6pt versus 12pt sockets

[porcupine73]

I bought the Craftsman version of this Snap-on socket since I needed it that day for my ATV's skid steer transmission:

 

[ZRX61]

And with my experience, there isn't that many 12 pt bolts.

Aircraft are covered with them.....

 

[mrholeshot]

I read through this thread and instead of you veterans of the GJ spending 15 post whineing over using the search feature and just answer the damn question. maybe we need a thread just about whineing about people asking the same question as some guy a month ago. Help the guy out or just look away. Damn

 

[logical]

6 points only cost half as much as 12 points

 

[pipsters]

Flywheel bolts, Volvo

The only 12 point I found on the car. You have to wonder WTF they were thinking.

 

[Kenwc]

LOL totally agree...there will always be new people and new questions and that's what you want as it continues to build search fodder when search is used.

Time used posting a slam is time that could have been spent actually "contributing"....sort of...creating more value than you consume...

I read through this thread and instead of you veterans of the GJ spending 15 post whineing over using the search feature and just answer the damn question. maybe we need a thread just about whineing about people asking the same question as some guy a month ago. Help the guy out or just look away. Damn

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Aircraft are covered with them.....

I don't work on aircrafts, so, out of my experience zone. I only come across 12 pointers in the woods, on my engine (all ARP bolts), exhaust manifolds, u-joints, and a few other odds and ends.

 

[mrholeshot]

LOL totally agree...there will always be new people and new questions and that's what you want as it continues to build search fodder when search is used.

Time used posting a slam is time that could have been spent actually "contributing"....sort of...creating more value than you consume...

Exactly. Everybody was new here at one time.

 

[fomocoforrester]

12 point sockets have less material in them than 6 points of the same strength and diameter. This can reduce manufacturing costs once the tooling is paid for.

12 point bolts weigh less than 6 points because with twice the number of torque transmission points they can have a smaller diameter head for the same bolt spec.

 

[comedyman809]

ok, here goes.....you guys say they make 12 point sockets for 12 point fasteners.

then why on earth is damn near every socket availabe, also available in 12 pt, and they are advertised as for all bolts not just 12 pt bolts.

and why are there more socket sets that include only 12 pt sockets, than 6 pt sets.

and why is almost every 3/4 socket i see on the market a 12 point socket.

and how many 12 pt bolts are out there being used compared to 6 pt bolts.

i say get what you like. 6 pt or 12 pt, 6 pt is usually the cheaper way to go as well.

i have many of both and have never rounded a bolt head from the 12 pt.

maybe it could happen but what are the odds??

 

[comedyman809]

if 12 pt bolts were only for 12 pt bolt heads, then they would market them as such, and all regular socket sets would be 6 pt.

but it isnt that way. even cheap brands use 12 pt, and i doubt they are trying to tell you to use them on a once-in-a-while fastener only.

cheap brands are for the average home owner, and the average home owner does not deal with 12 point fasteners.

 

[porcupine73]

but it isnt that way. even cheap brands use 12 pt, and i doubt they are trying to tell you to use them on a once-in-a-while fastener only.

cheap brands are for the average home owner, and the average home owner does not deal with 12 point fasteners.

It's possible these sets are more likely to be purchased by someone buying solely on price and without much knowledge of tools. Someone who bought one of these sets I asked why he bought 12 pt sockets, and he said he didn't really think about it. He said he thought that 12 pt must be better because it's twice as high as 6 pt. He said he just thought that more meant it must be better.

 

[lipadj46]

I read through this thread and instead of you veterans of the GJ spending 15 post whineing over using the search feature and just answer the damn question. maybe we need a thread just about whineing about people asking the same question as some guy a month ago. Help the guy out or just look away. Damn

I think telling someone that there are tens of dozens of threads of threads in this forum answering their question (in detail) and all they need to do is search is helping. If they or anyone else wants a lesson on how to search this forum best (using google) just ask.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

I think telling someone that there are tens of dozens of threads of threads in this forum answering their question (in detail) and all they need to do is search is helping. If they or anyone else wants a lesson on how to search this forum best (using google) just ask.

Did your baby throw up on you again?

 

[fomocoforrester]

The only 12 point I found on the car. You have to wonder WTF they were thinking.

You may not know what they were thinking, but it's a good job they know what they were doing.......

 

[mrholeshot]

ok, here goes.....you guys say they make 12 point sockets for 12 point fasteners.

then why on earth is damn near every socket availabe, also available in 12 pt, and they are advertised as for all bolts not just 12 pt bolts.

and why are there more socket sets that include only 12 pt sockets, than 6 pt sets.

and why is almost every 3/4 socket i see on the market a 12 point socket.

and how many 12 pt bolts are out there being used compared to 6 pt bolts.

i say get what you like. 6 pt or 12 pt, 6 pt is usually the cheaper way to go as well.

i have many of both and have never rounded a bolt head from the 12 pt.

maybe it could happen but what are the odds??

