I think I'm going to buy a new complete socket set soon and want to get your opinion on whether to buy 6pt or 12pt sockets. These would be chrome sockets, not impacts. I can imagine the 12pt sockets would not be as strong as the 6pt, but are they strong enough for just wrench use? I will have a complete impact set for tool use. 12pt would seem to be slightly easier to use...
6pt or 12pt Sockets for hand tools
- Thread starter ToddG
- Start date
6pt sockets for strength, 12pt combo wrenches for access is how I like it. Sure 6pt combos give better grip, but if you can't get the angle to fit the box end on, you're going to have to use the open end which isn't as good as the 12pt box.
The main benefit of 12pt (other than fitting on 12pt fasteners) is half as much angle to get on the fastener, but it's not very relevant for sockets because you can turn the ratchet as needed.
The main benefit of 12pt (other than fitting on 12pt fasteners) is half as much angle to get on the fastener, but it's not very relevant for sockets because you can turn the ratchet as needed.
toolenthusiast
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- Jan 21, 2017
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inb4 a bunch of Southerners can’t understand why anyone needs 6 point sockets and a bunch of Northerners rage at the idea of 12 point sockets
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Harbor Freight for the 12 pt. (Hell man they're $10.00 a set) as you're going to need them eventually and somewhat better quality for the six point.
I've got both, it used to be a lot of the smaller Craftsman sets came with 3/8" and 1/2" drive both in 12pt. sockets, the Deep sockets were 12pt. also, only the 1/4" drive were 6pt. You had to move up to the lot more expensive sets to get 6pt. or buy them separate.
If you're going to have 6 pt impact sockets then why not get 12 pt. chrome? You can use the impact sockets on a ratchet if you are worried about rounding off a fastener or breaking the socket.
There will come a time you wish you had 12 points for that oddball 12 pt fastener you run across or if you need to use a breaker bar in a tight spot. Few and far between, but at least with 6pt impacts and 12pt chromes you will be covered for about anything you run across.
There will come a time you wish you had 12 points for that oddball 12 pt fastener you run across or if you need to use a breaker bar in a tight spot. Few and far between, but at least with 6pt impacts and 12pt chromes you will be covered for about anything you run across.
demarpaint
Well-known member
Both.
Spud McGee
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There's no reason my sockets need so many points that I have to take off my shoes to count them all.
I'm below the mason dixon/wafflehouse line, and we only use 6 pointed fasteners down here.
619DioFan
Well-known member
I have both 12 and 6 point in my chrome sockets in all drive sizes ( up to 1/2 inch drive anyways ) but I live in the camp of better safe than sorry.
finn
Well-known member
Both.
Many here hate twelve point sockets. I’m ambivalent, except when dealing with heavily damaged fasteners. Even with six point sockets I frequently have to dig out the zip wheel or blue wrench, though. For general use I guess I usually grab twelve pointers.
Many here hate twelve point sockets. I’m ambivalent, except when dealing with heavily damaged fasteners. Even with six point sockets I frequently have to dig out the zip wheel or blue wrench, though. For general use I guess I usually grab twelve pointers.
Hmm, this is GJ!
6 point, 12 point, 8 point and 4 points just in case in ultrashallow, shallow, medium and deep. Add superdeep if you can find it!!!
In reality, I have a mix. After reading similar threads on the topic I am increasing my 6 points to make sure I cover all the sizes. On really tight 6 point fasteners I will use 6 point sockets...
I never use my 3/4 SAE ones - will leave them at 12 point unless I find a superdeal (obviously when I was not looking for the, I missed (did not buy) plenty...)
6 point, 12 point, 8 point and 4 points just in case in ultrashallow, shallow, medium and deep. Add superdeep if you can find it!!!
In reality, I have a mix. After reading similar threads on the topic I am increasing my 6 points to make sure I cover all the sizes. On really tight 6 point fasteners I will use 6 point sockets...
I never use my 3/4 SAE ones - will leave them at 12 point unless I find a superdeal (obviously when I was not looking for the, I missed (did not buy) plenty...)
ronkz650
Well-known member
Sometimes nice to have the 12 point for odd jobs. Garage door uses square head bolts on the pulleys, air compressor and lawn mower uses square head drain bolts for the oil. A 12 point socket fits and works great, where of course a 6 point doesn't.
wafrederick
Well-known member
12 point for certain applications you encounter
If you have 12pt wrenches already and you don't run across 12pt fasteners often, just stick to 6pt sockets. If you work with a lot of 12pt fasteners, breaker bars (vs ratchets or other indexing drive tools), or very large industrial/architectural applications, go 12pt.
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BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a mix of both. Whatever I can find at the pawn shop lol. I’ve only ever needed 12 point very few times as a mechanic but it does have its place. I personally don’t have a problem using 12 points I just try to avoid them on certain things like monkey tight drain plugs cause I’ve rounded off too many drain plugs with 12 points before I knew any better. I’ve got about every size in 12 and 6 points. I think it’s best to have both.
This is for wrenches, but I think you will get the idea!
www.garagejournal.com
6 point is the king!
Can't believe so many people are talking about difference in brands all day everyday while ignoring the elephant in the room. Also Proto 6 point is just about the same as powerbuilt from the almost universally despised auto parts store. Objective tests' results sure don't encourage sales of...
www.garagejournal.com
Agreed. Still try to get a 6 point wrench on first though.
inliner311
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So I have both but I rarely ever use my 12 point sockets. I'm in the rust belt so it's not worth even trying a 12 point if I can get a 6 point on there.
