Snap-on 6pt or 12pt sockets

[ijason]

Hey guys ive been investing in good tools and started with a craftsman socketset but there all 12 point, i have no 6 pt should i get 6pt?
What is better 6 or 12?

Im replacing them with snap on and will also buy impact also so the same question will apply with that too

Thank you all

 

[Cope]

The majority of my sockets have been 6 point since 1965. Either way, you will be OK. Impact, always 6 point.

 

[rsanter]

Yes, get 6 point snap on
Keep the 12 pt Cman when you need them once in a while

Bob

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Yes, get 6 point snap on
Keep the 12 pt Cman when you need them once in a while

Bob

This....I'm so happy I did keep the 12 points. I've used them quite a bit more than I thought I would. I work on everything from wood to metal to auto to machinery....so never know what I may find.

 

[sac02]

6pt is less likely to strip fasteners in general. If using with a modern ratchet, indexing is not an issue, if using on a breaker, indexing could be an issue.

12pt can be used on other fasteners (12pt like found often in aerospace and less frequently elsewhere, square drive in a pinch), better IMO to hammer onto a stripped fastener in a sacrificial method, and easier to index if space is an issue.

Basically 12pt is more flexible, but 6pt is more robust. I use 6pt as the default, and only use 12pt if necessary.

 

[Rico.]

6pt is less likely to strip fasteners in general. If using with a modern ratchet, indexing is not an issue, if using on a breaker, indexing could be an issue.

No Issue at all.....

If you have a 6 point socket on a breaker bar and you can't get a good angle
because of the 60 degree change, just remove the socket from the breaker
bar and turn it one quarter of a turn (90 degrees) and put it back on the
breaker bar.

When you place it back on the fastener it will look like it's only moved
30 degrees... just like a 12 point socket.

 

[GCS]

Always use 6 point if possible. 12 point are for 12 point nuts. You'll get a better torque on the nut, and less chance of stripping, or rounding the nut.
Also, ONLY use impact sockets with air impacts. The metal is heat treated different than regular sockets. Don't cheap out. Tools are designed for a purpose.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hey guys ive been investing in good tools and started with a craftsman socketset but there all 12 point, i have no 6 pt should i get 6pt?
What is better 6 or 12?

Im replacing them with snap on and will also buy impact also so the same question will apply with that too

Thank you all

[omitted]

Anyway...depends on how you work. If you got fine tooth ratchets it probably don't matter if you use 6 point. I don't like 12 points and avoid using them at all costs even when it comes to wrenches but harder nowadays to find the 6 point stuff.

I've stripped bolt heads with 12; wasn't snap on but enough of a crappy experience to use 6 point as much as I can. I don't know about the modern 12 points and I don't know about snap on 12 points. My experience is with the "sharp" 12 point which is out of favor recently for spline and flower. I guess snap on has "flank"; people like it.

No impact 12 point...dumb idea. That's like buying a celine dion boxset or a nickelback "greatest hits" album.

 

[T45]

Rico you are of course right. But sometimes that is still a hassle !! espcially if removing the socket ifrom a deep recess or having to re-insert the whole thing around an obstruction.

 

[Tronyadorable]

1/4" I use both. Everything bigger is all six point.If you buy GOOD 12 points you probably won't have an issue. The newer stuff aint yer grandpas 12 point.

 

[Adam.C]

What? It depends on what you are working on. What are you working on? Aircraft? You need 12 pt.

I don't believe 12pt sockets are any weaker or round off fasteners any more readily. I think they don't handle corroded, under sized, or slightly rounded hex fasteners as well as 6pt.

I still run into 12pt metric bolts on some cars. Last time was caliper bolts on a Land Rover discovery (LR3). So I have one set of 12 pt metric in 1/2 drive. Otherwise all my other sockets are 6pt.

Also, when I upgraded my craftsman tools to Snap On, I concentrated on metric sizes only.

One more bug in your ear. You will need basic shallow sizes for most jobs, almost regardless of what you are working on. Beyond that, consider island hopping to new technology. For example, I don't own a breaker bar. I use high strength ratchets like the SHLF80.

