6 Point vs. 12 Point - My thoughts

[BirdMobile]

Greets!

This has been my experience based on 25 years of wrenching.
I've found that 12 point sockets are no more likely to "round off" bolt heads than 6 point, with VERY rare exceptions (mostly having to do with previously rounded off bolts).
12 point sockets seem to work better when a bolt is encrusted with rust or water deposits.
12 point sockets often fit in tight counterbores where a 6 point has too thick of walls, IN GENERAL. There are some thin walled 6 points, they're rare though.
I've seen quite a few 6 point sockets split. I've only seen 2 12 pointers split, and both were catastrophically over-torqued to the point the socket pretty much blew out a chunk.
12 point sockets seem to wear faster than 6 point.
When using a breaker bar, I almost always reach for a 12 point - the extra points have OFTEN made engagement angle work, where a 6 point wouldn't.
4 point fasteners are best dealt with using 8 point sockets... not 12 point.

In general, I tend to prefer 12 point shallow sockets for all-around use, and would buy them first if I were putting together a new tool collection. I would then buy 6 point impact sockets in shallow and deep, then finally round out the collection with 12 point deep chrome and (lastly) shallow 6 point and 8 point chrome.

Just my opinion... please don't flame too harshly.

 

[u118224]

I generally agree. I use 12 point sockets for 1/2 and 3/4 drive, 6 point for 1/4 and 3/8s. I've never had a problem with a 12 point rounding off a bolt, but I've broken a lot of bolts with a 12 point.

 

[Monte]

6pt. is good for small screw heads like 7 or 8mm

 

[BirdMobile]

For 1/4" drive, I also tend to prefer 6 point... they just seem to last longer and some smaller sizes aren't readily available in 12 point.

BTW, I absolutely DETEST 6 point box-end and combination wrenches. Hate them.

One last thing... never saw the point in 6 point deep chrome sockets, impacts do it better and aren't that much thicker. Give me 12 point deep chrome and 6 point deep impacts and I can handle any job calling for long sockets.

 

[J.A.Varela]

I agree with all the above. I also believe in penetrating oils and Hammer operated impact tools. If that breaker bar is getting a serious yank and nothing movin'. Spray, wait and bust out the mechanical impact tool.

 

[bart1]

12 point can also deal with square heads, where 6 cannot.

On sockets, I generally use 6 point. Just a safety blanket I guess. Also recently had a thread cutting nut that I assume was a standard size. With my metric 6 point it worked with no problem, but a 12 point would not.

 

[BirdMobile]

On that topic...
12 point fasteners can ONLY be worked with 12 point sockets.
I run into those fasteners more often than I'd like to admit.

 

[Wamsutta]

The guys that round off corners with 12-point are not using quality sockets.

 

[blacknblue]

A torch helps too.

 

[SASORacing]

I dont even use 12 point except once in a blue moon. Thats my thoughts. 6 is better mentally for me, also better life. I use a small electric impact on most bolts these days too.

 

[Monte]

The guys that round off corners with 12-point are not using quality sockets.

...or the socket doesn´t sit 100% on the (small) screw head or in a slight angle...

 

[franzdom]

I don't find that 6 point are thicker than 12 point. I definitely prefer to use 6 point most of the time. I like deep 12 point for torquing lug bolts for speed though.

 

[J.A.Varela]

The guys that round off corners with 12-point are not using quality sockets.

Depends. You have to take in the quality of the bolt steel......or lack thereof.

 

[Wakefield]

I suspect the Snap On combination wrench with the 6 point ring end has slightly more thickness in the corners than the 12 point wrenches they make in the same size (like the OSHM120B)

Big wrenches like 1 and 1/2" in 6 point seem hard to find (does Wright even make them?)
Does Wright even make any combination wrench with 6 point in any size?
6 point needed for brass or copper fasteners? Plastic oil drain plug!

 

[Wamsutta]

Depends. You have to take in the quality of the bolt steel......or lack thereof.

To start with, good quality 12-point sockets will have the modern "Flank Drive" pattern; and then they'll also fit the fastener more closely. The guys that say they round off corners with 12-point sockets never mention the manufacturer's name of the socket they were using...

 

[Skin]

Greets!

This has been my experience based on 25 years of wrenching.
I've found that 12 point sockets are no more likely to "round off" bolt heads than 6 point.

Going to be blunt, you're wrong. Work one day in the rust belt. On fasteners that have been blasted by road brine and rain for 10 years six point grips better every time.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I think the whole "OMG 12 point BAD BAD BAD" thing is a little overblown sometimes, I've been using 12 pts for years with not problems.

