So I was watching an auction on eBay of a set of (5) 3/8” 8pt sockets just to see what kind of money they might go for. I was very surprised at how high they went. I am assuming that there is something about them that I just don’t know about, so I thought I would ask all of you. I always love to learn about tools and tool history, so any information that you might be willing to share is greatly appreciated
Craftsman 8 point sockets
- Thread starter 81CJ-7
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Flared Base
Well-known member
That's interesting. I never knew 8 point sockets even existed. I don't think I've ever seen an 8 point bolt, but the double square means you should be able to use them on things like the square headed set screws on garage door springs.
rlitman
Well-known member
I've never seen Snap-On spell their name "Craftsman". Maybe they're one of those special mis-marked sets that sells like misprinted dollar bills?
Brain fart.... not sure how I came up with that. lolol
Corndoggeh
Well-known member
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- Apr 2, 2016
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I use 8pt sockets for pipe taps most of the time
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sears would throw several eight point sockets in their many piece tool sets back in the day and you could buy them individually or in their own set. As others mentioned, perfect for square things. Before Lisle came out with tap sockets, these were useful too. I can only attribute the high selling price to ebay craziness. 
I’ve used them on drain plugs and old square head bolts, but I never thought to use them on taps! Make complete sense. Wish someone would have told me about that when I had my old Ford Triton V8. I had to rethread the head I’d can’t tell you how many times from blown plugs. What I came up with at that time was an old New Britain female ratchet, 12” extension with the male end in the ratchet and female end receiving the tap. It was a convoluted mess, but it worked. How simple would an 8 point socket have been! 
Flared Base
Well-known member
I don't know why I completely spaced on using these for taps. Now I can honestly justify a set for myself.
four.cycle
Well-known member
They sold for stupid money on Ebay because they're stamped -V- or =V= - the production code used by the Moore Drop Forging Co. of Springfield, Ma. (see http://alloy-artifacts.org/craftsman-maker-v.html)
Because that is the Craftsman that Dad owned, or that Grandpa owned.
Ergo: they command far higher prices than their actual worth, notwithstanding fit, finish, and product quality might be subordinate to other brands.
Stupid money paid for Craftsman tools is why I exclude "Craftsman" from all of my searches on Ebay.
Because that is the Craftsman that Dad owned, or that Grandpa owned.
Ergo: they command far higher prices than their actual worth, notwithstanding fit, finish, and product quality might be subordinate to other brands.
Stupid money paid for Craftsman tools is why I exclude "Craftsman" from all of my searches on Ebay.
Not many brands out there for 8pt any more...
Saw these Williams
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNTEX2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Saw these Williams
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNTEX2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
While that is a clever use - couldn't you just use a 12pt socket too? Anything that divides by 4 really.
I realize you might get a bit more strength with an 8pt, but you ought to be carful how much you bear down on a tap with a ratchet anyway.
OR - there are also special tap sockets (from Lisle and the like) too.
I have done it for larger taps but technically the angles are wrong but between SAE and MM 12pt I usually have found a socket that worked. I also have tap holders for ratchets but not for the larger taps.While that is a clever use - couldn't you just use a 12pt socket too? Anything that divides by 4 really.
four.cycle
Well-known member
vwpieces said:
There aren't very many places where you see square nuts any more either.
The second-hand market is glutted with 8-point sockets - check Ebay any day of the week.
They're still made by those companies that cater more to the "industrial" market - which is where square nuts are still used.
If I recall correctly (which it is very probable that what I recall and what reality is are two very different things), the corners on the tap I was using were heavily chamfered, allowing the 12pt to slip very easily.While that is a clever use - couldn't you just use a 12pt socket too? Anything that divides by 4 really.
If that’s the case, I could be a rich man. I easily have a couple dozen =v= 8pts.
Like others above have said; 8 pnts are for square drive fasteners, taps, and industrial sq head nuts and bolts, etc. Such fasteners are still widely used on HVAC fan assemblies in both commercial and residential systems. Imo, it's a good idea to have at least a 5/16 8 pnt socket in your box. And no, 12 pnt sockets will not work sufficiently in most all cases.
If you need a set, just let me know. I could easily put one together for you. Not just craftsman either
RTM
Well-known member
I see the square nuts mostly on vintage furniture and vintage tools, so I keep all my 8pt sockets in one box, regardless of brand, for ease of finding, as I may have a dozen, but no more than three of one brand.
rlitman
Well-known member
If you want a socket set to turn smaller square taps, Lisle makes one with square recesses and o-ring retention:
Flared Base
Well-known member
I like that o-ring retention.If you want a socket set to turn smaller square taps, Lisle makes one with square recesses and o-ring retention:
Oh boy, here I go spending money again.
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
I’ve got a bunch of misprinted dollar bills. They left two zeros off of each one.
rlitman
Well-known member
Sorry. Yeah, they fit snugly as they need to. I couldn't imagine turning a 1/4-20 or smaller tap and having it wobble in an 8-point socket. I want to say I paid $10 or so at a pawn shop. I'll admit to not using them much, but I also don't do too much tapping either.
One place it came in handy was when I was hand tapping a piece of steel with a flange that wouldn't allow me to turn a standard tap wrench. With the socket, I could put on an extension and then use a sliding T-bar handle and avoid the obstruction. Then again, I could also have used a drill tap.
That's what I told myself when I visited the GJ's recent 'vintage audio' thread.
