ah yes, another 6pt vs 12pt

[djb2]

Thoughtfully designed breaker bars have a few degree rotation (15 degrees?) on the drive square so that you have more positioning options. That significantly eliminates the advantage of 12 point sockets, although they are still faster to use.

I do believe that a precisely sized 12 point socket with 'flank drive' will have about the same contact points as an equivalently well designed 6 point socket.

The advantage a six point socket has it that the broaching can be a lot sloppier and still manage to turn the fastener, albeit with more risk of damage. Equivalently, the fastener can be a little undersized or rusted away.

 

[William Payne]

The logic behind these debates are interesting. People will debate to no end 12 point versus 6 point yet without thought they will go to their toolbox and grab that 12 point wrench and swing on a nut or bolt.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I only use 6 pt. if possible, If there's a a nut that wont turn without indexing I'll put a ratcheting adapter on the breaker bar after breaking it free. It's too easy to round off a nut with a 12pt.

Don't always have room for the ratcheting adapters,,, and there are times that a 30 degree swing is a gift..12 point sockets are needed. Some of us end up in way tighter quarters than most!! Also,, If a bolt or adjuster has to be worked back and forth, the ratchets are taboo... We do not all work on the same equipment... I own various 6 and 12 points sockets in std and metric, deep and shallow in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 1" drive.. not to mention most of these in impact and swivels !! Last purchase was a set of 4 point tap sockets... prior to that, two sets of crowfoot sockets, metric and standard.... These tools were purchased because they are needed for certain jobs on the equipment that I work on.... The tool companies manufacture these tools to fill our needs........ Wouldn't it be simple for them if they only had to manufacture a handful of 6 point sockets and a few wrenches?? My 6 point sockets see far more use than the twelve point,, but both get used...... It is ironic that I own so few 6 point box end and combination wrenches??? Dang,, I have been buying tools for over 50++ years, and I missed that... Maybe I don't need many 6 point wrenches,,, Wonder why so many "tool collectors" have so many of those??? Opps, I think I should be able to fiqure that out?? I like the SKs that I have,, they sure do grip........

 

[michael murder]

I'm the sure the answer could be found in one of these other ten threads with exactly the same title.

here
here
here
here
here
here
here
here
here
here

There's about a half dozen more but they didn't have near identical titles.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I'm the sure the answer could be found in one of these other ten threads with exactly the same title.

here
here
here
here
here
here
here
here
here
here

There's about a half dozen more but they didn't have near identical titles.

Michael, that list would make a good sticky

 

[Strouty]

Someone, please tell me why you feel it is you must use a 12 point on a 6 point bolt. I think its just plain lazy. I don't see how tight space is an excuse either. 6 starting positions means at any one time, you only have to turn the socket 1/12 of a turn to get it to fit. Yes 12. At any one time you are only 1/2 way to a starting point. 30 degress of turning? Someone school me.

Your just jealous because you don't have any 12 point sockets.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

i like both coach......

 

[kc-steve]

Yeah it's amazing. What is wrong with having both? I've only been shooting holes in the anti-12pt argument, but I have BOTH in metric and SAE. Uh-oh, started another argument.

Steve

 

[SARG]

Yes there is. Every tool has a job. 12 points are for 12 point fasteners. Yes it does matter because people aware its theonly thing to use in a tight place.

****.... I've looked all over and can't seem to find any 12 point bolts.

 

[alpinewhite]

4-pt sockets for 4-point fasteners
6-pt sockets for 6-point fasteners
8-pt sockets for 8-point fasteners
10-pt sockets for 10-point fasteners
12-pt sockets for 12-point fasteners

Any questions?

 

[rob0781]

****.... I've looked all over and can't seem to find any 12 point bolts.

Off the top of my head cause it was only 2 hours ago I used one, ford f150 drive shaft, 12mm 12 point

 

[NHBandit]

Off the top of my head cause it was only 2 hours ago I used one, ford f150 drive shaft, 12mm 12 point

Having worked in auto salvage yards dismantling wrecks for many years I have a 12 point 12mm impact swivel socket just for Ford driveshafts.