Fun fact: Torx screwdrivers are compatible with Torx Plus screws, but Trox Plus screwdrivers are only compatible with Torx screws that are one size larger

  • weeeeum@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    I repair a lot of tech and I have never seen torx other than the standard, and security version. And security torx drivers are compatible with regular torx

    • HootinNHollerin@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Torx plus is getting more common and you can use a torx bit on them still, and superior to torx IMO. I bet you’ve seen since but didn’t notice the difference. As a machine designer it’s my preference but I don’t often for cost

    • Annoyed_🦀 @monyet.cc
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      2 months ago

      I assume all those are proprietary temper resistant, tool for it will be expensive so not many tool shop gonna have it.

      • scrion@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Not really. A solid set for security Torx is available for like $20 from reputable brands. Naturally, you can get higher quality sets and sets that add other security bits, but you still won’t land in an unacceptable price range even for private use, let alone a pro shop.

    • unalivejoy@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      Security torx is actually very weak. If you don’t have the security bit, you can break it with a flat head and turn it into a normal torx.

    • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      Use torx all the time on not only building sites, but in machinery repair too.

      There’s only one type of torx and I think OP is winding us up :)

      Edit - ha ha oh my fucking god. So it turns out the patent for torx expired in 1990. No change for us in Europe, we’re still mostly using the original design.

      Not so much for the yanks. Textron, the original patent holder, realised it’d be faaaar more profitable to “licence” slightly improved designs and try to phase out the original

      Enjoy your torx my euro friends, and have a giggle at the seppos paying for a fucking screw head lol

      Greed to the point of mental illness 😂

      • renzev@lemmy.worldOP
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        2 months ago

        There’s only one type of torx

        There isn’t. There’s Torx, Torx Plus, and Torx Paralobe. See here for more details: https://www.semblex.com/en/pdf-files/technology-files/torx-paralobe-pdf/ . Plus there’s also the ttap and tamper-resistant variants shown in the meme.

        As other people have mentioned, Torx screwdrivers are forwards compatible with Torx Plus and Torx Paralobe. But the screwdrivers for the newer standards are not backwards compatible with older screws.

        Similarly, Tamper-Resistant Torx screwdrivers can be used on regular Torx screws. But Tamper-Resistant Torx Plus screwdrivers cannot be used on regular Torx Plus screws – it’s a completely different shape!

        If you’re in a professional setting where you order high-quality screws and drivers in bulk directly from a manufacturer, I’d imagine that this isn’t much of an issue. But if you’re a hobbyist or just need to repair something in a domestic setting, the three different torx variants plus the other non-torx hexalobular screws (WA drive, Polydrive, T-Star Plus) can cause quite a bit of confusion. Anecdotally, I have a set of what I thought were really low-quality Torx bits. Turns out, they’re actually good-quality Torx Plus bits that by design don’t fit my Torx screws.

  • Agrivar@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Torx are superior to all other types. I’ve been a carpenter for roughly three decades, and have suffered through all manner of fastening methods that have come and gone. None of them can hold a candle to Torx. I’ve never seen another type that can resist stripping out so well and for so long.

    • JustAnotherRando@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      How do you feel about square drive? I’m no carpenter, just someone that’s done enough work around the house, but I’ve found that Torx are the best option but square is a close second (but I don’t think I’ve used them in any especially high torque situations, and they may fall short there).

      • Agrivar@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Square drive (or Robertson) I consider a close second. They do tend to strip out faster, especially in “softer” fasteners like stainless steel.

        • thawed_caveman@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          So square is a close second in terms of quality, while being vastly simpler and cheaper to manufacture. Seems to me like i’d prefer square.

          Also i’d be terrified of getting dirt in a torx screw, good luck cleaning it to make it usable again. Though i haven’t actually had this problem personally so it’s just a hunch

          • Agrivar@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            You clearly have no idea how fasteners are manufactured… and you worry needlessly about hypotheticals.

          • Betty_Boopie@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            I have torx all over my mountain bike that gets caked in dirt, a little bit of water and a pick gets them usable in seconds. I could argue that hex is superior to square but they’re both worse than torx so who really cares.

          • nickwitha_k (he/him)@lemmy.sdf.org
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            2 months ago

            Torx, hex, and square/Robertson all require broaching, generally with a rotary broach. The manufacturing process is basically identical, though the manufacturing of the machine tools varies slightly.

    • ThrowawaySobriquet@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Torx should be the default over Phillips for sure. Phillips is fine for shit like access panels or screw terminals. Slotted is useless for anything but the adjustment on pots and thermostats. Robertson is just a proto-torx. Everything else either exists to make someone money or is a bolt

    • Thorny_Insight@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      Fellow contractor here. Torx or go home. Drywall screws are the only exception I’m willing to make.

    • saltesc@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      And a set of Allen keys usually saves a trip to the hardware store if you’re missing the right size Torx bit.