what are 8pt sockets for?

[Derek420]

I keep getting them here and there from flea markets and have no idea what they are for but come in normal standard sizes like 9/16. What are they for in an automotive stand point other than pre hex cars like model t's and fences? Can they work on a hex? I doubt it...

 

[Fedwrench]

Square plugs, weather head fittings, etc.

 

[Derek420]

I have no need for them it sounds like but get them by mistake as I just buy sockets by brand .I hate when I get those or 2 of the same. But for price 1.00 a piece for wright, Armstrong ,Williams and Sk hell why not I bought them out of Wright's today and Williams kobalt I guess shouldnt gripe. They want 5 for SO sockets I bought only the new style shiney ones.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Most lawn and garden equipment used square head oil drain plugs until fairly recently.

 

[gdocktor3]

As mentioned they are often used as oil drain plugs on lawn & garden, as well as farm tractors and stuff like that. They are also useful when removing plugs from plumbing and heating systems or other black/iron piping. I have also used them in the past to remove really tight wing nuts because they fit perfectly across the points.

 

[tombell572]

Many of my older machine tools use square head set screws and bolts. Common in late 1800's up to maybe the 1920's. My Craftsman 8-pointers make life easy on those.

Tom B.

 

[mikegt4]

They make great tap drivers.

 

[mfrantz90]

Slack adjusters for air brakes


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[Sam'sAutoParts]

I actually bought of set of new Craftsman 8 point sockets a few years ago. Since then I have pieced together a second set of them for the home garage. I actually use them quite often, but I work on a lot of old junk.

 

[BonzoHansen]

I used one today, drain plug on my new differential cover

 

[Wes J]

Many of my older machine tools use square head set screws and bolts. Common in late 1800's up to maybe the 1920's. My Craftsman 8-pointers make life easy on those.

Tom B.

Actually they are still used on machine tools frequently. Especially on leveling screws and other adjusters. I use 8pt sockets pretty frequently.

 

[kctyphoon]

They are for anything that uses square hardware. All of the hardware we use to attach cables to poles are square.. sometimes with 8 points you'll find 2 different sizes in one socket.. one square can be 1", the other can be 1 & 1/8"..

 

[ecotec]

I used one last week when I moved my 1949 Atlas 1010 around in my garage. There are four square-head bolts that hold it to the table it lives on... The same four bolts held it to a table in the original owners basement. So, a few years ago, when I bought the drill press (when the original owner died) I used the same bolts.

I like the way they look too... Like they are saying F you to the future...

 

[BonzoHansen]

^^^lol

You dont need them until you do!

 

[Derek420]

Lol well I guess I have them for future reference along with your alls comments I have craftsman and weight ones all sizes. I got splines as well and haven't used them and female? Torx sockets I find alot of odd sockets and specially screwdrivers, I got to learn those next like a square and flat combined and got craftsman clutch and euro electrical kinds of sorts, mostly stuff I will maybe never need.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have a Williams USA set. I really like them. I use them on farm equipment. Work great for square plugs and square headed set screws. Things like that.


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[shockwave]

More on aerograde single use fasteners also some 10 point

But yes mostly for square drive fasteners just like 12 point on 6 point

 

[softailgarage]

I use 'em on 8 point bolts, comes in real handy

 

[larry_g]

 

[scott78]

a lot of pipe plugs require 4 points of contact whether inverted or external so 8 pt works well on pipe plugs. I have many, but i seldom use them. most people will use an adjustable wrench if they have the room.

 

[Dave455]

Don't find much use for them in the automotive world, apart from brake adjusters on drum brakes!

They are, however, seriously useful in the general engineering world! I use them on lathe toolpost studs, for toolpost adjustment or any application where you have a square shaft such as tightening a machine vice!

I'm fortunate to have a substantial set of British made Britool 'bi-square' sockets, to use their catalogue name, in 1/2 drive and also a set of Snap On in 3/8 drive for the smaller sizes!

The latter are by far the best out there - in case nobody has noticed, Snap On changed their 8 point sockets to a flank drive design a few years back and they are superb!

 

[Cope]

When I was selling Matco Tools, I inherited a 1/2" drive set from my predecessor. When I quit, I kept them. 3/8"-1", and appear to be Wright.

 

[MDK22]

8pt socket uses - Tap socket, pipe plugs (ie drain plugs, or at the end of threaded plumbing gas/water/air), square head bolts/nuts (furniture, old equipment mostly farming, old buildings), 8pt head bolt/nuts (extremely rare imho should be used in place of triple square or torx/allen), slack adjusters for air brakes (ie big rigs aka real diesels), and finally to hand to a new guy when he asks for a 3/8", 3/8" drive socket and watch him look confused.

I use them a lot at work for drain plugs and fill plugs on differentials. Because of having these i have been able to get loose stuff that on multiple occasions other shops could not. I also use them as tap sockets quite often with sliding t handles because there is not always a lot of room to get at what you are doing. They do not retain a tap but, they are normally shallower and have some play so if you are up against something else you can still use it.