Why Torx?

yoda4561 said:
I don't buy that. With a properly matched screw and new driver bit (and not one of those anti-cam grabby ones either) i've managed to break dozens of philips screw heads and while borrowing my driver some guy managed to break the solid bit extension I had on it as well. While it's true they have a tendency to cam out more than other fasteners, I'm certain it's not by design.
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Read it for yourself. ;)

wikipedia said:
By design, TORX head screws resist cam-out better than Phillips head or slot head (flathead) screws. Where Phillips heads were designed to cause the driver to cam out, to prevent over-tightening, TORX heads were designed to prevent it. The reason for this was the development of better torque-limiting automatic screwdrivers for use in factories. Rather than relying on the tool slipping out of the screw head when a torque level is reached, and thereby risking damage to the driver tip, screw head and workpiece, the drivers were designed to achieve a desired torque consistently. Camcar LLC claims this can increase tool bit life by ten times or more.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx
 
yoda4561 said:
I don't buy that. With a properly matched screw and new driver bit (and not one of those anti-cam grabby ones either) i've managed to break dozens of philips screw heads and while borrowing my driver some guy managed to break the solid bit extension I had on it as well. While it's true they have a tendency to cam out more than other fasteners, I'm certain it's not by design.
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I'd also like to add that you can strip the head off of Philips screws, but your (probably) pushing down to keep the bit in the head of the screw.
 
Torx screws were designed so that robotic assembly machines could pick them up start them. Torque is not an issue. Security is not an issue. Of course the tool companies didn't complain too much when they realized EVERYBODY now had to buy new drivers. The really stupid part is we now have the market flooded with cheap imported unhardened drivers that strip easily. I know people that have replaced every torx fastener on their vehicle with hex heads because of the driver problem. I'm tempted on my jeep. Torx is pure insanity. I hate them.
 
drail said:
Torx screws were designed so that robotic assembly machines could pick them up start them. Torque is not an issue. Security is not an issue. Of course the tool companies didn't complain too much when they realized EVERYBODY now had to buy new drivers. The really stupid part is we now have the market flooded with cheap imported unhardened drivers that strip easily. I know people that have replaced every torx fastener on their vehicle with hex heads because of the driver problem. I'm tempted on my jeep. Torx is pure insanity. I hate them.
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Torx screws were designed to not cam out so that you can apply the proper amount of torque to the screw. So what if you have to buy a $3 bit? Are you really going to complain about that? Move it to W&C if you're going too. :thumbdn:
 
I'm with Josh K. torx are very effective, especially in smaller fasteners (ever try to break a 2mm allen head bolt loose?).

I find very small allen heads to be far more frustrating than torx!
 
Daniel said:
You can buy a lot of cheap tools and keep replacing them or you can buy a good set of quality tools once.

Buy a good set of quality torx drivers or a bit set that is hardened and you will not have to buy bits over and over after they easily strip out.

http://www.wihatools.com/ :thumbup::thumbup:
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+1 on the Wiha tools.
I have used these for quite some time and always been pleased with them.
I used to race R/C trucks and used a .050" Wiha hex driver on the pinon screw and never stripped the driver out.

Bruceter
 
Hey, Josh K, I'm like really sorry man. I sometimes forget how sensitive some people are.
 
Torxs type fasteners are great IMHO! The only advantage I can see with anything else as far as the drivers are concerned is a T-handled Allen Wrench. If the driver gets stripped, you can always grind away the stripped section. You can not do this with Torx.

Well, you can, but the more you grind off of the end, the bigger it gets on a Torx because it tapers up to the O.D.
 
drail said:
Torx screws were designed so that robotic assembly machines could pick them up start them. Torque is not an issue. Security is not an issue. Of course the tool companies didn't complain too much when they realized EVERYBODY now had to buy new drivers. The really stupid part is we now have the market flooded with cheap imported unhardened drivers that strip easily. I know people that have replaced every torx fastener on their vehicle with hex heads because of the driver problem. I'm tempted on my jeep. Torx is pure insanity. I hate them.
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how logical is it to go to the hassle and expense of replacing a myriad of fasteners instead of simply buying the proper tool? And all because they cheaped out and bought the cheapest tool they could find? :rolleyes:

Torx are pure insanity. Insanely good. :p
 
Philips screws are horrable, working on my 30 year old motorcycle it feels like i strip out every other one, then I have to take my dremel out and grind a flat notch in it for a regular screwdriver, or i do the back against the wall leg press onto the backend of the driver with the cresent near the handle.

also at work we have some robot grippers that use M2.5 allen screws, boy those are a stripping nightmare. although pounding a small flat screwdriver into them makes for ez extraction.

i'd rather not contend with either, expessially on a small knife.

TORXs is the way to go for sure.
 
haha, Thats funny that you mention jeep with torx. I'm 100% with you, its a pain in the arse! That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the thread.
 
Torxs are the worst kind, especially on Spyderco, lots have fail on me.
On quality knives like Bradley or Skirmish, the tork will last very long.
Simple screws, like on Emersons, are the most durable.
 
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