Help picking some new bits

[Yuriman]

Yesterday I was tearing down a bicycle, and I twisted one of my torx bits in half trying to unscrew the torx bolts holding the disc brakes on. I picked another bit out of my bucket, and did the same thing. I understand it's good for the bit to fail before the bolt/screw does, but this is ridiculous. Any recommendations on some tougher/harder bits? I don't have the original case, but one of them was likely Irwin branded.

 

[RLGL]

Matco or Snap-on, don't be afraid of using some heat. The fasteners may have a thread locker applied prior to assembly

 

[bruceb]

Possibly the bolt is Reverse Threaded, where turning it Left will Tighten instead of loosening

 

[Yuriman]

Possibly the bolt is Reverse Threaded, where turning it Left will Tighten instead of loosening

Nope, two of them came out only bending the bit slightly. Once they broke loose, they unscrewed smoothly and easily. I snapped the bit on the next one, and snapped another bit on it. Bolt isn't damaged. No rust, they're just in tight and I apparently have a box of crummy bits.

Matco or Snap-on, don't be afraid of using some heat. The fasteners may have a thread locker applied prior to assembly

Any recommendations on where to buy? I see some small 6-12 piece sets on Amazon starting at... like $800.

 

[bruceb]

Just drop in to the local Home Depot store. Or if you have a Fastenal location near you, they would have very good ones.

 

[Yuriman]

Just drop in to the local Home Depot store. Or if you have a Fastenal location near you, they would have very good ones.

I was surprised to find that I do. I'll swing by after work. Appreciated.

 

[NutBucket]

Just suck it up and go German....although a lot of their production has moved to Soviet Bloc countries https://www-us.wera.de/en/

 

[mizzou]

soak it in PB blaster for days. But obviously don't mix heat blasting torch w/ PB blaster 😉

 

[Fenixgoon]

soak it in PB blaster for days. But obviously don't mix heat blasting torch w/ PB blaster 😉

this.

it sounds like your bolt is stuck one way or another, and no quality of tool can get around that (there are physical limitations as to how much torque a given bit can withstand).

 

[Pick2]

I would try putting the bolts you removed back in snug , it might remove some tension on the next bolt.