Star head screws

[Stimw]

I used to replace a lot of semi trailer floors, I would guess 30-60 over 30 years.
I would start with a 50 lb box of T-40 Torx head self tapping floor screws and use all but about 5 lbs!
Long before my time they used flat blade screws! I came across them on old equipment.
I used a regular 1/2" impact for the screws.
I just added HARDIE Plank Siding to a 2568 sq ft house and used Hardie Backer square head screws.
I found that a 1/4" cordless impact driver (HF) drove them much better than a (HF) drill.
I would have thought that the impact would have been worse but it really made it much easier!

 

[DieselBound]

For removing smaller Torx screws use a manual impact driver (the kind you smack with a hammer), it gives better control (less likely to rip the head off as can happen with powered impacts). Be sure to get/have/use good quality bits (socket based, hand -screw- driver based, or T-handle ones).

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I'm rununing across more and more screws with the star shapes holes in their heads also called torx screws. I often find myself having to drive the screwdriver into the head with a hammer. Are they supposed to fit that tight?

Guys, I think this was toung-in-cheek! Lol.

 

[LD1]

I guess, although both technically called screws, in the automotive sense we are seeing more and more "bolts" that are star drive. Some t45-t55 size drive. Seat belt mounts come to mind. Find a lot of smaller ones on dashes and instruments as well.

In a "bolt" type application, id prefer just the standard hex bolts.

When it comes to screws in the construction sense...yea, love the torx. But I imagine when Phillips came out, and you had the option of Phillips vs flat head......everyone was probably singing praise about Phillips just the same as we are with torx today.

 

[DieselBound]

I recall in my youth (motorcycle work) enthusiastically ditching Phillips screws for Allen screws. Allen head screws/bolts aren't bad, in the smaller variety/sizes; plus, bolt extractors work really good on these when you chew up the center.

This all reminds me... I've got some Torx screws/bolts that some ape tightened to some ungodly torque on the daughter's valve cover (trying to stop a leak, I'm sure, which only made it worse). Didn't have good Torx bits at the time in which case I wasn't able to get them out (didn't want to risk breaking anything as I didn't have much time with the car- it resides a couple hours away, so I cannot afford to do something half-arsed).

 

[bcp]

I'm rununing across more and more screws with the star shapes holes in their heads also called torx screws. I often find myself having to drive the screwdriver into the head with a hammer. Are they supposed to fit that tight?

You need to round the edges of your flat screwdriver to make it go in easier. Or you could grind a flat tip on your 6-point Phillips.

:laughing:

Bruce

 

[DieselBound]

Be on the lookout for Phillips screw impostors (Prince and Reed)!

 

[motownbrowne]

I guess, although both technically called screws, in the automotive sense we are seeing more and more "bolts" that are star drive. Some t45-t55 size drive. Seat belt mounts come to mind. Find a lot of smaller ones on dashes and instruments as well.

In a "bolt" type application, id prefer just the standard hex bolts.

When it comes to screws in the construction sense...yea, love the torx. But I imagine when Phillips came out, and you had the option of Phillips vs flat head......everyone was probably singing praise about Phillips just the same as we are with torx today.

I just removed an Econoline bench seat that was held in with T55 screws. Felt like they took about 150ft/lbs to break them loose.

I've got an '87 wrangler. There's torx fasteners all over the darned thing. I have no idea when they started being used in Jeeps, though. I'm with you, though. I'd prefer a regular hex cap fastener in those applications.

 

[bcp]

Many of the early ad for Phillips screws emphasized their advantage over slotted screws for power-driven screws in manufacturing assembly.

Bruce

 

[stuckmotor]

I'm the OP.

Thanks to everyone for your replies. The overwhelming consensus is NO, they're not supposed to be that tight.

I think what I need to do is take down the sizes of all the star bits I have and compare them to the fullest sets I can find. It seems that I must be driving in some bits that are close in size to the holes in my screws/bolts. I never thought the bits were stepped so close that would be possable.