James-W
Well-known member
I rarely if ever see a bolt with a square head these days.I’ve used them on drain plugs and old square head bolts, but I never thought to use them on taps! Make complete sense. Wish someone would have told me about that when I had my old Ford Triton V8. I had to rethread the head I’d can’t tell you how many times from blown plugs. What I came up with at that time was an old New Britain female ratchet, 12” extension with the male end in the ratchet and female end receiving the tap. It was a convoluted mess, but it worked. How simple would an 8 point socket have been!
Only ones I have are the 5/16 I first acquired to use on a VW shifter coupler grub screw.
Later acquired a True 8mm of German flavor for the task.
But needed a 1/4in several times for flywheels and pulleys.
Also have a porcelain top table that still had the square nuts on the screws holding the legs on.
Table ready to be reassembled. Think those are 7/16.
Also have some pipe caps that are square.
Later acquired a True 8mm of German flavor for the task.
But needed a 1/4in several times for flywheels and pulleys.
Also have a porcelain top table that still had the square nuts on the screws holding the legs on.
Table ready to be reassembled. Think those are 7/16.
Also have some pipe caps that are square.
Bretny
Well-known member
I have used them. There far better than trying to use a 8pt socket. They hold the tap alot better.If you want a socket set to turn smaller square taps, Lisle makes one with square recesses and o-ring retention:
I have used 8pt sockets for pipe plugs many times.
I bought the Williams USA set on Amazon for ≈$40. Just because people say they don’t see square head bolts and nuts doesn’t mean they aren’t out there! If you look around you’d probably notice more of them, often times used on leveling legs, pipe plugs, etc.
BMoscato
Well-known member
I have them in Snap-On 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 sockets in 1/4" drive. Never really needed them for any larger.
The Lisle set posted above is by far the best way to drive taps with a ratchet. Apex also makes good quality tap sockets, that are held in the socket by a set screw, but they are quite expensive compared to the Lisle set and they don't cover as large of a tap range as the Lisle set (as of the last time I checked). Use 4pt or 8pt sockets for square head bolts, garage door set screws, and square topped oil drain plugs on equipment.
The rubber o-rings on the Lisle sockets wear out after a while, but they can be easily replaced as needed with o-rings from a cheap o-ring assortment kit. It's nice to keep the o-rings in good condition because they are what hold the tap in the socket. Check your set immediately after arrival. Shine a flashlight down into each socket, because occasionally there's a Lisle socket in the set that doesn't get square broached down deep in the socket. I had one that way, but I didn't notice the issue until the return window had passed and I needed that particular socket to turn a tap. I was able to get my hole tapped without the Lisle socket, but I wouldn't have needed to buy a replacement socket for $6 if I had noticed the issue originally, before the return window on the set expired.
Lisle makes a 3pc supplemental set (part# 70940) for larger taps as well, if anyone needs those.
The Lisle website does a good job of showing each socket's tap holding capability-
The rubber o-rings on the Lisle sockets wear out after a while, but they can be easily replaced as needed with o-rings from a cheap o-ring assortment kit. It's nice to keep the o-rings in good condition because they are what hold the tap in the socket. Check your set immediately after arrival. Shine a flashlight down into each socket, because occasionally there's a Lisle socket in the set that doesn't get square broached down deep in the socket. I had one that way, but I didn't notice the issue until the return window had passed and I needed that particular socket to turn a tap. I was able to get my hole tapped without the Lisle socket, but I wouldn't have needed to buy a replacement socket for $6 if I had noticed the issue originally, before the return window on the set expired.
Lisle makes a 3pc supplemental set (part# 70940) for larger taps as well, if anyone needs those.
The Lisle website does a good job of showing each socket's tap holding capability-
That's how I got mine years ago, came with a set along with the other made in USA cman tools.Sears would throw several eight point sockets in their many piece tool sets back in the day s.
Still keep them in my toolbox even though they are seldom used but when you run into a square nut they do come in handy.
Wrench97
Well-known member
Other then taps, I used 5/16"/8mm frequently on Rockwell air brake slack adjusters.
Hard to believe they would bring that much since the warranty is pretty much worthless as I haven't seen a Craftsman make new ones in years.......................
Hard to believe they would bring that much since the warranty is pretty much worthless as I haven't seen a Craftsman make new ones in years.......................
joel63
Well-known member
The 9/32 socket (4 point) is a handy one to have for small pipe plugs.
DIY
Member
Use a 9/16" 8 point on my boat's recessed drain plug. Works perfectly.
Desertskyy
Well-known member
Many years ago, probably 20 plus. I bought a Craftsman 235 piece set for $65.00 (Yes 65.00) from Sears. It came with I think 4-5 of these 8 point sockets. I have never used them.
I have actually never used the 235 piece set but just bought it because the price was so good. It will go to my oldest son when he moves out. He just finished up his masters degree in business and is a mechanical engineer.
Maybe I should steal these out of his set? The set has been stored in a box for years waiting to go into service
I have actually never used the 235 piece set but just bought it because the price was so good. It will go to my oldest son when he moves out. He just finished up his masters degree in business and is a mechanical engineer.
Maybe I should steal these out of his set? The set has been stored in a box for years waiting to go into service
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Exactly. If you have older farm equipment, antique tractors, trucks or cars you’ll eventually find yourself wishing you had an 8 point of some description in your box.