12 pt sockets, what sizes do you find yourself using

[daithi]

My main socket set right now is the 159pc Tekton impact set.
3/8: 1/4-1", 6-24mm
1/2: 5/16-1 1/4, 8-32mm

3/8, 1/2 Inch Drive 6-Point Impact Socket Set (159-Piece) | TEKTON

Includes: 1/4 - 1-1/4 inch (SAE), 6-32mm (Metric) in both standard and deep length 12-point sockets, plus extensions, u-joint, and cases. SID99401.

www.tekton.com

I use them for hand tools and impacts and rarely (but sometimes) do I find that I wish I had a thinner wall socket.

I have an old Stanley 1/4" & 3/8" black chrome set kicking around too that I use for 1/4" duty.

Originally I had planned to turn the Stanley set into a back-of-the-car spare, and buy 1/4 and 3/8 sockets in 12pt to supplement that impact set.

1/4, 3/8 Inch Drive 12-Point Socket and Ratchet Set (128-Piece) | TEKTON | SKT95305

Includes 5/32 - 1 inch (SAE), 4 - 24 mm (Metric) standard and deep length sockets, a 90-tooth ratchets, extensions, u-joints, magnetic hex bit holder and storage case. SKT95305.

www.tekton.com

My thinking was that at 1/4" I'm not likely to torque to a point where 12pt vs 6pt matters, and the 3/8 set would be handy when I have clearance issues with the impacts. I do run across 12pt fasteners, usually on engine work; snowmobile rod bolts etc.

I'm just curious what sizes people find they actually use with any sort of frequency. I could save a bit on the 3/8 side and go for the 5/16-3/4", 8-19mm set instead of 1/4-1", 6-24mm". But some of the brp clutches we work on have 21mm 12pt bolts on them. Then I need to at some point do cv axles on the gf's Rav4 so I need something in the region of 30 or 32mm 12pt and I'm still stuck. I'm thinking for that I could make do with the Pittsburgh 3/4 Metric set. We have SAE 3/4sockets in the tool crib but nothing in metric so it does double duty.

3/4 in. Drive Metric Jumbo Socket Set, 20-Piece

Amazing deals on this 20Pc 3/4In Dr Met Jumbo Socket Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Oh_Snap]

10mm: random 12 point 10mm fasteners.
14mm: axle hub bolts on Ferrari F1 Transaxles.

 

[ecotec]

12mm and 30mm.

 

[Shoreline_]

Whatever the jeep bearings are. I forgot. It's well worn. Also 8mm for driveline.

 

[CS454]

8mm to 39mm ft. 3/8 to 5/8.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Whatever the jeep bearings are. I forgot. It's well worn. Also 8mm for driveline.

They start at 13mm, become 1/2 or 12mm over time.


For actual applications.... 21/22/24mm in 1/2 drive. VW axle bolts are 24mm, rover uses 12 point caliper bracket bolts among others. IIRC the rears on some models are 15 or 16mm. 12/10mm show up on hyundai/kia oil pans. 14mm for head bolts obviously. Some driveline bolts are 12pt, not so much anymore, they're locktited 6pt mostly. You need a few sizes for rotten jeeps. 29/30/32 for toyota axles.

All of my 3/4 stuff is 12 point and my ratchet/torque wrench has like 30 teeth. So it's relevant.


If it were me, my money, home gamer who is actually using them - 3/8 deep and shallow metric 12pt, 10-19. 1/2 shallow 12 pt 13ish-24, which I would buy as impacts. 12pt axle nut socket. As a home gamer, you can get a single 6pt axle nut socket if need be fairly easily. 12pt is much harder to get locally. Buy what is hard to get, if you need something you don't have, then buy it local.

 

[daithi]

For actual applications.... 21/22/24mm in 1/2 drive. VW axle bolts are 24mm, rover uses 12 point caliper bracket bolts among others. IIRC the rears on some models are 15 or 16mm. 12/10mm show up on hyundai/kia oil pans. 14mm for head bolts obviously. Some driveline bolts are 12pt, not so much anymore, they're locktited 6pt mostly. You need a few sizes for rotten jeeps. 29/30/32 for toyota axles.

All of my 3/4 stuff is 12 point and my ratchet/torque wrench has like 30 teeth. So it's relevant.


If it were me, my money, home gamer who is actually using them - 3/8 deep and shallow metric 12pt, 10-19. 1/2 shallow 12 pt 13ish-24, which I would buy as impacts. 12pt axle nut socket. As a home gamer, you can get a single 6pt axle nut socket if need be fairly easily. 12pt is much harder to get locally. Buy what is hard to get, if you need something you don't have, then buy it local.

Thanks, some food for thought here. Not a lot is available at short notice locally, I live kinda in the middle of nowhere.
Do you think, for the tasks where you've actually used them, 19/22/24mm would be too cumbersome in 3/4" drive vs 1/2"

 

[cgrutt]

12mm on my F150 CV axle, 36mm on my son's BMW e90 axle, and just this past weekend, 3/8 on my Bravo 3x sterndrive. Didn't have the 3/8 with me but found one in my buddy's small box that he keeps at his camp lol.

