6-point wrenches and sockets question

[dps]

In the Craftsman catalog, it says "6-point wrenches, Preferred by professionals, 6-point wrenches maximize fastener surface contact for a more secure fit to minimize rounding over corners or slipping off a stubborn fastener."

That seems true, and assuming that the vast majority of wrenching is with hex head bolts, why wouldn't you use 6-point tools exclusively?

That said, how come Sears only offers their raised panel wrenches in 6-point, and not their Pro series?

Why do tool sets most always include 6 point AND 12 point?

 

[bman123]

I have used the 6point cornwell wrenches before and they are nice

 

[krusty the clown]

you'll find 12 pt common on wrenches, 6pt would require too much swing for most places. 6pt for sockets due to the ratchet will allow more swing. there are some 12pt fasteners so it may be a good idea to have both 6 and 12 pt sockets.

 

[dps]

It would make sense to keep at least some minimal amount of 12 point stuff for the occasional 4, 8, or 12 point fastener. And on a box wrench, yes sometimes 6 would be difficult, but why aren't the ratcheting wrenches done in 6 point since (like sockets) that wouldn't be a problem?

 

[eschoendorff]

Quite honestly, I cannot remember the last time I rounded a bolt or nut with a modern 12 point wrench. With the adoption of the flank drive principle by every wrench maker under the sun, rounded corners should really be a thing of the past with the box end of the wrench.

If 6 points were that much better, there would be more of a market for them.

Otherwise, I concur with what Krusty said.

 

[Deafautotech]

Quite honestly, I cannot remember the last time I rounded a bolt or nut with a modern 12 point wrench. With the adoption of the flank drive principle by every wrench maker under the sun, rounded corners should really be a thing of the past with the box end of the wrench.

If 6 points were that much better, there would be more of a market for them.

Otherwise, I concur with what Krusty said.

Well i did not own any 6 pts wrenches since five years ago until master tech and i got the bad turbocharger on 2004 Dodge Ram 3500... i tried to use snap on 12 pts wrench because no way ratchet and socket will fit... so i tried to break loose two nuts and almost round it... so i had to borrow other tech's matco tool 15mm 6pts wrench and it got break loose... even that tech told me to throw snap on away and get matco wrenches... i told him that matco tools are made same with Sears by Danahers... then i got sears' 6 pt metric wrench set for 20 dollars (6mm to 18mm) while that tech paid matco tools for like 150 dollars when he bought long time ago... i can abuse or beat the wrench and i would not give a care if it chrome peel because it is matte and for only 20 dollars then i would be shut up and get more works done...

 

[eschoendorff]

Well i did not own any 6 pts wrenches since five years ago until master tech and i got the bad turbocharger on 2004 Dodge Ram 3500... i tried to use snap on 12 pts wrench because no way ratchet and socket will fit... so i tried to break loose two nuts and almost round it... so i had to borrow other tech's matco tool 15mm 6pts wrench and it got break loose... even that tech told me to throw snap on away and get matco wrenches... i told him that matco tools are made same with Sears by Danahers... then i got sears' 6 pt metric wrench set for 20 dollars (6mm to 18mm) while that tech paid matco tools for like 150 dollars when he bought long time ago... i can abuse or beat the wrench and i would not give a care if it chrome peel because it is matte and for only 20 dollars then i would be shut up and get more works done...

In your case it makes sense to have those.. but the rest of us are likely able to get by with our 12 points and just take a little longer to get around the situation.

 

[Merkava_4]

you'll find 12 pt common on wrenches, 6pt would require too much swing for most places. 6pt for sockets due to the ratchet will allow more swing. there are some 12pt fasteners so it may be a good idea to have both 6 and 12 pt sockets.

What he said. I would not ever want a 6 point wrench.

 

[ImportTuner]

Because of this board, I went out and bought 6 pt Craftsman wrenches; I didn't own any before ...

As for 6-point wrenches and sockets, what Krusty said ...

 

[hamburglar]

...............

 

[ImportTuner]

are you absolutely sure????

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...001QQitemZ110241266142QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Ooh la la.

Not nice to tease Merkava_4 with a auction that is over ....

 

[Merkava_4]

are you absolutely sure????

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...001QQitemZ110241266142QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Ooh la la.

Yeah you're right; I might have to take exception with those sweet XBM's.

 

[Fedwrench]

Mac sells modified 6 point fine tooth ratcheting wrenches under the Edge line. Smaller 6 point wrenches in 8, 10mm, 3/8, and 7/16 are handy for bleeder ******* on calipers, wheel cylinders, and the like. As has been previously posted, 6 point wrenches require more swing when repositioning (not an issue with gearwrenches). Six point sockets provide a much better better surface contact than 12 point. Positioning isn't a factor as the ratchet/extension does the moving. In lieu of 12 point sockets, I would recommend a spline type socket set that would work on torx, external 12 point, and square. with this set you really wouldn't need both standard and metric.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Years ago all I had were 12 pt socket sets except for my impacts. As years went by and while I was single and could still afford to burn money I bought 6pt sets in all drives as well, when Sears brought out their 6pt wrench sets I bought small sets of them in both standard and metric going to about 3/4". The reality is that for most of my home wrenching I really could have probably gotten by letting my impacts do double duty and skipped my 6pt chromes. It's cool though I have had them too many years for it to matter at this point!

 

[PoorOwner]

Are you guys ready to hear what I use for those 6 point situations?

I use Metrinch I used havn't rounded anything and even removed some less than healthy bolts. It was my main tool set that I used for 7 years they worked fine.. I only broke a chrome extension bar.. in fact I think it would be great as kit to carry in the car (as discussed in the other thread)

 

[eschoendorff]

Mac sells modified 6 point fine tooth ratcheting wrenches under the Edge line. Smaller 6 point wrenches in 8, 10mm, 3/8, and 7/16 are handy for bleeder ******* on calipers, wheel cylinders, and the like. As has been previously posted, 6 point wrenches require more swing when repositioning (not an issue with gearwrenches). Six point sockets provide a much better better surface contact than 12 point. Positioning isn't a factor as the ratchet/extension does the moving. In lieu of 12 point sockets, I would recommend a spline type socket set that would work on torx, external 12 point, and square. with this set you really wouldn't need both standard and metric.

Do they really work that well? I've never used them but have been curious....

 

[MAD]

why aren't the ratcheting wrenches done in 6 point since (like sockets) that wouldn't be a problem?

It would still be a problem to position the wrench on the head of the fastener in a tight spot. You might have to spin the box wrench end with your fingers several times in order to get the wrench to line up.


I have some six point combination wrenches. They are nice to have for rusty and damaged fasteners here in the land of salt but not essential. I never owned any when I was actually working in a repair shop.