Broken Torx T-10 bit - what are my options?

[beanz2]

So my Vermont American torx bit broke while tightening an optic to my AR.



The bit seems to twist before breaking and the torque wrench was set at 30 lbs, what the SigSauer rep told me. Maybe it was too high for the size of fastener.

So, now the broken tip sits inside the fastener head. Not sure if I can drill and tap into it, it is very small:



What do you suggest I do to get it out?

Well, well, I came to find out those Vermont "American" torx bits are made in . . . China!

[Tarmy]

[morrcarr67]

That's crazy. Just to make sure, you had it set to 30 "inch" pounds and not 30 "foot" pounds.

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[beenawhile]

Try a magnet

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[beanz2]

It's a Fat Wrench, only graduation on it is in-lb

I'll try the magnet thing...

[The Gleam]

Before using an Easy-Out, try pulling it out with a rare strontium/earth magnet. Sometimes works, especially if you hit it with penetrating oil.

Also, those cheap bits certainly aren't ever hardened properly, but like said above, willing to bet that was 30 inch-pounds and not 30 ft-lbs.

And they may say 'Vermont American' but neither are anywhere near where they were made - which is China.

That's a very small fastener, and not really needing a lot of tension, where 10-12 ft-lbs would be common for most 5/16" inch fasteners on automotive applications for pans/covers, and 25ft-lbs for holding thick steel brackets and steel machined parts.

So 30 ft-lbs would be a hell of a lot for the application on simply holding a scope to a rail.

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[The Gleam]

It's a Fat Wrench, only graduation on it is in-lb

I'll try the magnet thing...

Hmm.. just really soft bits then, but that's common with those Vermont American bits and tools, from those, to drill bits, to saw blades, their entire offering - break way too easy.

Bummer.

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[beanz2]

Success!



I used a stack of three pacemaker magnets I got from a retiring cardiologist and, Pop, Goes the Weasel! Thanks to beenawhile and The Gleam for the suggestion.

I think Wheeler Fat Wrench graduations are in inch-pounds. I work on cars and know I was not applying 30 ft lbs on that bit.

The Nightforce, LWRC and Geiselle scope mounts I use specify for 65 in-lb torque for the base. The cheaper scope mounts, like PSA Superlights, specify 25 in-lb for the base, which was why I thought 30 in-lb was not excessive.

Yea, it's a shame most of our tools are made in China now. Going to get a Stanley Proto bit set from Fastenal and see if I get a good old Made In USA set.

[Peahi2]

Time to get some fixit sticks! Super cool gear...their website gets me in trouble.

[beanz2]

Time to get some fixit sticks! Super cool gear...their website gets me in trouble.

Yes, I have their stuff too. FixIt makes great tools but I don't know why I think of them as field repair tools, not as workshop tools

But I now also have a set of Made in USA Wiha Tools Torx bits incoming.

[FLIGHT762]

Glad you got the broken part out.

Your post reminded me, not too long ago when I was reading the specs on some newer RDS optic, I noticed the mounting rail base screw was a Torx #10.

The industry standard in most ring cap screws is at least a #15 Torx.

When seeing the Torx #10 screw spec, I thought to myself that's too small, it's going to cause issues.

I know the Torx ring cap screws on my Seekins scope rings is a #25 Torx.

Sig needs to swap out that T-10 mounting screw to at least a T-15, even bigger would be better.

[beanz2]

Agree. Probably I should look for a good T-15 bolt at Fastenal to replace the wimpy T-10. This Gen 1 Bravo4 optic has been discontinued by SigSauer. Their Gen 2 has a much stronger looking mount but is also 5 oz. heavier, weighing the same as their 1-6x Tango6.

[SkyHawk]

There is no way no how that 30 in-lb would twist that bit like that unless it was made of butter, much less shear it.

I have been suspect of my fat wrench for a while and don't really trust it. But even still I suspect that bit had to have been broken before and it just finally gave up on this job?

[beanz2]

My suspicion is that the Made In China bit was not heat treated properly. I have used this bit set for a while, but I can't recall if I have used the T-10 bit for anything heavy duty, who knows.

Is Wheeler's Fat Wrench unreliable? I guess I could also have used my FixIt Sticks set that does have an adjustable torque setting, but I usually just leave it in the range bag. I also have a set of Borka Tools precision torque limiting wrenches, but as I only have their 25 inch-lbs and 65 inch-lbs torque limiters, I did not use it.

[SilveradoColt21]

There is no way no how that 30 in-lb would twist that bit like that unless it was made of butter, much less shear it.

I have been suspect of my fat wrench for a while and don't really trust it. But even still I suspect that bit had to have been broken before and it just finally gave up on this job?

I agree, I would have thought he had set his wrench to "30 ft lbs." instead of in. lbs. as that would have made more sense but strange things happen sometimes.