Impact Sockets - 6 pt or 12 pt?

[3TV]

From the good quality manufacturer, such as Snap On, Matco, or Mac, which impact socket is going to work best and be strongest, 6 pt or 12 pt?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

6 point impacts, all the way. 12 point are good in chrome, or impact for specific 12pt fasteners (head bolts, main cap bolts, etc.)

 

[ken w.]

I only have 4 12 pt impacts. Specialty sockets. 6 points all the way.

 

[Roberts210]

For ordinary stuff, 6 point.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I only have 6 point impact sockets. Not sure if I have ever seen 12 point impact sockets, I guess I am sure some one makes them. Not sure why you would use one.

 

[mcmtech]

6 point. I've got a few odd ball 12 points like axle nut sockets and a set of 3/8 12 point metrics for some random stuff I've come across.

 

[popparoach]

get 3 point sockets,they are twice as strong as 6 point.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

All the oddball impact sockets are 6 points.. I didn't know they make 12 point impacts I think they would be too thin as impacts are softer matarial No?

 

[lightning02]

i use 6pt. if i need a 12pt impact ill just buy that one. not that hard to find. don't need top notch for a one time use socket or at the very most couple times a year.

only time i ever used 12pt impact was on ujoints or head studs/bolts. cant really think of any other times iv needed a 12pt impact.

if you use alot of aftermarket fasteners like APR and the sort there probably a good investment.

 

[3TV]

I was just looking in the Matco tools e-catalog, in the ADV impact socket section, and was just about to order a set of 6 point deep impact sockets. Then I noticed they had both 6 point and 12 point deep impact sockets in the 26 piece metric set I was looking at. Uh oh, too many choices, so I decided to ask the experts.

Thanks everyone, I ordered the 6 point 26 piece set.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I've run into some people that are scared on 12pt. Like not buying an axle nut socket set that's 12pt and can work on both 6pt and 12pt because they won't use 12pt on 6 pt. But I've yet to strip a 6pt nut or bolt with a quality 12pt socket.

I understand in scenarios like flarenuts/bleeders - but otherwise I think there's some mysticism there.

 

[Tenex]

I was just looking in the Matco tools e-catalog, in the ADV impact socket section, and was just about to order a set of 6 point deep impact sockets. Then I noticed they had both 6 point and 12 point deep impact sockets in the 26 piece metric set I was looking at. Uh oh, too many choices, so I decided to ask the experts.

Thanks everyone, I ordered the 6 point 26 piece set.

If you're going to buy Taiwanese then there's really no reason to buy them off the truck. Check out Sunex or Grey Pneumatic. Sometimes it makes sense to buy the best money can buy(i.e. Snap On flare wrenches) but impact sockets are not one of them.

 

[Chief919]

6 point all the way, unless you have some 12 point fasteners you are working with.

 

[dnschmidt]

Chris, with modern flank drive the difference is minimal. The only exception to this is if the nut or bolt has so badly rusted that it's seriously undersized then six might have the advantage. If it wasn't for ratchets or power tools there would be no six point sockets. How many six point non-ratcheting wrenches have you seen. They are available but are less than 1% of the market.

If you look at old tool sets (let's say from the 1960's) all sockets were 12 point. Nobody had developed fine tooth ratchets at that time and 12 points were easier to put on the bolt. The six point mantra is a recent development.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

But I've yet to strip a 6pt nut or bolt with a quality 12pt socket.

Different story with rusted/damaged fasteners.

 

[Greg85mcss]

Last spring a guy I work with was running out of room and trying to get rid of some stuff he didn't really use. Sold another tech a 12 point deep matco set for $50. That was a tough deal to turn down I but didn't see using them much. The guy that bought them hasn't opened the case yet.


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[d.mcfarland]

I've run into some people that are scared on 12pt. Like not buying an axle nut socket set that's 12pt and can work on both 6pt and 12pt because they won't use 12pt on 6 pt. But I've yet to strip a 6pt nut or bolt with a quality 12pt socket.

I understand in scenarios like flarenuts/bleeders - but otherwise I think there's some mysticism there.

South El Monte, CA is not the rust belt. The rust literally causes the bolt to slowly disappear over time under our cars. 12 point is basically equal to a circle and if you damage the fastener edges that 12 point is equivalent to a saw blade.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

South El Monte, CA is not the rust belt. The rust literally causes the bolt to slowly disappear over time under our cars. 12 point is basically equal to a circle and if you damage the fastener edges that 12 point is equivalent to a saw blade.

