craftsman 12 point

[anthonyfilice]

I'm young and starting to buy tools, and I am aware of the whole 6pt vs 12pt idea. I've read around alot and it seems 12 pt are better when bought from snap on or expensive high quality tool company's. Problem is I dont have the money to buy top of line stuff just yet. This weekend I am planning to buy myself a set of sockets from craftsman (hopefully on sale). So, my question is not a debate of 6pt vs 12 pt in general, but specifically is the 12pt better than the 6pt FROM CRAFTSMAN. I would appreciate any responses. Thankyou in advance.

 

[uudfourty]

I think they're perfectly fine.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm young and starting to buy tools, and I am aware of the whole 6pt vs 12pt idea. I've read around alot and it seems 12 pt are better when bought from snap on or expensive high quality tool company's. Problem is I dont have the money to buy top of line stuff just yet. This weekend I am planning to buy myself a set of sockets from craftsman (hopefully on sale). So, my question is not a debate of 6pt vs 12 pt in general, but specifically is the 12pt better than the 6pt FROM CRAFTSMAN. I would appreciate any responses. Thank you in advance.

Hard to answer with the shift Sears has made to Asian mfg. (are the sockets Still US made? )

If you expect to be working on a lot of 12 pt fasteners, or using a breaker in tight quarters a lot, it's a mot point you will need the 12 pt.

As to actual socket quality, I doubt any but the most extreme usage would show any significant difference, at least for the older US made sockets. (I have NEVER broken a 12 pt Craftsman socket in over 40 years of using them)

 

[pipsters]

Any 6 point and 12 point new sockets are going to perform the same on regular nuts/bolts. It's when they get rusted that there is an issue. Me personally, I use 12 point sockets as a last resort. A "high quality" socket is a myth these days, unless you are buying from the Dollar Store they are all pretty much the same.

 

[chevy.stroker]

Here is the complete list of chrome sockets Sears sells:

http://c.shld.net/assets/misc/IL27034.pdf

You will notice there are more sizes offered in 12 pt. When I started (35 years ago) I purchased 12 point (Craftsman) in chrome and 6 point in Impact (Snap On).

 

[bobcatdan]

I personally like my chrome sockets 12 pt and impact 6 pt. I like this from a point it keeps overlap of sizes low. A bolt has to pretty beat up for a 12 pt to slip on it and not too beat up for a 6 pt to slip. That is fine line.

 

[anthonyfilice]

thanks for the quick responses. i think im going to go with a full set of 6pt though and also get a set of 3/8 12pt from 10mm 19mm.

 

[Southern]

Man I hate 12pt sockets.

But like others said, picking up a set COO USA, it isn't going to matter what brand you get, they're all good.

 

[FiendFX]

I thought 6 points were the best in terms of control..

 

[countryroad82]

Me personally I prefer 6 pt sockets and rarely use 12 pt for anything.

 

[87Pomona]

Hard to answer with the shift Sears has made to Asian mfg. (are the sockets Still US made? )

If you expect to be working on a lot of 12 pt fasteners, or using a breaker in tight quarters a lot, it's a mot point you will need the 12 pt.

As to actual socket quality, I doubt any but the most extreme usage would show any significant difference, at least for the older US made sockets. (I have NEVER broken a 12 pt Craftsman socket in over 40 years of using them)

I was at my local Sears three days ago and all of the sockets were Made in China

The replacement 1/4 Ratchet I received yesterday in the mail from Craftsman is also Made in China.

 

[Mickey O]

I've split 12 point sockets from just about every brand, from Snap-On to Craftsman, Thorsen being the worst. I'd get the 6 point Craftsman sockets and with today's high tooth count ratchets unless your actually working with 12 point bolts/nuts, there's no real advantage to getting the 12 point.

I was at my local Sears three days ago and all of the sockets were Made in China

The replacement 1/4 Ratchet I received yesterday in the mail from Craftsman is also Made in China.

Make sure if you get the Craftsman that they are USA made.

 

[87Pomona]

I've split 12 point sockets from just about every brand, from Snap-On to Craftsman, Thorsen being the worst. I'd get the 6 point Craftsman sockets and with today's high tooth count ratchets unless your actually working with 12 point bolts/nuts, there's no real advantage to getting the 12 point.





