Who manufactures a decent Torx bit set?

[Trogon]

I have a collection of Torx (Star) bit Allen wrenches from various scope rings and bases I've bought but I'm not satisfied with their durability. I've not seen much of a set available with good reviews so far, my primary set of other Torx Micro bits are steel bits made by Chapman Manufacturing. I have the Brownells Magna-Tip Super set for straight and Phillips bits, reviews on their Torx bits are all poor. I'd like to read what others prefer. Opinions are very appreciated.
Thanks
Ron

 

[JimP]

I know what you mean. I think that the biggest problems with them is that the bits are small enough that they will bend easily and if they are hardened then they will break easily.

I have had good luck with ones that I have purchased from NAPA automotive stores. I am not quite sure if they have them as small as what would be needed for scope mounts but they might have a kit that will have what you need.

Are you using a torque driver when you tighten them up? I was surprised when I got my first Weeller Fat Wrench at how little torque these little screws actually take.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQuery=Wheeler+FAT+Wrench&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=GS_Tools Jigs Fixtures_Alpha_B&utm_term=[wheeler fat wrench]&msclkid=07bd6b33b8181caf96ac3500d2f9744c&utm_content=wheeler fat wrench

 

[BnC 04]

Might want to look into a Wheeler set. I've been satisfied with their products thus far.

 

[Trogon]

I know what you mean. I think that the biggest problems with them is that the bits are small enough that they will bend easily and if they are hardened then they will break easily.

I have had good luck with ones that I have purchased from NAPA automotive stores. I am not quite sure if they have them as small as what would be needed for scope mounts but they might have a kit that will have what you need.

Are you using a torque driver when you tighten them up? I was surprised when I got my first Weeller Fat Wrench at how little torque these little screws actually take.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQuery=Wheeler+FAT+Wrench&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=GS_Tools Jigs Fixtures_Alpha_B&utm_term=[wheeler fat wrench]&msclkid=07bd6b33b8181caf96ac3500d2f9744c&utm_content=wheeler fat wrench

JimP, I have a Felo Torque Wrench that I want to use (I've been using the Chapman Midget Ratchet but the bits will not fit with the Felo), and so far the reviews I've seen for spare bits for the Brownells Magna Tips were poor. I've been using the supplied ones that came with scope mounts and had a tip snap off in a scope ring screw head. Appreciate your mention of looking at an automotive store, I'll look there.

 

[Trogon]

Might want to look into a Wheeler set. I've been satisfied with their products thus far.

I'm considering this, thanks for your recommendation (I do not own the Wheeler, so good to hear from someone who has), thanks!

 

[Ridgewalker]

I have a Wheeler driver handle with tips and a Fatwrench. JimP is 100% about the torque being much less than you think. I have had to replace the #10 tip once in several years. I got a longer one at my local Ace Hardware store (Vermont brand as I recall). It seems to be holding up fine. Unfortunately I’m a scope switcher and experimenter, so I R&R mine fairly often. Standard slot screws only last me 1 R&R, so I replace them with Allen or Torx head screws which last much longer. I also tend to drop screws and the mice apparently steal them because I never seem to find them!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Trogon, I just remember where our assembly department bought them...McMaster-Carr. They still didn’t last forever on the production lines, but that was extremely hard use.

 

[Trogon]

Trogon, I just remember where our assembly department bought them...McMaster-Carr. They still didn’t last forever on the production lines, but that was extremely hard use.

Ridgewalker, thanks for the suggestion, I'll look at McMaster and see what they offer.

 

[WAB]

I use Wheeler. They seem to stand up well.

 

[Trogon]

Well I ended up rooting around in MidwayUSA's website and found Wheeler Engineering 3-packs of the Torx bitsizes I use most on scope rings and bases, T-10 and T-15, so should be in better shape now. $6 a pack. Thanks everyone for your advice, greatly appreciated.

 

[Rob404]

You might be interested in looking at a US company called Eklind the makes a unit that contains all the popular Torx from T8 to T40 that folds up like a Jack Knife.
I also have a Leupold thats similar that I keep in my Range Bag, I have been using both of 4-5 years without any breakage

 

[Hogpatrol]

Armstrong torx bits were what used to be used in auto assembly plants. Can't get more severe use than that. The stuff made in Guangdong province, regardless of name, is junk.

Small hex socket heads, I use these, made in Germany.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NZ5QE2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit: Armstrong and Allen are no longer. Sad.

 

[GuttormG]

Bondhus

 

[Philip Glass]

Wheeler is hardened steel. I also have others that just break easily. Get Wheeler gunsmithing stuff!

 

[BobT]

I use WIHA brand and have had the same set for several years with no issues. The two biggest problems I see with TORX wrenches is using too much torque or using the wrong size. Many times the next size down will seem like it fits but will strip either the screw or the wrench or both in short order. Most of the scope ring and base screws I have seen are either T10 or T15.

 

[Trogon]

I use WIHA brand and have had the same set for several years with no issues. The two biggest problems I see with TORX wrenches is using too much torque or using the wrong size. Many times the next size down will seem like it fits but will strip either the screw or the wrench or both in short order. Most of the scope ring and base screws I have seen are either T10 or T15.

And that is the other issue I'm finding, the screw quality is the other side of the equation, and I'm finding alot of garbage screws with scope ring and base sets I've been using.