12 point SAE sockets...keep or dump?

[pipsters]

Just curious. Outside of aviation where I doubt I will ever be taking apart a jet, is there a legit reason to keep say 12 point 3/8" & 1/2" drive SAE sockets?

The only 12 point bolts I have ever encountered were in metric.

I'm considering selling off the 12 points from my large Craftsman purchase, shallow and deep. Just don't ever see a need for them.

 

[shoturtle]

Things are slowly moving to metric in the US, not to many 12pt sae applications out there anymore. I would sell off the 1/2 but you do run into the occasional one out of the blue. And having 3/8 set might be handy. I got rid of my 1/2 12pt deep as I never need them.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Just curious. Outside of aviation where I doubt I will ever be taking apart a jet, is there a legit reason to keep say 12 point 3/8" & 1/2" drive SAE sockets?

The only 12 point bolts I have ever encountered were in metric.

I'm considering selling off the 12 points from my large Craftsman purchase, shallow and deep. Just don't ever see a need for them.

Depends on what you're working on. I deal with primarily older domestic 4x4s in my shop. I use the sockets you're talking about although I prefer six points

 

[shoturtle]

Are you using 12pt on a 6pt fastener? If so, why not just use a 6pt socket?

 

[Kyle86]

I use 12 pt on 6pt fastener because that's what I got haha. Same as a 12 point wrench right? They still have the off corner engagement so aren't too bad. I have not rounded a fastener with the correct socket yet I don't think. That being said I like 6pt better for the peace of mind.

 

[maddawg308]

This brings up a question - if hex bolts are all 6-point (otherwise why would they be called hex bolts), why design a 12-pt. socket at all? What's the benefit of having 6 extra points in the socket if they are not used?

 

[Notwerk]

On a breaker bar, 12pt gives you a bit more articulation than a 6pt. I guess it's like a lot of things with tools: you never need it until you do. And when you need it, you really need it...

 

[Kyle86]

This brings up a question - if hex bolts are all 6-point (otherwise why would they be called hex bolts), why design a 12-pt. socket at all? What's the benefit of having 6 extra points in the socket if they are not used?

My theory is that 12pt are cheaper to produce due to less metal. Only 12pt fastener I can think of are ARP rod bolts and head bolts.

 

[shoturtle]

12pt are in kits allot, as it covers both. Makes for a smaller kit and cheaper. But there are really not allot of 12pt sae applications anymore.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Used 12pt in Deisel applications. They are mostly specialty, but been using my old Williams set for years with no issues. Shop set in Snap-On 6pt, but I have these to fall back on.

I actually just ordered a whole set of Williams 12pt 3/8 metric sockets, Std & Deep. I will use the hell out of them at school.

All my inherited tools are 12pt since the PO was an Airforce mechanic. That's what I've spent the most time using.

 

[TwoInch]

12pts can also be used on square fasteners, dont forget that its a triple square...

as for using 12pts on a 6pt fastener, as long as the fastener is in good shape, the contact will be the same in either 6pt or 12pt for the most part. the 12pt is no more likely to round a fastener, unless its badly corroded or really super soft. that little spot on the flat thats missing on the 12pt socket never contacts a fastener flat, so it doesnt really need to be there.

another point i would like to mention is that all the sockets i have split have been 6pts, and almost all deep. i use 6pts and 12pts interchangeably, no preference unless im dealing with something badly corroded.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[TwoInch]

i understand that an 8pt is a better tool for a square(got em), but 12pts work in a pinch.

old school 12pts were double hex, the newer "off corner" style are of a different dimension, which appears to be slightly less than 120*

and 8pts are slightly less than 90* it appears also, again to bring the contact off corner

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Um, actually they work great on square fasteners... Used them in a pinch when 4 or 8pts weren't available.

Think about it; 12 is devisable by 4...

 

[OEXL16B]

I've had instances where a SAE 12 point socket fits beautifully on a stripped out metric fastener. An example would be a 13/16'' 12 point socket on a stripped out 21mm nut.

You can also get away with a 12 point socket on a square pipe plug. An example would be a 7/16'' 12 point socket on a 3/8'' square pipe plug.

