6 point vs. 12 point sockets

[ba614]

I have mostly 6 point sockets as it would seem to me that they would be less likely to round a fastener. 6 point sockets also appear to be stronger in that there is more solid metal in them.

I know that some fasteners come with a 12 head on them but other than that what is the advantage of having them. Where else do they fit into the scheme of performing the work of a professional mechanic?

Are 12 point sockets just something else to buy and store?

As a weekend warrior they are just something else to buy and store to me. So I'm asking for opinion's

 

[ImportTuner]

I have mostly 6 point sockets as it would seem to me that they would be less likely to round a fastener. 6 point sockets also appear to be stronger in that there is more solid metal in them.

I know that some fasteners come with a 12 head on them but other than that what is the advantage of having them. Where else do they fit into the scheme of performing the work of a professional mechanic?

Are 12 point sockets just something else to buy and store?

As a weekend warrior they are just something else to buy and store to me. So I'm asking for opinion's

The 6 point sockets are definitely stronger than the 12 point. The only advantage I see on the 12 point is that is makes it easier to connect to the fastener of your choice. I think the 12 point fasteners are not used as often..

 

[george4]

I have a lot of old 12 points but only buy 6 points now. I do not see much of a difference with ease of use but I would be interested in the opinion of the guys who wrench for a living.

 

[-lecroix-]

I, like George4, have some older 12 point stuff but as a general rule I have only purchased 6 point when it comes to new stuff.

I may pick up some 12 point later on ebay if the price is right, but I haven't found anything I couldn't do with my 6 points and/or my 12 point combination wrenches.

 

[Jeeper]

On a related note, what is the benefit to a manufacture to use a 12 pt fastener. I split the transfercase on my jeep and all the fasteners were 6pt except 1. Don't understand the reasoning for this. I imagine that a 12pt is easier to hold in a tool, but that's all i can think of.

 

[TNToy]

Ooh! We get to do this thread AGAIN? Yay.

 

[-lecroix-]

Ooh! We get to do this thread AGAIN? Yay.

Some of us are new enough that we may not have seen it the first time around.

Relax, life is more fun that way.

 

[mulepackin]

Ooh! We get to do this thread AGAIN? Yay.

For the life of me, I can't see why people get upset at the rehashing of a thread. This is after all a discussion forum. If you don't like whats being discussed stay off the thread. Its really simple. Just don't click on it. I guess when we run out of new issues to discuss we should just read through the archives.

 

[neblinc]

I like to post the links to the older threads if there has been some interest in the subject. More opinions makes for better head scratching

6 point vs 12 point

Randy

 

[ba614]

sorry to rehash something that was just discussed this year ... I think I even read the thread when it was new ... but I forgot ... I was thinking of buying some 12 points and really couldn't figure out why I really needed 12 point sockets ... some of us wake up in a new world everyday and I have slept quite a few times since the other thread was on

 

[-lecroix-]

No need to apologize, I wouldn't have known of the first thread had this one not come up. Some folks are a bit **** retentive concerning topics that have been posted before ... unsure why, but it's their loss, not ours.

Thanks.

 

[george4]

I like to post the links to the older threads if there has been some interest in the subject. More opinions makes for better head scratching

6 point vs 12 point

Randy

That is a very gentlemanly thing to do.

 

[kartracer55]

The only reason I have 12pt sockets is because of 12pt fasteners. Just about every other set of sockets I own (aside from a few) are 6pt's.

12pts are oldschool because they make it easier to remove a bolt using a sliding t handle as it was explained to me by somebody on here. Now, Ratchets are the norm, so I buy mostly 6pts

Jim

 

[mulepackin]

My Dodge diesel pickup does seem to have an inordinate amount of 12 point fasteners. More than any other auto or industrial application I'm familiar with. I do believe the aircraft industry uses a fair amount of them.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

More than 2/3 of my sockets are 6 point while the 12 points I gotten here and there at a good price.

I think one day I will buy 6 points to replace the 12's but keep them all

 

[Rickster]

I prefer the 6 point sockets for their strength but when using a wrench the 12-points will get you on the fastener easier and give you more throw in tight situations.

 

[Deafautotech]

i had all 6pts sockets and 12pts sockets because i know that jeep have 12pts bolts . same with harley davidson motorcycles.

 

[wilbilt]

I never really cared one way or the other. I have a mix of both. I have broken sockets because they were junk, but not necessarily because they were 12pt or 6pt.

 

[Kevin123]

I have mostly 6 point sockets as it would seem to me that they would be less likely to round a fastener. 6 point sockets also appear to be stronger in that there is more solid metal in them.

I know that some fasteners come with a 12 head on them but other than that what is the advantage of having them. Where else do they fit into the scheme of performing the work of a professional mechanic?

Are 12 point sockets just something else to buy and store?

As a weekend warrior they are just something else to buy and store to me. So I'm asking for opinion's

Aviation maintenance is probably the biggest demand for them considering the large amount of 12 point bolts on acft, 12 point is all you'll find in my box to save money considering they work for both. As far as strength and not damaging fasteners, I have never had a problem but I also spent the extra cash on snap on. If I was a car mechanic all I would buy is six point. As far as ease of use, the only time I have ever been annoyed with a 6 point is when you have multiple bolts of the same size and you are using a driver to put them in and you are in a hurry then you notice 12 points slip right on where your flow kinda gets interrupted with lining up 6 points. However not a reason to spend the extra cash

 

[ecotec]

Toyotas, Dodge trucks, Fords, GM, Harleys, and Isuzus have some 12pt fasteners.