Fair enough. And I also have lots of access to tools that are designed for damaged and rusted fasteners - so I'm not hammering a standard socket onto a rounded rusted nut in the first place.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Let me look over some daily drivers here and find an example. Not everything needs a damaged fastener removal tool but 12 point vs 6 point is always going to be a sore subject for us because of the corrosion issue


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[Buckgnarly]

The people who say 12 and 6 are equal are usually from those dry and warm places!

 

[d.mcfarland]

I will say that the larger the fastener/socket size, the less a 12 point vs 6 point discussion is necessary. Like an inverse correlation occurs because of increased surface area.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

6 point impact sockets are the commonly sold and desired of the two;

12 point impact sockets are best reserved for the few of Us that actually need them for 12 point fasteners.

Why anyone would buy a 12 point impact socket where a 6 point would work is a good question.

If Your 6 point impact sockets are often too thick to fit in tight places; then buy a set of thin-wall 6 point impact sockets..

I wouldn't buy 12 point impact sockets for any reason other than to use on 12 point fasteners. Yep, I have both, plus thin-wall 6 points; because they are needed.

 

[anurag1990]

if you ask for best and strongest, go for momento impact sockets from sweden. check out this youtube video link

http://www.momento.se/products/impact-sockets/

 

[dnschmidt]

Those of us that live in the desert need love too!!!

 

[sqaurelizard]

12 point impacts only on 12point bolts/nuts especially on smaller sizes sure way to round a crappy bolt

 

[rice rocket]

if you ask for best and strongest, go for momento impact sockets from sweden. check out this youtube video link

http://www.momento.se/products/impact-sockets/

These look interesting.

I'm interested in some non-black oxide impact sockets, because mine are a magnet for rust. I wonder what the coating is on these.


Hmm, more detail:

http://www.momento.se/products/silverline/


Doesn't say anything about rust resilience.

 

[anurag1990]

These look interesting.

I'm interested in some non-black oxide impact sockets, because mine are a magnet for rust. I wonder what the coating is on these.


Hmm, more detail:

http://www.momento.se/products/silverline/


Doesn't say anything about rust resilience.

Silverline sockets are coated with what momento calls environment friendly emulsion concentrate. also its not black oxide, so solves your demands too.
Its very rare to find non black oxide impact sockets.
And you want these sockets for automotive use right?
I dont think you should worry about rust, take a cloth and dip in any light oil and wipe your sockets with it. Even chrome sockets can rust, after all its a steel.

 

[Fedwrench]

As others have posted, six point impact sockets work best. However, if you work on an application with 12 point fasteners, buy only the sizes you need.

I apply this logic to chrome sockets too.

 

[T45]

Silverline sockets are coated with what momento calls environment friendly emulsion concentrate. also its not black oxide, so solves your demands too.

Its a mineral oil, used basically similar to boiled linseed oil. Its clear and the silver is just the natural steel coming thru.

Never used them, just surmising from the product data sheet.

Momento Silverline™ is based on a dark brown mineral oil and additives which is mixed with water to form a milky white emulsion. The oil in the emulsion penetrates the surface and provides the product with a well-protected layer against rust and creates a shiny silver coating.

 

[KMdef9]

I wouldn't buy 12 point impact sockets for any reason other than to use on 12 point fasteners.

This.

As stated, 12 pt will have a much higher chance of rounding off a fastener. 12pt has less surface contact with the fastener, so they're weaker than the 6pt. 6pt's come with rounded corners, to reduce rounding of fasteners, something that 12's don't.

 

[T45]

This.

As stated, 12 pt will have a much higher chance of rounding off a fastener. 12pt has less surface contact with the fastener, so they're weaker than the 6pt. 6pt's come with rounded corners, to reduce rounding of fasteners, something that 12's don't.

I'm not sure this is correct, tho. Modern 12pt sockets have flank drive. So they engage off corner just fine. There is a higher chance of rounding, but this is strictly because of the fact there is more room for displaced metal to flowto/occupy inside of the socket (whereas the six pts these voids are essentially filled in with more metal mass).

