6 point combination wrenches

[theoldwizard1]

Awhile ago I bought a set of Craftsman SAE 6 point combination wrenches. Far from a "full set" they were added to my rather extensive set of Craftsman 12 point combination wrench set. I thought they would be used frequently, especially since my strong dislike for 12 point sockets.

What I have found is I rarely, if ever, go looking specifically for the 6 point wrench. Instead I grab which ever comes up first. However, it is very convenient to have 2 of the most popular sizes of wrenches.

Shade tree and pros, where do you weigh in ?

 

[texasprd]

As an automotive DIY-er, 6-point can restrict my ability to fit into tight places - if I need a wrench to break something loose or do the final tightening, 12-point works for me. I know 6-point would supposedly give better grip on the fastener, but I've never had a problem with 12-points, even on pretty high-torque items like control arm shafts.

 

[BajaBound]

Shadetree here,

I agree with having two wrenches in popular sizes but I also prefer the 6pt but have never felt like I was missing out at all not having a 6 pt combo. My sockets are a mix of 12 and 6 and some times a 6 pt is a little bit better but not a huge difference imo.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Depends on the application........

For those really stubborn, rusted, haven't been broken loose in 25 years bolts, 6 points are the way to go. I too have crafty 6 points. Never a problem with them. Also have some S&K long patterns for that extra reach and cranking power.

Not sure what my classification is. I work in the IT field during the day, repair and restore other folks stuff on the nights and weekends and occasionaly find some time to wrench on my stuff. I end up with basket cases at times that the pros won't touch.

 

[fflintstone]

I always go for 6 point.

 

[shoturtle]

I have proto 6pt, I then to use them more then my cman pro 12pt. I also like the flank drive on the open end as well. So it grips allot better.

 

[Sam B]

6-pt sounds like the better option, but I've never felt like I needed them that much. The rare few fasteners I've rounded something with a 12-pt wrench were so far seized/crossthreaded/overtightened that having a 6-pt wrench wouldn't have mattered.

 

[Snapped-off]

I have SAE/Metric Cman RP my dad gave me that are 6 point. I always liked 6 point, but now I've got Wrights and Snap-ons as my main wrenches, and they are all 12 point.

I've grown to like "6 point for sockets | 12 point for wrenches", and there are opinions for every other possibility, but now I just go with 12 pt for wrenches

 

[TwoInch]

i own both 12pt and 6pt combos, and rarely use the 6pts. i can not recall ever rounding a bolt off with a 12pt wrench or socket, other than when someone had already mangled the fastener previously with a wrong size tool, and having a 6pt wouldnt matter at that point.

i dont fall for the "6pt tools bite better than 12pts", so i may not have the best advices on the subject. i believe that as long as its the correct size tool, they bite the same.

 

[royesses]

I always go for 6 point.

+1
Unless 12 point are needed for access.

 

[sberry]

I have about 500 wrenches or so in service, give or take a few, never counted them all but have one set of snappies thru 3/4 and a few other misc 6 points, there are the special occasion they are just the ticket, the rest of the time I am with the most convenient, which is easiest to reach crowd.

 

[Fastbird]

ASE mech and huge car buff here, and I always shoot for the 6 point. I very rarely will choose a 12 point. I've rounded more stuff with a 12 point than I ever have with a 6 point.

 

[jetmech09]

A&P+many outside projects. Always reach for 12 point. It has been proven on this board that 12 pt and 6pt come in contact with the bolt at the same spot. You're not really more likely to round anything off with a 12 pt, provided you are using the right size.

 

[CanUK]

It has been proven on this board that 12 pt and 6pt come in contact with the bolt at the same spot.

I'm trying to visualise this -and I can see that it might be true while the bolt head is in good condition, but as soon as it starts to deform (a rusty, stubborn, low-quality fastener say) the 6-point would immediately start to offer up subtantially more contact area?

 

[Mickey O]

I use my 6 points on motorcycles all the time, very rarely on much else.

 

[shibertus]

Deleted

 

[ecotec]

The vast majority of the time, I use 6pt sockets and 12pt wrenches.

I have most sizes of shallow and deep chrome 12pt sockets except for 1/4” metric. I only have certain 12pt impact sockets (30mm deep, 12mm shallow…).