 

[INDUSTRIAL_FINISH]

 

[franzdom]

 

[bsaint]

You know why? Because the GJ search function ***** and this is what comes up when you google garagejournal and 6 point.

Anyways I always was an advocate of 12 pt until I really got to work on my car. 6 point is really the only thing you can use on fasteners on a car more than a couple years old unless you live somewhere that doesn't get a winter where salt is required.

 

[Caman]

The only area I try to use a 12 point socket is on square head bolts. They work great.

 

[dutchgray]

The only area I try to use a 12 point socket is on square head bolts. They work great.

I use square or 8 point sockets on square heads, that's what their for.

 

[davethorik]

I'm actually glad this thread came up, I get my 4 year bonus check from work this Friday and I've decided to splurge on some 3/8 metric shallow chrome sockets. I honestly don't ever think I've come across a 12 point fastener but I was debating 6 vs. 12. Think I'm gonna go with this set:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001VXV27K/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[d.mcfarland]

^^ Nice choice, with another option being Wright from Harry Epsteins.

My choice would be USA 6 point for a full set and a smaller set of 12 point that would be inexpensive Taiwan made sockets for the "just in case" times.

 

[shoggoth80]

I run across 12pt fasteners at work. I hate them. However, when you need a 12pt, you NEED a 12pt. They are versatile otherwise. I prefer the proper tool for the job... but I know that in real life you have to improvise sometimes.

 

[Ricky112]

a 12 point socket will do a 6 point and a 12 point fastener

a 6 point socket will do a 6 point fastener

that being said, I have both.. shallow and deep lol

 

[thool]

What is a"bonus check " ?

 

[honcho]

I bought into the argument that 6 pt sockets are superior and pretty much duplicated everything I had in 12 pt. I suppose it's habit but I think I prefer 12 pt for routine use. Even with high tooth count ratchets, 12 pt sockets seems to be "easier" to work with, particularly with recessed or obstructed fasteners (think a starter bolt or something behind a pulley). I occasionally find myself putting a socket on a nut/bolt and then attaching the ratchet. In those situations 12 point works a bit easier for me. Of course, your experience may be different.

One other observation. I have found that older socket sets, regardless of manufacturer, are typically 12 pt. Not to say I don't see 6 pt sockets, but I see a lot more 12 point in both 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive. 6 pt seems to be very common on 1/4 drive sockets. I don't see much in drive sizes above 1/2 inch.

 

[davethorik]

^^ Nice choice, with another option being Wright from Harry Epsteins.

My choice would be USA 6 point for a full set and a smaller set of 12 point that would be inexpensive Taiwan made sockets for the "just in case" times.

I missed out on the Wright set used, iirc it is 7-19mm. After some digging, the Proto set has 6-26 no skips. The smaller Proto set which is similar to Wright is around $20 cheaper new. Wright doesn't make a larger set. SK does but more money and a couple less sizes. The proto imo is the best deal new in this class.

What is a"bonus check " ?

I'm lucky enough to get a yearly bonus basically an extra paycheck that is averaged from past yr.

 

[BK13]

This is GJ. You obviously need both.

This is also where people bicth about resurrecting an old thread but also ***** about starting a new one...

 

[franzdom]

This is GJ. You obviously need both.

This is also where people bicth about resurrecting an old thread but also ***** about starting a new one...

Stop bitching, dammit!

 

[AmateurMechanic]

I think 12-point sockets are perfectly fine for low to moderate torque situations. If you're trying to remove a valve cover, for example, those bolts are not torqued very tight and there is no difference between using a 6-point vs 12 point socket. In fact, the 12 point socket is easier to put on the bolt, so it might even be a little more convenient to use.

When I'm dealing with something that's really torqued down tight or rusted on, I go for the 6-points. Stuff like suspension bolts, overtightened oil drain pan plugs, etc.

I have a a full shallow/deep 12 point set in 3/8" drive, which covers most general tasks. I have some 6-point 3/8" sockets but find that I don't use them as often as the 12 points.

I also keep a full 6-point 1/2" drive set around for tougher jobs. IMO if something is tight enough to the point where you are worrying about stripping the bolt with a 12-point socket, you probably need to break out the 1/2" drive ratchet anyway.

 

[michael murder]

There are roughly 13,785 6 point 12 point threads at last count

 

[Caman]

I use square or 8 point sockets on square heads, that's what their for.

Of course. But when I already have 12's and only a few random times a year does a square head pop up I'll stick with what I got.

 

[BK13]

Stop bitching, dammit!

I know, right?

I did the 'use the search' thing a couple of times until I realized that the search function *****, and your damned if you bring up an old thread, and damned if you start a new one.

 

[kblee27]

Anyone use the spline regularly instead of 6 or 12 pts ?
Like this one
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00176HUOK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I wonder if there's a possibility of damaging regular hex nuts using these sockets ?

 

[MagnumForce]

Nope, spline drive puts more surface on a head than even 6 point.

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