Hexcrews Hex Head Conversion Kit

Introduction

Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely hate Phillips head screws. Except in a few certain areas, they serve no purpose other than to make your blood pressure boil, due to how easily the heads become stripped. Sure you can use specialty tools to remove them once that happens, but the fact that you have to do is is absurd. Furthermore, most Phillips head screws are stainless steel. The fact that the screws won't rust is a good thing, but stainless steel screws are softer than standard hardened screws. So that just makes it much more likely the head will strip, or that the screw will be bent.

There are a lot of aftermarket screw kits on the market. Most of these kits come in variations that are targeted to a particular vehicle to give you the fasteners you need. Hexcrews is a big player in the aftermarket screw genre, so I decided to check them out and see how their product stacked up.

The kit I chose for this review was for the T-Maxx 2.5. Keep in mind that Hexcrews offers a wide selection of hex head conversion kits, and covers many RC makes and models. They are also adding more kits on a regular basis. My set consisted of the following:

• M2x8mm Countersunk Flat Heads (10)
• M3x8mm Countersunk Flat Heads (5)
• M3x10mm Countersunk Flat Heads (25)
• M3x12mm Countersunk Flat Heads (15)
• M3x15mm Countersunk Flat Heads (30)
• M3x6mm Regular Socket Cap (5)
• M3x8mm Regular Socket Cap (5)
• M3x10mm Regular Socket Cap (25)
• M3x12mm Regular Socket Cap (25)
• M3x15mm Regular Socket Cap (5)
• M3x20mm Regular Socket Cap (5)
• M3x25mm Regular Socket Cap (10)
• M4x6mm Regular Socket Cap (5)
• M5x6mm Regular Socket Cap (5)
• M3x8mm Flanged Button Heads (15)
• M3x10mm Flanged Button Heads (5)

If you think that's a big list of screws you're correct. With the exception of specialty fasteners, such the output yoke pins, this kit replaces everything. Even to the point of the differential screws. Not just the housing, but the actual screws that hold the differential assembly together. This kit even has screws to cover your transmission holes, in case you've switched to a forward-only assembly. All of that, and Hexcrews still managed to throw in some spare screws as well. Excellent job!

The Hexcrews kit is made up of varying types of hex head screws, all with machine threads. It's common knowledge that machine threads have a much better holding power than self tapping screws. With the threads closer together the screw can grip the part even tighter and provide more holding strength. Also with more contact area the screw will be less likely to back out than a wider threaded self tapping screw would be.

In regards to strength Hexcrews uses alloy steel for their screws. This provides them with around 177,000 psi of pure tensile strength. That's even more than titanium which most people tend to incorrectly regard as the strongest solution. Most people are not aware of the fact that there are varying types of titanium, and that even the best titanium can easily fall short in tensile strength when compared to an alloy or carbon steel. The alloy steel used by Hexcrews boats a much higher tensile strength than even the popular 6AL4V titanium does.

A lecture on metallurgy is beyond the scope of this site. However let it suffice to say that despite the widespread thought that titanium is the cure for anything strength related, it isn't. Titanium is strong in it's own right, but there are other metals out there that are indeed much stronger. So in short the Hexcrew motto, "Hex heads have some serious mojo", isn't just a lot of hot air. If you take the time to properly research the various metals available, you'll soon find out that is indeed the truth.

Part One:	Introduction
Part Two:	Installation
Part Three:	Testing and Final Thoughts