How often do you need to use a 12 pt socket

[nbpt100]

I thought it would be interesting to see how often people may need to use a 12 point socket. I see some larger socket kits are coming with both 12 and 6 PT. sockets. Personally I can only think of once where I had to use a 12 Pt socket. It was on a VW axle nut. I can think of a handful of times when I had a square head nut or bolt. Usually on items like metal shelving and older appliances.

So How often do you Need to use a 12 pt. socket?

 

[Wamsutta]

I use them on square drain plugs when I don't have the correct size 8-point. A 7/16 12-point will turn a 3/8 square.

 

[mcmtech]

Ford driveshafts. Toyota axle nuts. Seen some cylinder head bolts.

 

[nbpt100]

Wamsutta, That is a very good application but you could use also use an open end wrench if you had to? Correct? Unless room does not allow.
I am asking how often are you in a situation where you have to use a 12 PT. socket.

 

[Wamsutta]

I actually prefer 12-point sockets for things like 1/4 drive swivels because they're easier to engage.

 

[md21722]

On driveshaft bolts sockets are just easier. I have a few Jeeps...

 

[Adam.C]

Brakes caliper bolt on VW, and Land Rover products, wheel nut bolts on VW...more out there than folks on GJ think

 

[Jason280]

Right off the top of my head, I use them on Jeep Dana 30 hub bolts and driveshaft flange bolts on Ford 8.8 rearends.

 

[PJNJ]

About 4 or 5 times in 15 years.

 

[nbpt100]

I actually prefer 12-point sockets for things like 1/4 drive swivels because they're easier to engage.

Good point!

 

[Hammer1963]

As often as possible. A high quality 12 point socket (and yes there is a difference) will work wonders in many applications where minimal arch swing is available.

 

[finn]

Head bolts, aftermarket header bolts, driveshaft bolts.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I don't absolutely need a 12 point that often. But every once in awhile. Some drive shaft bolts on a few JD tractors. Also, head bolts on a Polaris Ranger. Things like that. But they're handy for other things. That's why I have 12pt and 6pt in 3/8" drive and some 1/2".


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[bolivier]

I use them all the time. I'll have both my 6 and 12 point socket sets out, and can't find the size I need in 6, so I use the 12. So, I mostly use them because the socket I need is on the other side of the truck...

 

[BajaBound]

12pts are great for breaker bars, more engagement points.

 

[bmwrd0]

Every time I climb up on a roof for HVAC. 12 point is so much better outside the world of auto repair. I think I have metric 6 point at home, for random stuff, real work is all 12 point.

 

[shortykorte]

Monthly

 

[B_Bimmer]

About as often as I NEED to use a six point socket. The fact is I have tons of both, usually it doesn't matter and I use whatever happens to be the closest.

 

[Handyfarmer]

about the only time I use a 6 point is with an impact socket, and it is an impact socket,

 

[ChrisLS8]

I've never really had a situation where a 12 point didn't do the job of a 6 point however nissan headbolts and flywheel bolts are often 12 point as well as some honda

 

[Alfisti]

I look after a collection of cars for a client, his engine builder uses ARP bolts on nearly everything and as rule they're reduced head 12 point bolts. My 12 point sockets get a real work out on his cars.

 

[ssdave]

I rarely NEED to use a 12 point, just as I rarely NEED to use a 6 point. I just prefer 12 point, use them almost exclusively. About the only time I use a 6 point is if the fastener is damaged to where a 12 won't work, or I break the 12 point one and go to a 6 point impact socket for the thick walls and higher strength.

For NEED to use: As mentioned before, ford drive shaft bolts. Occasionally fasteners on non-automotive applications.

 

[L.Cheapo]

About once every 5 years...Gen 2 Ram wheel hub bearing assemblies are held on by 12 point bolts, 14mm IIRC.

 

[Thax]

I find in automotive repair 12 point are required on quite a few applications. Certain import head jobs, Dana 30 hub assembly bolts , Hyundai/KIA torque converter /oil pan bolts. Ford 12mm driveshafts etc. They are also nice to have as well twice as many engagement points, and with a high quality socket are just as good as a 6 point.

 

[robalmal]

about the only time I use a 6 point is with an impact socket, and it is an impact socket,

I am the same and I have been doing car repairs for a long time.

 

[bobcatdan]

All the time, a 12 point socket turns a nut just as well as a 6 point.

 

[Schurkey]

I dislike 12-point in 1/4" drive. I have some, but actively avoid using 'em.
I accept 12-point in 3/8" drive, but I really prefer 6-point (unless the fastener has a 12-point head.)
I'm not sure I own any 6-point 1/2" drive sockets that aren't impact sockets.

Wrenches are another story: I'll often use a 12-point wrench if I'm looking to reduce wrench swing required due to clearance problems. I'm not sure I own a 6-point wrench larger than 7/8" or 15 mm.