In order

1. You are thinking of spline.

2. 12 point socket will cover 6, 12 and 4 point. Lots of home furniture use to have 4 point bolts to hold the legs on, etc.

3. Lots of large bolts are 12 point because you need to use a breaker bar and this give you greater access.

4. There are lots of applictions with 12 points. Any % rate would be pure speculation but I use nothing but 12 point fasteners on all my engine builds because of greater access using a smaller thinner socket.

5.Actually in most cases 12 point sockets are cheaper. SO charges more because of limited production and demand from auto techs

I say get what you need. I've never had a problem rounding off bolts with a 12 point socket. Most wrenches are 12 point and 6 points are rare compared to 12 point wrenches. Nobody seems to complain about 12 point wrenches. If they had to use 6 point wrenches all the time you would really hear some complaining.

 

[mrholeshot]

Flywheel bolts, Volvo


The only 12 point I found on the car. You have to wonder WTF they were thinking.

Flywheel or flexplate bolts need to be thin. you can apply more torque on a thin head bolt when its 12 point.

 

[comedyman809]

In order

1. You are thinking of spline.

2. 12 point socket will cover 6, 12 and 4 point. Lots of home furniture use to have 4 point bolts to hold the legs on, etc.

3. Lots of large bolts are 12 point because you need to use a breaker bar and this give you greater access.

4. There are lots of applictions with 12 points. Any % rate would be pure speculation but I use nothing but 12 point fasteners on all my engine builds because of greater access using a smaller thinner socket.

5.Actually in most cases 12 point sockets are cheaper. SO charges more because of limited production and demand from auto techs

I say get what you need. I've never had a problem rounding off bolts with a 12 point socket. Most wrenches are 12 point and 6 points are rare compared to 12 point wrenches. Nobody seems to complain about 12 point wrenches. If they had to use 6 point wrenches all the time you would really hear some complaining.

i understand what you mean that your engine builds are done with 12 pointers, but how many people in the general public are building engines???

all im saying that if you did a search for "socket set" on just about any search engine, you will come across more 12 pt sets then 6 pts.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

i understand what you mean that your engine builds are done with 12 pointers, but how many people in the general public are building engines???

all im saying that if you did a search for "socket set" on just about any search engine, you will come across more 12 pt sets then 6 pts.

Yes, because it is general purpose, use for multiple things. Back before flank-drive, or knock offs to it, you were more prone to rounding a head. nowadays, you can just about use any socket without a problem. Take a look on here for socket testing threads, it will explain it better in them. Unless you have some rusty ol' bolt that has been probably rounded off before, you aren't going to have a problem using a 12 pt.

 

[mrholeshot]

i understand what you mean that your engine builds are done with 12 pointers, but how many people in the general public are building engines???

all im saying that if you did a search for "socket set" on just about any search engine, you will come across more 12 pt sets then 6 pts.

It's not just engine builds. I just used that as an example. A 12 point socket set is more "universal" to the average person. If you have a set of 12 points you are covered for 3 differant fasteners. 6 points only do 6 points. There are lots of 12 point fasteners out there. My grandson has some super duper dune buggy type Go Cart. Every bolt on that thing is 12 point.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

2. 12 point socket will cover 6, 12 and 4 point. Lots of home furniture use to have 4 point bolts to hold the legs on, etc.

Possibly. Modern 4 pt seems to be made in sizes that a 12 pt socket agrees with, while older 4 pt stuff........... well I've stumbled into quite a few that a 12 pt would not come close to fitting.

Charles

 

[wafrederick]

I use a 12mm 12 point socket on Ford driveshafts including headbolts on Hyundai and Kia headbolts lately.13mm on wheel bearing retaining bolts on Jeeps,9/16/14mm on fullsize Dodge truck wheelbearing retaining bolts.1/2 12 point is used on Jeep 4.0 headbolts

 

[comedyman809]

It's not just engine builds. I just used that as an example. A 12 point socket set is more "universal" to the average person. If you have a set of 12 points you are covered for 3 differant fasteners. 6 points only do 6 points. There are lots of 12 point fasteners out there. My grandson has some super duper dune buggy type Go Cart. Every bolt on that thing is 12 point.

i understand your point.

so are you for 12 pt as a substantial universal socket to fit all(or almost all)

or not?

in my opinion, i have never had trouble with either 6 or 12.

i also have spline deep sockets that gave me a tiny problem once when i used a socket to start a 5/8-11 tap on the hole, the socket slipped even though it was a perfect fit on the square.

was it the right tool for the job, probably not but, my tap hande to fit that tap size has gone missing.

i think the spline sockets are great for many low torque applications.