Fairmount 12pt Line Wrenches Why?

[theamcguy]

On eBay I have seen Fairmount 12pt single end, line wrenches and cannot figure out why the 12pt rather than 6pt. Is there something I am missing? Every other line wrench I have seen has been 6pt for a more positive fitting contact to prevent rounding off the fitting either loosening or tightening. They are an interesting wrench but why the 12pt configuration?

 

[Roert42]

Same as a high tooth count ratchet.

Shorter stroke for tight space.

Only have to turn the nut 30* instead of 60* to be able to take another tooth.

 

[mikey03]

Snap on seems to offer 12 point for larger sizes I think I looked once and they didn’t even offer 6 for some of the larger sae sizes. I read something like at bigger sizes it doesn’t matter as much in 6 or 12 for these kind of fasteners but idk if true thats just what I read someone say

 

[neophyte]

12 point is standard for certain larger sizes,
and there were also military wrench sets that had a 12 point box wrench on one side, and a 12 point flare wrench on the other, both the same size, with the sizing ranging from 9/16” up to 1-1/8” or larger.
Bonney and Granco were two of the manufacturers of the box/flare wrenches.
Fairmount may be another.
The larger Armstrong flare wrench sizes were also 12 point.

 

[finn]

As noted, there are a lot of situations where space constraints limit access with a “normal” six point flare wrench. My old skid steer was one of them.

Twelve point wrenches are better suited for these configurations.

But then again, I’m one of the few people that detests six point box or combination wrenches, and doesn’t go out of my way to use six point sockets either.

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL does it the same way. Smaller stuff 6 point larger stuff 12 point. Their 22mm 12 point flare nut wrench is great for oxygen sensors.

 

[BrandonV]

All the line wrenches and flare nut wrenches I see in Europe are often 12 point. 6 point seems to be more of an American thing.

 

[wrenchr]

Why not have both?

 

[mikey03]

Why not have both?

Oh no

 

[Zewnten]

I like mine. Very handy for hydraulic lines.

 

[Callelle]

TOPTUL does it the same way. Smaller stuff 6 point larger stuff 12 point. Their 22mm 12 point flare nut wrench is great for oxygen sensors.

Man you'd be insane to try anything 12 point on any sensor up here.

 

[dnschmidt]

Man you'd be insane to try anything 12 point on any sensor up here.

That's why I'm down here and no longer live up there.

 

[bcschief]

Made a bunch of 12-point line wrenches out of combination wrenches during my working career as a heavy truck mechanic.

 

[Mgdoug3]

My most used line wrench is a Snap-on 3/4 12 point for injector lines. There's only been one time that it felt like it might slip and I switched to my 6 point to break it loose. Sometimes there's not enough room to to get the next turn on a 6 point.