Hex/Allen vs. Torx(Plus) vs. Phillips

[FresnoR]

Originally Posted by Tram

You may want to consider a web redesign. Your site is very hard to use and may be costing you customers.

I recently looked at your site to purchase some screws. After several minutes of trying to figure out how to purchase something, I just went to an easier site and made the purchase.

Just food for thought.

+2.........

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Tram

You may want to consider a web redesign. Your site is very hard to use and may be costing you customers.

I recently looked at your site to purchase some screws. After several minutes of trying to figure out how to purchase something, I just went to an easier site and made the purchase.

Just food for thought.

+3. I haven't bought anything yet but have looked on your site a couple of times and had a really hard time finding the screws I wanted.

[FlyingArcher]

Originally Posted by JakeLewis22

Rob,

I sent Spruce the list and they confirmed receiving it but I haven't been given any indication of how long this will take. I'll post updates to this thread when I get them.

Hello Jake,

Any news from Spruce about this? Still very interested to replace most of the Phillips heads with Torx.
Thank you very much for your good lobbying work.

[Lars]

I'll put in another vote for NAS1801 hex head screws. I've been using NAS1801-08-8 as direct replacements for the Van's-supplied AN515-8R8 phillips screws. Since they are structural they are probably overkill, and they are more expensive, but 100 still only cost me $15.20 at ACS. I prefer to use a 1/4" nut driver (obviously) on ,them, but the heads seem to hold up better to a phillips screwdriver.

[RVadmirer]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

+3. I haven't bought anything yet but have looked on your site a couple of times and had a really hard time finding the screws I wanted.

+4 ......just tried again and couldn't find anything.

[APACHE 56]

Originally Posted by Lars

I've been using NAS1801-08-8 as direct replacements for the Van's-supplied AN515-8R8 phillips screws. Since they are structural they are probably overkill, .

I thought 10/32 - (AN3) is the minimum structural fastener.

Don

[Lars]

Originally Posted by APACHE 56

I thought 10/32 - (AN3) is the minimum structural fastener.

Don

Yeah, I think you are right. Probably more accurate to note that the NAS1801 fasteners are made from steel to a structural grade spec- 160,000 psi as opposed to the 60,000 psi spec for MS35206 (used to be AN515) screws.

In any case, it's obvious when you take a phillips screwdriver to them. I use good screwdrivers- SnapOn, Wiha, etc- and toss them when they get rounded. In my experience it's pretty easy to destroy an AN515 screw even with a fresh screwdriver. So far, the NAS1801 screws seem more resistant.

[JakeLewis22]

I received a private message over the weekend asking about the Torx head screws so I thought I'd post an update to the forum. ACS is not willing to move forward with them so I spoke with Tom at GAHco and he was receptive. Tom said that it's going to "take some time" but he is working on it and he'll let us know when they are available.

I also spoke to Tom about post numbers 38-45 in this string complaining about his web site (an opinion I share). He was very open to the criticism and said that they are in the process of redesigning their web site.

Stay tuned!

[scsmith]

I currently have the microfasters brand 6-lobe stainless screws in lots of places. The aluminum-contact places I can think of off hand are floor pan, seat pan, baggage shelves, instrument panel, wing root fairings, wing tips, inspection covers.

The parts are painted, and they don't normally get wet.

We use stainless fasteners into 6061 aluminum in salt water exposure on sailboats all the time. Of course, 6061 is much more corrosion resistant than 2024, but we do sometimes see some galvanic corrosion. I'm starting to take some of the concern for galvanic corrosion to heart.

So, when/if the zinc-plated AN-equivalents with 6-lobe heads show up, I'm all in. Keep us posted.

[GAHco]

Originally Posted by Lars

I'll put in another vote for NAS1801 hex head screws. I've been using NAS1801-08-8 as direct replacements for the Van's-supplied AN515-8R8 phillips screws. Since they are structural they are probably overkill, and they are more expensive, but 100 still only cost me $15.20 at ACS. I prefer to use a 1/4" nut driver (obviously) on ,them, but the heads seem to hold up better to a phillips screwdriver.

Most of us want a safe, reliable and reasonably priced fasteners.

The softer fasteners performance is limited, these like (AN515/MS35206 &7), (AN507/MS24693) are very soft fasteners, 60 to 80 Ksi

The next better is the 125 ksi (min) group.
Such as (AN509/MS24694 & MS27039) The best and still reasonable valued are the 160-180 Ksi, such as most NAS Hex Bolts and NAS517 Countersunk heads that look like AN509's. Also in this group are NAS601'S 602'S and 603'S. These look like the AN515'S but are three times as strong.

And yes we will be investigating the Torx "registered trademark" or similar type of drive for the higher alloy fasteners. It is the design and alloy that makes these so rugged and functional.

I myself have used very little of the screws that came with my kit.