12 point vs 6 point sockets

[Crossfire05]

It seems that I somehow have both 6 and 12 point craftsman sockets. The 12 point are from the late seventies and the six point from the late nineties (bought a carry kit with laser etching). I want to downsize what I have so it fits neatly in my socket holders. Which should I keep? Both seems to be in great shape with some wear and tear on the older. I never really thought or knew that there was such a difference. Most of what I do is auto related.

 

[DakotaMan]

I only use six point sockets because I am a doofus who strips nuts and bolts when using 12 point.

 

[donkeotae]

If you do auto work I would keep both. The only time I really run into 12 pt. fasteners is on Ford drive shafts and doing clutch jobs ( flywheel, pressure plate bolts) on Honda's on such. I find that a 6 pt. always seems to fit the bolt head better giving me more confidence and somewhat of a lesser chance of rounding the bolt. But 12 pt. does come in handy in tight spots with electric ratchets and hard to see areas.

 

[Crossfire05]

If you do auto work I would keep both. The only time I really run into 12 pt. fasteners is on Ford drive shafts and doing clutch jobs ( flywheel, pressure plate bolts) on Honda's on such. I find that a 6 pt. always seems to fit the bolt head better giving me more confidence and somewhat of a lesser chance of rounding the bolt. But 12 pt. does come in handy in tight spots with electric ratchets and hard to see areas.

I don't like Fords (sorry), I generally have Dodge products or a BMW that I play with. My wife owns a Nissan Versa that I maintain.

 

[donkeotae]

I don't like Fords (sorry), I generally have Dodge products or a BMW that I play with. My wife owns a Nissan Versa that I maintain.

Didn't say I like Fords that much either I was just giving examples of when I have actually run into 12 pt. fasteners. You said you do automotive work, so unless you are limited by space and cannot keep both sets of sockets, I would keep both sets. It's always better to have a tool and not need it than need it and not have it!

 

[ajchien]

Keep both. You’re not going to get that much from selling them.

 

[f4 plt]

I use 6 point on most things but the airplane and tight spaces 12 point seems to work better. I agree with the above keep both

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Keep both. You’re not going to get that much from selling them.

This, but if you must get rid of one, trash the laser etch ones before the label wears off.

 

[zendriver]

It seems that I somehow have both 6 and 12 point craftsman sockets. The 12 point are from the late seventies and the six point from the late nineties (bought a carry kit with laser etching). I want to downsize what I have so it fits neatly in my socket holders. Which should I keep? Both seems to be in great shape with some wear and tear on the older. I never really thought or knew that there was such a difference. Most of what I do is auto related.

6 point have a better grip on the fastener. Less chance of rounding off.

The go-to

 

[SuperXero]

If you must only have one set, keep the 6 point.

 

[Flatheadpopup]

I would definitely keep them both. There will come a time that you need a 12 point and a 6 just won't work.

 

[Tractorsellr]

If I was downsizing I would keep the 6 pt and give the 12pt away.

 

[Mikeybc]

Dump the 12 points and buy fine tooth ratchets.

 

[ssdave]

If you really don't want to keep both, I'd keep the 12 point from the 70's over the 6 point laser etched ones. Overall, better quality, and the laser etching wears off quickly and those sockets aren't particularly good quality. The advantage of the 6 point design might equal out the difference in quality, or might not. But, the laser etching is really annoying after it wears off and you can't readily identify the socket.

 

[Druder]

12 points are nice for tight places and a few other things. If they didn't have a place they wouldn't sell them. Supply and demand. I use my 6 points more but I'm that to have the 12s sometimes.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Find a pair of socks that is missing a sock, and fill the remaining sock with sockets and put it back in the drawer. The six and twelve point sockets were both built for a reason. You have already bought them, sooner or later, You may discover why they were bought in the first place.. Just like socks, it is nice to have both.

 

[Rickster]

Wait....you're asking a bunch of tool guys in a tool forum if you need more tools? He'll yes, keep them both, add in a set of impacts, swivel sockets and for God sakes get a bigger tool box!

 

[Tonyuk]

Keep them, i use 12 point very often, nearly all of my chrome sockets are 12 point.

 

[JR7]

I would try to keep both. For downsizing purposes I would look elsewhere before getting rid of sockets unless you have a bunch of redundant sets.

 

[Htscheg]

Definately keep both, especially with these new vehicles, there seems to always be those one or two odd nuts and bolts that require the 12 point socket.

 

[kythri]

I'll echo the "keep both" sentiment.

I usually reach for my 6-point stuff first, but was just working on some tight suspension parts that an impact gun wouldn't bust loose (Loctited fasteners), and had to resort to using a 24" breaker bar.

The length of the made it so I didn't have a huge amount of swing. The 6-point fastener further negated that amount.

12-point to the rescue, I could clock the breaker at a more optimal angle, and ****, busted it loose and got it disassembled. No corner rounding, either.

 

[Rico.]

What's never mentioned in these type of threads is the fact
that it can be very handy to have two of the same size sockets
in the same drive size.

I keep 12 and 6 points in 3/8 and 1/2 inch and unless you
bought your socket set from Tiffany's they aren't worth much.