadly surprised. I need to get the gold ones I think. I'd like to try Bondhus
http://www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/tool_categories/star_tools/star_socket_bits.html
Freeborn John
Well-known member
One observation, anti tamper versions seem to be weakened to the point of fragility by the centre hole, an inevitable draw back of the design I suppose.
Jawn
Well-known member
You can do that with SK too.
kc-steve
Well-known member
I was working on my lawn tractor last weekend when I found that I needed a #40 torx socket. I have never needed one before so I didn't have the tool. I ended up going to Sears and bought a Craftsman set, made in USA. It did the job fine for a $40 set.
steve
steve
chris142
Well-known member
I have an older matco set that have held up pretty good. I do remember replacing one and it was just the bit and not the whole tool. mine were made in USA
sberry
Banned
I like a couple of those deals for a buck or 3, buy a handful of spares. Its weird, some of the best I have seen are common junk, buy the whole set for 15$ My FIL can break stuff, ruined a set of bits we had for years, sometimes its obvious it wont week, but had the wife score a set from Walmart within the hour and they have been fine. Same for some metric hex, needed another set right then, always figured to score up, so far no need,,, 13$ at the time for whole set. I lost a set I bought Taiwan off the shelf from an Ace hwd when on a job, was about 15 dollars and the absolute best. Would trade them for 2 or 3 sets of those Lisle.
I just bought a set of these off amazon. I'll report back after I have a chance to use them from awhile.
sberry
Banned
I bet any that have a China label onb them come from about 2 companies and are the same no matter what the price tag is and I suspect same goes for US, about 90% made by 2 outfits with a pinch from a third. same steel, different label, different price, of course they willing to replace the bit, avg guy never does, a few do, they bought a box of spared for a quarter a piece and you paid 25$ for it up front.
sberry
Banned
I saw a sale set from Sears (after a while I just dont need any more regardless of how cheap) but anyway this sears set like 300 pcs for 299. 180 of the pieces list as singles for over 5 dollars and at least 50 of them near or closer to 10, even the trinkets were worth a dollar. It was basic, hi socket, wrench, combos, both flavors, 3 **** ratchets, seams about a dozen ratchet combo. Super super super deal. A lot of stuff a guy needs, not much he don't, who ever put this together did a good job. Someone should add up the same pieces retail off the truck but in generous comparison about 5 cents on the dollaer and made in USA.
As for it hurting your hands, wtf, half the crowd makes it like they slave behind a wrench 399 minutes a day turning a wrench, to tell the truth most mechanics use about 25 tools or less with any real duty cycle or regularity. I personally am not a collector, I dont need full sets of every wrench with a pretty grip they ever made. Especially 500$ worth of them to ride in a 10 grand tool box.
I make this argument just plain for those easily amused by shiney things they might not be able to afford. Some say its unfair for me to pick on the Snappy man here but he gets his fair share of help and you will never hear me say a brand endwrench is junk, I have a lot of them, long time faithful service etc, in my later years have also proven out a lot of "junk" the level, usually obvious by fit and finish has really rocketed.
In todays world for those that have a need dont let the price of a few tools slow you down,,,, way better to have a 25$ set of polished Stanley in hand than dream and save for a 400 set friom the truck and,,, in the real world with a blindfold on couldnt tell the difference in. If I had to start over and outfit a tool box to make a living would likely pinch up enough lunch money to buy a set of what ever I needed at Walmart or HF that day, at lunch or on the way home.
The Sears, the HF is at disposable prices anymore. Considering some words we here bantered around like depreciation, inflation, resale could sell it all for scrap every year or 2 and still not cost what it would from a truck. In the real world there cant be many more than a handful of items the common mechanic really needs that are super specialized, some foriegn cars use 3 wrenches from a set for 90% of it.
I got nothing against buying from the truck but an argument that somehow its all that really works or your use is different from my class 8 shopand it all makes sence because it makes so much more money, almost by itself while not hurting me is nonsense. Its the argument that doesnt make sense. A Fien grinder will not be an investment the avg diy type could recover in 30 yrs.
I would say a minor difference in a golf club might make some difference to tiger but the rest of us zilch, as someone said here,,, all this is about like the high school swim team shaving their body hair off., ha
As for it hurting your hands, wtf, half the crowd makes it like they slave behind a wrench 399 minutes a day turning a wrench, to tell the truth most mechanics use about 25 tools or less with any real duty cycle or regularity. I personally am not a collector, I dont need full sets of every wrench with a pretty grip they ever made. Especially 500$ worth of them to ride in a 10 grand tool box.
I make this argument just plain for those easily amused by shiney things they might not be able to afford. Some say its unfair for me to pick on the Snappy man here but he gets his fair share of help and you will never hear me say a brand endwrench is junk, I have a lot of them, long time faithful service etc, in my later years have also proven out a lot of "junk" the level, usually obvious by fit and finish has really rocketed.
In todays world for those that have a need dont let the price of a few tools slow you down,,,, way better to have a 25$ set of polished Stanley in hand than dream and save for a 400 set friom the truck and,,, in the real world with a blindfold on couldnt tell the difference in. If I had to start over and outfit a tool box to make a living would likely pinch up enough lunch money to buy a set of what ever I needed at Walmart or HF that day, at lunch or on the way home.
The Sears, the HF is at disposable prices anymore. Considering some words we here bantered around like depreciation, inflation, resale could sell it all for scrap every year or 2 and still not cost what it would from a truck. In the real world there cant be many more than a handful of items the common mechanic really needs that are super specialized, some foriegn cars use 3 wrenches from a set for 90% of it.
I got nothing against buying from the truck but an argument that somehow its all that really works or your use is different from my class 8 shopand it all makes sence because it makes so much more money, almost by itself while not hurting me is nonsense. Its the argument that doesnt make sense. A Fien grinder will not be an investment the avg diy type could recover in 30 yrs.
I would say a minor difference in a golf club might make some difference to tiger but the rest of us zilch, as someone said here,,, all this is about like the high school swim team shaving their body hair off., ha
zakmartin
Well-known member
Based on personal experience, I'd say Wright makes the best Torx and hex bit sockets by a mile. They're a little pricey for the home user though.