13mm Socket Contact Points

[DavidB]

Here is the latest in my series of "tests" to determine the contact areas of various tools. This test uses 3/8" and 1/2" drive 13mm sockets. The 13mm nuts were obtained from McMaster-Carr. The sockets are a mix of new and used and will be detailed with the pictures below. Some of the sockets are mine but most are from your fellow members on the board.

We'll start off with a list of the numerous contestants as always. I'm showing a top view so you can see the condition of the socket for yourself. I'm also showing a side view. I list condition, number of points, drive size, and who is responsible for the socket being in this test. If there is not a name then it's one of mine. This is what the different words mean before the names:
Donated = Shipped to me without wanting it returned to them.
Loaned = Shipped to me wanting it returned to them.
Funded = Sent money to me

I specify this to be clear on who is responsible for what and on what conditions they sent it to me.

Thanks also go to Steve and Amanda at Koken U.K for donating the Koken sockets for Quattro to send.

1. KS Tools - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon



2. Koken - New - 12pt - 3/8" - COO Japan - Donated by Quattrojon



3. Koken - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Japan - Donated by Quattrojon



4. Koken - New - Surface Drive - 3/8" - COO Japan - Donated by Quattrojon



5. Snap On - Used - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Donated by Quattrojon



6. Stahlwille - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Germany - Paid for with funds from Bonneyman and Bolster



7. Hazet - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Germany



8. Teng Tools - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon



9. GearWrench - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO China - Funded by Sarel.wagner



10. King Dick - New - 12pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon



11. Signet - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon



12. Armstrong - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Donated by Quattrojon



13. Craftsman - Used - 6pt - 3/8" - G1 date code - COO USA



14. Craftsman - New - 12pt - 3/8" - G1 date code - COO USA



15. Bonney - Looks New - 12pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Loaned by Bonneyman



16. S-K Wayne - Used - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA



17. Kobalt - New - 12pt - 3/8" - COO USA



18. Gedore - New - 6pt - 1/2" - COO Germany - Funded by Sarel.wagner



19. No Name - Looks New - Spline - 3/8" - COO Taiwan - Loaned by Beeslr



20. Grip-Tite - Looks New - ??? - 3/8" - No COO - Loaned by Beeslr



21. Blackhawk - Used - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Loaned by Beeslr



22. Toptul - Looks New - 6pt - 1/2" - No COO - Loaned by Beeslr



23. Craftsman - Used - 12pt - 1/2" - No date code - COO USA - Loaned by Beeslr



24. Craftsman - Looks New - 12pt - 1/2" - No date code - COO USA - Loaned by Beeslr



25. Pittsburgh - Used - 6pt - 1/2" - COO Taiwan - Loaned by Beeslr



26. Metrinch - New - 6 Lobes - 1/2" - No COO - Loaned by Lwlobo



27. Metrinch - New - 12 pt - 1/2" - COO USA - Loaned by Lwlobo

[DavidB]

Here are the pictures of the socket's imprints on the nuts. These nuts are Class 8 and from McMaster-Carr. The part number is 90591A161. Dykem layout fluid was used. Each test nut was torqued to 27 ft-lbs using a Harbor Freight torque wrench which is the standrd dry torque of M8 bolts. The test apparatus is a bolt with several nuts on it, a washer, and the test nut. The test apparatus was held by my lovely assistant seen here.



Each test nut was torqued three times with the socket in a different orientation each time. This was done to give an average pattern from each socket. The test nut was then removed by loosening the nut below the washer to avoid any more imprints on the test nuts.

I took multiple shots of all the nuts before settling one the one shown here (with the exception of #26). So, the nuts were handled a little more than I would have liked. Anyways, lets get on with it...

