6 point or 12 point or both?

[TheGrooveking]

I was wondering with all of the fine tooth ratchets out today if most mechanics are compelled to own both 6 point and 12 point sockets in the same drive size? I always try to use 6 point wherever I can and realize that 12 point sockets are necessary for 12 point fasteners, but in the past 12 point sockets allowed one to get the socket on the fastener in tight places where you couldn't align the ratchet/socket combo onto the fastener using a 6 point. What is your take on this and how do you handle it?

Same for wrenches,

TheGrooveking

 

[Merkava_4]

Yippie!! Hurray!! Another 6 point verses 12 point thread.

 

[rsanter]

I have both

bob

 

[back2class]

Read the old threads. 12pt is outdated for the most part and a carryover from days when lots of square bolts were around. I'ts not so much about clearance as you mentioned or even 12pt fasteners.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

well it depends what are you working on? i have seen verry few 12pt bolts on a car... doesent mean that they dont exist somewhere on them but mostly in aviation you find them in turbines. really really small ones like 1/4-1/2" so i have both. personaly I think you need both if its a 6pt bolt use a 6pt socket if its a 12pt bolt use a 12pt socket. dont laugh ive seen someone use a 6pt socket to remove a 12pt bolt it wasnt pretty and once you round off the corners of a 12pt they become harder and harder to use. so here is what my advice to you is get the right tool for the right job. buy a breaker bar. dont use an oversize wrench. dont use metric on standard and vice versa besides following my advice you can buy more tools and justify it to the misses

HOPE THIS HELPS
Sean Scott

Ps. please dont use a 9/16 wrench on a 1/2 inch bolt it will result in your wrench being thrown acrost the hangar floor and everyone will laugh at you

 

[BB26]

12 points can just be easier to get on a bolt or nut in a tight spot. Also, if you are using a breaker bar, 12 point sockets give you twice as many positions.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Yippie!! Hurray!! Another 6 point verses 12 point thread.

Glad to make your day.

TheGrooveking

 

[atari]

I actually just dealt with this. Cam sprockets on a toyota 4runner are 12 point bolts. I have both 6 and 12 in 1/4 drive and 3/8. Some times you have to have them. Im not getting stuck over a 12pt bolt. I only have 6pt in 1/2 for the most part. Some of the really big metrics I have are 12. I actually like 12pt wenches for the extra positions but really use the ratcheting units more than the fixed ones these days.

 

[48548]

12 points can just be easier to get on a bolt or nut in a tight spot. Also, if you are using a breaker bar, 12 point sockets give you twice as many positions.

What if you use a ratchet adapter? Then you would have a lot more choices for positions.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Don't everyone have both?

 

[BB26]

What if you use a ratchet adapter? Then you would have a lot more choices for positions.

True, but ratchet adaptors can add prohibitive bulk in some situations.

 

[crewchief888]

all my wrenches are 12 point. sockets are mostly 6 point.
i have some 12 point sockets, mostly bought for specific applications, or flea market finds.

 

[autoace]

Both!

 

[speed bump]

Is it that time of the month again?

Personally I don't think anything over about 1/2" it really matters which one you use. I have slowly came to the conclusion that I would like to have some 1/4" 12 point sockets for occasional use but I haven't got around to buying any yet.

 

[rsanter]

most of the bolts under the hood of my mustang are ARP 12pt stainless

I have full sets of both

bob

 

[Scout Driver]

Got really used to using 6 point sockets when restoring tractors. Lots of stuff that is either corroded or just stubborn from being assembled for 60 years or so. Don't really use 12 point sockets unless the situation requires it.

 

[K5blazer83]

DARKSCOPE001 hit this on the head...the only time I've ever used 12 point is when I worked in aviation and on bicycles. BUT in the automotive world I use them specifically for 12 pt. bolts. Otherwise its 6 point all the way.

 

[atari]

most of the bolts under the hood of my mustang are ARP 12pt stainless

I have full sets of both

bob

now thats what im talkin about. I thought about doing cap heads all through mine.

 

[Rnz520]

I own both, and some wrenches in 6 point box end. I use the hell out of my 12 point sockets, if you use the right size you wont mess up the bolt, and if it starts to i switch to 6 point.

 

[chadster1]

I think that everyone should have both 6 and 12 point. They need to have them in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive in short, semi-deep and deep lengths. Metric and Standard. Chrome and Impact. Don't forget the swivel sockets as well. Feel free to contact me if you need to purchase some sets to complete your socket assortment.

