6 point vs 12 point sockets
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G1GRANDEUR
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Please use search button. This has been discussed like 2-3 time a week.
GeorgiaHybrid
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After seeing 4,578 threads on this subject with the same, boring commentary, save us the hassle and do a search for this subject.....
Well when you search it come up with quite a lot about 12 point and 6 point but I have not seen what is better or why. Perhaps for different jobs. Some of you seasoned vets forget that us new guys don't know what we don't know. And am not afraid to ask what I don't know.
I have an auction that is ending soon and I can bid on a 12 point set or a 6 point set. Not sure which is better.
Guess I will wait for a response before buying the wrong ones.
How about a link then? I did not find a comparison or a explanation.
young_buck
Well-known member
Thanks.
Ok I read a lot here and elsewhere and am I right to say that it is preference? I obviously don't wrench for a living and I am at the beginning of my learning curve. Looks like based on what I read I will be looking for a 6 point set to start. Looking at Craftsman USA sockets and Ratchets. I want to get a higher tooth count ratchet to go with them. Craftsman does not always list the tooth count which is annoying. Snap on even used is too rich for my blood and I think I will pass on the Harbor Freight stuff so you guys don't bust my bolts. I had some HF mixed in with a lot of stuff I collected piece by piece over 18 years and until the flood wiped out a good bunch of my tools. Saved some chucked the rest. I don't work my tools to hard but I am doing more and more myself so I will step it up a bit by buying some better stuff. Not chucking what can be saved. But the new stuff will be Craftsman. I just hope that in the future if I break a USA tool they give me a USA tool. Who knows.
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carcajou
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With todays fine tooth ratchets the 6 point vs. 12 point question is not as relevant as it once was. I would recommend 6 point sockets.
That my friend is the best piece of advise I have gotten in this whole thread and perhaps since I got here.
I don't know a lot about tools -no surprise right. But I have a lot of expertise in other areas. I participate in other forums and I gotta tell you I never have seen less help given to a new guy for what I thought and still think was a legit question. The search function was not getting me where I needed to be and the google search did-Thanks for the tip. I actually stumbled on it before I read you post but thanks all the same.
I was tracking a set being sold and noticed one had 6 point and another had 12 points. I missed both but I guess the timing was not right. No big deal I will get them eventually.
Have a good night all.
Thanks what would you say the minimum number of teeth a ratchet needs to have to be good enough for a non pro mechanic?
carcajou
Well-known member
Really not much difference in price so might as well get as fine as you can. 60 to 80 would be nice. A top quality ratchet makes wrenching more enjoyable.
smothers33
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just beause no one else wants to answer you i will. its pretty much a prefernece thing. each have there own pros/cons
12 pts are more versitile. they work on 6, 12, and 4 pt bolts. also more helpful when using on a breaker bar because twice as many starting pts.
for 6 pts alot of good brands usually have a version of "flank drive" which takes the pressure away from corners of bolts and reduces the chance of rounding the bolt.
personally i use 12 pts because the versitility but its just preference.
as for the tooth count. craftsman chrome ratchets are 60 tooth i believe. also gearwrench makes 60 tooth ratchets. and if you want a real nice ratchet for a decent price check out armstrongs maxx locking flex ratchets. 60 teeth and have a locking flex head which comes in handy daily for me. tooltopia.com is the place to look for the armstrong or gearwrench ratchets if your interested
Thanks for the info. Locking flex heads? Allows for different angle of approach? I guess you can lock them straight as well? Never heard of Armstrong. Is here a lifetime warranty on them as well?
Any fine tooth (e.g. 60, 72, 80,) is fine
. A 36 tooth will definitely frustrate in tight quarters if there is not enough room to swing to the next click. Also get some extensions and a universal joint to get over and around obstructions.Proto Professional are really nice flex head rats. They also make one called "Spin Flex" that work like a speed handle for running bolts down. For most tasks a straight ratchet is most ergonomic.
An indexing ratchet locks in the angle position.
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This! I found that trick on my own a little while ago and do it as well. simple "garage" at the end of w/e Im looking for usually does it too. A Garagejournal thread(s) is usually the first link on google
Virgil Cain
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The Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro ratchets are better than current Craftsman raised panel (RP) ratchets in my opinion and an excellent value.
http://www.harborfreight.com/38-drive-heavy-duty-uick-release-ratchet-69348.html
The HF composite ratchets are also highly rated though they are for lighter duty work.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66313.html
No offense of course, but who says the composites are for light duty? Ive been thinking about getting them for kicks and Ive heard pretty much nothing but good things about them. They have metal inside. The name on the HF has "Heavy duty" in it. Says they are rated for 150 ft/lbs too.
flashman
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I use only 12 point. My preference.
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p912s
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Google is the best way to search most sites. If you enter your search terms follwed by the site command and then the site to search, all of your results will be for that site only.
