6pt or 12pt Sockets for hand tools
- Thread starter ToddG
- Start date
Plenty of people complain about 12 point wrenches. Especially in the rust belt.
You still haven't shown that NO ONE knows what they're for. Lots of people know what they're for.
Boogerman
Well-known member
I respectfully disagree with this. 12 point is desirable, 6 point is an undesirable necessity occasionally.
This would be a pretty good compromise. Have nice 12 point chrome for everyday use, and heavier 6 point for those fasteners that just need 6 pt.
Heavily contested subject here; the minimalist and save money and cheap tools camps say buy 6 point, many say just buy impacts and no chrome. Makes sense from low cost and least tools standpoint.
However, 12 point are lighter, slightly smaller, more pleasant to use. In quality tools, not a lot of difference in grip power, but 6 point are slightly better if they fit well. In cheap tools, 6 points are a major advantage, as cheap 12 points tend to round off bolts more.
So, to minimize tools and cost, buy one set of cheap 6 points. Choice of chrome or impact, depending on your use and preference.
If you're not a minimalist and cost not the primary concern buy high quality chrome sockets (Snap-on and Proto, in my opinion) in 12 point AND 6 point, and have 6 point impacts also. Then, use the ones you prefer for each task.
CGarage
Well-known member
Yet, there are 18 pages pages of search results on this exact subject on a tool forum?
Give me a break!!!
You realize the world is full of people, right?
CGarage
Well-known member
Your better half must love “arguments and debates” with you……I bet you always win, too.
Bravo.
You're using one little forum for the basis of your argument. So
sz0k30
Well-known member
In over 50 years of wrenching & playing with cars, I have NEVER broken a 12 point socket or 12 point box wrench!!!
CGarage
Well-known member
You're using one little forum for the basis of your argument. So
It’s 2023, the long hair and neon orange is a real good look on you
joel63
Well-known member
That's why I have 6 point wrenches in SAE and metric.
I always use the 6 point on drain plugs. It just feels safer.
Same. Anything even remotely sketch I'm putting a nice snug 6 point on.
I don't know what you guys are arguing about?
Summing over all the posts, there are only 2 viewpoints and they don't contradict each other.
1. 12 points works, at least for me.
2. 6 points works better.
See, we all agree with each other.
Summing over all the posts, there are only 2 viewpoints and they don't contradict each other.
1. 12 points works, at least for me.
2. 6 points works better.
See, we all agree with each other.
Yeah I don't get where he's saying people don't know the difference.
CGarage
Well-known member
It’s really simple…..if 18 pages of search results on this exact topic doesn’t prove my point, then I am not sure what would.
If it was that clear and obvious, there would not be 18 pages on the subject.
How many auto mechanics have seen the inside of a helicopter turbine engine, or worked in aerospace? Only two that I know of, off-hand.
ZRX61
Well-known member
On GJ? Several of us.
CGarage
Well-known member
Fortunate, and in the minority most definitely.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Just wait until you work on a newer Ford & have to add Torx + & E Torx +
ZRX61
Well-known member
There's Titanium 12pt aerospace hardware on my ZRX11 too
I'm not seeing how you equate 18 pages of an internet message board discussing 6 vs 12 with "no one knowing the best practices."
Most of the discussions are just ad nauseam posts about their preferences and needs. It's not that they don't know the differences or purposes.
And it's a tiny cross section of the world at large. It's far, far from supporting that NO ONE KNOWS.
I don't see why you'd have to see the inside of a turbine to know 6 goes on 6 and is ideal, 12 can be used on 6 but can risk rounding if sketchy, 12 goes on 12 and is ideal, and 6 can't go on 12.
CGarage
Well-known member
On Mercedes as well……which is my only experience with it working on my own vehicles.
In my opinion a "complete" set of chrome sockets includes both 6 and 12 point, in both deep and shallow, (and maybe in medium length, too) in both metric and SAE, and in all 3 common drive sizes, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2. Anything else is really just an incomplete set. I am working on this setup as we speak. I have the complete set in 6 point, and about 2/3rds the set in 12 point. It will be complete someday...
ZRX61
Well-known member
& by extension (see what I did there?) Aston Martins
ZRX61
Well-known member
Did you mean to quote CGarage?
No I forgot to add "anyway" on the end.
Also including stubby, super stubby, swivel and long swivel. Otherwise, life is never secure!
Of course.... I' thought everyone knew that? lol.
All you need to do is fill two complete sets of Hansen trays and you'll have a "good start" to a complete set of chrome sockets.
No empty pegs allowed!
ZRX61
Well-known member
Pretty much got that all covered.
Wobbly at best.
Benny Franklin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2023
- Messages
- 85
Got most of that covered, still a few gaps between 27 and 36mm. And I don't have a bunch of swivel sockets
My SAE stuff goes up to 2" I think (might have some hydraulic line wrenches bigger than that)
But I do have a 24" adjustable wrench and a collection of pipe wrenches that get used infrequently on bigger stuff
Did not sets used to often/sometimes come with the smaller sockets 6 and the larger 12 point?
It has been my experience that rounded heads were generally not the tool's fault, unless we're talking about the tool holding the wrench...
It has been my experience that rounded heads were generally not the tool's fault, unless we're talking about the tool holding the wrench...
dnschmidt
Well-known member
To me this argument is moot above 15mm just about anywhere. Twelve or six doesn't matter as there is plenty of meat on a socket that size and larger. 10mm in the Rust Belt certainly six point is superior. Out here in the Sonoran Desert 12pt 10mm is no issue whatsoever.
inliner311
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2022
- Messages
- 38
They do but that might be because it's a cost saving measure or a way to get you to buy some more sets. Like a lot of the big sets from craftsman, kobalt, husky, Gearwrench, etc have gotten rid of a lot of the bigger sockets in general. Gearwrench got rid of the 1/2" drive set all together from their big 3 tray tool set.
The reason why I will go for a 6 point when I can instead of a 12 point is the slight chance that a 6 point will not round off a bolt head to save me the headache of having to figure out how to get the bolt off is it does round. It might be a small chance but extracting bolts is time consuming so even one less time in 20 or 100 is well worth any time savings a 12 point sockets gives me. Again I'm in the rust belt so I'm always fighting rusted bolts and investing in new ways to get them out.
I tend to start thinking about getting a newer car when the bolts on my car hits that threshold that they start rounding off more and more often. If I'm using my grinder and drill more than just my socket/ratchet and wrenches, the joy of working on my car goes down hill.
That's funny. I don't work on my car until I need the grinder and drill more than just my socket/ratchet.
Correction: I don't BUY a car until I need the grinder and drill more than just my socket/ratchet.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Ko-Ken has a few sets that do this. Up to 12mm in 6, 13mm-up in 12pt.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
This is the crux. You can remove a 32mm axle nut with a 34mm socket. Put a 10mm on an 8mm, fresh hardware, and it just spins. One has less margin as the hardware gets smaller.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
This has been my observation as well. Larger sizes have enough contact area that a 12point will work, but smaller ones need precision. Plus smaller bolts tend to be lower grade and thus easier to round off.
That said, I will reach for a 6-point if I have the option, regardless of size. I just prefer them.