Matronics Email Lists :: View topic

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Torx head screws?
Goto page 1, 2 Next

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> RV-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

khorton01(at)rogers.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

I want to order a bunch of round head and countersunk stainless steel  

screws for non-structural applications.  I don't want Phillips  

heads.  MicroFasteners sells Torx headed ones.  I have next to no  

experience with Torx.  Is this a good long term solution?  The Torx  

drivers always look too small to me.  Do they break, or is it really  

a good solution?  Do the receptacles in the head wear much?



Is a hex drive head (e.g. for an Allen wrench) a better solution than  

Torx?  If so, who sells suitable 100 degree and round head SS #8 x  

1/2" screws?



Kevin Horton         RV-8 (finishing kit)

Ottawa, Canada

http://www.kilohotel.com/rv8

do not archive

kboatright1(at)comcast.ne
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:43 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

---

walter(at)tondu.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

On 03/02  6:21, Kevin Horton wrote:



 > 

 > 

 > I want to order a bunch of round head and countersunk stainless steel  

 > screws for non-structural applications.  I don't want Phillips  

 > heads.  MicroFasteners sells Torx headed ones.  I have next to no  

 > experience with Torx.  Is this a good long term solution?  The Torx  

 > drivers always look too small to me.  Do they break, or is it really  

 > a good solution?  Do the receptacles in the head wear much?



My experience with them is that they are a fantastic replacement

for phillips and straight head screws.  I've replaced all the phillips

screws I could in the plane.  They don't wear out and you can get

the appropriate amount of torque on the screw with practically

zero pressure.  You can find the torx bits at any hardware store

that fit in the end of your mechanical screwdriver.



Good stuff.

 

 > Is a hex drive head (e.g. for an Allen wrench) a better solution than  

 > Torx?  If so, who sells suitable 100 degree and round head SS #8 x  

 > 1/2" screws?



http://www.rv7-a.com/Img_4909.jpg



-- 

Walter Tondu

http://www.rv7-a.com

Flying!

rickrv8(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

Kevin,



I used countersunk SS Torx and button head SS Hex screws from MicroFasteners in a number of applications on my -8.  My experience with the Torx has been very positive.  The only problem I've encountered with the small Torx is that the tools can twist if you torque them too much.  This is usually only a problem with tight nut plate fasteners.  The button head hex screws on the other hand have been a problem.  The heads will strip very easily with even a slight amount of pressure.  It would be nice to find a button head Torx but I've had no luck.



Rick McBride

  ---

khorton01(at)rogers.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:25 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

On 2 Mar 2006, at 19:45, Richard McBride wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Kevin,



 I used countersunk SS Torx and button head SS Hex screws from  

 MicroFasteners in a number of applications on my -8.  My experience  

 with the Torx has been very positive.  The only problem I've  

 encountered with the small Torx is that the tools can twist if you  

 torque them too much.  This is usually only a problem with tight  

 nut plate fasteners.  The button head hex screws on the other hand  

 have been a problem.  The heads will strip very easily with even a  

 slight amount of pressure.  It would be nice to find a button head  

 Torx but I've had no luck.


	


Thanks to Richard and Walter for the info.



Do these button head screws have Torx heads?



http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/products/SSCSBXS.cfm



The say "6 Lobe Drive", which is ambiguous to me.  But that is the  

same thing they call the 100 deg head ones, and they list a Torx size  

in the listing:



http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/products/SSCFCMXS.cfm



I've sent them an e-mail to ask, but I won't get the answer til  

tomorrow.



Kevin Horton         RV-8 (finishing kit)

Ottawa, Canada

http://www.kilohotel.com/rv8

ptrotter

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 28
Location: Westchester County, NY

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:39 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

Kevin,



I believe that the 6 Lobe Drive usees the same tool as Torx heads.  Torx is 

probably a trade name like "Allen Head" vs hex head.  I wish I had known you 

wanted some a couple of days ago, Micro Fasteners had a booth at the lcoal 

R/C show and I spent a little time talking to the owner.  He had all the 

products there and I could have grabbed some and sent them up to you.  I've 

bought from them before and they are great to deal with.



Paul





 	  Quote: 	
		   Do these button head screws have Torx heads?



 http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/products/SSCSBXS.cfm



 The say "6 Lobe Drive", which is ambiguous to me.  But that is the

 same thing they call the 100 deg head ones, and they list a Torx size

 in the listing:



 http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/products/SSCFCMXS.cfm



 I've sent them an e-mail to ask, but I won't get the answer til

 tomorrow.