Make sure if you get the Craftsman that they are USA made.

I think the USA sockets are old stock? My Sears looked freshly stocked and all of the sockets were from China.

 

[03protege]

thanks for the quick responses. i think im going to go with a full set of 6pt though and also get a set of 3/8 12pt from 10mm 19mm.

I picked up a 1/2" drive kit for $33 at Sears that came with 10-22 in 12pt with a few deep sockets and a nice 60 tooth ratchet. I would do that before buying another set of 3/8"

 

[03protege]

I think the USA sockets are old stock? My Sears looked freshly stocked and all of the sockets were from China.

Are you for real? They said it wouldn't come to this

 

[bcradio]

A bolt has to pretty beat up for a 12 pt to slip on it and not too beat up for a 6 pt to slip. That is fine line.

A lot of truth in this statement here... you get the post of the day award in my book

 

[87Pomona]

Are you for real? They said it wouldn't come to this

Yes, its real.....at my Sears.

The Gearwrench flex head wrenches I bought Sunday were also China, I guess no more Taiwan for Gearwrench

 

[pipsters]

I wonder if Sears is doing test stores. All the new sets of RP wrenches in my store today were USA. Also all the sockets were USA.

 

[03protege]

I wonder if Sears is doing test stores. All the new sets of RP wrenches in my store today were USA. Also all the sockets were USA.

I doubt it, I would think it has to be a pretty big commitment to switch over suppliers. My store still has all USA wrenches but I am sure they still have USA stock in warehouses, plus my store is low volume for the tools so they don't have much inventory turn around.

 

[thightower]

My 2 cents, as long as you buy a good quality tool, not china or taiwan, you will be fine. I use the chrome sockets in 12 point, and 6 point I use impact. S-K is another posibility, a good tool and somtimes a little cheaper than Snap-on. Still have 2 of S-K's 3/8 ratchets, lasted for about 30 years, on and off professional use, untill one broke because of hammer abuse, the other one needs took apart and cleaned up.

 

[oldmerc]

If you live close to a sears store you really can't go wrong . Life time replacement and no questions asked . Good starter tools .

 

[volaredon]

A lot of truth in this statement here... you get the post of the day award in my book

I personally like my chrome sockets 12 pt and impact 6 pt. I like this from a point it keeps overlap of sizes low. A bolt has to pretty beat up for a 12 pt to slip on it and not too beat up for a 6 pt to slip. That is fine line.

sorry, in my exp you have that backwards I have done all I can to get rid of anything I had in 12 pt as they are more willing to crack and much more willing to slip. when they would break I would exchange them on warranty for 6 pointers... my 1st set of craftsman years ago came with 2 sets of sockets 1 set 6 point the other set 12 point.... I have almost nothing left in 12 point (sockets anyway) i still have plenty of both 6 and 12 point combo wrenches

 

[FiendFX]

My sears still got plenty of craftsman USA socket sets

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

6 point for 6 point bolts

12 point for 12 point bolts.

12 points will slip and round off or split before a 6pt will. 12pt socket on a 6pt bolt grabs at the corners while a 6pt socket on a 6pt bolt grabs at the flank of the bolt. Better design and should be used.

Grab yourself a full set of 3/8 and 1/4" 6pt sockets from crafty (make sure they are usa) deep and shallow. and get yourself some good ratchets. Just about everybody these days are making goodies. but if you want a good one from crafty get the Premium grade and skip the rest. Im getting ready to buy some Bahco Dual 80's They are the same internally as Snap-on Dual 80 but your limited to only one design But still they look pretty cool. But I do have a few Snap-on Dual 80's They are awesome. Smoothest ratchet i have ever used.

Good Luck

 

[oldmerc]

Okay you are correct about the faults of 12 point sockets , but sometimes thats all that will fit . I have 6 and 12 point in most everything but if you're starting out then one set of affordable 6 point sockets is the way to go .

 

[d.mcfarland]

Me personally I prefer 6 pt sockets and rarely use 12 pt for anything.

Same here, I've sold off just about all 12 point. I'd rather struggle getting it on the bolt than have it rounded.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have no problems when using 12 pts with hand tools. Most of my chrome sockets are 12 pt. Can't remember the last time I broke a 12 pt. I don't think a 12 pt socket is inheirly weaker a 6pt. The only bolts I normally round over are with 6 pt impacts. I have said my peace, this thread dosn't need to turn into another ******* match.

