8-Point Sockets

[Beerhippie]

The only 4 point fasteners I've ever come across are the nuts that hold the mudsill to the foundation of my house.

And those are probably made in India and have different AF measurements between any two flats. I used hundreds of them back in the '90s and they were a PITA--had to use a Crescent wrench and adjust the jaws for every grip. Grrrr....

 

[Professor Gascan]

And those are probably made in India and have different AF measurements between any two flats. I used hundreds of them back in the '90s and they were a PITA--had to use a Crescent wrench and adjust the jaws for every grip. Grrrr....

My house was built in the 1954 so I doubt it, but who knows? Either way I never had any reason to mess with them. I only noticed them when I was sealing and insulating the rim joist.

 

[Gebirgekind]

I've only run into one metric example - the grease fill plug on my '90s Toyota Hilux Birfield joint is 12mm, I picked a socket up from Ko-ken because it was fiddly to fit in there with a wrench.

 

[cb750plumblife]

There’s a set of iron snap cutters for soil pipe use a square head at work I use an 8 point socket on.

 

[jmarkwolf]

And those sockets are useful generally for anything with a square shaft, such as machine vices or leadscrews. The pliers wrench shown is the other option.

Who makes that pliers wrench? I don't have one of those... yet.

 

[liliysdad]

I have a set of Greenlee knockout punches that use square drive heads, 8pt works great for those.

 

[4xdog]

Who makes that pliers wrench? I don't have one of those... yet.

Knipex. Probably a dozen or more threads on their plier wrenches on here — have a look some time if you’re interested.

 

[Dave455]

Who makes that pliers wrench? I don't have one of those... yet.

As 4xdog said, Knipex. Other manufacturers offer them now.

They make quite a range of sizes, and also different finishes and grip options.

I find the 10 inch probably most useful for “general purpose” use about the shop. Probably the 7 inch for vehicles. Maybe the 12 inch for plumbing.

Half way between pliers and an adjustable wrench, they are an incredibly versatile tool, and for some applications, they really are the best tool to use.

The essential characteristics are that the jaws always remain parallel, and that they grip very firmly. Much more so than an adjustable wrench, so they tend not to round fasteners, or whatever you are working on.

Wouldn’t be without them now, and few ”new” tool designs have so much utility in my opinion.