12 pt or 6 pt sockets

[cattleranchmarch]

I am in the need of some deep 1/2 standard sockets. I have narrowed it down to Kobalt
http://www.lowes.com/pd_338620-2232...rentURL=?Ns=p_product_avg_rating|1&facetInfo=
and Napa Evercraft
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=BK_7740115_0006394307

I have sockets of both of these brands and they are both really nice. I can't afford SK, Williams, SO, Mac, Matco, Carlyle, etc. and have been pleased with the Kobalt and Evercraft. My question is do I go with 12 pt Kobalt or 6pt Evercraft?

 

[Harwinton]

I'm sure both types will work fine, but I'd personally prefer 6-point for deep sockets.

 

[smothers33]

i always thought 6 point was less likely to round but after doing some research and a little testing myself i realized 12 pt is no more likely to round than 6. unless you spring for a flank drive version(which not ever brand offers) of whatever brand the only benefit i see to 6 pt is theres walls are thicker/more metal so less likely to break especially if you use on impacts. but if you have impact sockets or plan on getting em i would go for 12 pt. can take off 4, 6, and 12 pt bolts and much better for breaker bars if you use em. as for the brands ive never heard of evercraft but kobalt stuff is pretty good for the money

 

[Conductor562]

I've always preferred a 6 pt. for the reasons cited above. They're going to have a little thicker side wall and are going to be less likely to round off fasteners even if it is only a slight difference.

Does Kobalt not offer 6 Pts. Anymore?

 

[cattleranchmarch]

Does Kobalt not offer 6 Pts. Anymore?

Not in 1/2 deep that I could find. I looked online and then at the store and couldn't see any.

 

[Conductor562]

Not in 1/2 deep that I could find. I looked online and then at the store and couldn't see any.

Sounds right. I've got some Proto 12 pt. deep wells. They've been great, but I can't help but feel I'd like them better if they were 6's.

 

[kunkernator]

I JUST bought both the metric and standard sets of those Kobalt sockets. I prefer 6 point, al, my 3/8 and 1/4 are 6 point. My whole 1/2 set is 12 point (due to the lack of 6 point 1/2). Go with the Kobalt, for the price you are getting better quality, I have used NAPA's Evercraft, and it is not bad (although I just warrantied my torque wrench yesterday), but Kobalt is better. Plus at $19.97/set, you can't beat it (i would bet the Evercraft ones are more expensive and you get less of them). The Kobalt ones are solid, good quality and are more easily warrantied than NAPA's.

Good luck, hope this helps!

 

[cattleranchmarch]

I JUST bought both the metric and standard sets of those Kobalt sockets. I prefer 6 point, al, my 3/8 and 1/4 are 6 point. My whole 1/2 set is 12 point (due to the lack of 6 point 1/2). Go with the Kobalt, for the price you are getting better quality, I have used NAPA's Evercraft, and it is not bad (although I just warrantied my torque wrench yesterday), but Kobalt is better. Plus at $19.97/set, you can't beat it. The Kobalt ones are solid, good quality and are more easily warrantied than NAPA's.

Good luck, hope this helps!

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a bunch. I am in the same situation as you, used to buy Craftsman but switching now.

 

[kunkernator]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a bunch. I am in the same situation as you, used to buy Craftsman but switching now.

Yup, no prob. I assumed you read my thread?

 

[cattleranchmarch]

Yup, no prob. I assumed you read my thread?

Yeah, I just read it.

 

[Conductor562]

Looks like Craftsman shipping out was quite a plus for Kobalt. I guess if they're both Asian the Kobalt is better quality.

 

[tyheuser]

6 point is the only way to go with sockets unless you NEED a 12 point for a 12 point fasteners which arnt all that common. Wrenches thats another story I hate 6 point wrenches!

 

[nanofrog]

Bit OT, but how common is it to have shallow broaching on deep sockets?

I ask, as I've been looking at sockets (need 1/4 & 1/2DR), and have noticed that the deep sockets on many, including the Kobalts, aren't all that deeply machined.

I've found that the deeper the broach, it makes it easier to use them in tight spaces (bolt/nut backs up into the socket rather than push the ratchet into say a fender well and not be able to get it all the way off at times).

Just wondering how common this is, and if it's a cost cutting technique (less wear on their tooling, and allows for a single line to broach out both shallow and deep, so less tooling and fewer people as well).

 

[CWP1616L]

For 1/2'' drive, go with Kobalt 12 point. If you ever need a 6 point, you'll have that with your impact sockets.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I use 12 point for 3/8 and 1/2. I use 6 point for 1/4 for no good reason. I have never had a problem. I see no reason to have 6 point chrome problems when I could just use an impact socket.

 

[autoace]

There is only one solution to this dilemna! I think you should buy one, then later buy the other one! lol......................

 

[rusty65]

The way i see it 12 point for shallows and 6 point deeps.

 

[blacK20]

I very rarely use my 12pt sockets unless it's actually a 12pt bolt head. 6pt 99% of the time.

 

[Givl Reggin]

...My question is do I go with 12 pt Kobalt or 6pt Evercraft?

Why limit yourself, get both.

 

[Conductor562]

Why limit yourself, get both.

