Hello,

Torx screws have an internal hex socket, but they also have a little pin in the middle so you can't use an ordinary allen hex set to turn them.

The Torx type you mention with the pin in the middle are the so called "security torx".
I have a set of "security bits" to handle them, like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100pc-Secu...537961?hash=item569b4a7e69:g:BgQAAOSwll1W0~Rl



It also contains those bits for those wig type of screws.

Bertus

 

I have a set of "security bits" to handle them,

I have one of those kits, but that's only the start. Doing house calls, getting inside all kinds of appliances, and light construction work caused me to accumulate about 400 tips to fit my 1/4 inch socket set. That's the usual 1/4 drive sockets, a couple of security tip kits, a couple of micro-screwdriver kits, and 22 baggies of common and esoteric tips.

I had to bag them! You can't let 400 tips co-mingle in the bottom of a tool box or you'll spend half the day scratching around every time you need to change tips. Besides, what if they started breeding? It would be worse than tribbles.

ps, Thanks to this Thread, I finally know what those strange Phillips looking tips (that don't seem to fit anything) are called...JIS tips. They look like a Phillips or a Prince Reed, but the flutes are fat.

 

ps, Thanks to this Thread, I finally know what those strange Phillips looking tips (that don't seem to fit anything) are called...JIS tips. They look like a Phillips or a Prince Reed, but the flutes are fat.

An excellent write-up here:

http://www.instructables.com/id/When-a-Phillips-is-not-a-Phillips/

 

Standard Torx screws are star shaped, not hex and do not have a pin in the middle. as shown here:
View attachment 143273

A version known as Security Torx, Tamper-Resistant Torx (often shortened to Torx TR) or pin-in Torx contains a post in the center of the head that prevents a standard Torx driver (or a straight screwdriver) from being inserted.

Edit: Some time ago I had a device with those security Torx fasteners that I needed to open to repair so I bought a set of the security Torx bits with the hole.
They work on standard Torx fasteners too, of course.

Torx screws are the best type of screws when frequent assembly and disassembly of a mechanism or appliance is needed.

 

Torx screws are the best type of screws when frequent assembly and disassembly of a mechanism or appliance is needed.

I am really surprised how long it took to replace the slot headed screw!

I really like the Miniature socket set, must be a Chapman.
You can get add-on sets for different head types.
Really useful where a stubby Allen head is needed etc.
Max.

 

Like my portable dishwasher that I seem to be opening up all the time. The sheet metal skin is held on with torx head screws and after I bought a set of drivers it comes off and back on real easy. I have used those drivers on some electronics things too. Happy I have it.

 

I need more votes! Must have statistically significant sample size!