So...what is the difference between a "cheesehead" bolt and an Allen head bolt?

 

A "cheesehead", or triple-square, has 12 points and
and allen has only 6.

 

So can you usse "allen" wrenchs to remove/fasten "cheesehead" fasteners?

 

Remember those little slot head bolts that came in the MECCANO sets? That's a Cheesehead Bolt (think of a round of cheese with a slot in it). Allen head, we all know.

 

Typically, NO! You'll be lucky to not strip the heads out using a proper clean triple square tool but using a hex on them will usually cause them to strip right out.

 

<a href="http://www.totalbikebits.com/tbb_classics/articles/technical_fasteners.htm" target="_blank">http://www.totalbikebits.com/tbb_classics/articles/technical_fasteners.htm</a>


Cheesehead is the name given to engine casing screws, which
should have a specially small spring washer beneath the head. These
washers often get stuck in the casing recess and are subsequently
lost. It is worth buying a packetful, they never come in wrong.


I always assumed it was an affectinate term for a Torx. But I geuss it isn't. Though now I am slightly confused because I know you can use an allen on a torx, as long as it's not a high torque application. But then the # of points don't add up. hmmmmmmm

Wish everyone would just go to square drive. Though I don't know how well that would work in machine screws. They are the Porsche of wood/drywall screws thoug. Accept no substitute.

 

How many points on a Torx?

 

Duh I should have realized. 6

<a href="http://www.camcar.textron.com/torxplus/comparison.html" target="_blank">http://www.camcar.textron.com/torxplus/comparison.html</a>

Which means basically you can't use an allen on a torx. It;'s the other way round. Once again not thinking straight. Reallllly bad week.

 

Soooo, if I find a Torx that is close in size, it should work, no? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

 

Bull****, cheeshead have nothing to do with the definition posted here from the bike site. They're
triple square and have 12 points. Try a torx or an allen, just have the drill ready because you'll need it.

 

So, thats what went wrong when I was removing the drive axles from the 914, that was fubar!

 

A torx might work. But I wouldn't recomend it. Maybe if you get it loosened with a regular drive and you have a speed bit torx you could take it out.

As for the Bike definition just a site I found doing a google on cheeshead.

Only discussions about cheeseheads were either Porsche or Isso related. Not a few Rennlist discussions as well.

 

Use the right tools for this job, or it will be very frustrating and take you 10x the time it would have if you use the right tool. I found it was very much worth it to spend the $25 snap on 12 pt on a socket. If you have tremendous patience and time to waste on 24 cheesehead bolts for the half shafts for a clutch job, use torx or allens. Try drilling out bolts while under the car doing a clutch and the hot metal shavings falling on your face or past your goggles in your eyes.

 

Buy a triple-square allen online and do it right.

I hate working on things after you Torx/Allen guys get to it.

You can get a cheap, 4 size triple square set from Lisle, at most any run-of-the-mill auto parts store that has a cheap tool section.

You will thank yourself, and so will I.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Cheesehead is a british-origin term used to refer to the shape of the head of a machine screw commonly used for cases. Older styles were often philips, which stripped if you looked at them sideways. Cheesehead didn't refer to the type of driver you use on them.