I have every size of USA 1990’s raised panel Craftsman 6pt combination wrenches in metric and SAE. I never use them, but I do not get rid of them. They are between the size of regular combination wrenches and short pattern combination wrenches. The only time I use 6pt wrenches, they are flare nut wrenches or brake bleeder wrenches.

I would not put real (retail) money into buying 6pt wrenches, but I would definitely pay estate/garage sale prices to upgrade my 6pt wrenches to non raised panel USA 6pt… which may never happen… or it could happen tomorrow. I am cheap and very picky when I upgrade… cheap prices, clean, no owner marks, no chrome loss…

 

[dchawk81]

You don't see too many 12 point impact sockets. They're 6 point for a reason.

I prefer 6 point wrenches for the times I need to romp as if it's an impact but can't use an impact.

Most of the time 12 is fine.

 

[Firebrick43]

It’s aliiiiiive

 

[dchawk81]

Damn wth I didn't even notice that.

 

[honcho]

I bought a set of 6 pt combination wrenches and found they do not add any capability. I tend to reach for 12 pt ratcheting or fixed combinations wrenches. I need to sell the 6 pt wrenches and clear a bit of space.

 

[dchawk81]

I bought a set of 6 pt combination wrenches and found they do not add any capability. I tend to reach for 12 pt ratcheting or fixed combinations wrenches. I need to sell the 6 pt wrenches and clear a bit of space.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Wow this is an old thread. But to chime in I am strictly amateur but I do have two sets of combination wrenches. First set is ratcheting six point and the second is non-ratcheting twelve point. I suspect that more people up in the salt belt will be more in favor of six point since they have to deal with sever rust that those of us where roads don't see salt will be happier with twelve point.

As for sockets I do have a set of chrome twelve point sockets but those only get used for the rare twelve point bolts that I see. Mostly on engine internals. My day to day sockets are all six point.

 

[ThePostman]

A set of both, 12 point in Wrightgrip 2.0s, and 6 point of Proto ASDs. The Protos are strong enough to hit with a hammer and have their place in an automotive indie pro environment. I bought the Wrights for superior strength at both the open and box end, the Protos based on how tight the 6 point box end is, there is no slop o them when it counts. I'm not in the rust belt, but pretty close to it, so when I need them I'll take them, plus a 20% coupon from Zoro makes them even sweeter than paying for the same thing stamped Mac for however much more. If you're going to get 6 point I highly recommend the Proto set in which the 12mm is part number 1212mh-t500, the open end is a little longer, overall length is a little longer than the norm, they're skinny compared to Wright, and again 6 point box end fits very tight, and why I bought them.

 

[ThePostman]

Sockets are always 6 point until you get to 22mm and above, then, it really doesn't matter

 

[dchawk81]

Sockets are always 6 point until you get to 22mm and above, then, it really doesn't matter

Speaking for yourself, of course.

 

[jsmeece]

My 6 point combo wrenches are Armstrong. Have long and regular length sets in both SAE and Metric, with a few KD and Carlyle mixed in the metric cause I could find some regular length Armstrongs. I think I have Craftsman sets in SAE and Metric somewhere, but I believe they are China made. They were cheap at the time got both sets (28 wrenches I think) for like $50 at Sears when they were clearing them out.

 

[Kurt4440]

I remember this thread from the first time around.
Both of my USA made Craftsman 6 point wrench sets were purchased on clearance. I mostly use 6 point as I am in the rust belt.

Fyi
My neighbors 2008 Highlander 4 years ago. She sold it to a friend of hers 3 years ago. The engine met its demise last week after a recent trip to a quick change oil facility.
Rust did not claim this one.

 

[dnschmidt]

I find six point wrenches useless. But then again I no longer live in the rust belt. For those that do spline drive seems like it would work just as well as six point on rusty stuff as it grips the bolt quite some distance from the points.

 

[Komet]

I like knowing I've got the most torque possible with the 6 point box end. I have also had many experiences where I couldn't get the 6 point box end to line up anywhere with a swing arc.

