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Discussion Forum

Torx (Star) headed screws

BillHartmann | Posted in General Discussion on April 11, 2004 03:00am

I am cutting a hole in a wall and install some addtion studs and blocking for a door. I went to the hardware store and good some Power Pro #9×3 torx head screws by Hillman.

http://www.hillmangroup.com/powerpro.htm

I think that they are knockoffs of the GRK’s

They have a self drilling tip and long non-threaded shank. They really went in easy and sucked up the two pieces tight.

Really like them. Much better than the deck screws that I had been using.

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The torx head s*cks. I don’t They don’t hold the screw on. There is about 15 degrees play in the scew and if I tilt the drill down a bit it will just fall off. With phillips and sq drive I can just stick the scew on the bit and the start driving.

With these I have to use both hands to get it started other wise it just flops around.

Once is it started the torx drive is great.

Are these just cheap screw or is that common with the torx head. The socket did not seem to be that deep.

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | Apr 11, 2004 03:50am | #1

    I just started playing with them too..I found that if ya grind the torx driver down a bit..it's a little fatter and ya can get a tighter fit in the socket..

    View Image

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

  2. Piffin | Apr 11, 2004 04:08am | #2

    It must be the cheaper knockoffs. I can lock a GRK on the tip and wave it around!

     

     

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  3. User avater
    IMERC | Apr 11, 2004 04:09am | #3

    Look to see if it's a #27 tip. A 25 will work but be sloppy.

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....

                                            WOW!!!   What a Ride!

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Apr 11, 2004 07:32am | #5

      They come with a T-25 bit in the box so that "should" be the right size.

      I will try a t-27, but there is a fair difference between them accord to this chart that I found. I would except the 27 to be too big.

      T-5 .055

      T-6 .065

      T-7 .077

      T-8 .090

      T-9 .097

      T-10 .107

      T-15 .128

      T-20 .151

      T-25 .173

      T-27 .195

      T-30 .216

      T-40 .260

      Bit I am going to try one and also try grinding a t-25 bit down and see what happens.

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Apr 11, 2004 08:38am | #6

        It just may be a cheapo #25 bit....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....                                        WOW!!!   What a Ride!

        1. User avater
          BillHartmann | Apr 11, 2004 03:49pm | #7

          I thought of that, but I did not realize that a bit came in the box and pick up a pack of 2 more. But they all look identical and perform the same.

          1. User avater
            Sphere | Apr 11, 2004 05:16pm | #8

            Hey Bill,, another little trick is to either set the tip on a solid anvil type thing ( I use Railroad track) and give it a smart whack with a hammer to flatten the tip a bit and "upset" it..hold with pliers of course..and failing that, a centerpunch divot in the center of the star will upset it a few thousandths as well..

            Be careful tho' I shot one across the yard with an unsquare blow..My GMC van has alot of torx drive fastners and I had great fun trying to lock them on the driver for the blind installation places..thats how I have learned that these methods work..my driver set is also cheap..some were twisting like a barber pole..

            Bought new ones and still had to tweak a few.

            View Image

            Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

          2. User avater
            IMERC | Apr 11, 2004 07:09pm | #9

            Toss that torex bit in yur pocket and the next time you can get near a different brand of screw with a torex, test it.

            Thosse T'bits generally have a taper so grinding one down may help. If it proves to be the screw....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....                                        WOW!!!   What a Ride!

          3. User avater
            Sphere | Apr 12, 2004 01:52am | #10

            maybe he ain't got no magnet tip?...I usem all da time..unlessen they be bronze..or SS.

            View Image

            Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

  4. Piffin | Apr 11, 2004 04:23am | #4

    Something else on these things -

    The bits that GRK is selling are fantastic. Not many places carrying them, maybe, but they last forever cpmparatively. They have two or three lengths and are colorcoded for size. I think ( but noit sure) that they have a diamond dust in the coating that prevents wear.

    I commented to Mr Sienkiewitz the NE Rep at a show that they were some nice tips compared to the regular steel that I was buying and he gave me a few since I have bought so many cases of screws. This year, they showed up at the yard with a GRK packaging label.

     

     

    Welcome to the
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    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
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