Are universal sockets actually good for rounded bolts?

[ravenzfusion]

I'm generally against these newer universal or "spline" sets as I prefer 6 point over anything. But do these little sets actually work on rounded bolts?

 

[57c]

my experience with them has been craftsman spline on exhaust manifold nuts.... all of them rounded off probably faster than would have with 6 pt... i wished i didnt use them... i think a good modern 6pt will do just as good or better and the sharp corner of the spline digs in and cuts what is left of the fastener..anything that is already rounded is probably corroded to the point of no return or too soft for the application. now the spline sockets live in the trunk of the car for the rare occasion i dont have real sockets with me.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

ok, there are two type of spline drives. The cheap ones that are "Universal" and are supposed to work on MM and SAE......give me a break. POS.

Then there are spline drive dedicated to either MM or SAE...example the Snap on ones I have. They do work better for rounded off bolts as the spline is set further back from the corner (off corner engagement) than even a flank drive 6 point.

This means when you turn the spline drive on the fastener the spline will catch way back from the rounded part. I can not speak for other spline drives as I have only used SO.

 

[ravenzfusion]

Ok I'm thinking a dedicated set of splines for metric and standard could be worth it. I'll forget the universals as I don't believe in them

 

[abvw]

ok, there are two type of spline drives. The cheap ones that are "Universal" and are supposed to work on MM and SAE......give me a break. POS.

Then there are spline drive dedicated to either MM or SAE...example the Snap on ones I have. They do work better for rounded off bolts as the spline is set further back from the corner (off corner engagement) than even a flank drive 6 point.

This means when you turn the spline drive on the fastener the spline will catch way back from the rounded part. I can not speak for other spline drives as I have only used SO.

+1.

In certain situations they work better than dedicated extractor sockets. The absolute best I've used so far is Grip-Tite for rounded fasteners.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

ok, there are two type of spline drives. The cheap ones that are "Universal" and are supposed to work on MM and SAE......give me a break. POS.

Then there are spline drive dedicated to either MM or SAE...example the Snap on ones I have. They do work better for rounded off bolts as the spline is set further back from the corner (off corner engagement) than even a flank drive 6 point.

This means when you turn the spline drive on the fastener the spline will catch way back from the rounded part. I can not speak for other spline drives as I have only used SO.

^This^

Avoid the universal SAE/MM tools.

My Proto splines have incredible bite to them even on rounded fasteners. There is a reason why they are becoming more prevalent with top tool manufacturers.

 

[ChevyEFI]

If you can get a slightly small 6pt socket pounded on, it will be stronger than a spline socket. The only advantage a spline socket would have is it might more readily slid onto the bolt head past the damage. But it could then fail easier than the 6pt.

 

[Stuey]

Universal? No.

Spline? There could be. Manufacturers seem to think so. I have seen some benefit, but that could also be wishful thinking.

 

[espyking83]

I've always been too skeptical to pull the trigger on splines, do they perform?

 

[wild cowboy]

If you can get a slightly small 6pt socket pounded on, it will be stronger than a spline socket. The only advantage a spline socket would have is it might more readily slid onto the bolt head past the damage. But it could then fail easier than the 6pt.

that's the trick that I use

two other tips when in this situation:

● that slightly smaller six point will typically be an SAE socket if the original fastener was metric, and vice-versa, as the sizes are interspersed

● heat the rusted/rounded fastener up first before applying the torque

 

[BFHtime]

that's the trick that I use

two other tips when in this situation:

● that slightly smaller six point will typically be an SAE socket if the original fastener was metric, and vice-versa, as the sizes are interspersed

● heat the rusted/rounded fastener up first before applying the torque

This


that slightly smaller six point will typically be an SAE socket if the original fastener was metric, and vice-versa, as the sizes are interspersed

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have used proper Spline sockets (not the universal ****) and I like them.

I think they are a tool in the toolbox. I wouldn't use them everyday, but when dealing with damaged fasteners having an arsenal of removal tools available is not a bad thing.

A good thing to have are the bolt-out style twist sockets, that bite into the fastener.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

If you can get a slightly small 6pt socket pounded on, it will be stronger than a spline socket. The only advantage a spline socket would have is it might more readily slid onto the bolt head past the damage. But it could then fail easier than the 6pt.

According to the specs, splines are stronger than 6pt.....they are mil-spec and aerospace stuff.

 

[Toyota mechanic]

The Craftsman spline drive (universals) are M.M. and S.A.E. specific... The universal is for the square, torx, 12pt., etc... applications. Craftsman spline drive are as specific as any, although, I still would start with a 6 pt., like others have said!

 

[mudflap]

I have a set of the Caftsman 3/8 spline drive. Got them as a Birthday present last year, didn't think i would use them. But...the Black letering is easy for my old eyes to read, and the knurling is nice in a greasy situation. I dont see how they would be any better than a good fitting 6pt on worn fasteners..but they grip good, and fit square drain plugs, reverse TORX,...I use them alot more than i thought i would....

 

[mudflap]

A pic of the Craftsmans..

 

[nicksnothereman]

I'm generally against these newer universal or "spline" sets as I prefer 6 point over anything. But do these little sets actually work on rounded bolts?

They should but you might have to size down to get it off. I own the craftsman (3/8 and 1/4) don't really use them; have used the 1/4" periodically and they've been good; haven't used them for automotive though.

The thing is that they're cheap (10 bucks a set) and cheap is good for me. More or less I bought them for e-torx because you can't buy decent e-torx stuff for 10 bucks mmmkay!?!

 

[ravenzfusion]

I ended up getting the 1/4" drive set with ratchet 9 metric and 9 std sockets. And i got the 3/8 metric and standards as the socket sets only. They actually look pretty good. I had 20$ in points to burn so buying these small sets allowed me the savings. The 1/4 ratchet is pretty nice, will replace a crappy Raised Panel in my tool box. I'll look and see how they fit fasteners later on..I have no ETorx or any other specialty sockets so this will be a good way to cover those

 

[alex95eg]

I got the 1/4 set just for the ratchet lol, i have used these spline sockets on some corroded outboard motor bolts and they work ok, i usually just beat them on because even a good 6point will still round off the bolt heads

 

[shanker]

A pic of the Craftsmans..

I got that set as a gift....I have yet to find a use for them....they've been demoted to my junk yard tool box when I got parts hunting.

 

[RM209]

that's the trick that I use

two other tips when in this situation:

● that slightly smaller six point will typically be an SAE socket if the original fastener was metric, and vice-versa, as the sizes are interspersed

● heat the rusted/rounded fastener up first before applying the torque

Yup, both suggestions have worked for me in the past. It's always handy to have some cheap sockets around that you can pick up at yard sales; you don't feel bad sacrificing them when hammering them on to remove that rusty bolt or nut.

RM209

 

[Schurkey]

It's a damned shame that Sears screwed the pooch in naming those spline tools. We all know what a universal socket is, and it has nothing to do with a spline wrenching surface.

 

[shanny19]

It's a damned shame that Sears screwed the pooch in naming those spline tools. We all know what a universal socket is, and it has nothing to do with a spline wrenching surface.

Yep. In addition to the confusion with universal (-joint) sockets, there are a number of folks around here who believe that these C-man products are not metric/SAE specific, incorrectly surmising that "universal" means one socket fits both.