1. KS Tools - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon


2. Koken - New - 12pt - 3/8" - COO Japan - Donated by Quattrojon


3. Koken - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Japan - Donated by Quattrojon


4. Koken - New - Surface Drive - 3/8" - COO Japan - Donated by Quattrojon


5. Snap On - Used - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Donated by Quattrojon


6. Stahlwille - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Germany - Paid for with funds from Bonneyman and Bolster


7. Hazet - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Germany


8. Teng Tools - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon


9. GearWrench - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO China - Funded by Sarel.wagner


10. King Dick - New - 12pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon


11. Signet - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon


12. Armstrong - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Donated by Quattrojon


13. Craftsman - Used - 6pt - 3/8" - G1 date code - COO USA


14. Craftsman - New - 12pt - 3/8" - G1 date code - COO USA


15. Bonney - Looks New - 12pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Loaned by Bonneyman


16. S-K Wayne - Used - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA


17. Kobalt - New - 12pt - 3/8" - COO USA


18. Gedore - New - 6pt - 1/2" - COO Germany - Funded by Sarel.wagner


19. No Name - Looks New - Spline - 3/8" - COO Taiwan - Loaned by Beeslr


20. Grip-Tite - Looks New - ??? - 3/8" - No COO - Loaned by Beeslr


21. Blackhawk - Used - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Loaned by Beeslr


22. Toptul - Looks New - 6pt - 1/2" - No COO - Loaned by Beeslr


23. Craftsman - Used - 12pt - 1/2" - No date code - COO USA - Loaned by Beeslr


24. Craftsman - Looks New - 12pt - 1/2" - No date code - COO USA - Loaned by Beeslr


25. Pittsburgh - Used - 6pt - 1/2" - COO Taiwan - Loaned by Beeslr


26. Metrinch - New - 6 Lobes - 1/2" - No COO - Loaned by Lwlobo
This one is different because the other angle didn't show the impression well. The inside of this socket is very smooth and didn't mark the surface like the other sockets.


27. Metrinch - New - 12 pt - 1/2" - COO USA - Loaned by Lwlobo



The only one that contacts the edge instead of the face was 21 the Blackhawk socket. As far as I can tell every other socket did not contact directly on the edge though some are close.


Once again, I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions from the pictures.

********Thanks to everyone listed above who contributed!!!! ********
I hope it has been worth your time, effort, and money. If any other sockets make it my way I'll add them on.

This test exceed all the other tests in shear numbers and I had hoped to have it up early but had issues photographing the nuts. At first all were going to look like 26. but as I started looking at them I didn't like how they came out so I went and reshot them all in the format you see here. So, I have a lot more pics that aren't as great if someone desires to see them.

I think that's it for now. If you see any mistakes in the above posts please let me know. I'm sure there are questions so fire away.

Enjoy!

[DavidB]

I have no need for all these 13mm sockets so I'm going to pass them on to you, the members of the board! I'm also going to pass them for the same amount I paid for them---free! With the exception of the German tools I'm going to give them away but you pay shipping.

Each of the German sockets I'm going to sell for $5 + shipping. I used money sent from Sarel.wagner, Bonneyman, and Bolster to pay for part of these sockets. I paid the rest...approximately $15. So, I'm splitting it on all of them. (Mod: If I need to move this part let me know)

Contributors are Quattrojon, Sarel.wagner, Bonneyman, Bolster, lwlobo, and Beeslr

RULES:
1. Max limit of two sockets per person.
I'm not going to send them all to one person. If you want one thats fine.
2. Contributors first.
They contributed to the test so they get to choose first. From now until 9 pm CST on Tuesday the 24th any of the contributors may post in this thread which two sockets they want if they do. I'll send them with the sockets I'm sending back (if applicable).
3. After 9pm CST on Tuesday the 24th everyone else may post in this thread which ones they want. No PMs for this part.
4. First come first serve. Sockets are claimed in the order the posts are. If you post after someone else wanting the same socket you'd better edit your post with a new one listed.
5. You pay shipping.
I don't know how much it'll be but I'll send them in a padded envelope through USPS with delivery conformation. I'd guess less than $5. Of course you're welcome to pay for better shipping but that's the default.
6. I reserve the right to change the rules at any time.

I won't be able to ship until after Labor Day since I'll be busy traveling until then. I'll edit this post to reflect which sockets have been claimed. Once all of the sockets are claimed PM me your address. I'd like money sent via Paypal but can do other methods if necessary.

lwlobo, Beeslr, Bonneyman: I'm not planning to send your sockets back until after Labor day either. If you need them sooner PM me and I'll get them to you. lwlobo, and Beeslr my current plan to test your 9/16" sockets soon after labor day and get them in the mail back to you.

I think that's it for now. If you end up getting sockets out of this you should probably PM the responsible party thanking them. Or in the case of Quattrojon buying stuff!

