Torx Screwdriver Set UK: Sizes, Uses and What to Buy
Short answer: a Torx screwdriver set UK buyers need is really about covering the star-shaped sizes you meet around the house — usually T6 to T25 for electronics, appliances and car trim, with larger T30 to T40 turning up on garden machinery and furniture. Torx drives resist cam-out, so with the right size and a steady hand you can open a laptop, a games controller or a bathroom fan without chewing the head. For most people a broad bit kit that includes Torx, precision bits and a demagnetiser beats a tiny dedicated set.
Sooner or later a job stops dead because a star-shaped screw is staring back at you and your Phillips set is useless. Torx fixings are everywhere in modern UK homes, and a Torx screwdriver set is what keeps those jobs moving. This guide covers the sizes you actually meet, how to avoid stripping them, and whether you need a dedicated set or a broader kit.
Why Torx is everywhere now
Torx (a six-point star drive) engages far more of the screw than a Phillips head, so it resists cam-out — the bit slipping and chewing up the screw when you apply torque. That reliability is why manufacturers choose Torx for things that get serviced, transported or adjusted repeatedly: appliances, electronics, cars and a growing amount of flat-pack furniture. If you have opened a games console, removed a car trim panel or taken apart a vacuum, you have already met it.
Torx sizes you meet at home
| Size | Where you typically find it |
|---|---|
| T6 to T8 | Glasses hinges, phones, small electronics, watch backs |
| T9 to T10 | Games controllers, some laptops, cameras |
| T15 to T20 | Laptops, appliances, door hardware, bike parts |
| T25 | Car interior trim, larger furniture fixings |
| T30 to T40 | Garden machinery, mower blades, heavy fittings |
You will also meet “security” Torx, which has a small pin in the centre of the screw; that needs a bit with a matching hole down the middle. A broad set covers the everyday sizes so you are rarely caught out.
How to avoid stripping a star head
Torx is forgiving, but not indestructible. The golden rules: use the exact size rather than the nearest one that “sort of” fits, push the bit firmly into the screw before turning, and keep the driver in line with the screw rather than at an angle. If you are using a bit in a powered driver, drop to low speed. Getting this right matters most on the tiny sizes, where a stripped head on a laptop or console is a genuine headache to remove.
Magnetise and demagnetise for electronics
When you are working on something small and precious — a laptop, a watch back, a controller with drifting sticks — a magnetised tip holds the tiny screw so it does not vanish onto the carpet. But magnetism near sensitive components or a mechanical watch movement makes some people nervous, which is where a demagnetiser earns its place: you can add magnetism when you want the grip and remove it when you do not. A kit with a magnetiser and demagnetiser block lets you switch freely.
Dedicated Torx set vs a full bit kit
A small dedicated Torx set is lovely, but it leaves gaps the moment a job needs a Phillips, a Pozidriv or a precision flat. For most people a broad kit that includes Torx alongside precision bits, everyday drivers and insulated drivers covers general DIY and the occasional electronics repair from one case. See the best screwdriver set UK guide for the full picture, and the VDE screwdriver set guide if your work strays near electrics.
Where the Sorako set fits
The Sorako 118-Piece Screwdriver Set carries a full spread of Torx alongside precision bits, a magnetiser and demagnetiser block, and everyday drivers, in a located hard case. It is £101.93 including VAT, with free UK delivery over £30, 30-day returns and a 12-month UK warranty. It is a strong choice if you want Torx coverage without giving up everything else.
One case, sorted. The Sorako 118-Piece Screwdriver Set packs full-size and precision drivers, 1000V insulated drivers, an AC voltage tester and a magnetiser block into a located hard case — £101.93 with free UK delivery over £30, 30-day returns and a 12-month UK warranty (rated 4.8 out of 5 across 300 reviews).
Honest limits
For professional electronics repair you may still need proprietary drives such as pentalobe or tri-wing that no general set includes. A broad kit covers Torx and everyday precision work — it will not cover every manufacturer’s deliberately awkward screw, so check what your specific device uses before you start.
Frequently asked questions
What Torx sizes do I need for UK home DIY
For most home jobs a range from about T6 to T25 covers electronics, appliances and car trim, while T30 to T40 handles garden machinery and heavier fittings. A broad set that spans these sizes means you are rarely stopped by an unexpected star head.
Is Torx the same as a star head
Yes. Torx is the trademarked name for the six-point star drive, and people often just call it a star head. The important thing is to match the exact T-size, because a bit that is close but not correct will still round the screw.
Can I use a Torx bit in a drill
Yes, with a magnetic bit holder. Use a low speed and a light clutch setting on small screws so you do not overtighten or strip the head. For delicate electronics a hand driver gives you far more control than a powered one.
Do magnetic Torx bits damage electronics
For everyday electronics the light magnetism on a bit is not a problem and helps hold tiny screws. If you are worried about a specific component or a mechanical watch movement, use the demagnetiser to remove the magnetism first, then remagnetise the bit afterwards.