Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!mips!vaso
From: vaso@mips.COM (Vaso Bovan)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: What is this tool called?
Summary: TORX head (& POSIDRIV)
Keywords: TORX, POSIDRIV
Message-ID: <31256@buckaroo.mips.COM>
Date: 12 Nov 89 18:21:58 GMT
References: <6434@merlin.usc.edu>
Reply-To: vaso@mips.COM (Vaso Bovan)
Distribution: usa
Organization: MIPS Computer Systems, Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 30

In article <6434@merlin.usc.edu> cyamamot@girtab.usc.edu (Cliff Yamamoto) writes:
>
>I hope someone out there is familiar with this tool I'm looking for.  I
>couldn't think of any other newsgroup who might know this.  Does anyone
>know what "screw driver" is used to remove screws that have a six pointed
>star in the head?  I'm running across these funny screws in equipment
>lately (like a Compaq I was working on).  Some just have the "star" while
>others have a "star" with a small protrusion in the middle.
>
>What do you call these screws and what is the name for the tool to
>remove them?  Would a local tool store carry them?
>
>These screws look like you can torx them up pretty well considering the
>way the "star" pattern is made.  Thanks for any help!
>
>Cliff Yamamoto

The screw head is in fact called "TORX," and is patented/licensed by Camcar-
Textron. There is the normal "indented" version, and a reversed version which
looks something like a hex head. TORX screws are increasingly popular, and
can be found for instance, in General Motors automobiles. The main advantage
of TORX over phillips is the wall design, which allows high torque without
cam-out and screw/bit galling. TORX screwdrivers can be found in most
electronics supply stores. The "protrusion" sounds like it is one of the
tamper resistant versions of TORX.

Phillips drive heads have many disadvantages, and should probably be phased
out. An alternative to TORX is POSIDRIV, which looks much like phillips, and
in an emergency, can be driven by phillips screwdrivers. Hewlett-Packard
uses POSIDRIV. In Europe, POSIDRIV is more popular than phillips.