Surface Drive Socket School me

[zktk01]

I was looking at Koken Surface Drive sockets
http://www.kokenusa.com/products/itemicon/15

What would be the most practical application for these?
I have not heard of these before.

 

[Codejack]

Almost every brand has some version of this; it's just off-corner loading to prevent fastener wear.

 

[dutchgray]

Surface drive is an extreme version of off corner loading, they are meant to be very good at not marking fasteners so good for chromed bolts. There is a lot of slack inbuilt as part of the design so you may as way throw out your fine tooth ratchets. They would be frustrating if they were your only style of socket.

 

[zktk01]

Ok, thanks for the reply. I though they might be good for already rounded off nut.

 

[dutchgray]

Ok, thanks for the reply. I though they might be good for already rounded off nut.

If you rounded it with a 12 point then they may, but so would a normal 6 pt.

 

[American Locomotive]

Pretty much all modern sockets are "surface drive". If you look, you'll notice the points on almost every modern socket are slightly rounded instead of sharp. That allows the socket to engage the flats of the bolt.

This particular socket looks to take that to the extreme. I assume it must be for soft bolts/nuts or damaged ones.