Torx and Stripping Screws

D

dragonist2

Joined
Nov 24, 2012
Messages
226
I just got some Torx drivers to tighten up my knives, adjust pivots, change pocketclips, etc.

I've never used Torx, and I've discovered that it's much harder to use than Phillips or even the regular normal slotted screwdrivers because it's SO EASY to strip the screws. I don't know what it is about Torx screws, but they are ridiculously weak-seeming. I tighten my screws a little, and it strips. Sometimes it's not all the way, and I have completely ruined screws and damaged many more.

From being used to Phillips, I have this habit of tightening until i can feel that the screw is tight. If I do this with Torx, I strip the screw. If I don't, I become insecure about the screw being loose and working its way out.

What do you guys think? Have you had similar experiences? What were your solutions? Should I just stop turning as soon as I feel resistance?

Thanks
 
What kind of drivers are you using?. I've stripped my fair share of screws using cheap drivers . I bought a set of WIHA precision torx drivers and I have not stripped a screw since then.
 
The few instances I have had a Torx strip it was because I had to small a size that looked like it would fit but only caught the very edge of the cutout. Also cheaper torx bits may not be as accurat in sizing. Same with cheaper screws. Those are not "laws" but can be a variable.
 
Anyone know why they use torx heads instead of philips or flat head? I'm afraid to take apart my knives because of this. Especially my cheap kershaw volt and clash, those heads strip sooooo easily.
 
Just a guess, but probably because of the flush nature of the torx head screws on the knife scales. Not as rough on your hands when holding the knife. Also since most people don't have a torx driver in their pocket versus a coin or a pointed object to tamper with the knife and cause damage or unsafe condition. Just my guess.

Omar
 
Are you having problems with the screw threads stripping or the Torx head hole/slot getting stripped?

I would try using some thread locker on the screws so they don't loosen.

I think that they use hex and Torx head screws because they are less likely to cam out when assembling with automatic torque drivers.

Ric
 
Steel130 said:
The few instances I have had a Torx strip it was because I had to small a size that looked like it would fit but only caught the very edge of the cutout. Also cheaper torx bits may not be as accurat in sizing. Same with cheaper screws. Those are not "laws" but can be a variable.
Click to expand...

^That's what I've noticed. It's easier to mis-identify what is the 'correct' size for some Torx screws (and hex sometimes; they're sized in both metric and SAE, which can really generate mistakes), because a driver that's actually 1 size smaller than the screw's head will still seem to 'fit' (sort of) oftentimes, and still will work to some degree. But, if the screw is just a little too tightly torqued, it's real easy to round off the cams of the driver, or screw, or both. On the other hand, if the correct fit is achieved between the two, they seem to be almost bulletproof in my experience.

I've developed a habit of using only my fingertips to test the 'wobble' of the driver in the screw head, before applying any real torque to the driver. If it seems to move a little too much (too loose a fit), I'll check the fit with a magnifier. Conversely, if the driver seems like it doesn't seat in the screw head fully (too tight a fit), I'll check it the same way. I've caught my own mistakes in choosing the driver size a time or two this way, and avoided stripping out the driver/screw.


David
 
Obviously the only thing that can strip a screw is the application of more torque than the threads can withstand. Wiha makes (or at least made, when I bot mine) T6s for example w/ 3 diff handle sizes-- I'd suggest getting drivers w/ slimmer handles. Your ability to "crank" will be reduced.
 
thaeffman said:
What kind of drivers are you using?. I've stripped my fair share of screws using cheap drivers . I bought a set of WIHA precision torx drivers and I have not stripped a screw since then.
Click to expand...

Plus one! Don't buy cheap torx drivers to work on knives with! Wiha tools are very high quality and will last a lifetime.

Bruceter
 
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