Countersink on External Torx Plus Sockets

[The Critic]

It was recently brought to my attention that most of Snap-On’s External Torx Plus sockets contain a countersink. Snap-On says the countersink is required for proper engagement of “low-profile” External Torx Plus fasteners. I have attached a copy of the Snap-On literature that illustrates this.

No other brands have identified the countersink feature in their External Torx Plus sockets. In the below picture, the VIM EP24 socket has the countersink but the OTC one did not.

I have not encountered any low profile External Torx Plus fasteners myself, but if you have, you may want to check if your sockets have the countersink.

 

[clinebarger]

GM 6LxxE units use low profile torx plus fasteners to hold the valve body to the case, I use Snap-on FLEPL100 also called 10EPL (E-10 External Low Profile)

 

[SubLGT]

A shallow countersink socket (such as the OTC in the photo) will work well on both the standard head and the low-profile head of the Torx fastener. Correct? Why buy deep countersink sockets?

 

[D60]

A shallow countersink socket (such as the OTC in the photo) will work well on both the standard head and the low-profile head of the Torx fastener. Correct? Why buy deep countersink sockets?

I think the deeper c-sink allows it to clear the flange head of low profile and fully engage?

 

[Vercingetorix]

I think it’s just a way for Snap On to sell more sockets,