I had to go out to my local big box supply store and buy a set of Torx

screwdrivers.  I have since found them useful in home, auto and other

electronic device repairs.

Maybe you have a Wii or cell phone that needs to be fixed.  I have even

seen kids toys that needed a Torx bit just to install the batteries. I

am also sure you have seen these before, being used as a type of tamper

proof screw head.

Back to my computer repair, there were only two sizes that were needed -

a T6 and a T8.  You are not going to get your cell or laptop open,

without damaging it, without these tools.

If you do any type of electronics repair it makes sense to get a set

before you need them, like on Sunday evening when the stores are closed.

Since the screws come in many sizes it makes sense to get a set of

tools.  Either a set of Torx bits or a full set of screwdrivers.

If you have seen videos of Dell’s assembly line for computers you’ll

notice the screwdriver hanging by cords at each station.  These electric

drivers with torx bits securely fit on the Torx screws allowing for a

faster and more efficient assembly.

They “lock” onto the screw head much more securely than a Phillips

screwdriver – and like a Phillips head you do need a different size bit

for each size screw head – similar to an Allen wrench.

electronic equipment you are sure to run into some, and you are going to

need a sepcial Torx socket to remove it properly.

You can buy a single Torx socket, but the more economical choice would

be to buy a Torx socket set.  That way you will be able to use them on

all of your gear.

You can find these tool sets in most electronics stores and most

hardware stores.  You can find the widest selection and best prices on

the internet.  Your best bet is to buy them before you need them.  If

you buy a set with a wide ranges of sizes you should be all set when the

time comes.

good for giving your computer or game console a good house cleaning.

Have you ever seen the clumps of dust and fuzz that build up inside most

electronic gear, especially those with fans for air circulation.

By doing a routine cleaning you can prevent your gamebox from frying

itself due to heat stroke.  Getting a set of these screwdrivers is well

worth it since you never know exactly what size of screw you might

encounter.

The set I bought has about five of the most common sizes of

screwdrivers.  The tool sets are available in many sizes but the most

common sizes are T5 thru T10. They also retail for about fifteen

dollars, which is not bad, for a specialty tool set.

laptops you are going to need a special tool set.

Almost every piece of electronic equipment uses Torx screws.  Each piece

of equipment can use two or three different Torx screw sizes, so you

will need a tool set with multiple sizes.

The best buy could be getting a Torx screwdriver with interchangeable

bits or tips. These usually come with a range of Torx bit sizes that

should fit all of the Torx screw sizes that you will run into.  These,

as with all tools, come in different qualities.  Don’t go to the

cheapest sets as these will not hold up if you are doing all a lot of

assembly work.

You’ll find these screw on cars, elctronic components and many security type devices.

Torx Drivers come in all types of sizes.  They use a numbering system that is generally quite easy to understand. The larger the number is, the larger the head of the driver. A T8 Torx screwdriver has a smaller head size than a T9 screwdriver. Torx drivers can also be referred to as hollow shaft or solid shaft. The numbering system works the same, but the Torx Drivers with a hollow center shaft will have the designation of an “H” at the end. As an example a solid shaft Torx driver will be referred to as a T8, while the same Torx driver with a hollow shaft will be referred to as a T8H, where the “H” designates the hollow shaft.

There are also special types of Torx Drivers that are referred to as Security Bit Sets. These Security Bit sets allow you the same convenience as the drivers, but contain just the bits which can be interchanged using a common screwdriver handle with a hollow shaft that allows the bits to fit into. The advantage to Security Bit Sets is they can be purchased rather inexpensively. The disadvantage is their size, as they may not fit into tight places found in electronics equipment.

There is another type of sepciality type of security screwdriver that are a little different than Torx Drivers. The spanner type of screwdriver has a two pronged tip that spans over a center tip in the security screw. Although this type of security screw is not nearly as popular as the traditional star type screw, it is becoming more prevalent in newer electronic equipment.

The manufacturers use these security screws in their equipment to assure that this type of equipment is repaired by trained Electronic Technician. Just remember that in many cases removing these security screws will void the warranty of your equipment.