Switching from Phillips to Torx

[HFS]

What the title says:

Microfasteners calls them 6-Lobe instead of Torx.

Same-o, same-o.

HFS

[BillL]

Originally Posted by Mel

Torx actually DO come in 100° head!

Mel, I should not have singled out the angle. The real difference is the material yield strength.

It is not about Torx, it is the 304 stainless yield strength. My plenum is held on with 6-32 304 stainless, but phillips. They do smear, but using the APEX bit, seldom slip.

I would love to find standard CAD plated steel Torx for the same price of course.

[gregfuess]

Originally Posted by HFS

What the title says:

Microfasteners calls them 6-Lobe instead of Torx.

Same-o, same-o.

HFS

Not the same at all. Six Lobe is a hex head shaped screw head. A Torx is a six pointed star shaped screw head. Look closely at what Microfasterners is calling 6-lobe, it's a hex head.

[Flying Canuck]

Originally Posted by gregfuess

Not the same at all. Six Lobe is a hex head shaped screw head. A Torx is a six pointed star shaped screw head. Look closely at what Microfasterners is calling 6-lobe, it's a hex head.

I don't think that's exactly the case. Here is the description line from the order that I placed with MicroFasteners a while back. These are great screws.

FCMXS0808 - 8-32 x 1/2 T15 - 100 Degree Flat Head 6 Lobe Drive Machine Screws - Stainless 100 pcs/pkg

Note the T15, that is the Torx bit that is used for these screws and it is a very accurate fit. This is not a hex head, 6-lobe is the Torx star with the points rounded at the very end. The driver bit isn't pointed like the true Torx screw star pattern, it is slightly rounded. You can use the T-15 driver with a hex head but a hex driver wouldn't be a great fit for these screw heads.

[Walt]

You might learn some new words if you're around when I have an aircraft come in with all these "fancy" fasteners.
Pretty sure most mechanics (folks that do this for a living) feel the same way.

[kreidljj]

I learned a long time ago from a veteran aircraft wrench that a dab of valve lapping compound on the tip of the screwdriver performs miracles. It is amazing how well the bit grips the screws and stops stripping. - Jason

[gregfuess]

Originally Posted by Flying Canuck

I don't think that's exactly the case. Here is the description line from the order that I placed with MicroFasteners a while back. These are great screws.



Note the T15, that is the Torx bit that is used for these screws and it is a very accurate fit. This is not a hex head, 6-lobe is the Torx star with the points rounded at the very end. The driver bit isn't pointed like the true Torx screw star pattern, it is slightly rounded. You can use the T-15 driver with a hex head but a hex driver wouldn't be a great fit for these screw heads.

6-lobe isn't a commonly used description of a drive. The picture in the microfasteners website is of a hex. Trying to add a picture, but it's not working. Reference this link: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-v...lat-2075248294

[Flying Canuck]

Originally Posted by gregfuess

6-lobe isn't a commonly used description of a drive. The picture in the microfasteners website is of a hex. Trying to add a picture, but it's not working. Reference this link: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-v...lat-2075248294

The picture is quite poor on that website. I've attached it. I have these screws and they are definitely not hex. If you zoom in you can just make out the lobe rounding extending the corners.

[rocketman1988]

Originally Posted by Walt

You might learn some new words if you're around when I have an aircraft come in with all these "fancy" fasteners.
Pretty sure most mechanics (folks that do this for a living) feel the same way.

Cause that's the way it's always been done...

[Richard Connell]

I learnt a few new words every year removing various hard to get Philips from seat pans near the edges etc.
my language has improved dramatically since I replaced them with torx.

I wouldn’t use them for anything structural but for access panels and the like I find them far superior.
I’ve never stripped one. But I’ve snapped a few because they are much easier to over torque and unlubed S/S can gall as others have pointed out