6pt vs 12pt

[ProCharger]

Let me start by saying I read the thread asking the point of open ended wrenches. I am in no way wanting to go down that road....this IS a legitimate question.

What is the purpose of 12 point tools? I have both, use both, but honestly can not remember a time where I had to ditch a 6 point to go to a 12 point. I have had times where a 12 point would spin and I would hammer on a 6 point to take it's place to finish the job. I could see a 12 point giving a swing arc advantage on a box end but why a socket? Thanks in advance.

 

[afazz]

Hot rods, show cars, and airplanes are built with 12-point fasteners. They're used on a lot of automotive applications too, usually for specialty and/or high strength fasteners. And some people prefer to use 12-point sockets on 6-point bolts since they can be easier to engage.

 

[General Geoff]

Most obvious answer would be "For 12 point fasteners."

Otherwise, they're more useful in bigger sizes because they offer more contact area and won't strip hex fasteners. I stick to 6 point only for 1/4" drive.


If you REALLY want to start an argument, ask about spline sockets.

 

[jobo1004]

The pressure plate and the flywheel on my Honda Civic both utilize 12 point fasteners. My wife's Mercedes used 12 point fasteners for the lower front strut mounts. Having said that I made it 32 years before I ever had to remove a 12 point bolt. It just depends on what you work on.

 

[tmike14400]

In a tight area, a 12 point will allow you to get a grip on and turn a fastener when sometimes, a 6 point doesn't have the swing space.
I ran into it this past weekend when doing some suspension work.

 

[fuddinator]

A lot of 12pt on airplanes. As mentioned earlier, it can help getting on bolts in tight places. That half flat of engagement can make the difference. I use my 12pt more even on 6pt bolts except smaller than 5/16.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

12pt is also common on high strength fasteners used on race cars and heavy equipment. I've never come across a metric 12pt, but others have said they are becoming more common.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

A twelve point socket set will also fit square nuts and drain plugs. They also seem to weigh less than a set of 6 point sockets.

 

[larry_g]

We've had this discussion here a couple of times;
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6337
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8125
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62645
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265706

And many more.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[theknurl]

12 point bolts are marketing BS......

look up the SAE torque value specs for 6 points.......the bolt fails before the head deforms

I spent a few years in the Engineering Dept of HiShear Corp an aerospace fastener company

 

[D9H 90V]

Work on a Duramax diesel or a Caterpillar diesel, you'll get plenty of use out of a 12pt socket or wrench!

 

[AmishFury]

personally i only buy 6pt sockets... if i run into a 12pt fastener i'll deal with it when that time comes

 

[cbracer]

I buy 12 point normal sockets and 6 point deeps. Never found a need for a 12 point deep. 12 point deep sockets are also harder to chrome and might end up with rust. Only reason for a 12 point deep would be situations where your breaker bar handle might not be at the perfect angle.

 

[CodyY]

Because Racecar

 

[gungatim]

asked and answered multiple times. lots of 12pt. fasteners out there on vehicles and other machines...Hi, my name is the search button, and I've been a member of this site for years...

 

[maxpower_hd]

Diddo on the tight areas. I have had several instances where I needed to use a 12 point to loosen a nut or bolt because I had no clearance with a 6 point. That being said I have also broken way more 12 points than 6 points so they aren't my first choice either.

 

[LeBaroner]

12 point sockets are often thinner (walls) than 6 point.

On large-ish rusty fasteners, you may be able to get better engagement with the bolt as the 12 point will seat easier. However it will also have a higher risk of rounding the bolt. It is usually better to wire bush the bolt and seat a 6 point properly, but you don't always have enough room to do that.

 

[franzdom]

12 point sockets are often thinner (walls) than 6 point.

On large-ish rusty fasteners, you may be able to get better engagement with the bolt as the 12 point will seat easier. However it will also have a higher risk of rounding the bolt. It is usually better to wire bush the bolt and seat a 6 point properly, but you don't always have enough room to do that.

This is a myth. The OD on 6 & 12 pt sockets, all other things equal (brand, style etc), is the same.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Since no one has...............