I would buy a 6pt set and if you ever encounter a need for 12 point buy that set later. I like having multiples of the same size sockets, I think it makes working on things easier. I don't have go searching for a socket if I misplace it to finish a project. I can put them on different ratchets or extensions so I'm not constantly switch to take off certain bolts also that makes it less likely to lose them if they are on a bigger object.
Also you will be more likely to find used 12 point sets that have little to no wear on them because I think more prefer to use 6 point sockets.
I would buy a 6pt set and if you ever encounter a need for 12 point buy that set later. I like having multiples of the same size sockets, I think it makes working on things easier. I don't have go searching for a socket if I misplace it to finish a project. I can put them on different ratchets or extensions so I'm not constantly switch to take off certain bolts also that makes it less likely to lose them if they are on a bigger object.
Also you will be more likely to find used 12 point sets that have little to no wear on them because I think more prefer to use 6 point sockets.
I keep an impact 12pt 3/8” and 1/2” drive 12mm and an impact 12pt deep 1/2” 30mm in my main metric socket drawer.
I keep 3/8” and 1/2” chrome shallow 12pt sets along the edge of my metric socket drawer in case I run into something 12pt.
I keep 3/8” and 1/2” chrome shallow 12pt sets along the edge of my metric socket drawer in case I run into something 12pt.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Both, I prefer 12 point.
WWheeler
Well-known member
I have always had full sets of 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" sockets and wrenches in both 6 pt and 12 pt. I can't imagine not having both.
I MUCH prefer 12 pt. It's just easier and saves time getting the socket or wrench on the fastener and I've never rounded or damaged a fastener using 12 pt BUT I always grab 6 pt instead if the fasteners I'm working on are rusted or chewed up already by someone who apparently only owned an adjustable wrench and a pair of vise grips.
All of my 3/4" sockets are 12 pt. I've never seen nor felt the need for 6 pt for that large of a fastener.
I MUCH prefer 12 pt. It's just easier and saves time getting the socket or wrench on the fastener and I've never rounded or damaged a fastener using 12 pt BUT I always grab 6 pt instead if the fasteners I'm working on are rusted or chewed up already by someone who apparently only owned an adjustable wrench and a pair of vise grips.
All of my 3/4" sockets are 12 pt. I've never seen nor felt the need for 6 pt for that large of a fastener.
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VolvoRyan
Well-known member
You should probably have 6-sockets in all the sizes and flavors before you get into 12-pt, IMHO.
Wrenches are a different story all together.
-Ryan
Wrenches are a different story all together.
-Ryan
if your only going to have one set or it’s your first set, I would suggest 12 pt. Much more versatile. Then later once you have a basic set and want to expand pick up a nice set of 6pt.
At work I have 99% 12pt everything because 90% of the hardware is new.
At home, use 6pt because most stuff is is 20 years old, rusty, and buggered up.
At work I have 99% 12pt everything because 90% of the hardware is new.
At home, use 6pt because most stuff is is 20 years old, rusty, and buggered up.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
I've always wondered why nobody complains about 12 point wrenches but they consider 12 point sockets the instruments of the devil. I use some ARP hardware and they're 12 point so I obviously need to have 12 point sockets. The same is true of many head bolts (Subaru). Now I live in Phoenix so rust isn't an issue but back when I lived in Pittsburgh, during a time that I refer to as the Dark Ages, almost everybody had 12 point sockets and we used salt up the wazu. When did this six point fetish become predominate?
MattGarage
Well-known member
If you have to sub metric for sae 6 pt will win
CGarage
Well-known member
I was always spooked by using 12-point sockets on standard hex fasteners.
I think tolerance and “fit” is most important.
My early Facom 12 point chrome sockets have never rounded any hex fasteners, even when the torque applied was “high”.
It depends a lot on the socket and who made it and how they FIT your fasteners.
That said, 6 point for “safety margin” if you can only have one set, but I am glad that I own both 6 and 12 point.
I think tolerance and “fit” is most important.
My early Facom 12 point chrome sockets have never rounded any hex fasteners, even when the torque applied was “high”.
It depends a lot on the socket and who made it and how they FIT your fasteners.
That said, 6 point for “safety margin” if you can only have one set, but I am glad that I own both 6 and 12 point.
turnthewrench 2.0
Well-known member
++1
Wonder no more!
Wrenches have fixed heads, so they are commonly 12pt out of necessity in order to provide access.
Socket tools commonly have indexable heads which negates the access advantage of 12pt. They can also have longer handles that apply more force where the difference in fit and surface area contacting the fastener becomes more important. Hence why 6pt sockets are generally preferable for 6pt fasteners.
Bonus round: Really old socket sets tended to be 12pt because the tools included did not have indexable heads. Ratchets were pricey but sliding T-handles or L-handles were cheap.
6 pt also have corner reliefs (flank drive) putting the force on the flats, while 12pts (to my knowledge) don't have that. 6 point will put less wear on the bolt or nut. You'll want both either way since you will run into 12 pt bolts or nuts. Ex. 12 pt axle nuts on toyotas, jeep head stud nuts, certain spark plugs are now 12 pt, and pretty much all aviation stuff is 12 pt. For cars I'd use 6 pt on everything except when you run across a 12 pt bolt.
I think 12 points also have that feature, or at least manufacturers try to incorporate that feature. However, when there’re 12 sides, it’s a lot harder to make it right. Obviously, it’s much easier when there’re only 6 sides.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Both... Tekton for the win... & you'd need 12pt for working on turbine engines.. or use ARP fasteners.
Looking at the marks left on my greasy fasteners, my 12pt combos make contact on the flats in 2 smaller areas on either side of the corner. The 6pt sockets make contact with a larger patch in the middle of the flat. I think you'd have to be using vintage equipment to find actual corner loading designs.