Like this: 12 point socket site:garagejournal.com
Hyster Gareth
Well-known member
Its nice to have both if you can afford them. I would take a look at Williams US made sockets. They are part of Snap On and are there industrial brand. As for ratchets any 60 or 80 tooth ratchet will be fine. Some older techs including myself prefer 30 or 36 teeth.
When in doubt get a set of both. That is what i did. Got a set of 12 point in the normal chrome, and another set of 6 point in impact. I find myself using the 6 points alot more when working on my cars (havent rounded off any bolt since i have started to use 6 point sockets on my cars.)
ajchien
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I prefer 6 pt. Unless I have access issues with decreased swing arc.
Have I rounded over a bolt with 12 pr? No. Have I beaten up the corners partially rounding them with 12 pt where i would consider only using 6pt next time on the bolt on the now buggered up head? Yes.
With soft bolts, or small bolts at higher torque, really try to stick to 6pt as much as possible.
Bigger bolts don't seem to matter as much.
Have I rounded over a bolt with 12 pr? No. Have I beaten up the corners partially rounding them with 12 pt where i would consider only using 6pt next time on the bolt on the now buggered up head? Yes.
With soft bolts, or small bolts at higher torque, really try to stick to 6pt as much as possible.
Bigger bolts don't seem to matter as much.
Virgil Cain
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Oh no, I don't disagree with that, just that you might not want to use it on the most stubborn fasteners. Those HF composites are great, use mine all the time. Honestly I use mine more than anything else.
silentpoet
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I prefer six points. 12 points are for stripping nuts and bolt heads. Also 12 points are good for learning/inventing new swear words.
southernstyle88
Member
x2.. general use and tight or blind spaces.. i use twelve point, if i'm putting alot of torque on something or the bolt is partially stripped to begin with.. i'll use a six.
Made in USA and lifetime warranty.
smothers33
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yeah the flex heads have a flexible head. really nice for those bolts in akward spots. lets you move the handle out of way of obsticales. you can get locking or nonlocking. really no benefits to non locking except price so i suggest locking if you dont mind the few extra bucks. and yeah you can lock them straight as well.
armstrong does have a lifetime warranty and is a pretty good brand and at a decent price.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
Good questions and comments. Sockets design has changed in recent years and I've found that most later designed sockets grip better regardless if they are 12 or 6 point. I suppose if I had to choose one socket, I would probably go with the 12 point and a 60 tooth or finer ratchet. Just an opinion.
There is no need for any member of this forum to be what some consider rude when making a comment on a post. A simple answer pertaining to the question is sufficient. The comments on doing a search on the GJ site, are a waste of time and are repetitive. Using a search engine seems to be the best method. Thats how I found the GJ, by doing a search for info on a particular tool.
Good luck on your decision
There is no need for any member of this forum to be what some consider rude when making a comment on a post. A simple answer pertaining to the question is sufficient. The comments on doing a search on the GJ site, are a waste of time and are repetitive. Using a search engine seems to be the best method. Thats how I found the GJ, by doing a search for info on a particular tool.
Good luck on your decision
While removing an 18 year old ****** pan, it was reinforced to me why I am pretty much forced to use 6 point. Out of a dozen or so 10mm bolts, I was able to remove 6 with 10mm. The other 6 needed 3/8ths, which is 9.5250mm. One barely removed with 3/8ths, I thought I would need 9mm.
Such is life in the rust belt. 12 point would have removed zero of these bolts, they barely had flats anymore, let alone corners.
Such is life in the rust belt. 12 point would have removed zero of these bolts, they barely had flats anymore, let alone corners.
cbracer
Well-known member
I think getting impact 6 pt and chrome 12 pt is a good choice. Almost all 12 pt fasteners or nuts won't require a deep socket. So 6 pt for deep and 12 pt for shallow should have you covered. Other than the advantage of indexing with a deep socket and a breaker bar.
Coach James
Well-known member
If money is an issue, why not compromise and get a good set of 9 point sockets off the truck?
Coach
Coach
True, but if money is not an issue why not just get 24 point and have everything covered
purplezr2
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Lol,
Honestly I have a set op both 6 point and 12 point deep and shallow, I have run in to occasions were I need to use all the different types. I also I have semi deep sockets also.
Bigplum
Well-known member
I use both , 12 point for light duty stuff , anything knarly I use the 6 point, less chance of slipping on corroded undersized fasteners , the 12 points just chew them up ,
Flank drive work pretty well although you don't get the snug feeling of a 6 point
I also keep a selection of old whitworth sockets under my bench , they have come in handy when all else fails , just thump the tightest one on with a copper mallet and pull like buggery.
Sometimes works , easier than cutting or drilling fasteners off
Flank drive work pretty well although you don't get the snug feeling of a 6 point
I also keep a selection of old whitworth sockets under my bench , they have come in handy when all else fails , just thump the tightest one on with a copper mallet and pull like buggery.
Sometimes works , easier than cutting or drilling fasteners off