Fixings - what type of head?

**AndyN01** · 04-01-2019,02:58 PM

Hi all,

As a newbie I'm coming across some rather "unusual" fixings.

They look like Torx but with 12 points.

I'm used to Allen/Torx/Phillips/Pozi/6 & 12 point sockets etc. (and I'm old enough to remember AF and even Whitworth!).

Having a hunt around it looks like these are "Triple Square" or "XZN"

What are the most used sizes?

I'm not a fan of buying a set where you wear out 2 or 3 and never use the rest. I'd rather buy the 2 or 3 from a quality manufacturer.

Help & suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks.

Andy.

**DMitch16** · 04-01-2019,11:58 PM

They are commonly called spline bits and a decent (enough) set will cost around £10 to £20. Professional quality will cost that much more but slightly cheaper ones will do the job just fine as long as you go for something like Silverline or Halfords and avoid the cheapest of cheap ebay offerings. They come in short, long, impact or other offerings and different drive sizes 3/8, 1/2 inch etc. Good sets have a couple of drive sockets so that the same bits can be used with both 3/8 and 1/2 inch ratchet handles. Some larger kits have hex, torx and spline bits plus are widely available.

**AndyN01** · 05-01-2019,10:04 AM

Cheers,

I hadn't come across the reference as spline bits.

Appreciated.

Andy.

**DMitch16** · 05-01-2019,10:10 AM

Originally Posted by AndyN01

Cheers,

I hadn't come across the reference as spline bits.

Appreciated.

Andy.

UK - Spline
USA - Triple Square

Very old school - my 75 year old father has a Britool spline bit set almost as old as he is.

They tend not to wear out and if cleaned after use will last, well...50 years or more!

**Quatrelle** · 05-01-2019,07:52 PM

I've got a couple. I seem to recall using one to undo the cylinder head bolts on a mk. 1 Cavalier.

**DMitch16** · 06-01-2019,12:13 AM

Originally Posted by Quatrelle

I've got a couple. I seem to recall using one to undo the cylinder head bolts on a mk. 1 Cavalier.

Sure it wasn't a GRAHAM Cavalier?

**Crasher** · 06-01-2019,07:03 PM

The proper name is XZN

**AndyN01** · 06-01-2019,07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Crasher

The proper name is XZN

Thanks.

That's why I'm seeing all sorts of different "descriptors" when I'm trying to search.

So XZN; Spline and Triple Square are all the same thing?

Why couldn't they come up with just one name? Doh!

Andy

**Crasher** · 06-01-2019,07:43 PM

They did, XZN, the other names are not official. I used to call them spline but there is another design this can be confused with.

**DMitch16** · 06-01-2019,08:03 PM

Similar issue with 'star' bits which some confuse as Torx (one with 5 points the other 6 points). Watch out for the 16 point quadruple square bits which don't fit XZN headed bolts!