 

[71goldss]

6 point for 6 point bolts

12 point for 12 point bolts.



Good Luck[/QUOTE

12 pt bolt?

 

[bobcatdan]

Work on a newer Deere engine, pretty much put together with 12 pt bolts. 12 pt bolt heads can transmit more torque the 6 pt head.

 

[Hootbro]

12 pt bolt?

 

[CWP1616L]

Just a reminder: Craftsman sockets have those weird detents; some of you guys don't care though.

 

[71goldss]

Work on a newer Deere engine, pretty much put together with 12 pt bolts. 12 pt bolt heads can transmit more torque the 6 pt head.

Just googled an image of one. Geeeez! I've seen those before, just never needed to wrench on one and couldn't picture in my head. Guess I'm gettin old?

 

[IMStuner]

If you don't want to round anythings use 6 points on any brand.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Honestly for 1/2"drive 12pt is more useful. When using a breaker bar alot of times you cant get a 6pt to fit. Their is also a thread on here that 12pt grips the same spots as 6pts. Alot of bolts inside of engines are 12pt aswell and they also work on square plugs.
I have no 6pt deep chrome sockets in 1/2"dr in my box because i have no room and 12pt is far more useful

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

doesn't matter, Friday is Black Friday, get there early and snag the best deals possible. You, like all of us, will some day have to go buy a new tool in the middle of doing something anyway... It's as unavoidable as death.

 

[tomshep]

6 pt all the way.

Tom

 

[geologist]

I've gone to 6 point sockets. I (personally) don't have much use for 12 point sockets, and here in the northern salt belt, 12 point sockets seem to be at a disadvantage on rusted bolts. I've seen a thousand comparisons on miscellaneous fasteners, but until I saw it for my own eyes, they were even. It wasn't until I busted my knuckles with a 12 point and then used a 6 point to get the son of a ***** loose (well, actually it sheared the head off) that I realized that theory and practice are two different things, and the 6 point had an advantage in my case.

 

[byoungblood]

In 1/4 and 3/8" drive, I predominately use 6pt. As the socket gets smaller, 12 pt sockets seem to be more prone to slipping on fasteners as the engagement points get so small (out of necessity) that at some point they just aren't making contact with much of the fastener. So much so that I don't even have any 12 pt 1/4" drive sockets any longer.

For my 1/2 and 3/4" drive, most of it is 12 pt. Sockets tend to be beefier, with larger engagement points and better brands usually are designed to engage away from the corners just like comparable 6 pt sockets. Typically once you get over 1"/25mm most chrome sockets are most commonly found in 12 pt. unless you start looking at truck brands.

 

[countryroad82]

I've gone to 6 point sockets. I (personally) don't have much use for 12 point sockets, and here in the northern salt belt, 12 point sockets seem to be at a disadvantage on rusted bolts. I've seen a thousand comparisons on miscellaneous fasteners, but until I saw it for my own eyes, they were even. It wasn't until I busted my knuckles with a 12 point and then used a 6 point to get the son of a ***** loose (well, actually it sheared the head off) that I realized that theory and practice are two different things, and the 6 point had an advantage in my case.

I'll have to agree here. Not that I'm trying to bash anyone but try a 12pt socket on a bolt from a rustbelt car after just a few years. Even after dousing the bolt with your favorite loosening sauce and waiting for awhile, my personal experience has been a rounded bolt more times than not. 6pt. will most of the time either break the bolt loose, snap the head off, or sometimes unfortunately snap all to He$%. There are the rare occasions a 6pt just won't work but if the 6pt wouldn't, I know a 12pt would be a waste of my time. I still have 12pt stuff but it is only for 12pt fasteners.

 

[IONH]

As some others have said, 12 point are the last resort. Even if the bolt/nut doesn't look worn or rusted, when you strip the edges with a 12 point, you'll regret ever picking it up.

I purchased a large quantity 6 point (150+ sockets plus filler) set from Sears about 5 years ago. Wouldn't trade it for the world. I have lost a couple and bought replacement 6 points to fill the holes. I have only needed a couple of 12 point for either square headed bolts or head bolts/stud nuts but they are very rare.