I gotta add...................

 

[mingus2112]

I'm new here, and only have a tiny bit of experience with the subject, but have a really strong opinion on this after an incident yesterday. I had a bolt on my caliper that wouldn't budge and was starting to round with my 12pt open end wrench and wouldn't move with a 12pt socket. I didn't have any 6 point sockets or wrenches that would fit it. I had found a seller on craigslist that had some older craftsman V series ratchets, a bunch of sockets and some open ended wrenches. I went there in my wife's car while I was out getting parts and picked it up. The open ended wrenches were all 6 points and the 14mm was able to get the caliper bolt out with ease. I assume it was because there is more surface are in contact with the bolt.

So I think each (12pt and 6pt) has its use cases. I'm glad I (now) have both.

-James

 

[ProCharger]

asked and answered multiple times. lots of 12pt. fasteners out there on vehicles and other machines...Hi, my name is the search button, and I've been a member of this site for years...

Tried, the words "12" & "6" were too short for my search. In the 20 pages that came up I did not see anything relative.

Thanks you all for the replies. I personally could not recall a time I had to use a 12pt over a 6pt until reading this. After seeing the honda flywheel I do think I had 12pt fasteners on the flywheel of one of my work trucks when I replaced the clutch.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

Go on youtube to narrow down the comparison of 6 and 12. Video demonstration will give you better understanding in terms of answering this specific question. Again everyone has their own preferences. For me- I use 12 pts and has more size available


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[michael murder]

Check
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181559&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182713&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186329&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162927&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123827&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130761&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147786&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259540&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260112&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242556&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211327&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119717&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43024&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40154&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25239&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9622&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8125&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7259&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24081&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20608&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47341&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74119&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104315&highlight=12+point">here</a>
<a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99355&highlight=12+point">here</a>
for details.

I usually search through google for short words like "SK" or numerals on garagejournal

 

[404]

12 point sockets are easier to broach, since less material is removed per "point".

 

[Parrothead]

Get both. End of problem.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Tried, the words "12" & "6" were too short for my search. In the 20 pages that came up I did not see anything relative.

Thanks you all for the replies. I personally could not recall a time I had to use a 12pt over a 6pt until reading this. After seeing the honda flywheel I do think I had 12pt fasteners on the flywheel of one of my work trucks when I replaced the clutch.

Ford drive shafts have 12 pt bolts, 12 mm I think.

For searching do something like this using GOOGLE...........

12pt wrench site:garagejournal.com

Google will only search Garage Journal for results.

Charles

 

[MrGiggles]

12pt is also common on high strength fasteners used on race cars and heavy equipment. I've never come across a metric 12pt, but others have said they are becoming more common.

The internals of my Mazda FS engine uses 10 and 12mm 12 point bolts.

My Mercedes diesel had 12mm 12 point bolts on the flywheel as well.

Those are the only reason that I even have a few 12 point sockets in my box. After being burned a few times by 12 point sockets, I prefer not to use them again unless absolutely necessary.

If you're in a spot where you can't get a 6 point socket on the fastener, pull the ratchet out and give it a couple clicks in the right direction. This is a rare situation though.

 

[Vigo]

I have seen the need for a deep 12pt on a headbolt (AMC 2.5&4.0 iirc) that had a stud coming off the top of it. I'm sure there are other examples.

15 years later i'm still working with the Craftsman short sockets my parents gave me as a teenager. The set had all short sockets in 6 and 12 pt so i never really had a choice to not own 12pt sockets.

Over time, my experience has led me to believe that in 3/8 drive, 'good' 12pt sockets are ok, while 'bad' 12pt sockets are unacceptably weak.

Most of my 1/2 stuff is 12pt on the thinking that on bolts and sockets that big, i'm not likely to need the extra strength margin of a 6pt, and the 12pts will pay small convenience dividends over the long term by being less fiddly to put on a fastener, and never needing a big 12pt but only having 6pt. So far that has worked out fine for me.

I agree with the earlier sentiment that when i'm using 1/4" drive i'll always go for the 6pts first for the durability advantage.