Are 12 pt sockets more desirable than 6 points?

[alinc100]

I was watching a few items on Ebay and had bookmarked this set
http://www.ebay.com/itm/mac-socket-set-/271230629237?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=3JJnW5bVYJ7s3rD2VMJkT0jfF1Y%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I was astonished by the jump in bid price and began looking at other sets and found this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAC-3-8-Drive-Metric-14-pc-Deep-Socket-Set-6-mm-19-mm-/321155802214?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item4ac660a466&vxp=mtr

Now I realize the Ebay buyer has only 1 transaction but looks like he jumped too soon and cost himself $60.

Any Thoughts?
Thanks,
Andy

 

[thinktwicez71]

I would think 6pt would be more desirable . At least I know they are to me !!!

 

[zkling]

I really don't know, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

Those 12pt sockets look quite a bit different than most 12pt sockets I have seen. They are more of a U shape broach compared to the common V shape. I really don't know other than that. Maybe they are a special type? Too bad they don't give part #'s

IMHO, 12pts are more versatile. You can grip 6pt and 12pt fasteners. On a breaker bar you get more position options.

Theoretically a 6pt socket can handle more torque and has a lesser chance of rounding a fastener. Most deep sockets I see, outside of impacts are 12pt. I don't think folks intend on putting a lot of torque on deep sockets. If they do they usually reach for the 6pt impacts.

 

[Hootbro]

Sockets in your first link are actually Spline sockets and not true 12 points and is a totally different animal.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

there are over 20+ thread about 12pt vs 6pt.

and that is not 12pt sockets by the way.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Especially with the fine tooth ratchets of today, I HATE 12-point sockets. Their only utility was in close quarters where you may not have clearance for the movement of the ratchet. Otherwise they are only good for rounding off shoulders. Bleh!

 

[jakemac]

Looking at the 2nd link - The seller left a $99 price tag on the socket set, then set a $139 buy-it-now price.

I see this all the time on ebay. I recently bought an item that was part of a lot, one of the items had $12.50 on it in the picture. I paid less than that for the whole lot of 6 items. Usually, some rube pays double or triple the price that the item was originally tagged for, even though the picture clearly lets them know that they could have found it for less.

 

[jethro29]

no, not at all

 

[jakemac]

I prefer 12pt. But then again, I'm not earning a paycheck with them.

 

[d.mcfarland]

In the rust belt or anywhere that uses salt on roads, 6 point or problem.... In my opinion.

 

[devoncoolman]

That first set of spline sockets from mac can be gad for less than $200 when they are on sale anyway.

 

['52Chevy]

I prefer 6pt sockets. As stated when dealing with rusty bolts they are nice! With a fine tooth ratchet there is usually no problem with them. They do however not work as well with a breaker bar.

 

[toolfreak]

12 points are fine as long as you work on newer stuff, try using them on older vehicles/equipment and it can give you headaches.

 

[wafrederick]

I have a few 12 point sockets for specified applications where a 12 point socket is needed.One is a 12 point 12mm for Ford driveshaft bolts.Also a 12 point 9/16" for 1994 to 2001 Dodge Ram 4x4 pickups.I do have a 12 point 10mm I used once so far in 3/8" drive,for a clutch job on a Honda.

 

[Nanashi]

6 points are more desirable. Also I only ever use 12 point if the area is extreamly tight or the bolt is a 12 point. 6 points save you from rounding off bolts and nuts.

 

[ATC]

6pt for me. I've only ever come across a couple 12pt bolts, which for the life of me I cannot remember what they were on...

 

[jfcasey]

Using 12 points in a rust belt environment like another poster said is grounds to be beat with a pipe wrench if its on 6 point fasteners. I would avoid them like the plague unless you working on junk that requires them.

 

[rick carpenter]

I've got 6 pt in 1/4 and 3/8 drive up to 7/8" and 18mm. I think there's less chance to round off in the larger sizes, so the more readily available 1/2 drive 12 pts are good enough for me.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

6pt for me. I've only ever come across a couple 12pt bolts, which for the life of me I cannot remember what they were on...

Jeep vehicles has them on a couple of things

ARP Fasteners

 

[Nanashi]

6pt for me. I've only ever come across a couple 12pt bolts, which for the life of me I cannot remember what they were on...

Head bolts on the Toyota Tacoma are 14mm 12pnt. I don't recall what year but I bought my first 12pnt set after that. Like I said though I don't use them unless I have to.

 

[ATC]

I don't work on vehicles for a living, so it's rare I will ever come across them. I wanna say they were on the last motorcycle I had...

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have lots of both because I need them...Just buy what YOU need...

 

[scouting]

Damn, I must be spoiled. Out here in drought country, 12 point is more than enough. For me, the 6 point sockets are worse, so it depends where you're selling them. Enough of the country is in rust territory that on eBay 6 point is probably better. I keep a set around, solely for rusted customer vehicles. From what I've seen, 6 point brings more money, but not enough to worry about. $20 dollars difference on snap-on socket sets isn't enough to worry about.

 

[monster1]

The hub bolts on my 98 dodge ram were 12 points. This is the only time I ever remember actually needinga 12 point socket. I always use 6 point sockets. I like my knucknuckles the way they are.

 

[b7labelle]

As someone who lives in the rust belt and ha to work on 15 year old vehicles every now and then...I prefer 6 point. Rounded off too many bolts with 12 points. Learned to give every a good spray of Kroil or PB Blaster and come back later if it doesn't come off right away.

 

[William Payne]

If I new I was never going to encounter a 12 point fastener then I would just buy 6 point, lets face it today it is readily available.

My hobbies however force me to require 12 point.

 

[alinc100]

there are over 20+ thread about 12pt vs 6pt.

and that is not 12pt sockets by the way.

Sockets in your first link are actually Spline sockets and not true 12 points and is a totally different animal.

Thanks for the info,I totally missed the spline sockets.I am not familiar with them and did not catch the detail. I learned something,just like about every post I read. That is why I come here.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[tyheuser]

Anything but spline sockets I HATE THOSE they ugly up every damn bolt you touch with them!

 

[hoffman912]

i would never touch my car with a 12 point if i could help it, especially on anything small and/or critical. large bolts or nuts i might get away with using a 12 if i have to (like a lug nut for example or anything thats 17 or 19 and above), but anything in the engine, such as a valve adjustment, you're damn right i wont touch it with a 12.

its odd.. i was actually looking on craftsmans site at sets and noticed most are 12 pt, then after searching specifically for 6 pt, i found some sets that are 12 pt only.

I have a few basic metric socket sets, and a metric 6pt wrench set, but since i am treating myself to an HF 44 inch box i wanted to get some tools to fill it. having no SAE and wishing to keep my current set as my 'travel kit' for road trips only, a full set sounded like a good idea.

really leaning on getting this one.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...p-00933207000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

now i just need to get an impact, and a set of allen sockets..

 

[bullitt67]

Love the 6pt, hate that feeling of rounding off bolts or just slipping with the 12 pt. Not a mechanic, but my 6 pt sockets work for me on my muscle cars. I guess if you are a mechanic in today's environment you probably need them. I own 12 pt sockets(hand me downs) but they are not my go to socket at all, only as a last resort. I have never seen a 12 pt bolt before nor do I want to see one.LOL Everyone has their own preferences, do what is right for you.

 

[William Payne]

Most 12 point bolts and nuts are on race cars. In some cases some brands only make 12 point tools, stahlwille is a good example of that. I tend to look at it like this. Most box ends on wrenches are 12 point. If you are willing to swing a wrench on it then it is probably ok.

 

[jfcasey]

You know one spot they ARE great for in the rust belt, is when a 6 point strips the head on a rusty bolt, you can hammer a 12pt in the next size down to save the day

 

[b7labelle]

I tend to look at it like this. Most box ends on wrenches are 12 point. If you are willing to swing a wrench on it then it is probably ok.

I rounded a bolt the other day doing this..wish I had a 6 point wrench lol. Too tight for anything but a box wrench, that bolt was (as Yoda would say).

 

[FiendFX]

The only 12 point i use is the wrench.

 

[Andersonfarms]

Personally 6pt. That actually is the only sockets you will find in my box. It is to easy to grab a12pt and say oh that fits good enough and them BAM rounded bolt. I had enough of that by the time I was 15 or so. But strange thing is that all the shops here use 12pt. Not sure why