I have only one set of deep sockets. I prefer semi deep- I find them deep enough and they fit more places. I use swivel impacts on my 3/8 gun. I have no universals. I use swivel chrome on flex head ratchets and find I can get anywhere with that setup.

That's brings another point to mind- I recommend starting with flex head ratchets, and stubby or stubby flex. These apmay not be preferable for every job, but I find they offer increased utility.

 

[ijason]

Thank you all wow i posted lastnight before bed and never thought id get so much advice okay 6pt it is deep and shallow set. I do only have snap-on ratchets cause i like them allot. i just wish snap-on had bigger sets like 8mm-24mm so far all i see is 10-19mm and for big $$$ if anyone knows a perfect combo set to buy please list it for me. Thank you

 

[T45]

Keep your eyes peeled for something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-Too...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[davesnothere]

All the sockets.
Get them all.

 

[Adam.C]

i just wish snap-on had bigger sets like 8mm-24mm so far all i see is 10-19mm

Snap On do that because all those sizes are viewed as unnecessary or pointless. 8mm is pretty small for 3/8 drive. There are only 2 std heads between 20 and 24 mm. 20 is pretty pointless. The torque required for a bolt with a 24mm head is at the top of the capability of 3/8 drive

 

[rusty65]

Snap On do that because all those sizes are viewed as unnecessary or pointless. 8mm is pretty small for 3/8 drive. There are only 2 std heads between 20 and 24 mm. 20 is pretty pointless. The torque required for a bolt with a 24mm head is at the top of the capability of 3/8 drive

I bought a snap on 3/8 drive set that came from a Air Force base and it went from 6mm to 26mm all 3/8 drive. So they do make the bigger sets but like you said its kind of a waste of money.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Yes, get 6 point snap on
Keep the 12 pt Cman when you need them once in a while

Bob

Very true

 

[ijason]

Snap On do that because all those sizes are viewed as unnecessary or pointless. 8mm is pretty small for 3/8 drive. There are only 2 std heads between 20 and 24 mm. 20 is pretty pointless. The torque required for a bolt with a 24mm head is at the top of the capability of 3/8 drive

That make so much sense i just looked at my hansen socket treys and the 3/8 drive goes only till 20mm so a set of 8-19mm is perfect
thank you

 

[T45]

Snap On do that because all those sizes are viewed as unnecessary or pointless. 8mm is pretty small for 3/8 drive. There are only 2 std heads between 20 and 24 mm. 20 is pretty pointless. The torque required for a bolt with a 24mm head is at the top of the capability of 3/8 drive

21,22,24 are all standard sizes, and you can fit a 3/8 stack height into places 1/2 drive wont fit.

 

[Adam.C]

21,22,24 are all standard sizes, and you can fit a 3/8 stack height into places 1/2 drive wont fit.

21 and 22mm are two different stds, both not preferred, for M14. 24 is a multinational std for M16. Grade 8.8 torq spec for M16 is over 150ftlbs which is getting close to the 200ftlbs or so limit for many 3/8 drive tools. Manufacturers seem to shoot for drives that have twice the capability of the fasteners' recommended torque.

So, while it is sometimes helpful to push a drive beyond the basic set sizes, I recommend two things:
1) read the socket sizes thread linked in my signature line. It should be required reading here
2) note that the sizes Snap On offers in their sets are based on science and the demands of most pro mechanics, which is reflective of fastener sizes used by industry. There are only a few cases where it makes sense to expand Snap On sets.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

The majority of my Snap-On sockets are 6 pt., I never had a need for any 12 pts. but, it's good to have both 6 and 12 pt. on hand.

 

[SawtoothJL]

I haven't had any issues with using 12 point sockets, that said, I also try to replace everything with 12 point bolts.

 

[dnschmidt]

I think this argument about 6 or 12 point goes out the window once the bolt head gets bigger than say 5/8". After that a 12pt has quite a bit of metal to grab onto. Small sizes six point all the way after 5/8" I don't think it matters at all especially with modern flank drive setups. I especially feel this way about flare nut wrenches. A large six point flare nut wrench is fairly useless as you'll never have the room to swing it. Good in theory, useless in practice.