6 vs 12 point sockets
- Thread starter _brian_
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1foxracing
Well-known member
Wrench97
Well-known member
16again
Well-known member
OMG, what do I do with all my Snap on 6 points that are in my toolbox??? Do I call and tell them that they made a mistake and actually produced them?
dmaxfireman
Well-known member
my Snappy 7-19mm wrenches are all 6pt and 12pt after that..... They should just stop making 6pt line wrenches since 12pt are so much better too.
I'm on board with the fact that most folks here advocating for 12pt on everything have not worked on anything that has spent a few winters here in the rust belt.
I'm on board with the fact that most folks here advocating for 12pt on everything have not worked on anything that has spent a few winters here in the rust belt.
charger 73
Well-known member
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- Nov 4, 2017
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- 75
Here where I live in Manitoba, Canada corroded fasteners due to winter road salt can be an issue. when working on vehicles at home I use 6 pt to reduce chances of damage. yes I agree with many the new 12 pt sockets are miles above the old ones for grip. my work sockets are all 12 pt because on aircraft close tolerance bolts tend to be 12 pt,plus can be needed for access in tight areas. corroded hardware is not an issue.
buckwheat_la
Well-known member
Maybe all the mechanics you have worked with are wrong too? (lmao j/k, I couldn't help myself)
Bighead38
Well-known member
Where have you worked with these mechanics? I’m guessing it wasn’t in the rust belt.
cherrybomb
Well-known member
Agreed! In the rust belt,it is a different ball game.You better bring your "A" game.
dmaxfireman
Well-known member
Or at dealerships.
Hobbyist since 2001. I’ve rounded off dozens of bolts and nuts using 12 point sockets. With the high tooth count ratchets, I’ve stipped buying 12s unless I have an actual 12 point nut, bolt, or camber washer to turn, and in those cases I just order a 12 point sunex off Amazon.
Reading the updates I See that some expended to wrenches. I have both 6 point and 12 point wrenches. My 6 point is an older USA Craftsman and is not as complete as my 12 point sets, but will cover must things. I am speaking of standard combination wrenches.
Thinking about it, I don't really grab the 6 point wrenches very often. Most times I have one of my carry cases of wrenches or there is a wrench already on top of my cart. As much as I like tools, I would have to admit that the 6 point combo wrench set is something I could have passed on and not really noticed. While in theory I agree that a 6 point is best, I have never really used a wrench where a 12 point did not do what was needed without issues.
Thinking about it, I don't really grab the 6 point wrenches very often. Most times I have one of my carry cases of wrenches or there is a wrench already on top of my cart. As much as I like tools, I would have to admit that the 6 point combo wrench set is something I could have passed on and not really noticed. While in theory I agree that a 6 point is best, I have never really used a wrench where a 12 point did not do what was needed without issues.
tomalophicon
Well-known member
In all my years using 12 point sockets I've never rounded a fastener head. I'm extremely careful with my approach though, and where I live rust doesn't exist.
jimmyin3D
Banned
I don’t really think the tools are what’s the problem in most cases that round Bolts. The hardware is getting cheaper and cheaper, it’s pretty ridiculous what some companies will use.
OMG, what do I do with all my Snap on 6 points that are in my toolbox??? Do I call and tell them that they made a mistake and actually produced them?
Hell, I even have a set of S-o 6pt midget combo wrenches (OXIM707SBK). Love 'em and use them all the time.
SK makes them too, 6PT DBE's
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Honestly I have used 12 point sockets that didn't grip the bolt enough and it slipped. Then I switched and tried a 6 point socket (12mm bolt) and the 6 point didn't slip.
That evidence there is enough to make a habit of not using 12 point whenever possible.
That evidence there is enough to make a habit of not using 12 point whenever possible.
tomalophicon
Well-known member
Gotcha - fair call.
You have be baffled here. I must have rounded hundreds of fasteners and come across hundreds more that were rounded by a previous owner or technician. No amount of being careful can undo the mess made by a previous owner.
We were talking about this at work which reminded me of this thread. I made another vid (less than two mins) comparing the functional difference between a six point wrench and a twelve point wrench on a worn fastener. Used a Snap on wrench this time.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DQJPv_AS4ag" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
jgromada
Well-known member
I just came across some 12 point spark plus sockets. Seriously when have you ever seen a 12 point spark plug?????? seems especially pointless
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
I use a regular deep 7/8" 6 or 12 point socket on my Farmall tractor.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
BMW is one off the top of my head
And nissan.
thool
Well-known member
I prefer 6 point for sockets, because the ratchet itself manages the swing. Also, being in the rust belt, I get very good engagement with 6. They are also easier to clean when I do my annual "OCD get every channel" level cleaning.
For combination wrenches, 6 point is nice, but limits swing.
To be honest, I tend to use both on most projects. If I have a worn fastener out in the open and find the 12 point combination is slipping, I'll switch to the 6 point socket.
For combination wrenches, 6 point is nice, but limits swing.
To be honest, I tend to use both on most projects. If I have a worn fastener out in the open and find the 12 point combination is slipping, I'll switch to the 6 point socket.
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I knew about BMW, but didn't know Nissan went to 12 pts too. And if it's a recent BMW you might need a "special" 12 pt thin wall plug socket, not your "standard" thickness socket.
jtrux
Active member
I'll enter this conversation with another take on things.
In my RV and Jeep I'm limited to space. I tend to carry 6pt shallow sockets in metric and standard (3/8 drive) and 12pt wrenches. I plan on adding some 12pt deep sockets to the list.
Since I basically just use wrenches to hold the back of a fastener, it doesn't concern me too much and the fact that a 12pt can be easier to get on a fastener in a tight area if needed.
So since I'm prohibited by space, it makes sense for me to mix and match. At home, I have pretty much all of them even though it breaks my spirit to buy a whole set of 12pt anything considering that I rarely have a need for a 12pt anything.
On my Jeep, I have actually changed out a few 12pt fasteners for 6pt just cuz it irritates me so much lol.
In my RV and Jeep I'm limited to space. I tend to carry 6pt shallow sockets in metric and standard (3/8 drive) and 12pt wrenches. I plan on adding some 12pt deep sockets to the list.
Since I basically just use wrenches to hold the back of a fastener, it doesn't concern me too much and the fact that a 12pt can be easier to get on a fastener in a tight area if needed.
So since I'm prohibited by space, it makes sense for me to mix and match. At home, I have pretty much all of them even though it breaks my spirit to buy a whole set of 12pt anything considering that I rarely have a need for a 12pt anything.
On my Jeep, I have actually changed out a few 12pt fasteners for 6pt just cuz it irritates me so much lol.
The 12 point spark plug socket is becoming more common. You have Mercedes, BMW, Nissan, Mini, Toyota and I am sure others I am not aware of. You would for sure want to get the thin wall design. I happen to prefer magnetic ones with a swivel on those too, but otherwise do not like the magnetic type sockets.
My axle nut set is also 12 point. I have a few 6 point, but not in a set. I find that I have zero issues using the 12 point on the 6 point nuts.
My axle nut set is also 12 point. I have a few 6 point, but not in a set. I find that I have zero issues using the 12 point on the 6 point nuts.
sberry
Banned
Only truck combo I have are 6. On rare occasion it makes a difference. My brother came home with a handful of Cman 6 in 1/2 a while back.
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