Nevertheless, I was 6 point guy because it's the strongest. Then I got a good deal on a 12 point combo set, and they fit places. So is it better to have all the torques, or is it better to be able to get the wrench on the fastener? Definitely changed my position on 6 vs 12 when I could suddenly do the job I couldn't before.

It seems to me that it's more likely that I will encounter a situation where 6 point won't fit, than I will where a 12 point will actually round a fastener and I couldn't have fit a 6 point socket there.

 

[sparky 1971]

I'm in the middle of the rust belt and own a set of Craftsman raised panel six point wrenches from either 1/4 or 5/16 up through 15/16 and a SK 1" as well as Craftsman 8-19mm. I can't think of a single time I've used them and I've had them since around 1999-2000ish. I'm not getting rid of them, because as soon as I do, I'm gonna need one.

 

[joel63]

I'm in the middle of the rust belt and own a set of Craftsman raised panel six point wrenches from either 1/4 or 5/16 up through 15/16 and a SK 1" as well as Craftsman 8-19mm. I can't think of a single time I've used them and I've had them since around 1999-2000ish. I'm not getting rid of them, because as soon as I do, I'm gonna need one.

You can bet on it.

 

[KnurledNut]

This is one of those tools Snap-on does right.
They offset the box end broaching 7.5° from center, so that if room allows, you can flip the wrench over and get another turn where swing access is limited.

 

[dchawk81]

I like knowing I've got the most torque possible with the 6 point box end. I have also had many experiences where I couldn't get the 6 point box end to line up anywhere with a swing arc.

Nevertheless, I was 6 point guy because it's the strongest. Then I got a good deal on a 12 point combo set, and they fit places. So is it better to have all the torques, or is it better to be able to get the wrench on the fastener? Definitely changed my position on 6 vs 12 when I could suddenly do the job I couldn't before.

It seems to me that it's more likely that I will encounter a situation where 6 point won't fit, than I will where a 12 point will actually round a fastener and I couldn't have fit a 6 point socket there.

Sometimes, all you need to do is crack it free with the 6 and finish it with the 12.

So ideally you have both.

And of course have fire as a backup.

 

[demarpaint]

I have 6 point and 12 point sockets and combo wrenches. I live on Long Island not far from the ocean, the roads are salted in the winter, so things rust. 6 point tools have their place. I agree with @dchawk81, sometimes I'll break something loose with the 6 point tool and finish it with a 12 point, depending on space. There's nothing worse than rounding an iffy nut or bolt, and turning an easy job into a project.

 

[M635_Guy]

I kinda hate it when low-post randos (usually new accounts) resurrect zombie threads for no identifiable reason. At least this one is interesting though, and has more new responses than the original run .

In that spirit, I guess I'll play. I'm just a doofus in my garage (calling myself a shadetree feels like it implies more knowledge than I actually have), and I live in the South where rust isn't much of an issue. All my box-end are 12-point (strictly-speaking I guess the Icon long flex ratcheting are spline - I don't know if that's better or worse), except my SK Xframes. All of the sockets that do any work are 6-point - I have several sets of both 3/8" and 1/4" - the main ones I use are SK, Icon and Tekton, and they're all 6-point. I have a Sunex set (ratchets and sockets) that has both I think (and the only SAE stuff I own).

Net: Wrenches are 12-point/spline and sockets are 6-point. That's never been a problem.

 

[Kurt4440]

I find six point wrenches useless. But then again I no longer live in the rust belt. For those that do spline drive seems like it would work just as well as six point on rusty stuff as it grips the bolt quite some distance from the points.

I have spline as well as 6 point and 12 point in; wrenches, ratcheting wrenches and sockets.
Torque Test Channel compared all three plus open end.
Here is a screen shot.

 

[M635_Guy]

Stupid question: Is there a use case where spline doesn't work and 12 does?

 

[dnschmidt]

Stupid question: Is there a use case where spline doesn't work and 12 does?

Not that I've experienced. In some cases the spline might leave marks, like a Wrightgrip, on a soft bolt or nut.

 

[Old Donn]

Bought a set of Craftsman RP six point combos on sale some years back. They're in the garage tool cart, so they get the most use. That said, as an amateur, I successfully used 12 points for many years, combos and double boxes. YMMV.