^ This ^

 

[shoturtle]

6pt for 90% of the time, 12 point only when you run into 12pt bolts. Less chances of rounding off the fastener.

 

[Wakefield]

I think 6 point is just as liable to break/split as 12 point,it's the thinness of the corner that counts,not how thick the thickest part is
12 point for 12 point,axle nut guys probably need 3/4" drive impact in 12 point axle nut
12 point only slightly more apt to round out a 6 point nut if a quality 12 point unless the nut is soft/worn
6 point better if it is small nut

 

[RBailey]

6pt for 90% of the time, 12 point only when you run into 12pt bolts. Less chances of rounding off the fastener.

Me too.

But just had to order a set of 12 impact rated. Met a 12 point bolt (Wrangler brake caliper) and had to get the rattle gun on it. I was forced to use a chrome 12 point as it was all I had and the enevitable happend BANG. Got the gas axe out in the end.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Bit OT, but how common is it to have shallow broaching on deep sockets?

I ask, as I've been looking at sockets (need 1/4 & 1/2DR), and have noticed that the deep sockets on many, including the Kobalts, aren't all that deeply machined.

I've found that the deeper the broach, it makes it easier to use them in tight spaces (bolt/nut backs up into the socket rather than push the ratchet into say a fender well and not be able to get it all the way off at times).

Just wondering how common this is, and if it's a cost cutting technique (less wear on their tooling, and allows for a single line to broach out both shallow and deep, so less tooling and fewer people as well).

I wonder what this is for as well. I have some mixed in and I can not fathom a good reason for them. At this point, I do not like them.

Can anybody shed some light on their purpose?

 

[t4runner]

I would have to agree I use 6 point almost always, unless I run into a 12 point fastener

 

[Wakefield]

I wonder what this is for as well. I have some mixed in and I can not fathom a good reason for them. At this point, I do not like them.

Can anybody shed some light on their purpose?

Nut-stop in a deep socket lets you put a nut in without it falling far down inside so that you can use the socket to easily hold the nut for starting it onto a bolt or stud. I think most (deep) Snap On sockets have it,Wright do not.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Nut-stop in a deep socket lets you put a nut in without it falling far down inside so that you can use the socket to easily hold the nut for starting it onto a bolt or stud. I think most (deep) Snap On sockets have it,Wright do not.

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[nanofrog]

Nut-stop in a deep socket lets you put a nut in without it falling far down inside so that you can use the socket to easily hold the nut for starting it onto a bolt or stud.

This makes sense.

Thanks.

I find I'm usually working in a tight spot, so the deeper broach keeps me from stuffing the ratchet into a fender or radiator fan type of situations.

 

[Hammell]

12pt is useful on sqaure plugs as well. truck diffs, trannys and such. I do try to avoid workng on large trucks like the plauge.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

99% of my socket use is 6point. If I need a 12 point, almost every time a GearWrench would get the job done effectively...my third string would be a 12 point socket.

That said, I recommend buying 6 points.

12pt is useful on sqaure plugs as well. truck diffs, trannys and such. I do try to avoid workng on large trucks like the plauge.

I haven't come across a 12point that would do me much good on a square, 8points will do that job just fine.

 

[TwoInch]

I think 6 point is just as liable to break/split as 12 point,it's the thinness of the corner that counts,not how thick the thickest part is

in my experience, 6pts are much more likely to split. i have split many a 6pt deep socket, never once split a 12pt of any style.

 

[plinker]

8pt socket are the only way to go with pipe plugs and **** on trucks. 12pt, especially the "flank drive" style are not really the answer. A set of Craftsman 8pt's in 1/2 drive is only 20-25$,7/16 to 3/4.


To the OP,

Unless you need chrome socket's, why not get impact socket's?

 

[O_M_Jeep]

I use 8 pts on trucks, but, I also have both 6pt and 12pt in both standard and deep sockets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2.

A 12pt will work for a square fastener or plug if you dont have 8 pts, also a 12pt in a smaller size is easier to hammer on and pry off of bolts/nuts that are stripped.

I like having several options in the socket drawer.

 

[Jure]

in my experience, 6pts are much more likely to split. i have split many a 6pt deep socket, never once split a 12pt of any style.

this!!!!!!!!

 

[pendragon1998]

I was trying to turn a bolt just the other day, and my 12 pt was rounding it off; switched to a 6 point and it locked on tight and saved the day. Unless you have a 12 pt head on your fastener, I really don't see much reason not to go 6 pt, especially with the fine toothed ratchets available these days.

 

[03protege]

12pts are useful if you are using a breaker bar in an area which has limited freedom of movement.

Besides that I use 6pts at almost all times.

 

[cattleranchmarch]

8pt socket are the only way to go with pipe plugs and **** on trucks. 12pt, especially the "flank drive" style are not really the answer. A set of Craftsman 8pt's in 1/2 drive is only 20-25$,7/16 to 3/4.


To the OP,

Unless you need chrome socket's, why not get impact socket's?

Well the rest of my set is chrome (I need 1/2 SAE deep Metric deep and 3/8 Metric deep to finish) and I don't really have a need for impacts right now. Plus sometimes that thinner wall comes in nice in the tight spots.