Originally Posted by DocF
I've used 'em all over the years as typewriters from IBM and Facit were full of Bristol spline fasteners. I always hated it when they mixed Bristol and hex setscrews in the same machine.
The biggest problem I see with Torx fasteners is using crappy tools. You must buy decent tools. This is especially true with the smaller sizes. At least buy a tool made by Allen or Eklund or Bondhus.
My pet peave is the difference between US and JIS Phillips heads. The angle is different and I see screws every day stripped out because someone used brute force with the wrong screwdriver.
Doc
Oh, yes, "Bristol" spline. Thank you, I could not remember that
I think the same people that made those typewriters must have been designing aircraft instruments. Yup, mixing the two type drove me nuts, too.
Yes, get good quality tools. In addition to the vendors you list, Wiha is very good - all made in Germany and lots of cool stuff for all types of fasteners. See:
http://www.wihatools.com. If you buy torque wrenches and are looking for 1/4" and 3/8" drive hex Allen bits, Wiha is a good source.
And Phillips ....... Don't forget Reed&Prince (a pointier Phillips type fastener head) and PosiDrive (like Phillips, but with wider, better gripping splines). These fastener types are so abused. It's really sad.
I was responsible for supplying tools at work for almost fifteen years and it's just incredible at how many people will use a #1 Phillips screwdriver on a #2 screw. Your comments are right on.