6pt & 12pt Sockets

[Garage_Guy]

Hi, as you know from my previous posts I am starting my tools collection. Now, I
was wondering if I should have both 6 and 12 point sockets in my collection. The
majoriety of the sockets that came in my kit are 6pt so I was wondering if I should
buy the 12pts too. Anywho, thanks guys. Let me know your opinions.

 

[GearHead_1]

Hi, as you know from my previous posts I am starting my tools collection. Now, I
was wondering if I should have both 6 and 12 point sockets in my collection. The
majoriety of the sockets that came in my kit are 6pt so I was wondering if I should
buy the 12pts too. Anywho, thanks guys. Let me know your opinions.

Yeah, if you're looking for a complete tool set you want both. They both have pro's and con's associated with them. If I were hard pressed for one or the other I would opt for the six points as they tend to round bolt/nuts less easily than a twelve point socket.

 

[Runner94]

I agree with GearHead 1. Six are the standard set to get, but ther will come a time when you'll need the 12 point. And just like everything else in this world it's easier to buy both now than to wait and watch the prices go UP!

Every once in a while you'll come across a 12 point bolt. I know because I was changing a fuel pump on a friends small block Chevy once and there because of space issues were two 12 point 3/8 bolts. And guess what, I didn't have a 12 point. I do now, so it's better to have both than run into a problem.

Greg

 

[Wile1Coyote]

Yep 6 pt short sockets then 12 point short sockets then 6 point deep then 12 point deep. Then sockets with built in swivels then crows feet etc.

In my opinion it is imposible to have too many sockets or wrenches. The other nice thing is if you have both 6's and 12's then you can set up two different wrench handles with the same size socket if you need to. Sometimes both the nut and the bolt head are the same size and a box end wrench doesn't hold well enough.

 

[jstbecauz]

12 pt do come in handy for certian things. Keep in mind though, most of your wrenches come with a built in 12 pt on the box end that is if you are ever in a bind and dont have the one that you need in a socket.

 

[GearHead_1]

I actually use 6 point deep well sockets more often than anything else but once again if I could only have one socket it would be 6 point regular sockets. The deep well sockets give me something to hold on to while driving the ratchet or using an impact wrench/air rachet with the other hand. Lots of mechanics accomplish the same thing using an extension but I prefer using just the deep well socket. The deep wells limit the area than can get into but regular sockets won't get over the nut end of some bolts.

 

[kartracer55]

I agree with gearhead.

If you can afford it, its nice to have both. ferry head (12 pt bolts) show up alot on Honda drivetrains.

My most used are 6pt deeps, because alot of times it eliminates the need for a shrt extension.

If your buying craftsman, they dont make 12pt deep metrics in 1/2 Your going to have to go another brand, Dont kill yourself looking for them, you will survive without them.

Jim

 

[GearHead_1]

I agree with gearhead.
If your buying craftsman, they dont make 12pt deep metrics in 1/2 Your going to have to go another brand,

Jim

I've got Craftsman metric deeps in 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 in 12 points. I don't think they make the 1/4" deep metrics any longer but the 1/2" are still offered.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...OL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00934559000

 

[kartracer55]

I meant to say metric deeps in 6 pt.... I have metric 12 pt deeps! I screwed up, thanks for correcting me. Your right, I dont think they have them either, But I dont see the need for them. It would be way to easy to strip out a 3/16 bolt witha 12 pt socket. There are always wrenches if you need them. The ferry head bolts I have enccountered are all usualy around 5/8 size anyway.

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

Ok... this may be a little unorthodox, but I have almost all of my standard chrome sockets in 12 point. Then, when I really need a 6 point, I simply break out my impact sockets. All of my impacts are 6 point, be they deep or shallow. I actually find myself using my impact sockets mose than anything else!

