Star head screws

[RandyT]

As a small engine mechanic, I am seeing the torx head more and more, also several of the engines I work on now have the male version of a torx, there is another name for them but I can think of it right now. Am starting to see some of the new spline head bolts showing up on equipment now also.

 

[BigBoyToys]

The "Torx" or "Star" heads are awesome for wood with an impact driver...but ask any Jeep owner what they think about Torx used in metal applications and you'll hear "I hate them suckers"!!! In the course of rebuilding my 91 Wrangler every Trox I've pulled has been replaced with a hex head bolt. In most cased the Torx heads strip out even while using high quality Torx bits. I've had to use my Mig to weld nuts onto most of the Torxs to remove them.

 

[Xfaxman]

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.

This list gives the sizes and measured diameter:

 

[chim]

..............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.

Back when I was much younger, I used either bits made for a spiral Yankee driver or cut-off screwdriver bits chucked into a corded drill. We used mostly slotted pan head sheet metal screws and it took some skill to drive them.

Then the cordless parade began in the early 70's. Some of the first ones didn't have enough torque or battery life to be useful. Within a few years B&D had the 12V Kodiak. It was the first drill I used that was worthwhile. About the same time we discovered phillips and you are correct. It was a giant leap. Since then, cordless tools have really come into play.

The more recent DeWalt offerings provide a wide assortment of cordless drills, drivers and in voltages up to 120V (Two 60V Flexvolt batteries per tool). My absolute favorite tool is the 1/4" 20 Volt Impact. I bought a second one just to make sure I'd always have one handy. Right now one is in my job box at church and the other is at #3 Son's house. Fortunately there are a couple 18V impacts around. I have a keyless chuck made for the 1'4" impact that pops in, and with that addition rarely use a drill any more.

 

[daugen]

slotted to Phillips to #2 square drive to star heads.
Steady improvement, though all those inplace screws means you have to maintain
an assortment of bits. i just recently went over to star drives, bought a box by mistake,
used the included bit, and thought to myself, good grip

 

[jmc]

Assortments like this are cheap and handy, for all the weird stuff:

Velleman VTBT11 1-Piece Screwdriver Bit Set - VellemanStore

I bought a similar set locally at Ace Hardware. While the assortment is nice, I haven't tried them on any stubborn screws yet to have a feel for their metallurgy. At that price, you have to wonder.

 

[flyerdan]

I've got the same set of security bits, Harbor has them, so if you have a local store it's worth getting a set to have for the just in case factor.
They also have a torx bit set that seems to be well made.

 

[chim]

Assortments like this are cheap and handy, for all the weird stuff:

Velleman VTBT11 1-Piece Screwdriver Bit Set - VellemanStore

I bought a similar set locally at Ace Hardware. While the assortment is nice, I haven't tried them on any stubborn screws yet to have a feel for their metallurgy. At that price, you have to wonder.

Take a big black marker and mark TOP on the top. If it's like mine, you'll dump the contents if you open it upside down.

 

[DieselBound]

Take a big black marker and mark TOP on the top. If it's like mine, you'll dump the contents if you open it upside down.

I'd recommend marking "BOTTOM" (or, "OPEN FROM OTHER SIDE") on the bottom! I care more about being wrong (if you're going to help steer someone sometimes the best is to tell them WHAT to avoid )

 

[PILOON]

Phillips was a good upgrade from slot and did lend itself somewhat to production line methology;
Somewhat during the WW2 era a Canadian Scot named Robertson designed a better screw named ' Robertson'
The US war machine recognized the advantages and wanted to use it as it was superior to the Phillips design however Mr Robertson, being a Scot, insisted on royalties to which he was denied but he had wisely obtained a patent.
Consequently they came up with the Torx design as a better design.

Ironically the cabinet industry has adopted the Robertson in production applications.
The fact remains that Robertson screws and drivers are simpler and probably cheaper to produce.

Ever attempt to fit a slot (or Phillips) screw on a driver bit without it falling off? with Torx and Robertson this is easy, and without a magnet tip.