tool quiz

[glennster]

any guesses what they are and what application? these are from mac tools.

 

[Moonlite37]

They are just junk. I will give you 20 for them

 

[Stephen Newell]

I believe the official name is torques screwdrivers. Some call them star drive. This set is just to use with a ratchet.

 

[cwtech]

Since they are marked with a MM size designation, I believe they are for spline-drive fasteners.

Torx tools usually use a T designation such as T8, T12, etc.

 

[glennster]

not torque screwdrivers.

 

[Jim.ME]

Triple square bits for high torque applications. Most often found on foreign cars I think.

 

[glennster]

bingo! if i had a cigar i would send you one. we use them on benz, bmw, porsche and other euro high dollar cars. high torque fasteners,
found on suspension and drive lines.

 

[Russ from MN]

I agree, glenster, they are not Torx, probably splined. Like you said, Torx are T25, T35 etc. but I can't find anything like them, ever McMaster Carr! Although they have some called triple square?

 

[sotxbill]

They are designed to make the seller rich and the buyer poor.

 

[Russ from MN]

Triple square it is, I learned something new today! And HF has them!

 

[Eric in IL]

VW seems to like using them. Whatever they think leads to faster assembly for them means all mechanics will update their tools. They don't even ask us low-life wrench turners for our opinion.

 

[Duner Wi]

Some of you got the answer to the tool quiz!!!!

 

[glennster]

moonlite, are we talking CASH? small unmarked bills???

 

[4play]

I'd like to have that set for the medium length sockets since I have stubby, reg and long bits. They have been around for a real long time, for vehicles, mainly European, aviation uses them too. I like the design, it allows much more torque to be applied vs other similar designs like allen or torx. Euros use them on bigger fasteners too, like head bolts, suspension and frame bolts etc.

edit: Most people refer to these as "triple-square" but they are also called XZN fasteners.

This post was edited by 4play on 09/06/2023 at 08:48 pm.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Once out junk then use regular bolts with hex heads so regular sockets fit I hate torx junk and all those other stupid types of so-called fasteners. Most are a one way use deal once in never to be reused since you can't get them out if they set as long as most regular bolts do.

 

[JF in MI]

Yup, 45 odd years ago when I was in the business we used to call them 'star'

 

[Stephen Newell]

OK, I spelled it wrong. Didn't want to look up the spelling.

 

[gab]

Think I have three of those, One for Luv truck head bolts, one for VW frt axles, and maybe the third one was for manifold bolts.
Don't kow what they're called.
.

 

[NDIHC]

Triple square, used on many newer head bolts. Fit in tight spaces and won't round off like a hex head or strip out like an allen head.

 

[Hobo,NC]

For the few sizes I have needed I brought individual bits. The last VW I got cornered into working on I borrowed a set because it was loaded up with those bolts. I was 2 hours into the job and getting no where most of the fight was those pesky wiring connectors. Not wanting the job and having a limit on time I can give away I called the customer and told him I was towing it to my foreign car bud, my bud would be getting up with him : ).

I have never made money on euro cars so about 2010 I put a end to that. I don't even put air in a euro tire get it out of my life move on I am not yer man. Friends don't let friends drive that garbage.

I know some do real well working on them so good I will get out of their way they can have it all. The worst customer you can have is one with a euro car that cannot afford it to began with. Fire them and move on life will be good.