6 point vs 12 point wrenches

[mdnelson86]

I didn't want to hijack the SK day thread and get it off topic, but the last couple posts got me wondering. How many of you prefer 6 point box end wrenches to 12 point and why?

I was planning on getting a set of SK long pattern wrenches with the 12 point box ends, but I'm starting to wonder if I should try 6 points.

Usually when I find myself using the box end of a combination wrench, it's not really high torque situation. Either that, or I'm in a really tight spot and need the 12 point to get the wrench on at the right angle.

Usually if I'm worried about rounding something off, I pull out the 6 point sockets.

I would think the 6 points would be a pain for normal use, but would be good to have for that situation where you really need them. I really don't see myself replacing my main set of combination wrenches with 12 points though.

 

[gtermini]

Search is your friend

Greyson

 

[Art From De Leon]

It would appear to me that on a hex head, or nut, that you will only have 6 points of contact whether or not the wrench or socket, is 6 or 12 point.

Personally, 12 point for wrenches, and 6 point for sockets, except in 1/4" drive, where 12 point is preferable.

 

[Cato]

I prefer 6 pt. I've never been in a situation where the very small added swing of a 12 pt was more important than the chance of rounding off a bolt.

 

[devoncoolman]

Almost all of my wrenches are 12 point. More usefull. I own a couple 6 point wrenches for special purposes. Ex. 5/16 for diff pin lock bolts. They are so freakin tight and are locktighted and will round off sometimes with a 12 point.

 

[Wamsutta]

I prefer 12-point combination wrenches; either Cornwell or Snap-on.

 

[oldldh]

Since I'm old...

And we can't make up our minds about anything...

My Wife bought me some of the last "Forged in the USA" Craftsman combination wrenches...

And since she was paying...

I got the 43 pc SAE/Metric 12pt set, and the 28 pc SAE/Metric 6pt set...

Now, I can sit there, for hours, deciding which type would be "Best"...

 

[Ruger_556]

I prefer 6 pt. I've never been in a situation where the very small added swing of a 12 pt was more important than the chance of rounding off a bolt.

I don't normally join in these threads but... You've probably not done much on any modern car or truck if you've never needed the swing of a 12 point wrench. Just saying...

 

[Tellingthem]

Since I'm old...

And we can't make up our minds about anything...

My Wife bought me some of the last "Forged in the USA" Craftsman combination wrenches...

And since she was paying...

I got the 43 pc SAE/Metric 12pt set, and the 28 pc SAE/Metric 6pt set...

Now, I can sit there, for hours, deciding which type would be "Best"...

Heh.I got both of them as well. Even got the stubby set. They were cheap enough so I figured why not?

 

[epmills]

I only have 12pt, and have never rounded a bolt or even close too it and have been wrenching professionally for 7+years. There are too many tight spots (brake calipers come to mind) where a 6 pt wouldn't fit no matter how hard you tried.

 

[NoahG]

I've used some incredibly sh*tty Chinese and Indian made combo wrenches where the 12pt end didn't slip but dry play doh would have made a better wrench that the open end.


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[belvedere]

Like others, I prefer 12pt wrenches and 6pt sockets.

 

[Cato]

I don't normally join in these threads but... You've probably not done much on any modern car or truck if you've never needed the swing of a 12 point wrench. Just saying...

You're probably right!

 

[pipsters]

I had 6 pt wrenches but sold them off after getting into some spots repeatedly that the wrenches didn't have enough turning radius on them. Haven't missed them a bit.

 

[theknurl]

my SO bleed wrenches are 6 point.......that's it

deep wells are 6 point, standards 12

 

[gearhead1]

Like others, I prefer 12pt wrenches and 6pt sockets.

+1, the 12 points are better in tight spots. I have some 12pt sockets, but much prefer the 6pt sockets......

 

[ajchien]

I have a set of 6pts and 12pts.

Depends on how soft the bolt/nut you're working with is. if its brass or other soft metal, I'd go 6pt. If its rusted and corroded, I go 6pt.

