Do pro mechanics use box-end wrenches with 12 or 6 points?

[ZX3ST]

I don't wrench professionally any more, but when I did it was on motorcycles. Owners get real particular about wrench marks on chrome plated fastener. For that it was six point all the way, and no flank drive.

Funny you mention that.

I'm no pro, but I bought a set of aluminum 6pt wrenches specifically for this purpose on my Harley. I want my chrome shiny!!!


For the OP. I've found that 12pt serves my needs fine 99% of the time.

I keep a few 6pt wrenches around for specific applications, like strut shafts and other things that are sensitive to being rounded. Not necessarily brake bleeders. Those get a 6pt line wrench, not a regular boxed end wrench.

However sockets are ALWAYS 6pt for me. Excepting the rare case where it's a 12pt nut/bolt.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

As a millwright (industrial mechanic) just 12pt, usually with another wrench hooked on.

 

[anndel]

Either, which ever is closer to me when I grab them.

 

[klitzke]

Pro here as well. I’ve got 6pt combos for when I need them. Regular use is 12pt. I do find if you have quality 12 point combos you won’t need the 6 points too often but I keep them around to keep things spicy.

We all need a little spice in our life. Life is too short to open the toolbox and not find any tasty treats!

 

[setfocus]

6 point wrenches are good for oil drain plugs and brake bleeders

all my wrenches are 12 point except bleeder wrenches and set of Tekton ratcheting stubbies. I was using the stubbies in a tight spot a few weeks ago and wasn't having issues with engagement that I remember. I was having issues with whoever designed the belt tensioner on newer highlanders. Discovering that it was also the A/C compressor bracket made my day

I'd like a set of SK x-frames, only thing I worry about with 6 point is not being able to use them on an inverted torx (E-socket) bolt in a pinch, which I've done a few times

 

[justintendo]

Just changed out rear diff pinion bearings on my 96 Ford Bronco. SAE all the way until the four capscrews on the driveshaft flange......12-point, 12 mm heads. Really Ford?
For all of the sockets I own, not a single metric 12 point 12 mm. So.....out comes the 12 point metric wrench. Whew.
Now I’m on the make for 12 point metric sockets.
Geez Ford.....ya killin’ me.

you dont need a set of 12pt sockets...ford guys just get one of these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006L23JLS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[qqzj]

If you are not a pro, why do you have to ask pro's opinion? Pro need to trade off time against risk. As home owners, you don't. You have enough time to try six point first. If that won't work, use 12 points. Just buy both and use the safest choice first.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[qqzj]

That's cool to hear. But I am surprised no flank drive. Socket won't fit fasteners perfectly. So no flank won't guarantee no rounding. Do you find flank drive really can damage bolts? Probably you have a set of those knipex pliers wrenches? Those should be great if access is not an issue.

I don't wrench professionally any more, but when I did it was on motorcycles. Owners get real particular about wrench marks on chrome plated fastener. For that it was six point all the way, and no flank drive.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[theoldwizard1]

Early on in my DIY "career" I got rid of all the 12 point sockets I owned (most 1/4" drive) in favor of 6 point. I have never come a cross a 12 point fastener.

Back in the 90s (?) Sears was experimenting with smaller store. About the size of an average hardware store, but only stocked with paint, hardware and lawn tools. It didn't work for them (had anything worked for them since the early 80s ?) so they closed it down. I got a smoking deal on SAE combination wrenches with 6 point box end. Useful in just having a second wrench. Sure wish I could have gotten metric at the time.

 

[gtsgarage]

Early on in my DIY "career" I got rid of all the 12 point sockets I owned (most 1/4" drive) in favor of 6 point. I have never come a cross a 12 point fastener.

Back in the 90s (?) Sears was experimenting with smaller store. About the size of an average hardware store, but only stocked with paint, hardware and lawn tools. It didn't work for them (had anything worked for them since the early 80s ?) so they closed it down. I got a smoking deal on SAE combination wrenches with 6 point box end. Useful in just having a second wrench. Sure wish I could have gotten metric at the time.

I got the SAE and Metric big Sears Crafstman 6 pt set. Still my favorite and a great buy at the time.