12 pt impacts exist because people need them for 12 pt fasteners. If the OP doesn't require such special applications, there is no need to get something that is not six points. Six points are also stronger (everything else equal), but note you can get weaker thin-walled 6pt, and probably thicker walled 12pt so the strength issue is sort of a side issue if you have access to a parts full catalog.

 

[chris142]

My matco ones are 12pt. Work fine.

 

[jerseykat1]

If you live in a place with great weather all year around and you work on nothing but new cars than you can get away with 12 pt sockets. But you should atleast own one set of 12pt sockets for specialty bolts as stated earlier... But 6 point sockets eliminates the chance of rounding a 6 pt bolt, as long as your using the correct size.

I am in the North East 12 pt sockets are not used very often. But they have there place.

 

[jerseykat1]

BTW truck brands are not the only people that make good impact sockets.
Sunex, Grey pneumatic, SK, Astro, GearWrench, etc.

 

[jlipsky14]

I would buy Sunex, thats what I did and love them. Customer support in incredible as well for the one small torx socket I had to warranty.
I used to like Grey pneumatic but it is very difficult to warranty them if you dont buy them local or have a local distributor.

 

[Derek420]

These look interesting.

I'm interested in some non-black oxide impact sockets, because mine are a magnet for rust. I wonder what the coating is on these.


Hmm, more detail:

http://www.momento.se/products/silverline/


Doesn't say anything about rust resilience.

Wow thanks for info now I want, they make 5/8 drive also the 3/8 sizes are 5-32mm and 1/2 6-46mm wow couldn't imagine a 6mm 1/2 socket lol or the 12pt thin wall deep impacts with 1mm thickness or could be less as that is for 6pt. Also says they invited torque sticks I didn't know that and they're silverline color is different I bet they are highly priced I will have to look into them more.

 

[rice rocket]

If you want rust resistant ones, TONE from Japan makes impact sockets with some sort of electroplating. I've been meaning to import some for a while to test out, haven't gotten around to it.

Not many details, other than it says:

These impact sockets offer improved rust resistance and functionality along with a high level of durability and a beautiful appearance by overcoming conventional weakness of our impact sockets.

http://www.tonetool.co.jp/english/products/

 

[3TV]

If you're going to buy Taiwanese then there's really no reason to buy them off the truck. Check out Sunex or Grey Pneumatic. Sometimes it makes sense to buy the best money can buy(i.e. Snap On flare wrenches) but impact sockets are not one of them.

I'm hearing this alot on here, and decided to listen to the advise. Last week I ordered two shallow 6 point impact socket sets from Matco (ADV), a metric 26 piece set, and an SAE 19 piece set. This week I ordered two deep 6 point impact socket sets from Sunex, a metric 26 piece set, and an SAE 19 piece set. The Sunex deep impact socket sets were $455 less than the same sets from Matco (ADV). Being as I will have two socket sets from each brand I guess I'll get to see if one brand is better quality than the other.

 

[3TV]

I have recieved my Matco (ADV) shallow impact sockets and my Sunex deep impact sockets and wanted to just say thanks to the people in this thread that suggested Sunex. I saved $455 by buying the Sunex deep impact sockets instead of the Matco (ADV) deep impact sockets.

In comparing the two different brands visually I can tell that the Matco impact sockets are very slightly more beefy than the Sunex impact sockets. The difference is subtle, but if you hold one brand in one hand and the other brand in the other hand there is a just perceptible difference, with the Matco Taiwanese socket coming out ahead of the Sunex Taiwanese socket in that regard. However, I think the Sunex sockets are more than beefy enough. They look really stout. And the Sunex sockets definitely have more refined machining and a better finish. So overall they are pretty even. I think the Sunex impact sockets are a good buy.

I also ordered a set of Sunex stubby combination wrenches because 1. Matco stubby wrenches were backordered, and 2. I figured the stubby wrenches wouldn't be having as much torque applied to them as regular wrenches do. The Sunex stubby wrenches have a much much better chrome finish and better machining than my Matco wrenches as well. The Matco wrenches really look like **** in comparison. They have nicks and rough spots, and dull areas that look like the chrome wasn't even polished. When I first bought the Matco wrenches I almost sent some of them back because they looked like seconds, or defects that they had pawned off on me. I didn't send them back though, because finish is definitely secondary to function. Still, something that Matco could improve on, because even their Taiwanese competitors have them beat in that regard.