Otherwise, It's so much easier to work with 12pt in general.

 

[Exceller8]

I have both because I like having options when it comes to tools. Plus, we all need more tools!

 

[jim1987]

Why choose? I have 6pt and 12pt in everything except 1/2 deep and ratchet wrenches. Oh and I dont have 1/4 metric 12 points, yet. But have 1/4 sae 12 point sockets.

 

[SASORacing]

who even uses a non-ratcheting wrench these days?

 

[monomach]

I only have 12pt, and have never rounded a bolt or even close too it and have been wrenching professionally for 7+years. There are too many tight spots (brake calipers come to mind) where a 6 pt wouldn't fit no matter how hard you tried.

Seven years and you've never even come close to rounding off a bolt?

What are you, a wizard?

 

[jim1987]

who even uses a non-ratcheting wrench these days?

People who enjoy keeping their tools around. Ratchet wrenches can take the torque for a while, but aren't meant to break loose fasteners or for final torque. That said, I do the same as a diyer. Also that said There's 6 and 12pt ratchet wrenches.

 

[SASORacing]

People who enjoy keeping their tools around. Ratchet wrenches can take the torque for a while, but aren't meant to break loose fasteners or for final torque. That said, I do the same as a diyer. Also that said There's 6 and 12pt ratchet wrenches.

If the ratcheting mechanism breaks thats what my warranty is for right? And also thats what my standard combo wrenches are for, backup.

 

[jim1987]

If the ratcheting mechanism breaks thats what my warranty is for right? And also thats what my standard combo wrenches are for, backup.

You contradict yourself lol. And that warranty won't always work. Since technically that's not what the product is intended for. Like I said I do it to, its.still technically wrong.

Your original question, ratchet wrenches don't fit everywhere

 

[SASORacing]

i think we both have good points, i just simply dont use regualr wrenches anymore... personally.

edit: and i have never broken a ratcheting wrench. yet. going on 6 years same set.

 

[jim1987]

i think we both have good points, i just simply dont use regualr wrenches anymore... personally.

edit: and i have never broken a ratcheting wrench. yet. going on 6 years same set.

 

[epmills]

Seven years and you've never even come close to rounding off a bolt?

What are you, a wizard?

Maybe in lucky? Not much for corrosion in Missouri, although the acetylene has came out a few times on tie rods.

 

[Ruger_556]

Seven years and you've never even come close to rounding off a bolt?

What are you, a wizard?

If it's rusted tight enough to round off with a 12 point wrench you're probably not getting it loose with a combo wrench... Just throwing that out there.

People really exaggerate how often bolts round off, I mean really exaggerate. I can only remember one in the last few years working a shop. They break, seize up, and strip the threads off but rounding? Nope. I had to use the torch to heat up three 3/4" suspension bolts just today though. Stopped my 1/2, 3/4 and the shop 1" drive gun

Now allen and torx bolts are a different matter entirely...

 

[Tig Master]

Work on a Pratt &Whitney Jt8d and Jt9d and won't get very far with a 6 point.Ton's of 12 point in the aircraft engine business.

T

 

[mtnbimmer]

Like others, I prefer 12pt wrenches and 6pt sockets.

My preferences also

 

[Wakefield]

If it's rusted tight enough to round off with a 12 point wrench you're probably not getting it loose with a combo wrench... Just throwing that out there.

People really exaggerate how often bolts round off, I mean really exaggerate. I can only remember one in the last few years working a shop. They break, seize up, and strip the threads off but rounding? Nope. I had to use the torch to heat up three 3/4" suspension bolts just today though. Stopped my 1/2, 3/4 and the shop 1" drive gun

Now allen and torx bolts are a different matter entirely...

Were 6 point box end/combo wrenches more important before the shape inside the box changed from the old sharp corners to such innovations as Loc-Rite and Flank Drive?
Little midget wrenches smaller than 1/2" --better in 6 point?