 

[kartracer55]

I am sort of the same way. The problem is that soemtimes Impacts wont fit into places a chrome socket will. Take a briggs and stratton head for example. You cant fit and impact in to take off those head bolts, its only chrome. My chrome stuff is easier to get to than my impacts are

Jim

 

[Rickster]

The only 12 points I own are a dusty old set of 1/2 inch drives I keep in one drawer, maybe I'll donate them to Greenfield Village museum or something. Its 3/8 & 1/4 drive with 6 points all the way. Don't waste your money on 12 points! Use that money for a couple of good flex ratchets and extra 1/2, 9/16, 5/8 and 10mm sockets.

 

[kartracer55]

Nah Id have to disagree. 12 pts do have thier place. They will work fine on most low torque stuff. You have problems with 12 pts stripping in the smaller sizes, generally not in 1/2 inch. I have been told that aircraft use alot of these ferryhead bolts, and I have encountered them in hondas as well. They allow for a smaller bolt head than a standrard bolt. If your set of tools came with 12pt 1/2inch, I would nt bother to go with 6pt, unless you know you are going to by applying a ton of torque. I have a couple of designated 6pt sockets specifically for lugs. Dont want to strip those out!

Jim

 

[motorheadjohn]

Ok... this may be a little unorthodox, but I have almost all of my standard chrome sockets in 12 point. Then, when I really need a 6 point, I simply break out my impact sockets. All of my impacts are 6 point, be they deep or shallow. I actually find myself using my impact sockets mose than anything else!

Same here, I use 1/2" 6-pt deep and shallow impact sockets for everything, not just impact work.

 

[Hagatronics]

I started out with 12 point and just kept going. Now have a full selection of 12 point in deep and shallow in all sizes and drives. The only 6 point sockets i have are some 1/2” impact in deep and shallow plus a few spark plug sockets. I don't think I've ever rounded over a bolt head.

 

[drink]

I have been using 12 point a long time with no rounding problem. The 12 point sockets work on more fasteners than 6 points. You do not have to turn the 12's as far as 6's to put them on a fastener. They say a 6 is stronger but I have never had a socket of either kind to break so far. I own both 6's and 12's also. I do use 6 points in my 1/4 drive sets but I have both.

 

[lightning02]

i have both 6 and 12. i always grab the 6pts.

 

[Stevenn1]

I have 6, 8 & 12pt. Use 6pt 95% of the time. You think 6 is all you need until you go to drop that drive shaft, then it's 12mm 12pt.

 

[jrockford]

Aren't box end wrenches typically 12 point too?

I'd rather use a 12 point socket on a 6 point bolt than a 6 point socket on a 12 point bolt. That said, I have both and still find myself going for the 12 point socket by default. Never once rounded a bolt either.

 

[gdocktor3]

I've been buying SK 12 point spline socket sets off eBay lately when they pop up cheap. They work really well in my experiences. I was first turned on to the spline design when I purchased Kabo made SK & Matco, as well as Proto ratchet wrenches.

 

[smuro04]

6pt & 12pt Sockets

I think it really boils down to what you plan on or intend to be using your tools on.

For around the house, 6pt's will do just fine.

For DIY/automotive, I would buy 6pt's first in 1/4" and 3/8" drives, then start adding 12pt's per your needs. I think 1/2" chrome sockets are kind of pointless (unless you know the application), you can just use a 1/2" impact. If you're working with high performance automotive fasteners (like ARP) then I can see where 1/2" 12pt's would come in handy. Head bolts are often 12pt and usually torqued to a rating that is a bit on the high end for 3/8" drives.

Aircraft... 12pt all the way obviously.


I started with 1/4" and 3/8" drive master sets with 6pt sockets. Then bought 1/2" impact master sets. Now I'm slowly gathering 3/8" 12pt's. if I ever do buy 1/2" chrome sockets, I'd probably invest in 12pt shallow and 6pt deep, but that's just me.

