12 point sockets for...rounded bolts?

[pipsters]

Just got done messing with a pretty rounded nut, the 6 point socket I used wasn't able to seat on the nut from the material being "squished" around the side. Against all odds I tried a 12 point and it fit, and took the nut off.

Up until now I had always liked using 6 point sockets due to their perceived ability to work "better" on rounded stuff. I have to be honest, this has changed my viewpoint. Might be something to those spline sockets as well, after all. Apparently they are the best when it comes to rounded stuff, but really chew into the bolt head.

 

[shoturtle]

When dealing with rounded bolts, I have a craftsmen bolt remove kit. They do a better job then even 12 points. I have had bolts that even 12pt will not seat.

 

[pipsters]

I have a Craftsman set as well, this one:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-14-piece-bolt-out-set-with-case/p-00952062000P#reviewsWrap

always nice to use a socket than pound on a bolt out though.

 

[cotjocky]

Flank Drive and Flank Drive Plus always gets it done for me. Otherwise it's either vice grips or cut it off.

They make socket sets just for rusted up junk fasteners. Twist sockets, Bolt extractors... Their are different styles and different names, but all serve the same purpose.

HF Version:

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-38-drive-metric-bolt-extractor-sockets-67894.html

 

[GoBlue]

I would say you need a new 6 point socket. 6 points are widely excepted as the least likely to round. Perhaps it was worn out?

 

[pipsters]

I would say you need a new 6 point socket. 6 points are widely excepted as the least likely to round. Perhaps it was worn out?

The socket didn't round the nut off, an open ended wrench did. I was messing around with my Craftsman Pro wrenches (before swapping the bad ones out) and they did. Couldn't fit the 6 point socket on the nut after that.

 

[Brentocool]

I would say you need a new 6 point socket. 6 points are widely excepted as the least likely to round. Perhaps it was worn out?

 

[kams1973]

I've always preferred 12 point sockets. Especially when I was working in aviation.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

the spline drive sockets do work on rounded bolts, but i am still not completely comfortable using them. generally i use FDP wrenches first. if they fail i will resort to either an air hammer, torch, nut splitter, twist socket, hammer/chisel, etc. crude methods but they are effective.

 

[kc-steve]

. . . I have to be honest, this has changed my viewpoint. Might be something to those spline sockets as well, after all. Apparently they are the best when it comes to rounded stuff, but really chew into the bolt head.

I'm always glad to see someone who isn't closed-minded. Kudos. I am using both 6 and 12 point, but like most of us, a set of 12-point sockets came first.

Steve

 

[BloodySinner]

I've always preferred 12 point sockets. Especially when I was working in aviation.

Well... you have to. I work in the industry as well.

 

[sdguy55]

I bought my schools snap on diesel kit when i was in school it already predetermined what sockets i got. All deeps came 12 point and shallows 6. Ive never had an issue with a socket not fitting.

 

[plinker]

If the bold/nut got a little smashed or distorted, I can see where a 12pt would possibly remove it (I may have run into that myself, dont remember). At worst you'd still need a bolt out if the 12pt socket doesnt do it.

 

[tool_enthusiast]

Well... you have to. I work in the industry as well.

Interesting. Why does the aviation industry require 12 point sockets over 6 point?

 

[tool_enthusiast]

Just got done messing with a pretty rounded nut, the 6 point socket I used wasn't able to seat on the nut from the material being "squished" around the side. Against all odds I tried a 12 point and it fit, and took the nut off.

Up until now I had always liked using 6 point sockets due to their perceived ability to work "better" on rounded stuff. I have to be honest, this has changed my viewpoint. Might be something to those spline sockets as well, after all. Apparently they are the best when it comes to rounded stuff, but really chew into the bolt head.

Perhaps some Metrinch 6-point sockets might have fit over the rounded nut. I have a set and the sockets fit loosely over the nut because they grab the sides, not the corners.

 

[GRX]

6 point are less likely to round nuts & bolts. Always nice to have a set of 12 points around. Good for square fasteners, and being able to get 24 clock positions from them helps a lot in tight places.

 

[Obie]

Interesting. Why does the aviation industry require 12 point sockets over 6 point?