 

[37ford4dr]

I have both.....the 6 point is great for the high torque socket situations and the 6 point box end is really good for brake bleeders....i wouldnt even think of a 12 pt box end on a brake bleeder.....so if it needs torque I go with the 6 point

 

[Ruger_556]

Were 6 point box end/combo wrenches more important before the shape inside the box changed from the old sharp corners to such innovations as Loc-Rite and Flank Drive?
Little midget wrenches smaller than 1/2" --better in 6 point?

Could be, I don't know as I don't have any old style

Not really... For brake bleeder's yes but flare wrenches work fine for that. I used to have a set of 6 point combo's, honestly couldn't find anything I wanted to use them on.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I see why some may think 6pt wrenches are superior, since the general consensus is 6 pt sockets are superior to 12 pt. That isn't really the case. 6 pt wrenches have very limited utility and range of motion. Most of the time if you are using a wrench it is because you cant get a socket into a tight area/space.

The more you try to use a 6 pt wrench the more youll curse them they are pretty limited. Good for the very small sizes that is about it.

 

[SASORacing]

6 point wrenches are not even an option, there is a reason nobody sells 6 point wrenches, it's because 12 works much better. It's not smart to buy a 6pt wrench for all reasons stated above.

 

[jim1987]

6 point wrenches are not even an option, there is a reason nobody sells 6 point wrenches, it's because 12 works much better. It's not smart to buy a 6pt wrench for all reasons stated above.

You sir are something special.

 

[SASORacing]

You sir are something special.

Try using a 6pt wrench in a confined space, you will just flip it around and use the open end from frustration , go try it right now. Trust me. This is coming from someone who only uses 6pt sockets...

 

[jim1987]

Try using a 6pt wrench in a confined space, you will just flip it around and use the open end from frustration , go try it right now. Trust me. This is coming from someone who only uses 6pt sockets...

You said nobody really sells 6 point wrenches.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Friday Nite Live on Garage Journal
I honestly split a gut when I read through this thread...

and for some strange reason, goofy companies like SnapOn still offer things like 6point wrenches...and for some reason beyond some members logic;; some other members still use them.

In the mean time, I have a question about two wheelers.. What spark plugs should I put in my 24 speed Trek???
Do the Hondas run best on NGK?
Should the Harleys stick to USA made spark plugs?

 

[Adam.C]

I think I get it. I recall working on a 69 camaro (???) where every fastener was frozen and made of aluminum (or so it felt). We ended up using nut splitters.

When a fastener is so corroded that it becomes slightly undersized, even a good 12 pt will round that head or nut where a 6 pt won't. Or at least not initially.

So once again, we here on GJ need to qualify our remarks or its just another pointless thread full of opinions. If you are currently employed as an auto tech, chances are you are seeing cars newer than 15 years old. Chances are, even in salt areas, fasteners are pretty good quality. If you are working on (gosh has it been this long) 40 and 50 yr old cars, absolutely you will do better with 6pt wrenches.

I was (thursday) in an aircraft hangar and met the Snap On industrial rep there. The boxes in that hangar had no 6pt anything and virtually no metric. Again, it depends on what you are working on.

My recommendation for newer automobiles is 12pt wrenches, 6pt sockets (but possibly for no good reason). And I really like the new style specialty wrenches. I like the ratchet wrenches, I like flank drive plus open ends, and I like the high performance 0 degree style (XDHR). If I were starting out/over, I might choose something like the EZ red/Bluepoint/Gearwrench flex head ratchet spline drive wrenches. But I admit I have no experience with these wrenches and I do use ratchet wrenches with caution. So I'm not sure they can be substituted for traditional combination wrenches.

Physics-wise, box wrenches (and especially 0 degree) have advantages over sockets in that there is no over turning moment caused by the pull force offset from the fastener head. I really like using box wrenches and love the convenience of being able to crack a bolt free, then flip the wrench end for end and ratchet it off.