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I’ve seen it suggested that using proper impact-rated Torx bits with an impact gun is actually a bad idea because of the dangers of stripping out the head of the bolt.
Certainly, impact-rated sockets with Torx bits seem to be less widely available than regular impact sockets (ditto Allen and similar), which maybe suggests they’re less popular?
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Yeah i’d probably use a ratchet or air ratchet for torx/allen stuff, some bolts are so shallow and don’t take much to strip
[quote=”Dunebasher” post=146343]I’ve seen it suggested that using proper impact-rated Torx bits with an impact gun is actually a bad idea because of the dangers of stripping out the head of the bolt.
Certainly, impact-rated sockets with Torx bits seem to be less widely available than regular impact sockets (ditto Allen and similar), which maybe suggests they’re less popular?[/quote
You’re more likely to strip a torx bit with ratchet over an impact as it is the rotational force that strips the head and impacting generally has a lot less rotational force than using a ratchet.
When impacting you want to push very hard to prevent the bit from “camming out”, especially if the fastener is already damaged. Along the same logic, you want to clean out a dirty fastener so you can get the bit as far in as it’s supposed to go and hammer the bit in if necessary. That’s the way I treat impacting torx different from hex. A clean hex doesn’t normally need to be pushed on, but I feel it’s more reliable to do it with torx.
Grey Pnuematic and Sunex make the impact grade torx and hex bit sockets.Matco has them also,their ADV line.Most of the torx and hex fastners,I break loose by hand first.
[quote=”Fopeano” post=146364]When impacting you want to push very hard to prevent the bit from “camming out”, especially if the fastener is already damaged. Along the same logic, you want to clean out a dirty fastener so you can get the bit as far in as it’s supposed to go and hammer the bit in if necessary.[/quote]
I do this as well. I have impact torx from Harbor Freight the so called professional ones. I have impact e-torx sockets from Matco ADV line which is normally Sunex but, mine are of an older vintage. I only own 2 impact allen sockets both of which are Grey Pnuematic. I have only broken the torx 20 and 30 from Harbor Freight but, that was due to overuse, galvanic corrosion, and a 3/8″ drive impact on 1/4″ drive sockets.
I do plan on getting full sets of impact torx, triple squares, male and female box aka pipe plug, and allens. Most likely all from Grey Pnuematic but, I do not like how thin of a shaft they have for their torx so I am open to suggestions on that.
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