Harbor Freight not Good for Torx T-20 Security Torx, Jet Block Gasket

[KDXGarage]

If you are looking for a security Torx T-20 to take the jet block off, skip Harbor Freight. It was junk today for me. I finally found my older Sears Craftsman security Torx T-20 socket. I had to drive the bit out of the socket and use a thin driver on it.

It got it done, though.

Thanks, older USA made Sears Craftsman T-20 security Torx.

[treelimb]

Yeah that HFreight ordeal made things look bleak for a bit. I'm still planning on the kobalt kit which simply has to be 11 grades better than the h freight. The screw heads didn't round off,the damn Hfreight bit did. Those Japanese made items of necessity sort of make me even more of a stickler for OEM.

On a side note,my buttplug (exhaust) must have been blown out in all that rain headed home last night.

[VTMTcowboy]

Found out the hard way on the screws holding the carb together. Stripped three out of 4 with Harbor Freight screw drivers... Ran over to Ace, paid 3X as much but was able to get the 3 stripped screws out. Despite Craftsman not being what it used to be, they are still far superior. I like Harbor Freight for what it is, but learned that anything of great importance cannot be trusted with their tools. Probably didn't need to chime in on this thread hahaha, but figured I'd share my HF story.

[KDXGarage]

Oh no. The bitterness of cheap tools has lasted long after the savory success. Feel free to pile on Harbor Freight. :-)

On the carburetor float bowl screws, I use Vessel Megadora. I have 900, 920, 930 and 980 (KDX250 KIPS retaining screw anyone?).

http://www.vessel.co.jp/english/


On the jet block screws, for anyone shopping for a tool, I strongly suggest NOT getting a short bit. There is some metal in the way that makes it hard to use. It needs some clearance. I need to shop for a better solution. I am tempted to try to drill out a hole in a regular T-20 screwdriver. Maybe it won't break my cobalt bit.

[doakley]

I found the bit I needed for the jet block at my local NAPA store. Wasn't cheap but considering the cost of buggering up a carb, it was a deal!

[John_S]

Ace hardware only had the short bits. Since the bit fits a 1/4" drive but is right against the carb I ended up holding the top of the bit down with my thumb and using a 1/4" open ended wrench. It worked but if we find a longer bit it'll make things a lot easier.

[KDXGarage]

I saw that Wiha makes a few choices. I did not look around much.

[TwistedRoot]

I got a new jet block gasket but dont have any kind of tool to get these security Torx screws off. What is the preferred way to get these out? I can see its very easy to strip the %$#@$#% out of them! I have a bit but nothing to get it "in there".

[KDXGarage]

treelimb said he got a set of sockets from Lowe's, Kobalt brand that worked. They were a touch taller.

[Molly's 70]

I found mine on ebay.

[John_S]

This is a generic google picture (wrong size) but I bought a driver like this on eBay for $6. It works great.

[TwistedRoot]

Thanks for the replies. Found one on ebay for $6. You guys are the best!