ETA oh, needed a 16mm or 18mm 12pt socket last month on my friend's Range Rover brakes. Bought a set of Pittsburgh impacts for that project they were very inexpensive but worked fine.

 

[purplezr2]

Vw axle nut on some vehicles is 30mm, as well as some aftermarket axles.

Ford driveline 12mm
New Holland Quick Tach plate 12 or 13mm for the bolts that go from the handle to the pin.

 

[WAID]

Most of my sockets are 12 point and I'm not sure I've ever found a reason to use a 6 point. I'll assume because I live in an area where we don't use salt. I have had to go out of my way to buy a 12 point socket for a Toyota axle nut since I only had a 30mm in 6 pt impacts at the time.

 

[dchawk81]

12 point should be illegal.

 

[bcradio]

12mm on my F150 CV axle, 36mm on my son's BMW e90 axle, and just this past weekend, 3/8 on my Bravo 3x sterndrive. Didn't have the 3/8 with me but found one in my buddy's small box that he keeps at his camp lol.

ETA oh, needed a 16mm or 18mm 12pt socket last month on my friend's Range Rover brakes. Bought a set of Pittsburgh impacts for that project they were very inexpensive but worked fine.

Where are you seeing 12pt HF Pitt impact sockets?

 

[cvairwerks]

5/32" all the way to 1/2"......

 

[cgrutt]

Where are you seeing 12pt HF Pitt impact sockets?

1/2 in. Drive Metric Impact Deep Socket Set, 13-Piece

Amazing deals on this 13Pc 1/2In Dr Metric Deep Impact Socket at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Pig_Pen]

8mm because I thought the 12 pt ARP LS intake bolts would look cooler on my boat.

 

[theoldwizard1]

NONE - I banned them from my tools box long time ago !

 

[bcradio]

1/2 in. Drive Metric Impact Deep Socket Set, 13-Piece

Amazing deals on this 13Pc 1/2In Dr Metric Deep Impact Socket at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Sweet, thank you! I'm going to have to snag one of these.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Another non rust belter here. I use 12 point on anything without a second thought and never have any issues.

 

[esben57]

Recently on a couple of brakes and suspension replacements, started with 14mm Koken 6pt but switched to 12pt King ****.
Better socket all round. 3/8" drive with S.K. short extension and war 2 era Duro Chrome ratchet.

 

[Pinemarten]

I never really thought about it. I have 12 pt 3/8 and 1/2 in SAE and Metric. My 3/4 set is all 12 point but a mix of SAE/Metric since at that size a fair amount of substitution can be gotten away with.

I did have to use a 22mm for replacing a Honda V-Tech oil pressure switch a while ago, and (IIRC) an 11mm to remove/reinstall a Can-Am starter bolt

 

[roofdweller49]

24mm for MK5 VW front axle nuts

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Thanks, some food for thought here. Not a lot is available at short notice locally, I live kinda in the middle of nowhere.
Do you think, for the tasks where you've actually used them, 19/22/24mm would be too cumbersome in 3/4" drive vs 1/2"

IMO, 3/4 is specialty use.

19/22/24 you could do some things. You probably won't be removing a lug nut or similar, as the wall thickness may be excessive.

Have a full 1/2 setup before you mess with 3/4. With 24" long breaker bars and ratchets, 1/2 drive itself is typically not the limiting factor.

There are absolutely situations where 3/4 is invaluable. But IMO it's an entirely different and specialty item for automotive. Excluding VW axle bolts, pinion nuts, etc. Which most people aren't thinking about when they're talking drive size. Yes there are people who break pinion nuts free at home. That is not typical. 3/4 is a major expense as well.

 

[daithi]

IMO, 3/4 is specialty use.

19/22/24 you could do some things. You probably won't be removing a lug nut or similar, as the wall thickness may be excessive.

Have a full 1/2 setup before you mess with 3/4. With 24" long breaker bars and ratchets, 1/2 drive itself is typically not the limiting factor.

There are absolutely situations where 3/4 is invaluable. But IMO it's an entirely different and specialty item for automotive. Excluding VW axle bolts, pinion nuts, etc. Which most people aren't thinking about when they're talking drive size. Yes there are people who break pinion nuts free at home. That is not typical. 3/4 is a major expense as well.

I already have a full 1/2" drive, 6pt impact set, no skips up to 34mm. Wouldn't reach for a 3/4 drive in that case. I'm only interested in the times a 12pt is mandatory, such as Toyota axle bolts for example.

I do run into fasteners at work where I would legitimately need the much bigger sockets in a 3/4 set, 42mm etc. It's pretty rare and I wouldn't justify buying a tool truck/proto set etc but it does happen. So I'm tempted to buy the HF Pitts 3/4 drive set.

So my question is if I had 3/8" dr up to 24mm, and 3/4" dr from 19/22/24mm and up, do I really need more overlap in 1/2" dr? Axle nuts I don't think so, access isn't going to be an issue from the side of a vehicle. Pinion nuts access probably not an issue again with driveshafts removed.

