1/2" drive, 6pt. vs. 12 pt.

[Recoil Rob]

I'm sure it's been discussed here before but a search turned up nothing.

If you were only going to have one set of 1/2" drive deep sockets for general automotive work would you get 6pt. or 12pt?

What about 1/2" standard sockets?


thanks,

Rob

 

[lametec]

6pt.

If you find yourself facing a 12pt fastener, buy a 12pt in that size.

But yes, this is discussed about once every 3 months.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Mainly 6pt. Then few sizes in 12pt (that is depends on the vehicle)

 

[Recoil Rob]

thanks,

Rob

 

[KenB]

12 pt. sockets fit on 12 pt., hex and square fasteners; hex sockets fit only on hex fasteners.


Ken

 

[DTB]

I've currently got 12 point chrome,6 point impact.
However,if I did it over again,I'd probably get 6 point chrome too.I intend to purchase another set in 6 point.

 

[Givl Reggin]

12 pt. sockets fit on 12 pt., hex and square fasteners; hex sockets fit only on hex fasteners.

Yeah, I agree.

If you're only going to have one kind of sockets, then 12-point is what you'll want to have.

 

[rlitman]

12 pt. sockets fit on 12 pt., hex and square fasteners; hex sockets fit only on hex fasteners.

That's not really true.
12 point sockets are "double hex". They will turn a square, but a "triple square" socket has 90 degree angles, whereas a "double hex" socket has 120 degree angles.
If you use a standard "double hex" 12 point socket on a "triple square" XZN or on a square head, it will likely round over the corners, because it doesn't quite fit. It may be good enough for some, but isn't a good answer if you need to apply some real torque.

 

[TWX]

I aspire to have both in all drives I have, as well as in my combination wrenches.

 

[Fedwrench]

I find 12 point sockets to be a complete waste of time. I have a rack of them for just in case but, the only 12 point socket I use is a 12mm swivel socket for some ford driveshafts.
You results may vary depending on what you work on but, for me it's 6 point sockets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive, evry shape and type possible.
If I could only have one 1/2 drive set, it would the craftsman impact set when they're half off. Afterall, if you're using 1/2 drive, you've probably got the room for an impact socket.

 

[byoungblood]

I only bought 1/2" drive metric sockets because of the aforementioned Ford driveshaft bolts, and the head bolts on the 2.3L SOHC engine are 12 point. I was given all of my 12pt SAE sockets (mostly old Craftsman BE and Circle H stuff) and hardly touch them except when I come across a larger sized fastener.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Yep, I guess 12 pts. are handier on wrenches than sockets so I went with the 6pts.

thanks, Rob

 

[pipsters]

Seems almost all chrome above 24mm is exclusively 12 point where as impacts it's 6 point. I agree with the above, had I been thinking ahead I would've just bought the impact 6 points and used them instead of investing in the massive Craftsman 299 piece socket set to get the larger 1/2" stuff (since it was mostly 12 point in the larger sizes). I find if I'm using 1/2" I'm typically using an impact to get it off, way easier (and more fun).