I use 12-point on THM 400 center-support bolts, various driveshafts, and Honda headbolts. In fact, I have a dedicated socket for the THM 400 center-support bolts stashed with my trans tools, and I used to have a dedicated 10 mm 12-point socket set aside for the Honda head bolts. The Honda head bolts were so hatefully tight/seized that I was scared any wear or imperfection in the socket would damage the bolt heads.

 

[gdocktor3]

I don't use regular 12 point sockets often, but do use 12 point spline often. I like the way they bite the fastener. I have SK spline sockets, and Proto & Matco ratchet wrenches with spline that I use whenever possible. They're quicker and easier to fit over nut/bolt and the sockets work well with breaker bars in tight spots. I also feel the spline sockets have a much less chance of rounding off fastener when using breaker bar.

 

[KWtech90]

12 point fasteners are pretty common on driveshafts, fuel injectors, flywheels, and starters on class 8 trucks.

 

[nbpt100]

I don't use regular 12 point sockets often, but do use 12 point spline often. I like the way they bite the fastener. I have SK spline sockets, and Proto & Matco ratchet wrenches with spline that I use whenever possible. They're quicker and easier to fit over nut/bolt and the sockets work well with breaker bars in tight spots. I also feel the spline sockets have a much less chance of rounding off fastener when using breaker bar.

Interesting experience here. I know they are marketed to work more head shapes and better on hex fasteners whose corners have started to round. I have thought about this but don't have much experience using the spline sockets to really comment. I wonder if the 12 pt spline socket wrench design has the potential to eliminate the conventional 12 pt. socket? It seems like they are much more functional but maybe more prone to breaking. This may be a good topic for a new thread.

 

[lakeroadster]

I used an ARP 12 point Bolt and Stud Kit when I rebuilt the SBC in my Model A Tudor and the SBF in my Model T RPU.

The ARP 12 point fasteners are great. Small head and 12 points allows for using smaller sockets and wrenches, yet the 12 point almost guarantees no rounded bolt heads or nuts. Header bolts are da bomb.

On my daily driver Tacoma I use a 12 point to remove one of the driveshaft to pinion bolts to allow access to the grease zerk....

 

[jdoe213]

The 6 pt doesn't give me enough room to pull on the tension pulley for the serpentine belt on my 03 Saturn Vue. The 12 pt give me just that extra 15 degrees or so to fully pull the pulley all the way forward.

 

[gdocktor3]

Interesting experience here. I know they are marketed to work more head shapes and better on hex fasteners whose corners have started to round. I have thought about this but don't have much experience using the spline sockets to really comment. I wonder if the 12 pt spline socket wrench design has the potential to eliminate the conventional 12 pt. socket? It seems like they are much more functional but maybe more prone to breaking. This may be a good topic for a new thread.

Now that I think about it, I also have Kobalt pass thru sockets which are spline, as well as Expert (Mac's full Taiwan line) XL double box spline ratchet wrenches. I've used the fixed end of the Expert wrenches on the other end of my impact wrench and they've held up well. If I need 12 point in future for anything, and don't already have it, I'll buy a good brand with spline feature.

 

[kblee27]

A 12pt can drive a e-torx head ?

 

[tshetter]

At work almost everything I work on I use 3/8" drive and I prefer 6pt. The impacts are 6pt and 1/2" drive but they do not get used much. As for the box end wrenches they are 12pt.

I also have a strong habit of replacing slightly worn nuts and bolts with fresh grade 8/12.9 parts to prevent the problem of rounded fasteners. In general I try to keep my machines as OEM as possible.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

interesting subject. I always use 6pt, the only 12pt sockets in my box are a set of 3/8" and 1/2" metric chrome Cmans just incase I need them. being a GM tech The only 12pt bolts I can think of are Dmax head bolts. Being an Isuzu the Dmax is full of jap style and sized fasteners. This is kind of a pain as you have to have out all the common american sizes 10, 13, 15, 18, plus 12, 14, 17, 19 and allen and torx bit sockets. Your tool cart ends up becoming a mess due to the amount of tools you need

 

[CobraRed]

For axle nut impact sockets, do you guys just buy a 12pt set and use 12pt on everything or buy a 6pt impact set and buy 12pt in the sizes you need for Toyota and the like?

 

[KMdef9]

Unless it's a 12 point fastener, never.

12pts are great for breaker bars, more engagement points.

It's actually less surface contact area on a point bolt.

 

[BK13]

Disclaimer: I don't make money with my tools (outside of a BFH and a rotary hammer)

I can't remember the last time I needed 12 point sockets. I find them handy with my 1/2" drive breaker bar.

Thus, I've been buying six point sockets to add to my 12 point.


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[DFB]

Certain Harley head bolts and brake banjo bolts are 12 point...like mine


I have both 12 and 6 point (and 8 point too) in chromed sockets, both shallow and deep metric and SAE 3/8" and 1/2" from years back.

I mostly use an impact socket when I go for 6 point these days


What exactly is difference between the old 12 point, and 12 point spline or triple cross