Now for extremely corroded situations, yeah then you might be a little better off going with 6pt but hell, everything is against you in those situations anyway and it ***** regardless.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

Almost all of my chrome sockets at work are 12 point Craftsman with some SK and a few Snap on. I have no problems with rounding of fasteners as long as I use the right size. You do run into occasions where a fastener is corroded and there might not be much left of it and in that instance a 6 point can give you leg up.

 

[BK13]

I imagine that I could get by with just 12 point chromes and 6 point impacts, but why take the chance when there's more sockets to be bought? LOL

 

[Nanashi]

I don't really agree with anything the op said. I prefer 6 point and find them to be a much more secure socket. I think science would probably even agree with that. But hey why argue. Use whatever you want. If your new to the game and wrenching is your paycheck get 6 point impact sockets first and 12 point wrenches first. 12 point sockets are necessary in shallow because manufacturers use 12 point bolt heads sometimes.

 

[franzdom]

I don't really agree with anything the op said. I prefer 6 point and find them to be a much more secure socket. I think science would probably even agree with that. But hey why argue. Use whatever you want. If your new to the game and wrenching is your paycheck get 6 point impact sockets first and 12 point wrenches first. 12 point sockets are necessary in shallow because manufacturers use 12 point bolt heads sometimes.

Thank you, I knew it wasn't just me.

 

[rick carpenter]

For chromed sockets, I prefer 6 pt in 1/4" and 3/8" sizes for all the standard reasons and use 12 pt in 1/2" and plus sizes. But this is all "just feels like" rather than science. I wonder what manufacturers have to say for the rationale of offering 6 and 12 pt sockets?

 

[FriendOfYours]

+1 for the rust belt comment

You must not work on rusty hunks of junk. I've rounded off more bolts than I can count with 6 points. Try disassembling anything pre80s with 12 points. You won't have any knuckles left

 

[geaugafletcher]

Going to be blunt, you're wrong. Work one day in the rust belt. On fasteners that have been blasted by road brine and rain for 10 years six point grips better every time.

Yeeeup. In my experience, less than 5 years in the salt and 6 point is required. 12 point is a guaranteed round-off and headache. Even with a good "flank drive" six point, you have to do all the tricks to keep from shearing the bolt...

 

[1950mercury]

Yep here in michigan its 6pts....there was a thread posted not to long ago comparing 6pt and 12pt sockets using blue tape on the bolts to see the contact points and the 12 pts were all closer to tbe edges

 

[Haveblue]

This debate will never end, but I do find it an interesting topic. They are BOTH useful, but a person also has to use a certain amount of knowledge when using them. I have seen a kid use a 12 point on exhaust six point with an impact, full blast, and complain he was rounding rusted bolts. I explained to him to use a six point if you can, and don't go full blast at first...I showed him how to ease into the trigger, and let the tool do the work. Too many people I have been around try to blast bolts out right away ..sometimes you gotta finesse them out a bit.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hey I don't like 12 point sockets and I don't like 12 point wrenches either. That's just how I roll.

I still don't get it if you got a fine tooth ratchet but to each their own. If you're working with a 20 tooth ratchet sure maybe the 12 point is advantageous but with a 120 tooth? Not so much.

This doesn't mean I don't use 12 point at all just avoid it unless I have to. Critical bolt that's going to be a p.i.t.a to replace or heavy torque? Not a chance.

 

[justme-]

Remember the modern flank drive is to compensate for the poor fastener to tool contact area in a 12 point situation. It moves the contact away from the corners which are weak and gives more metal under the contact area.
The best situation is the proper tool for the fastener and to transfer the maximum torque the tool needs to be in contact with as much surface area as possible with 100% being ideal.
This holds true regardless of how many people routinely use a tool/fastener situation with less than ideal contact/torque transfer potential.

 

[splicer64]

Firstly thanks for the post...I believe in 6pt stuff mostly because I've had the most success with them working on the side...(automotive and race car preparation and fabrication) for years. I will admit I'm filling in my sockets with mid length 12pt...I wish someone would make them in impacts At work (GA Power Network Cable Splicer) I work with Copper fasteners all the time...6pt on everything as its been corroding for years when I get to it usually...seeing more and more 12 pt on automobiles though. It would seem the choice is driven by circumstances Thx

 

[Farmall450]

For 1/4" drive, I also tend to prefer 6 point... they just seem to last longer and some smaller sizes aren't readily available in 12 point.

BTW, I absolutely DETEST 6 point box-end and combination wrenches. Hate them.

One last thing... never saw the point in 6 point deep chrome sockets, impacts do it better and aren't that much thicker. Give me 12 point deep chrome and 6 point deep impacts and I can handle any job calling for long sockets.

Agreed on combos, I got a set for my truck just to have some...no bueno.