 Kevin Horton         RV-8 (finishing kit)

 Ottawa, Canada

 http://www.kilohotel.com/rv8

_________________
Paul Trotter
RV-8 82080 Fuselage Kit
N801PT (reserved)

Bill Schlatterer

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 195

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

Kevin, McMaster has it all.  Just ordered the exact screw from them last

week.  Also have very nice Hex Cap Screws if you like the raised look.  This

is a real airplane store.



http://www.mcmaster.com/

 



Bill S

7a Wiring

--

Bill Schlatterer

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 195

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

Like I said, McMaster has it all.  Check out cap screws and look at button

heads with  Hex, Torx, Torx Tamper Proof, Regular, etc.



http://www.mcmaster.com/



I also ordered a bunch of button head #6 hex and found that my problem was

that you need a really good hex key and not one of the soft hardware store

variety.  Having said that, I still didn't like the way they went in and out

and scrapped them.  Now use all use standard hex heads almost everywhere.

Note that you can get them already drilled for safety wire but they are very

pricey.



Bill S 

7a



--

walter(at)tondu.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

On 03/02  8:21, Kevin Horton wrote:

 > Do these button head screws have Torx heads?

 > 

 > http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/products/SSCSBXS.cfm

I believe so.  The "Torx" and "Torx-Plus" are brand patented

brand names and I believe the patent has expired on the Torx name

so 6 Lobe Drive is the same, only a different name, (I think).

Some information regarding Torx Plus.

http://www.semblex.com/products/licensed/TORX/pg2.cfm

-- 

Walter Tondu

http://www.rv7-a.com

Flying!

rickrv8(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

Kevin,



I looked at my invoices and the item numbers for the button head hex screws I purchased were SBSxxxx.  The countersunk torx were all FCMXSxxxx item numbers.  It appears from the description that the ones you're looking at (SBXS) are torx.  Please let us know what you find out.  If they are, I'm going to start replacing all my hex screws.



Rick McBride

  ---

Mark Phillips in TN

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 431
Location: Columbia, TN

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:20 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

Hi Kevin- when are ya gonna git that darn RV FINISHED?!



My parents bestowed upon me the name Mark ALLEN PHILLIPS, and if there is ANY 

reason to NOT use phillips head fasteners, I will be first to stand up and 

say NAY!  There is a BETTER WAY!  Do the torx thing- Microfasteners has lots of 

my $$$ and I am pleased to report it was $$$ well spint- these things are like 

that stupid little purple bunny- they keep going..............



When I was working on my wheel pants (for example) I had the stupid things 

on/off/on/off/on/off (you know the drill) a rediculous amount of times- had I 

been using phillips instead of torx, I would have most likely replaced the 

screws after every 3 or 4 applications- with the torx, I used the original ones 

every time until after finish paint when new ones were installed.  Best part is 

that they will hang onto the bit without magic magnetism, and will not wear 

out.  One thing to be wary of is that the bit will break off in the screw before 

the screw will strip (built-in torque limits!) which you DON'T want to happen- 

did this to one of my tank screws and it was a MAJOR bitch to extract!  I use 

a simple, cheap cordless B&D screwdriver with the torque limit set to 

appropriate limits- works great!



Oh yeah- there are maybe 8 phillips screws on my plane, only because they 

were all I could find for the application- there are MANY Allen screws- like the 

stainless ones on my tank access plates....................  



 	  Quote: 	
		  From The PossumWorks in TN

Mark ALLEN PHILLIPS, RV-6A N51PW,  280 hours: 
	


http://websites.expercraft.com/n51pw/

_________________
From The PossumWorks...

Mark Phillips in TN

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 431
Location: Columbia, TN

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:43 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

In a message dated 03/02/2006 7:28:44 PM Central Standard Time, 

khorton01(at)rogers.com writes:



The say "6 Lobe Drive", which is ambiguous to me.  But that is the  

same thing they call the 100 deg head ones, and they list a Torx size  

in the listing:

 	  Quote: 	
		  >>


	


Man, I can only hope so- then I can replace the rest of the phillips screws 

on my plane!  You WILL let us know what the say!



Mark Phillips and do not archive

_________________
From The PossumWorks...

Larry Bowen

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 802
Location: NC, USA

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

I started with many torx head screws for the same reason everyone else did,

but I'm actually migrating back to SS phillips head screws.  They are as

durable as the torx screws.  I'm never sure exactly where my torx bits are

-- but I know I have a three dozen #2 phillips screwdrivers scattered

around.  I still like and use hex cap screws where they make sense, but for

flush applications I no longer see an advantage using the torx screws.  They

just add complexity.  Just my opinion...



