Newb with some questions

[danielhp89]

Hi all!

I come from a family full of mechanics with more dollars worth of tools than I want to think about but my dad and I have always let them do our wrenching and we help out with woodworking and electronic needs. Lately the tool and wrenching bug has got to me and I have started accumulating higher quality tools. I scored a great deal on a 309 pc craftsman set recently and I have some questions.

When does a person use a 6 point socket vs a 12 point socket?

Can anyone suggest a good stepper bit?

What is a good price off the Snap On truck for a set of screwdrivers?

How often are Ratcheting screwdrivers actually used?

JH Williams screwdrivers or Snap on?

Wera or Snap on/JH Williams precision screwdrivers?

Tomorrow I will try to get a picture of a situation I see alot and ask for a tool recommendation.

Thanks guys

 

[blackz26]

12 vs 6 for tight spaces

I use my ratchet screw driver unanimously. Nothing else

Everything else, i cant honestly answer as i dont know.

 

[danielhp89]

Thanks for the input, spent a few minutes looking for my thread in the general tool forum before I searched for it and found it here.

If a moderator could move it that would be awesome.

 

[blackz26]

No problem. If you are displaced with 12 point deep in 3/8... I know who could use some.. lol

 

[danielhp89]

I'll probably hold onto them, they are in my truck box now and my 6 point are in the shop box, I wanted to know the uses because my cousin that does auto body says he prefers 6 point but his brother who farms and wrenches on everything from atv's to semis and tractors told me that he uses 12 point on john deere stuff alot but I didn't know if there was a time that you should use one over the other

 

[blackz26]

Lol np just messing

Also there's a good bit of 12 points in diesels specifically starter bolt. Ford uses them on drive shafts. Aftermarket arp head studs. Audi/VW all over.

Some people use them religiously because they get paid flat rate and they can be quicker.

I am one to prefer 6 point. But a lot of people will say a quality 12 is just as good. Others will say only use the tool for their right fastener. Etc. Lol

 

[HMCFab9]

6pt sockets are used for smaller fasteners & anything that's rusted tight.
6pt has more contact area than 12 pt.
When I was doing auto body / collision work, I used my Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver daily (I have 2 of them)
I've heard the screwdrivers from Menards are good quality & made in USA.

 

[jdawgl]

I'm new to turning wrenches as well. I have been looking into the 12pt vs 6pt topic for the last week. So far the only definitive reason to use a 12 pt would be a restriction on wrench space. In simple terms and using a loose analogy, your 12pt socket can latch onto a bolt at 12,1,2,3 o'clock. A 6pt socket only latches on at 12 and 3 o'clock.

I found this very informative tool basics pdf

 

[blackz26]

I'm new to turning wrenches as well. I have been looking into the 12pt vs 6pt topic for the last week. So far the only definitive reason to use a 12 pt would be a restriction on wrench space. In simple terms and using a loose analogy, your 12pt socket can latch onto a bolt at 12,1,2,3 o'clock. A 6pt socket only latches on at 12 and 3 o'clock.

I found this very informative tool basics pdf

Umm where did you learn math? 360°÷6=60°. 2,4,6,8,10,12. A 12 point will lock on at every degree of a clock. 4 point is 3,6,9,12. 8 point would be 1.5,3,4.5,6,7.5,9,10.5,12 if quick math serves me right lol

 

[jdawgl]

Umm where did you learn math? 360°÷6=60°. 2,4,6,8,10,12. ...

I did say 'loose' analogy . I was cutting corners on the math. I don't have first hand knowledge of the teeth schematic on an average ratchet. If you wanted to get technical, you would need to account for the socket & ratchet, right?