 

[hoffman912]

Not a pro here, but I mostly work on my 52 year old Porsche. Early on in the hobby i was using a cheap 12 pt set, and a friend who was mentoring me a bit, and had not just wrenched on his own cars, but raced them as well gave me the 3rd degree about using 12 points, especially on any engine maintenance (valve adjustments etc).

When i looked to get a full mechanic set a few years later, i specifically sought out a craftsman 299 piece (or whatever it was..) mechanics set that was entirely 6 point everything when it came to wrenches, and sockets. No 12s at all. Thats what I still use today 15 years later, and what I prefer to use, especially on this car.

Now that being said, I have started to look into upgrading from craftsman to a german brand, either stahlwille or hazet.. most of which are in fact 12 point. So who knows where I will go from here.

 

[Kscardsfan]

The big Craftsman USA 6 point combo set and a bottom and intermediate chest were my 30th birthday gifts from my wife. Now I need another intermediate one drawer to add more space onto my box lol.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’ve got very few 6 point wrenches just the 12 is more readily available than 6 points the few 6 points I do have come from the pawn shop and I have them at home and rarely use them if ever. 12 point is my preferred wrench as a professional mechanic.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[tube_guy]

I wrench on the family fleet and I'm in the rust belt. A six point wrench has saved me plenty of time on way more than one day. Although I do use 12 point wrenches, too.

My favorites are six point with the broaching offset so, when the wrench is flipped over, access is like a 12 point wrench. They're very handy.

 

[Tonyuk]

6 point spanners are more hassle than they're worth.

 

[AVR2]

If you are not a pro, why do you have to ask pro's opinion?

Because I'm interested? That's allowed, right?

The way I learned car DIY was that 6-point fasteners should use 6-point tools to lessen the risk of rounding, but while 6-point sockets are everywhere and 12-pointers are often less common in tool shops, for wrenches it's the other way round - everywhere you go you'll see 12-pointers.

I've never actually seen any wrench sets with 6-point box ends other than from pro suppliers, at pro prices.

So I just wondered if the prevalance of 12-point wrenches in everyday tool shops was actually reflective of how box ends are used in the pro world. And it seems that yes, it is.

Thanks to everyone who's weighed in with opinions, it's been very informative.

 

[sberry]

Sears made them. They didnt sell a lot.

 

[qqzj]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01F512HOU/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004IQSETQ/

Everything needs to follow logic. Pro or not. There are different opinions from pros. Then who are you going to listen to?

By definition, pro means a guy who makes money from wrenching, nothing else.

Because I'm interested? That's allowed, right?

The way I learned car DIY was that 6-point fasteners should use 6-point tools to lessen the risk of rounding, but while 6-point sockets are everywhere and 12-pointers are often less common in tool shops, for wrenches it's the other way round - everywhere you go you'll see 12-pointers.

I've never actually seen any wrench sets with 6-point box ends other than from pro suppliers, at pro prices.

So I just wondered if the prevalance of 12-point wrenches in everyday tool shops was actually reflective of how box ends are used in the pro world. And it seems that yes, it is.

Thanks to everyone who's weighed in with opinions, it's been very informative.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[qqzj]

I thought why 12 points wrenches are so popular. Two reasons. First, people use sockets first anyways. When they need wrenches, it's often in cramped spaces. So 12 points give better access.

Second, most people have a starter tool set in a box. Those often have 6 points wrenches in smaller sizes. So they just need larger sizes, for which 12 points work better.

There's very very little reason to have 12 points ratcheting wrenches with more than 72 teeth. Their popularity probably are due to the fact that they can remove other types of fasteners, imperfectly.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mr.lemons]

Sealey do 6 point at non-pro prices.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-A...311353?hash=item1efc622cf9:g:MwoAAOSw1MhdAX5y

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07S2Y5M6T/?tag=atomicindustr-21

You can buy singles direct from Sealey or get a local stockist (listed on their site) to order one in, if you want to try one. Scroll down and click 'spare parts' to see part number for singles.

https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637179407/12pc-lock-ont-combination-spanner-set