-

Larry Bowen

Larry(at)BowenAero.com

http://BowenAero.com

 



[quote] --

_________________
Larry Bowen
RV-8 SOLD,
RV-7QB in progress...

Vanremog(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:49 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

In a message dated 3/2/2006 7:23:39 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  

Fiveonepw(at)aol.com writes:



My  parents bestowed upon me the name Mark ALLEN PHILLIPS

===================================

 

Talk about get screwed at birth ;o)

 

At least they had the good sense not to christen you Square  Drive.or Tamper 

Resistant.

 

Do not archive

 

 

 

GV (RV-6A  N1GV O-360-A1A, C/S, Flying 774hrs, Silicon Valley, CA)

tedd(at)vansairforce.org
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:14 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

Kevin:



Another alternative is Pozi drive.  Although you should theoretically use a

Pozi driver with a Pozi screw, a Phillips driver will work, and is a lot more

likely to be available in a pinch than a Torx driver.  The advantage of Pozi

over Phillips is that Pozi is not designed to "torque out" the way Phillips is,

so stuck screws are a lot less likely.  In that respect, Pozi is much like

Torx.



For my money, Pozi screws are almost as nice as Torx.  But Torx screws may be a

little easier to find.



---



Tedd McHenry

Surrey, BC, Canada

Michael Wynn

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 148
Location: San Ramon, CA

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject: Torx head screws?

Hi all,



Way back at the beginning of this thread, Kevin said: for non-structural 

applications.  I have been scratching my head about what that actually means.  

Clearly, screwing on the instrument panel is non-structural.  How about screws 

that hold on the wingtips, fuel tanks, fuel tank access plate, fuel senders, 

cockpit floor, wing access panels, etc.?  As far as I have sorted out (and I am a 

newbie working on the fuel tanks now) most of the "structural fasteners" on 

the plane are rivets and bolts.  Not entirely sure where the non-structural 

screws are going.



I am a big fan of torx heads, using them on RC and automobiles where ever 

possible.  What do you guys think are safe applications?



Regards,



Michael Wynn

RV-8, Wings

San Ramon, California



Do Not Archive

_________________
Michael Wynn
RV 8
San Ramon, CA

dennis.glaeser(at)eds.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:16 am Post subject: Torx head screws?

I called MicroFasteners, and their '6 Lobe Drive' is a Torx drive by

another name - for both the flush and pan head screws.



McMaster-Carr has a very good selection of Torx screws.  MicroFasteners

and McMaster-Carr seem to be the only sources I can find.



I plan on using Torx in place of all of the AN Phillips head screws (#6

and #.  The closest thing to a 'structural' use for any of these

screws I see is the tank screws - and I have no problem using them there

(subject of a previous discussion).  

My wings/tanks are finished and hanging up while I work on the fuselage.

I can't wait to remove the ProSealed Phillips head screws on my tank

access plates   I will be re-sealing them with the Tite Seal that

Rick Galati suggested (thanks!) and Torx screws.



Dennis Glaeser

7A Fuselage




In a message dated 03/02/2006 7:28:44 PM Central Standard Time,

khorton01(at)rogers.com  writes: 

The say "6 Lobe Drive", which is ambiguous to me. But that is the same

thing they call the 100 deg head ones, and they list a Torx size in the

listing: 

 	  Quote: 	
		  >> Man, I can only hope so- then I can replace the rest of the phillips

screws on my plane! You WILL let us know what the say! 
	


Mark Phillips and do not archive

Mark Phillips in TN

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 431
Location: Columbia, TN

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:34 am Post subject: Torx head screws?

In a message dated 3/2/06 10:51:40 PM Central Standard Time, Vanremog(at)aol.com 

writes:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Talk about get screwed at birth ;o)

 


	


 	  Quote: 	
		  >


	


Now THAT was priceless, GV!  Can't wait to run it by my Dad!  



Mark do not archive

_________________
From The PossumWorks...

bicyclop(at)pacbell.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:26 am Post subject: Torx head screws?

Note that McMaster Carr does not carry 10 degree flat head screws in any

drive style. Their flat head screws are 87 degrees and don't match our

countersink and dimple profile.



They do have some nice black-oxide stainless button head screws with

Allen drive that look great on instrument panels.



Pax,



Ed Holyoke



--

bicyclop(at)pacbell.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:47 am Post subject: Torx head screws?

That was supposed to read 100 degree.



--

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> RV-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum