Craftsman 8 point sockets

[Odd-job]

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.

Might need to pull the trigger on these. They are even cheaper than the craftsman set. Getting stuck on a dedicated pipe plug socket set from grey pneumatic also for $40. If 6 pt is better than 12 pt for hex then 4 pt is better for square than 8 pt based on GJ logic. Or maybe I need both.

 

[Kscardsfan]

…If 6 pt is better than 12 pt for hex then 4 pt is better for square than 8 pt based on GJ logic. Or maybe I need both.

Now you get it.

 

[HenryAZ]

Wright sells a couple of sets. Set #379, 3/8" drive, 1/4" -> 7/8", and set #450, 1/2" drive, 7/16" -> 1 1/4".

 

[four.cycle]

you can find used sets on Ebay for reasonable prices - made by Craftsman, Williams, Proto, S-K, or other earlier makers who are no longer in business - the problem is searching them out - takes forever.

 

[Mallen]

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 see them at the swap meet all the time.

 

[mikegt4]

I use them for all the reasons already mentioned, mostly for taps. I have several sets given to me by others who couldn't visualize any use for them and they were destine for the trash can. I still have jars full of square head bolts and nuts from my dad's workshop probably from the 1950's.

 

[steaks&anvils]

I have a mid-1980s craftsman mongo-piece tool set, it has the 8 points (5 I think). Every once in awhile they have come in handy: old furniture, old machinery, occasional electronics etc. Best use I ever got out of them was the fence hardware when I lived in an old house. As someone already said, they are so much better to tighten a lot of nuts than an open end wrench. That chain link fence (full fenced front/rear yards) had 3-4 clamps at every post and they always seem to be coming loose and sagged. I swear the fence rattled every time the wind blew hard.

 

[Jim C.]

I run across square nuts and bolts on old woodworking machines from the 1940s and 1950s all the time. As a result, I’m always on the look out for 8 point and 4 point sockets in all drive sizes and depths.

Jim C.

 

[radrush]

While that is a clever use - couldn't you just use a 12pt socket too? Anything that divides by 4 really.

12 point sockets are not triple square, and that's a fact.

8-point sockets were included in some Craftsman sets probably for the square nut/bolts on lawn mower batteries and the like.

 

[KnurledNut]

This thread needs more pics!

 

[ike]

i have a set, one is an Armstrong though

 

[Mallen]

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-

70500 Tap Socket Set

For Use in Restricted Areas.

www.lislecorp.com

70940 Tap Socket Set

Three Larger Sizes in a Convenient Set.

www.lislecorp.com

I bet if you called the company and showed them a pic they would have replaced the obviously defective socket.

 

[MarkH]

Old farm implements had square head bolts and nuts. The old plow wrenches provided by the maker usually had an open head that fit a square bolt or nut. The 8 points got used on those machines and pipe plugs.

 

[Steve_P]

as I'm sure has been said, square plugs were used on oil drain plugs on older 4 cycle small engines, manual automotive transmissions, etc. I don't think I've ever needed a 4/8 point socket on anything made in the last 20 years. For a good reason
Taps have sizes across the flats that are not typically fractional. This is where the Lisle tap sockets come in.

 

[Mallen]

Pipe plugs are still sold and used with square heads. I can't think of much else that does though.

As for old things, my 72 International truck has drain plugs in the block that are square drive. That engine was used on combines in the 70s and school busses into the 80s. The Borg Warner T19 in it also has square drive drain and fill plugs. The NP205 also uses a square drive drain and fill plugs. It was used by GM up to 91. I don't know if they used the square drive on them for all production years though.

For newer things, I had a 2012 mustang that used a 1/2" female square drive drain plug on the differential. That didn't require a socket at all though.

 

[Under_Pressure]

I have a set of the Williams 3/8 drive chrome as well as a Grey Pneumatic site of 1/2 drive impact sockets. As mentioned, a square head drive is still probably the most common type for NPT pipe plugs, which are found in all sorts of applications. Female square drive (3/8, 1/2, 3/4, etc.) might be the only other one that comes close. Otherwise, I keep them around mostly for working on older stuff. Not something that gets used every day, but when you need them you're damn glad you have an alternative to an open end.

Another area square drives are used (though not something you run into frequently) is if a shaft or externally threaded rod/stud needs a drive for a wrench on the end, as a square is the most economical way to get a reasonable drive size while keeping it smaller than the thread minor diameter (or shaft diameter). Though now days if a stud is big enough, an internal hex is often used instead. Related to that, stud piloted Budd dual wheels use a 13/16 square drive for the inner nut. The inner nut is essentially a stud threaded inside and outside with a flange that holds the inner wheel on, then the outer nut is threaded on the external threads of the inner nut so it needs to fit over the drive on the inner nut. So to remove a set of stud piloted Budd duals you need a 13/16 square (usually 4 point) socket and a 1 1/2" hex. Now that most newer trucks have gone to hub piloted wheels that only use a single nut, this is becoming less common.

 

[Mallen]

I have a set of the Williams 3/8 drive chrome as well as a Grey Pneumatic site of 1/2 drive impact sockets. As mentioned, a square head drive is still probably the most common type for NPT pipe plugs, which are found in all sorts of applications. Female square drive (3/8, 1/2, 3/4, etc.) might be the only other one that comes close. Otherwise, I keep them around mostly for working on older stuff. Not something that gets used every day, but when you need them you're damn glad you have an alternative to an open end.

Another area square drives are used (though not something you run into frequently) is if a shaft or externally threaded rod/stud needs a drive for a wrench on the end, as a square is the most economical way to get a reasonable drive size while keeping it smaller than the thread minor diameter (or shaft diameter). Though now days if a stud is big enough, an internal hex is often used instead. Related to that, stud piloted Budd dual wheels use a 13/16 square drive for the inner nut. The inner nut is essentially a stud threaded inside and outside with a flange that holds the inner wheel on, then the outer nut is threaded on the external threads of the inner nut so it needs to fit over the drive on the inner nut. So to remove a set of stud piloted Budd duals you need a 13/16 square (usually 4 point) socket and a 1 1/2" hex. Now that most newer trucks have gone to hub piloted wheels that only use a single nut, this is becoming less common.

So THAT is what that 13/16 8pt proto socket I found in a bunch of old tools is for

 

[JRC3]

I got a set of those in my one 3/8" drawer. *old saved pic*


So what they worth? LOL I could buy something I'd actually use.

 

[nbpt100]

i have a set, one is an Armstrong though

I rarely need an 8 pt. socket. I own some smaller sizes and some smaller spline sockets that can work on some sizes. However, i could have used that one on the far right last week when I had to remove an iron gate that was attached to the fence post with 3/4 square head lag bolts. I did not have a 3/4 8 pt. socket but I used a hack method of using a 24mm 12 pt.. Sometimes you have to use hack methods. How many people actually own a 3/4 8pt socket? Where would I get that socket locally? Not at a box store. Not at Ace or True Value. Maybe Fastenall...But I doubt it....I don't have a Grainger close by........You may find one on ebay and then wait a week.

That is a nice set and I wish I had it last week.

 

[qqzj]

Bump up this old thread! I needed to replace my garage door torsion springs recently and to my surprise, they are all square bolts. For example, see this one from Home Depot.

DURA-LIFT 0.207 in. Wire x 1.75 in. D x 25 in. L Torsion Springs in Yellow Left and Right Wound Pair for Sectional Garage Doors DLTY17525B - The Home Depot

Install new or use this pair of left and right-wound torsion springs to replace broken sectional garage door torsion springs. Easy installation. Both the winding and stationary cones are professionally

www.homedepot.com

I turned one bolt a few times with an adjustable wench and quickly realized that it was not going to be fun. So I played around with them and discovered that they fit into the female 3/8 hole really well.




So I came up with a weird jig, i.e., a 10mm wrench on a 10mm hex bit socket, like this



I was pretty proud of my hack. But then it bothers me that there is no positive retention of the socket. So it is a two ********. Any one worked on the torsion springs know that leaving both hands away from the spring winding bar probably is not a good idea. So I had to search up garage journal and see what else I can do. And I discovered this thread! So I went back to my jar of hundreds of spare craftsman sockets accumulated over the years. Lo and behold, I actually have a set of 5 of 8 pt sockets! And the rest is history! I definitely started to appreciate these weird sockets and put the five of them in a separate zip lock bag now. Next time I need them, it won't take that much time! I love Craftsman stuff!

 

[ecotec]

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 the same set, I think. The blow molded set that has three red blow molded trays?

I cut the edges off the trays, with a table saw, and fit them into my Powr-Kraft stack.

I, somehow, have 1/4” 8pt sockets in SK Wayne, Mustang, and Husky.

 

[KnurledNut]

You really should be using a four point socket on a square bolt.

 

[ecotec]

You really should be using a four point socket on a square bolt.
View attachment 1893643

Is that really a 4pt socket… or a broaching machine mistake?

 

[MarineScott]

I just acquired 2 sets from a friend who gave me a small tool box full of Craftsman USA made sockets

 

[KnurledNut]

Is that really a 4pt socket… or a broaching machine mistake?

Yes, legit. That one is a 1/2-drive 3/8”.

There are metric options out there too:


View attachment 1893648

 

[qqzj]

Are these pipe plug sockets?

https://www.amazon.com/MIXPOWER-Pieces-2-inch-Tapered-Chamfered/dp/B09GKH1Y9

8 points work great. No need to spend more money.

 

[KnurledNut]

Square headed roof bolts are holding up the earth under some of your-all's feet. Special four point drivers are used in the bolters but occasionally 8-point sockets come out.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Since we are resurrecting the thread, I’ll mention that Model A Ford rod and main bearings used square head bolts. The size was 9/16”.

 

[Wrench97]

I use one of these on those bolts...............

 

[bugnut]

Recently picked up an older Hinsdale socket set and it had a full range of square sockets.

 

[tamaraw]

Yes, legit. That one is a 1/2-drive 3/8”.

There are metric options out there too:


View attachment 1893648

Love those Wiha T-handles!

 

[threewood]

I bought a used Craftsman set years ago for the purpose of using one for the square head transmission band adjustment on older 727 transmissions. They were inexpensive back then.

 

[bb29510]

they are for the square drain plug on automotive rear ends, I have had a set for forty years, use once, only once

 

[nbpt100]

Why are square bolts still even made?

 

[dscheidt]

Bump up this old thread! I needed to replace my garage door torsion springs recently and to my surprise, they are all square bolts. For example, see this one from Home Depot.

I bought my first set of square sockets from Sears because I was shopping with a buddy and we were talking about adjusting the springs on garage doors. The sales guy made a point of telling us they used square head bolts, and we sould buy a set of 8 point sockets. I didn't buy them then, but I remembered it when I bolted a couple 2x4s to a garage door after it was hit by a tractor. I needed to ajdust the springs because the door was much heavier, so I bought a set then. My current set is from Wright, i just used one on square nuts on a pipe hanger which I wouldn't have thought was that old (25 years tops).

 

[RTM]

i just used one on square nuts on a pipe hanger which I wouldn't have thought was that old (25 years tops).

most beam hanger pipe clamps I’ve seen over the decades have had square head bolts, can still buy them, seems only on cast bodies.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-GVBC038JR-3-8-Electro-Galvanized-Jr-Top-Beam-Clamp

Bridge Clamps, which are usually the ball buster of C Clamps, don’t come with handles, they have square heads. (But not guitar bridge clamps, they are delicate for obvious reasons)

Wilton O Series Bridge C Clamp

Wilton O Series Bridge C Clamp - 14527 from Wilton

www.acmetools.com

Why are square bolts still even made?

I suggest googling

why square head bolts

Then stand back as the reasons come flying at you

 

[KnurledNut]

Some slugbusters use squares on the draw screws.

 

[decableguy2000]

Utility pole hardware is all square hardware.

 

[carmantl]

Ironworker here. Use bridge clamps every day. Most screws are 3/4 square. Our Klein crescent spud wrenches work on all of them. And when I'm sending a 3000 lb double stair stringer into a stair shaft where the crane operator is blind you can damn well know we put all the available torque on that lifting connection! Bridge clamps are one of the greatest inventions of all time. 300 lb cranking force on the screw can generate over 9,600 lbs clamping force.

 

[Odd-job]

Ironworker here. Use bridge clamps every day. Most screws are 3/4 square. Our Klein crescent spud wrenches work on all of them. And when I'm sending a 3000 lb double stair stringer into a stair shaft where the crane operator is blind you can damn well know we put all the available torque on that lifting connection! Bridge clamps are one of the greatest inventions of all time. 300 lb cranking force on the screw can generate over 9,600 lbs clamping force.

and because of this post/thread I just bought a Wilton bridge clamp off of Amazon warehouse