 

[Rickster]

I think that everyone should have both 6 and 12 point. They need to have them in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive in short, semi-deep and deep lengths. Metric and Standard. Chrome and Impact. Don't forget the swivel sockets as well. Feel free to contact me if you need to purchase some sets to complete your socket assortment.

I agree with chadster!

I have both. Use mostly 6 points for old rusty bolts on my Mustang parts.

 

[Longbob]

I use 12 pt a lot more on my race cars than 6 pt. It is mainly due to many of the ARP fasteners are 12 pt especially intake and header bolts. I really like my SK spline sockets and wrenches for my "go to" tools. They work on everything and don't round off the fasteners like you think they would by just looking at them.

 

[TheGrooveking]

My apologies to those longer in the tooth members who had to endure this topic once again, but being somewhat new to this forum I figured I would tap it's massive mental muscle. Next time I'll ask if I can ask, but now I have a complex which will become complex, damn now I am getting sensitve, would you give a man a foot massage?

TheGrooveking

 

[chadster1]

My apologies to those longer in the tooth members who had to endure this topic once again, but being somewhat new to this forum I figured I would tap it's massive mental muscle. Next time I'll ask if I can ask, but now I have a complex which will become complex, damn now I am getting sensitve, would you give a man a foot massage?

TheGrooveking

Now you know. Now you get to give the next guy who starts one of these threads a hard time. It will probably be in about 3 weeks given the current frequency of them.

 

[diogenes]

Now you know. Now you get to give the next guy who starts one of these threads a hard time. It will probably be in about 3 weeks given the current frequency of them.

The GJ hazing rituals revealed!

Actually, since I live in the land of corrosion and rust, I look at 12 points as scary things used to strip the heads of bolts and nuts. My vise grips stand ready ever ready to address this problem, and I've had to use them much too often.

Here we have the size of the fastener, the size wrench or socket that's supposed to fit, and the one that actually fits after 10 years of rust from annual salt baths (Usually a metric, just smaller than the original fastener size).

6 points, it's a rust belt thing, you warm weather folks wouldn't understand...

 

[wrenchr]

You need both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Old Donn]

Don't everyone have both?

I thought so. Along with 6 & 12pt combos.

 

[arkangel06]

both!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ImportTuner]

Yep, you need both ..

 

[ezover]

rumor has it there was a 8 sided beast back in the day, can any of you
gray breads confirm this? with photos?

 

[chadster1]

rumor has it there was a 8 sided beast back in the day, can any of you
gray breads confirm this? with photos?

You may be referring to what Snap-on calls a double-square.

 

[scottmlew]

rumor has it there was a 8 sided beast back in the day, can any of you
gray breads confirm this? with photos?

Do you really need proof that such a beast exists? You should obviously have the appropriate sockets to deal with them *just in case* this rumor is true!

 

[Tim Cowan]

PM #22
Longbob
Junior Member


Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 20 Re: 6 point or 12 point or both?

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I use 12 pt a lot more on my race cars than 6 pt. It is mainly due to many of the ARP fasteners are 12 pt especially intake and header bolts. I really like my SK spline sockets and wrenches for my "go to" tools. They work on everything and don't round off the fasteners like you think they would by just looking at them.

THANKS LONGBOB I've been thinking about adding the SK spline drive sockets to my box. Maybe after I check my taxes, I will get a set. I notice my Cummins diesel has 12 pt. mounting bolts.

 

[atari]

VW and BMW use double square bolts and no one has mentioned reverse torx yet!

 

[scottmlew]

VW and BMW use double square bolts and no one has mentioned reverse torx yet!

Can you cite specific applications for the double square on the VW/BMW? I'm not challenging you, I'm just curious (esp regarding the BMW).

I think that it's a given that you've got eTorx if you're on GJ!

 

[atari]

you know what, I think they are reverse torxs now that i think about it. The trans to motor bolts.

 

[9GUY9]

the bolts that hold the CV shaft to the transaxle on a Jetta are either double square, or reverse torx. I don't remember which, but I do remember they are funky.

 

[chadster1]

the bolts that hold the CV shaft to the transaxle on a Jetta are either double square, or reverse torx. I don't remember which, but I do remember they are funky.

For German cars, you guys are talking about a triple square.

 

[nikonica]

Don't all modern sockets, 6- or 12-point, grip the flanks of the nut/bolt and not the corners?