12 point bolts can be torqued down more than a 6 point. They also have a higher tensile strength.

 

[pipsters]

6 point are less likely to round nuts & bolts. Always nice to have a set of 12 points around. Good for square fasteners, and being able to get 24 clock positions from them helps a lot in tight places.

The newer (15 years?) 12 point "flank drive" type sockets do not work on square bolts.

The 6 point socket orientation vs. 12 point also holds no merit because you use ratchets with them. A good quality ratchet will have a 5* swing which is significantly less than rotating a 12 point socket around has.

 

[Mickey O]

You sure it wasn't a 12 point nut?

 

[uart]

The newer (15 years?) 12 point "flank drive" type sockets do not work on square bolts.

The 6 point socket orientation vs. 12 point also holds no merit because you use ratchets with them. A good quality ratchet will have a 5* swing which is significantly less than rotating a 12 point socket around has.

I wouldn't say no merit. Regardless of how fine is the ratchet, in a tight location a 12 pt socket is easier to get onto the fastener.

 

[pipsters]

You sure it wasn't a 12 point nut?

Yes I'm positive it wasn't a 12 point nut

 

[pipsters]

I wouldn't say no merit. Regardless of how fine is the ratchet, in a tight location a 12 pt socket is easier to get onto the fastener.

Bench pressing 100 lbs is easier than 300 lbs, I wouldn't say a 12 point is easier to get on a nut than 6 point but that is just me!

The big benefit it seems is if the material of the nut is pushed around and it's out of round (vs. just shaved off) you can't fit a 6 point socket on, and the 12 point will work. Anyway just surprising is all. I *almost* sold off me entire collection of 12 point sockets because I felt they were useless, I'm glad I had them in this case. As pointed out I could have used a bolt out but it's always nicer to just use a socket instead IMO unless you can't.

 

[uart]

Bench pressing 100 lbs is easier than 300 lbs.

Um ok I agree, but I don't see how that's relevant?

I wouldn't say a 12 point is easier to get on a nut than 6 point but that is just me!

It's a simple enough concept. If you're trying to get onto a bolt that's in a difficult to reach position, with less than 60 degrees turning room, then it's much easier with a 12 point. (In any case, but particularly if you can't easily see the orientation of the bolt).

 

[uart]

Yes I'm positive it wasn't a 12 point nut

LOL since you've already told us that you used an open ended wrench on it, I guess it's pretty unlike to be a 12 pt.

 

[pipsters]

It's a simple enough concept. If you're trying to get onto a bolt that's in a difficult to reach position, with less than 60 degrees turning room, then it's much easier with a 12 point. (In any case, but particularly if you can't easily see the orientation of the bolt).

Yeah I see what you are saying. Maybe when my hands start to get all cramped up from years of wrenching, for now I'm OK rotating the 6 point socket around. I did find that 12 points tend to "chew" into the nut, and leave an indent, more than 6 point. Over time, if R&R'd more than a few times, this might create an issue.

 

[uart]

Yeah I see what you are saying. Maybe when my hands start to get all cramped up from years of wrenching, for now I'm OK rotating the 6 point socket around. I did find that 12 points tend to "chew" into the nut, and leave an indent, more than 6 point. Over time, if R&R'd more than a few times, this might create an issue.

No problems if you can fit your hand in there to rotate it. When it's really tight however you may need to fiddle around quite a bit just to get the socket over the bolt location, only to find that it wont snug down no matter what because of the limited rotation available. Then you have to withdraw the ratchet, rotate the socket a few clicks, then fiddle around again to get it into position and just hope that this time you'll be able to get the right alignment. Maybe even repeat again.

 

[GRX]

The newer (15 years?) 12 point "flank drive" type sockets do not work on square bolts.

The 6 point socket orientation vs. 12 point also holds no merit because you use ratchets with them. A good quality ratchet will have a 5* swing which is significantly less than rotating a 12 point socket around has.

Didn't know that about newer sockets. Interesting. Much of what I use (Plomb, Herbrand, and Craftsman) are MUCH older than that. The socket orientation helps when using breaker bars in tight spots, but I see your point.