 

[TwoInch]

here is a good visual that shows the newer style versus the older double hex style. if you grab any 12pt made in the last decade, it surely will look similar to the socket on the right, which is obviously less than 120*

http://www.wrighttool.com/pdf_pages/wrightdrive.pdf

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Makes sense, seeing as all my 12pts are from the WW2-60s eras, never had an issue with using them of 4 point fasteners.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Are you using 12pt on a 6pt fastener? If so, why not just use a 6pt socket?

I'll use a 12 point socket in tight clearance areas and for specific applications that have 6 point bolts or extremely large bolts on heim joints and custom four link suspensions

Off the top of my head, vintage willys/kaiser 4x4s use them in models as well as older military vehicles. M-715 come to mind

Some aftermarket rear disc brake conversion kits use 12 point.

ARP uses alot of 12 point fasteners. Cylinder head studs, flexplate applications and header bolts

Like I said all depends on what you're working on

Oddly enough the snappy guy I deal with doesn't have an extensive inventory of 6 point stuff. He carries more 12 point tools. There have been times when I have broken six point sockets and he orders in new ones for me

 

[TwoInch]

Makes sense, seeing as all my 12pts are from the WW2-60s eras, never had an issue with using them of 4 point fasteners.

the older style work on squares too, its just the newer style grabs a bit better on both 6pt and 4pt.

its better to use a proper 8pt on a square, especially if you are needing to apply a lot of muscle, which is likely with old squares and plugs.

 

[pipsters]

i understand that an 8pt is a better tool for a square(got em), but 12pts work in a pinch.

old school 12pts were double hex, the newer "off corner" style are of a different dimension, which appears to be slightly less than 120*

and 8pts are slightly less than 90* it appears also, again to bring the contact off corner

No they don't, the "new" as in the last 20 years 12 point sockets do not work on square bolts. Tried it on my air compressor with a square drain plug.

 

[TwoInch]

No they don't, the "new" as in the last 20 years 12 point sockets do not work on square bolts. Tried it on my air compressor with a square drain plug.

yes, when you have two styles, one old one new. how would i say that properly? "the sockets that have been produced after the double hex type became extinct"?

and you tried it on one square, and it didnt work, so they all dont work? hmm....

 

[pipsters]

yes, when you have two styles, one old one new. how would i say that properly? "the sockets that have been produced after the double hex type became extinct"?

and you tried it on one square, and it didnt work, so they all dont work? hmm....

I tried it on my a/c condenser fan as well (had a square set screw). The geometry just isn't there. I have no idea about the old no-off-corner "non-flank drive" 12 point sockets, moot point I don't own any and if I ever did I'd sell them, they are obsolete.

Not that it matters, I have two dedicated 8 point sets so I got them covered.

I think I can probably safely sell the deep and shallow 1/2". I might keep the 3/8" deep and shallow just in case.

 

[TwoInch]

i would keep a set of shallow and deep in one drive size at minimum. they are just as good as any 6pts and are good backups to get through a job if needed. if you ever need them, you will have em.

 

[dirtrider]

Just curious. Outside of aviation where I doubt I will ever be taking apart a jet, is there a legit reason to keep say 12 point 3/8" & 1/2" drive SAE sockets?

The only 12 point bolts I have ever encountered were in metric.

I'm considering selling off the 12 points from my large Craftsman purchase, shallow and deep. Just don't ever see a need for them.

I would never give up a tool because I could not foresee a specific use for it at that present time, I sort of apply the opposite philosophy, but a lot of guys I know use mostly 12 point sockets especially on the bigger stuff. The reason I would want to keep them is the same reason I would want to hold onto my metric 12 point sockets and the same reason most wrenches are 12 point.?

 

[bsaint]

My SAE sockets are rusted. Haven't used them in 4 years.

 

[O_M_Jeep]

I tend to use a 12pt on Jeep unit bearings when the owner "didnt have the right wrench" and tried to vice-grip it off, its a 13mm 12pt but half stripped you cant get a 13mm to stick, but sometimes you can 'gently persuade' a 12pt 1/2" to go

 

[William Payne]

There is no right or wrong to using 12 point or 6 point, the answer is they both work. Yes a 6 point will fit better but everyone and I mean everyone will without a second thought after having trouble undoing a bolt or nut with a socket of either kind they will go to their toolbox grab a wrench and give a good swing to loosen it, 99% of the time that wrench is 12 point.

