Do most of you own 6pt and 12pt sockets? If so, what situation dictates which one you use? I always assumed 6pt was the way to go unless the head on the bolt is a little off and could easily strip. Then you would go with 12pt?
6pt vs 12pt sockets
- Thread starter ed_v
- Start date
shotgunfatcat
Well-known member
Threads galore on this one, do a search, but you would normally use 6pt for 6pt bolts and 12pt for 12 pt bolts, or 12 pt if you need that extra angle.
rayzor32
Well-known member
all 6pt and I have some 12pts for 12pt fasteners. Would never use a 12pt on a 6pt fastener.
Thanks. I tried doing a search. As usual came up with way too many threads that were off topic
Ed
Gary S
Well-known member
6 point sockets are best for hex head bolts, but I've always grabbed whatever I find in the box. I have all good quality sockets, so I've never rounded off a 6 point bolt using a 12 point socket. I've twisted off plenty 6 point bolts with 12 point sockets however, just like as if I had used a 6 point.
12 point sockets are nice when you encounter a square head bolt.
12 point sockets are nice when you encounter a square head bolt.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I've use a 6-point socket on a 12-point bolt before.
Right after i used a chisel..
Right after i used a chisel..
moparmuscle88
Well-known member
i have both, 12 point craftsman for anything that may require it (rarely) and snap on mac and etc good stuff in 6pt. and i actually have used a 6pt to take of a 12pt conrod nut before...
comedyman809
Well-known member
jjarrell4
Well-known member
Yeah I think that horse is dead....maybe a few more punches just to make sure
lol
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
One question for those that only use a 6 point socket on hex bolts and nuts, do you have all 6 point wrenches for hex bolts?
Enough said......
Enough said......
bgott
Well-known member
You just had to go and jack with everybody's mind, didn't you?
rayzor32
Well-known member
yes also do have 6pt wrenches.. rusted/rounded bolts that wont get off with a 12pt...
'nuff said.
'nuff said.
sko
Active member
true story, i have mostly 6pt sockets, but all my combo wrenches are 12pt, i've never rounded off a head with a 12pt wrench, and i'm usually working with squishy stainless hardware.
if you round off the head on a hex nut, your probably doing it wrong
Indy_500
Well-known member
i have mostly 6 pt. but craftsman likes to put 12 pt 1/2" drive sockets in their socket sets instead of 6 pt. for some odd reason 
scooterseats
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2009
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The only time I use 6 point sockets or wrenches is when the bolts are either rusted under size (exhaust manifold bolts) or they are already damaged from previous attempts.
2drx4
Well-known member
Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the better 12-point sockets have an identical contact pattern to their 6-point counterparts.
I use 12-point almost exclusively, and it is all I carry in my work tools. Save for my 6-point 4mm socket, that I've used about 4 times in the last 5 years, and a few special application sockets.
I use 12-point almost exclusively, and it is all I carry in my work tools. Save for my 6-point 4mm socket, that I've used about 4 times in the last 5 years, and a few special application sockets.
arkangel06
Banned
Watch this video and it will all be explaned to you
jabberwoki
Well-known member
No not again
sko
Active member
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
No, but I use the open end to break the bolt loose
Two-sided? My mind is disintegrating!
