8-point sockets?

[Paladin]

Ok, this is probably a dumb question, but what good are 8-point sockets? I can't remember ever having used one or needing one.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Square bolts.

-BWP

 

[tatra]

male pipe plugs...........starting new threads..........i'm sure there's others

 

[speed bump]

I like using them for taps. You also use them for male pipe plugs like the ones you occasionally run into in differentials and transfer cases. You also run into lots and lots of square plugs in industrial equipment.

 

[PowderKeg]

Old farm equipment as well - an 8 pt and a long breaker to twist/break the heavily rusted ones off and replace with a modern 6 pt bolt/nut.

A rack of them also looks nice and provides filler in the drawer.

 

[george4]

Paladin, great minds think alike.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9356&highlight=point

 

[Paladin]

Well, I guess that explains why I've never needed them. I've always used wrenches on pipe plugs and t-handles for taps. Looking back, I could have used one last summer! I had a square, brass pipe plug on the exhaust of my Onan generator. I couldn't get it to budge with a wrench. I had to use a 12-pt 1/2" socket on it (it was a 7/16" plug). I guess I'll hang on to thse 8-pts then. Thanks for the education!

 

[Fedwrench]

They're used on any male square fastener. I use them on a 3/8 cordless impact to quickly lower spare tires on alot of Explorers. They are one of those tools that you may not need often but when you do, you're glad you have them.

 

[Paladin]

Paladin, great minds think alike.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9356&highlight=point

Thanks george! I thought maybe I was the only one around here that had no idea what to use them for! But, I learn something new every day on this forum. Thats why I keep coming back!

 

[Jbullfrog]

Power adjust rear tractor rims have 3/8" square heads on the lock wedges.

 

[garfunkle24]

Square drives are common on bearing set screws on older equipment, drain plugs etc. Also useful for driving taps and/or extractors. Some guys I know just have the 3/8" one, which is most common for set screws.

 

[chad s]

In the 20's and 30's when square bolts were more common, they were what 12 point sockets are to 6 pt. I have used one here and there for drain plugs.

 

[Thumper]

Plow nuts on farm equiptment (older stuff )

 

[kythri]

Are there actually metric 8-point sockets/square head bolts?

 

[cruiser808]

Square bolts are quite common on FJ40 Land Cruisers.

 

[walrus]

male pipe plugs

Thats what I use them for. There is one plug in what in the trade is called a crash valve or an impact valve. Without a 8 point socket getting a 3/8 pipe plug out is near impossible. I've seen more ruined plugs by dopes who don't have the right tool to do the job

 

[krusty the clown]

band adjustment on ford transmissions.

 

[cruiser808]

Old York AC compressors.

 

[Dodgepu360]

band adjustment on ford transmissions.

dodges also

 

[Dust]

I use them on a 3/8 cordless impact to quickly lower spare tires on alot of Explorers.

I do the same on late model Mopar vehicles.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

You can get away with using a 12 pt socket, depending on the size of the square fastener....i use mine on pipe plugs, and since i work on heavy equipment, they use square lock bolts on the anchor pin of s-cam brakes.