 

[Boogerman]

1/4" drive, use 6 point in preference to 12; 6 well worn, 12 nearly new. Don't even have 12 point in a usable holder, just keep on rail for in case have to use.




3/8" drive, use 12 point in preference to 6; the 12 are well used, the 6 still clean/shiny




1/2", rarely use 6, only when need two sockets. 12 point extensively used, clean ones except 1 1/2 have mostly been warranted is why clean/unworn. Don't use the 1/4 and 5/16" much, if ever. Also, don't use the /32" ones much, but they show use due to me buying very old used ones just complete set.




3/4", only have 12 point. Wear/dirt show which ones used most.





Wear not perfect indicator, some have been replaced or warranted; I like keep nice tools, switch out when get worn/damaged. For example, warranted out 15mm 3/8 6 point last week; also warranted out 9/16" 3/8 6 point same time. Have another 9/16" deep waiting catch SO man soon.

 

[Formula]

I don’t need 12 points very often, but when I do, I bought a Sunnex socket set with both short and deep 12 points.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I already have a full 1/2" drive, 6pt impact set, no skips up to 34mm. Wouldn't reach for a 3/4 drive in that case. I'm only interested in the times a 12pt is mandatory, such as Toyota axle bolts for example.

I do run into fasteners at work where I would legitimately need the much bigger sockets in a 3/4 set, 42mm etc. It's pretty rare and I wouldn't justify buying a tool truck/proto set etc but it does happen. So I'm tempted to buy the HF Pitts 3/4 drive set.

So my question is if I had 3/8" dr up to 24mm, and 3/4" dr from 19/22/24mm and up, do I really need more overlap in 1/2" dr? Axle nuts I don't think so, access isn't going to be an issue from the side of a vehicle. Pinion nuts access probably not an issue again with driveshafts removed.

I think you could get away with that, with some annoyance from time to time.

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

I rarely used 12 pt as a mechanic, haven't used one in many years since, and honestly find them an annoyance. Too much risk of rounding off rusty bolts (Massachusetts at the time). In my box, there's a well-used 9mm for doing Gen 2 VW clutches, a 30mm for some axle bolts and a 19 that I bought off the tool truck for something or other. I think the cam or head bolts might have been 12 pt but I don't remember the size and probably just borrowed one.

 

[mikey03]

30 mm axle nut on Toyotas is 12 point. I saw Astro or somebody was selling a 12 point axle nut impact socket set. But honestly I’m not sure if they were any longer than deep tektons so I picked up a few 12 point 1/2 drive Tekton deep impacts to hit any axles I might need.

 

[KnurledNut]

30 mm axle nut on Toyotas is 12 point. I saw Astro or somebody was selling a 12 point axle nut impact socket set. But honestly I’m not sure if they were any longer than deep tektons so I picked up a few 12 point 1/2 drive Tekton deep impacts to hit any axles I might need.

Some of them are 39mm 12 point. Better get that too.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

NONE - I banned them from my tools box long time ago !

Don’t do any engine work? ARP head bolts are all 12pt. Used 12pt. rebuilding engines in HS. Rebuilt an old 383 Mopar, a 429 Ford, and replaced heads on a 301 Pontiac and used ARP head bolts.

 

[mikey03]

Some of them are 39mm 12 point. Better get that too.

Damn man I just checked and they do offer a 39 12 point 1/2 drive. funny they don’t offer it in 6 point that caps out at 38

but there 3/4 deeps only come in 6 point. The only 12 point 3/4 drive set they make is shallows

 

[00 Scrub]

I use 12pt 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and 7/16 12pt sockets for MS21250 fasteners. Usually in 1/4 and 3/8 drive sizes.

 

[ecotec]

I use a 12pt 3/8” socket for the set screw on Fullman beam clamps.

 

[mikey03]

i was putting together my wish list of 1/2 drive deep impacts I want to buy in 12 point. I already got a full set up to 38 mm in 6 point.

and now I’m wondering if I should sell them off and just go all 12 point above a certain size. Maybe 30 mm is where I run only 12 points getting bigger?

im not a pro idk if I really need both 6 and 12 point it seems like maybe just 12 is good tbh

 

[mikey03]

came across Tekton making an axle nut socket set and they only got 4 sizes in 12 point

30, 32, 36, and 39

so if you trust them then I guess theres no other 12 point axle nuts except those 4 sizes

 

[liliysdad]

I can recall using a 12pt once in the last few years.

I had to scrounge through my bucket of extras to find a 12pt 7/16 because I thought I’d be cool and order ARP con rod nuts for my Willys L134 and forgot they were 12pt until they showed up.

 

[landrover bodger]

14mm on land rover brake calipers.

 

[f121]

10mm on some rover v8 cam covers.
19mm on VAG crank pulley bolts
35mm on older Peugeot axle nuts

 

[Callelle]

Doing my first in frame, 15mm 12 points on connecting rod caps for a Maxxforce DT.

 

[vwpieces]

12mm on the turbo mounting bolts of my TD VW 1.6L and 9mm for the PP bolts. Think the FW bolts are 12pt too. Either 17mm or 19mm, forget...
Some various ARP hardware but forget the sizes I've used.