I'm taking the Koken Surface Drive and the Snap-On for myself. Any of the other sockets are either mine or were loaned to me and are not up for giving away.

These are the sockets available to be given away/sold. They are all new except for their use in my testing.

Up for grabs:
2. Koken - New - 12pt - 3/8" - COO Japan - Donated by Quattrojon
9. GearWrench - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO China - Funded by Sarel.wagner
11. Signet - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon
12. Armstrong - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO USA - Donated by Quattrojon



Claimed by Sarel.wagner:
3. Koken - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Japan - Donated by Quattrojon
6. Stahlwille - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Germany - Paid for with funds from Bonneyman and Bolster

Claimed by beelsr:
10. King Dick - New - 12pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon

Claimed by lwlobo:
7. Hazet - New - 6pt - 3/8" - COO Germany
18. Gedore - New - 6pt - 1/2" - COO Germany - Funded by Sarel.wagner

Olds394
1. KS Tools - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon
8. Teng Tools - New - 6pt - 3/8" - No COO - Donated by Quattrojon


Good Luck!

[cheap bastard]

I am amazed at how the Metrinch 6 lobe didn't even scratch the dye. I may pick up a set of metrics for use on motorcycles. All those fasteners are visible and a bit of damage can make a bike look tatty.

[I_AM]

Thanks for the post. Its very interesting. I was wondering if you have tried this test with the same socket on 4 or 5 different nuts? (not different brands or style, just different nuts from the same batch) Are the results repeatable?

Thanks again

[bchee]

Originally Posted by DavidB

26. Metrinch - New - 6 Lobes - 1/2" - No COO - Loaned by Lwlobo
This one is different because the other angle didn't show the impression well. The inside of this socket is very smooth and didn't mark the surface like the other sockets.

I gots to get some of those metrinch. That's amazing

Either those or the Koken Surface Drive, but my guess is the Metrinch are cheaper.

[bonneyman]

The Bonney is looking good!

[rockchucker]

That is really cool. Thanks for taking the time to post the results. Thanks to all of the members who contributed to this thread also.

I just installed some Titanium Fasteners on one of my Vehicles and was wondering how bad they would get marred. Nothing too bad but those Metwrinch do look very good for non-marring characteristics. I have installed a plethora of Aluminum A/N Fittings and even using Aluminum Wrenches they still take the Anodizing off of them.

[I can fix anything]

Great job! I have a snap on socket #dts20 that i got at a pawn shop that looks like the metrinch one. Is this snap on's version if the same type design?

[Monte]

Thanks for testing !!!

[bchee]

Originally Posted by I can fix anything

Great job! I have a snap on socket #dts20 that i got at a pawn shop that looks like the metrinch one. Is this snap on's version if the same type design?

Do you have picts of that Snap on socket?

I didn't know Snap on made a version like that.

[Quik208]

Awsome write up! Thanks!!

[DavidB]

I've edited post 3 with info on the socket giveaway. Be sure to read it.

[I can fix anything]

Originally Posted by bchee

Do you have picts of that Snap on socket?

I didn't know Snap on made a version like that.

here it is. It is a 5/8" deep 1/2"dr it has a blck finish and says "warning non impact". dts20 usa

[DavidB]

Originally Posted by I can fix anything

here it is. It is a 5/8" deep 1/2"dr it has a blck finish and says "warning non impact". dts20 usa

That looks very close to the Koken Surface drive socket. It has curved
"points" and flat sections that follow the curvature of the outside of the socket. The Metrich one has alternates curves in and out.

[hofferwood]

VERY NICE JOB, thank you DavidB,
I enjoy stuff that makes ME think.
Chuck

[bchee]

Now I'm curious to know who had the lobe design first, Snap on, Koken, or Metrinch....

[bchee]

Did I identify the Metrinch marks correctly, or were there no marks at all?

[Bull]

Dumbest question ever: where does one WANT the contact points to be, ideally? Knowing that will help me interpret the data.

I will add this to the stickies folder with the rest of your test threads.

[DavidB]

Originally Posted by bchee

Did I identify the Metrinch marks correctly, or were there no marks at all?

You've got most of them. From left to right: the first and third are marks from the socket. The middle one is either a scratch or from where I moved the socket off the nut.