I'm a home/auto DIY guy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sticks McGee]

it depends 100% on the application and what you are doing with them. They both work fine on 6 point fasteners. 12 point fasteners require them over a 6 point. I have no sets of 12 point sockets. All my sets of sockets are 6 point (other than my inverted torx sockets). Over the years I have run across 12 point bolts and typically use a wrench. If it is something that I will commonly be using I buy the specific socket for it. Nothing wrong with buying both if that's what you want or having it "just in case" you come across something. I maintain a fleet of 35 medium duty trucks. 22 Mercedes sprinters, 1 GMC van, 9 ford vans, 2 Isuzu trucks and 2 freightliner chassis trucks. There may be 3-4 fasteners between all of those that need 12 point. I have specific sockets for those. The brunt of my fleet is the MB and they use mostly inverted torx fasteners and 6 pt metric. The belt tensioner uses a 17mm 12 pt.

I will say this...I prefer the box end of a wrench to be 12 point over a 6 point as I have a set of metric wrenches at home and they are 6 point and I feel that many times the spacing can cause issues in terms of clearance on a wrench. If the socket is good quality and not worn and the fastener is not damaged 12 point stuff works excellent.

 

[ssdave]

Maybe I'm seeing something that nobody else sees, but you say you're doing a tool collection. If you mean the tools you use to do work, disregard my comments here. If you're collecting, you ought to come up with some scheme of what you want to collect. Are you trying for a certain brand? A certain era? A certain type? A comprehensive set of every type of tool? Emulating the working tools of a certain trade of a certain era? New old stock tools to match a certain catalog? Or just the maximum amount of any tools you can buy? Then, focus on finding the most unique and comprehensive set of tools that matches your collecting scheme. A lot of guys concentrate on brand, and era. For instance, collecting all the SK with a certain logo they can get, with having the goal of getting all the pieces shown in their 1959 catalog.

If you're just buying garage tools to use, not a collection, buy what you will need to do the kind of work you intend to do. There's a lot of controversy here about which are best, or if both are needed in 6 and 12 point. You've been given a lot of advice on that here already.

 

[97nismo]

Only time I needed 12pt was for flywheel bolts on a clutch job

I only buy 12pt sockets as I need them

Otherwise they just strip 99% of the bolts I encounter

 

[rhandwor]

I would purchase the 6 points first. Then fill in 12 points with used from ebay or flea markets.

 

[CoogarXR]

I don't know how you guys are rounding stuff off with 12-pointers. I've been wrenching for a long time, and I use mostly 12-point and have yet to strip a head.

Honestly, this topic gets beat to death, and the bottom line is, "whatever you prefer". They both get the job done. Like most tool-hoarders on here, I have a full set of both, but my 12-points are the oldest (and what I started out with), so I gravitate toward them most often.

 

[Seppala]

Get the 6 points first. Your up in the northern reaches of the rust belt. 6 point sockets always give you a better chance of removing rusted, frozen nuts and bolts without rounding them off.

 

[Strouty]

Good thing you guys are giving all this advice, I bet the OP has been waiting a long time to hear your responses.

 

[Corndoggeh]

I prefer 12pt for the larger sized sockets and 6pt for the little baby ones since I feel the small 12pt sockets have less steel on them to last versus the larger 3/8 and 1/2 drive sockets. Plus I like versatility more than anything else and 12pt is far more versatile than 6pt.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Good thing you guys are giving all this advice, I bet the OP has been waiting a long time to hear your responses.

Strouty; ^^^^that would be the single point

Sure glad that heading states: "6pt & 12pt Sockets" rather than stating: " 6pt OR 12pt Sockets".. Would hate to be doomed with making a choice. The socket swap in the GJ Classifieds would be smoking..

 

[petee_c]

I believe some of the axle bolts on my VW are 12point, some not. I have one set of 1/2" drive craftsman from my 1st socket set in the mid 90's that are 12pt.

 

[thatguysb]

i tend to like 6 point sockets with fine geared ratchets.

i only use 12 point only when it was called for. Did a kia clutch job and it called for a 12 point 17mm socket, did a engine swap on a truck recently, all bellhousing bolts were 12 point, got away with a wrench

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have been a DIY wrench twister for almost 50 years. I have NEVER run into a project where I had to have a 12 point socket. I do have 12 point combination wrenches.