Thats what I find funny people will debate for years on 12 point or 6 point yet will without thought happily swing on a tight bolt with a 12 point wrench.

 

[plinker]

Heavy equipment will sometimes use 12pt in places, semi-trucks as well, namely driveshaft bolt's are 12pt 1/2.

 

[bsaint]

I use double box metrics on my axles.

 

[Lexis77]

For most modern day applications, including Ford, GM, and Dodge a metric set will have you covered as 90% of all the hardware is metric, but I find that you may at least want to consider keeping some of the smaller sizes in SAE. Most rear differential cover bolts are still 1/2" and caliper bleeders are commonly 3/8". Using a 13mm on a 1/2" or a 10mm on a 3/8" easily strips the hex head, just food for thought. Tool dealers pretty much give away SAE socket sets with the purchase of a metric set, and similar deals can be found online at a cheaper price. Its definitely worth it for that once in a while time you will need the SAE socket for the best fit.

 

[camarotoolman]

No body realy wants them, so for all you will get for em I'd just keep them. Use em for a road or junk yard box. It hard to sell anything 12 pt., specially ase.

 

[purplezr2]

Dodge used a 9/16 12 point to hole the hubs on, New holland tractors use 1/2" 12point on the loader. NV4500 used 3/8 12 point for the rear case bolts.

 

[cgv69]

everyone and I mean everyone will without a second thought after having trouble undoing a bolt or nut with a socket of either kind they will go to their toolbox grab a wrench

I guess I'm not part of "everybody"

I can't think of one time that I ever had a problem with a stuck bolt using a socket\ratchet and then turned to a wrench? When I run into that, I go for a longer\bigger ratchet or breaker bar and if that doesn't work, I pull out a cheater bar. To me, wrenches are pretty much only for those times where you can't get to it using a socket\ratchet.

 

[sk farmer]

There is no right or wrong to using 12 point or 6 point, the answer is they both work. Yes a 6 point will fit better but everyone and I mean everyone will without a second thought after having trouble undoing a bolt or nut with a socket of either kind they will go to their toolbox grab a wrench and give a good swing to loosen it, 99% of the time that wrench is 12 point.

Thats what I find funny people will debate for years on 12 point or 6 point yet will without thought happily swing on a tight bolt with a 12 point wrench.

^^^^this!

one of the more stupid arguments that always come up. i would say the majority of people do not own a 6 point wrench and constatly use the open ends wich unless you have some type of improved opening only contact in two places. then they will ***** and moan the "evil" of a 12 point socket. i have six and 12 point sockets and use them indescrimantely.

as far as need? i pulled an injector pump from a tractor yesterday and month or so back did some driveline/u-joint repairs. guess what? both jobs required 12 point. it may not be real common but it is out there and eventually you will need it.

 

[fflintstone]

On a breaker bar, 12pt gives you a bit more articulation than a 6pt. I guess it's like a lot of things with tools: you never need it until you do. And when you need it, you really need it...

^^^^this^^^^


and really, only widows and girlie men sell tools.




edit: Thief’s, dumdasses, and guys really desperate for money sell tools too.

 

[bw77]

I bought a set of Craftsman 12-pt SAE sockets 40 years ago when I
was a farm tractor mechanic. Back then, as I recall, the advice was
that 12-pt was better than 6-pt, but I can't remember what the
reasoning was. I never had a problem using those sockets to work
on the tractors.

When it came time to buy metric, I bought 6-pt, because everyone
said it was better than 12-pt.

Have not had a problem with either set.

 

[Fast LT1]

I use my 12 point 1/2'' on VW bug axle nuts. But thats about it.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I wouldn't sell both sets, and I don't think I'd sell just one set either. Think about it this way, you'll sell it for a lower price than what it'll cost you if you bought them back at a later date.

If you wanna sell them because you feel like you have a lot of the and can spare losing a set, go ahead. Have you divied up the sets to the likely locations you'll want/need a set of sockets? Vehicles, garage, house?

 

[Exceller8]

If you already have them and you have the room, why not just keep both sets? If space is an issue then go with the 6 points.

 

[bcradio]

My SAE sockets are rusted. Haven't used them in 4 years.

cool