

The bit has a round hole in the center, while the screw has a matching post.
Star bit with hole plus#
The Tamper-resistant Torx (Torx TR or pin-in Torx) is available in both classic and Torx Plus variants. On the other hand, the Torx Plus is completely incompatible with the standard Torx, as the star flares won’t fit at all.

The standard Torx bits are compatible with Torx Plus, but it’s not an ideal match because of the gap in the star flares. The classic Torx Plus is abbreviated to IP (Internal Plus) while its external variant is shortened to EP (External Plus). Instead of a 6-pointed star, the pattern is reminiscent of a mechanical gear with squared-off teeth. The main benefits of the Torx Plus shape are the greater torque transfer and reduced tool wear. Introduced in 1990 just as the patent for the original Torx expired, the Torx Plus is an improvement on the original design. Any price and availability information displayed on at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: The most commonly used bits sizes are T10, T15, and T25. The measurements of Torx/star bits start with a capital letter “T”, followed by a number between 1 and 100. Hex keys and bolt heads are notorious for stripping because of the small angle at which the force is applied. You’ve likely faced cam-out often with the slotted and Phillips head screwdrivers (“minus” and “plus” heads).Īnother reason for the widespread use of Torx is the higher torque transfer and resistance to wear when compared to the hex (Allen) key. The main benefit of the Torx bits is the higher resistance to cam-out – the likelihood of the bit slipping out of the screw and damaging the head. It appears that the Camcar Textron is even losing the grip on the Torx trademark, as the name is often used in the marketing of other manufacturers. It has expired a few decades ago, allowing everyone to use the star shape drive as they please. Because of its 6-pointed shape, it’s commonly referred to as star bit, while the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has described the shape as hexalobular internal.īecause of the patent protection, Torx was only made by Camcar Textron and licensed manufacturers. Torx is the trademark name of the screw drive developed in 1967 by Camcar Textron. The difference between Torx Bits vs Star Bits is that Torx is the trademark name, while star represents the generic descriptor – the terms can be used interchangeably, as the tools are identical. There’s some confusion about the differences between them, especially the Torx and star bits. Screws and bolts come in different lengths, thread patterns, and thicknesses, but there’s also a matter of screw drive patterns.
