Thoughts On 12 Point & Semi Deep Sockets

[bigredjeepone]

I love my mid length sockets. I never touch 12pt unless it's a 12pt fastener.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Re: Thoughts On 12 Point & Semi Deep Sockets

Actually called Hanson yesterday about the three row idea. Was told that those 3 row trays will be showing up on the SO truck next month and will be exclusive to SO for 8-11 months after.


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Awesome and a long time coming. The sad part though is just the other day I was looking at the cost difference between the Hansen trays and the SO trays made by Hansen. $46 for 6pc. set of Hansen on Amazon. Same exact 6pc. set of trays only SO and all one color..... $157. I buy alot of things SO but this they are bat **** crazy over. I bought the SO pliers organizers made by Ernst...... $14.95. WTF.

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[doogdoog]

I mostly use 12 pt sockets and 12 point combination wrenches and also have sets for 6 points. I would normally use the 12 pt but if the nut is really tight or rusted, then I will use the 6 pt. I don't have semi-deep sockets and only have the long ones and I have never needed semi-deep sockets.

 

[TheDuke62]

For that most part 12 pts work fine, but my 1/2 drive set has all 12 pts and I bought a 21mm deep well 6 pt for my Toyota's lug nuts. Works much better.

 

[Infinia]

87.5% of standard chrome 1/2 sockets sold are 12pt. They are clearly the best sellers!
98% of all 1/4 drive sockets sold are 6pt.
Conclusion: 6points are useful for small cheap fasteners, 12 points work everywhere else!
Semi deep sockets sets are for folks that have lots of room in the tool box and cant make up their minds what tool to use but they clearly won't work in tight places.

33 years ago, as a 16 year old know it all, I wrecked my brand new chrome lug nuts by rechecking them the day after they were installed using a 12 point socket
Thus began my disdain of 12 point sockets and my personal move to an all 6 point socket collection. 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2, chrome and impact, shop box & road box, every socket I owned was 6 point.

Sadly that a set of cheap lug nuts ( badly plated) ended up costing you so very dearly over those 33 of the best years of a life.
edit> Interestingly on lug nuts most folks use 1/2" deep sockets which are almost always 6 point esp. on impact rated ones.

 

[kythri]

Yeah, I was kinda thinking the same thing - a 12 point socket shouldn't "crack chrome" - that really sounds like crappy lug nuts.

 

[Infinia]

Yeah, I was kinda thinking the same thing - a 12 point socket shouldn't "crack chrome" - that really sounds like crappy lug nuts.

Aftermarket lug nuts can be all over the map, even GM OEM lugs had thin covers that didn't always fit and came off.

 

[kythri]

Aftermarket lug nuts can be all over the map, even GM OEM lugs had thin covers that didn't always fit and came off.

Yeah, I ran into those chromed-tin caps on a '97 Grand Cherokee once.

Stupid design.