When do you NEED a 12pt socket?

[cgv69]

I'm not looking to start another 6pt vs 12pt debate. We all have our favorites and for me, I prefer 6pt sockets and have never felt the need or desire for 12pt sockets. I understand why some prefer the 12pt'ers but what I'm curious about is I've seen some people state that they have needed 12pt sockets?

Like I said, I've never needed them but I'm not a pro either. I understand that there are some 12pt bolts/nuts out there but I have never seen one. What kind of equipment would you likely see a 12pt fastener used? Other then a 12pt fastener, when would you "need" a 12pt socket. Please note, I'm asking about need, not prefer. I know there are times when a 12pt might be preferred but generally speaking in those situations, a 6pt will get it done too.

Just trying to determine if there is a good reason for me to add some 12pt sockets to my collection and if so, why and in what sizes?

 

[Zephyr]

Some flywheel bolts

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[stricht8]

Older Mercedes lower shock absorber mounting bolts.

 

[Rogue1987]

Aren't some ford drive shaft bolts 12 point?

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

I use 12 points alot but usually reach for the 6 points. 12 points are good if you have a crusty nut or bolt and need to pound a socket on. If you have an awkward size or sometimes a square bolt/nut. Occasionally, i've used them with taps that have to fit in a weird spot. Also, if you have a bolt or nut in a really tight spot and need that extra 10th of a degree to get it on there right. I have up to 1" in 3/8, some miscellaneous 1/2" drive, and most of my 3/4 and 1" drive sockets are 12 pt. Then I have one set of fractional 12 pt. 1/4" drive sockets including 32nds

And yes, alot of yoke bolts on driveshafts, for both ford and chevy's can be either 1/2" 12pts, or 5/16's 12 pts.

 

[smothers33]

I'm starting to see more and more 12pt and e-torx bolts on forklift and construction equipment engines and such. I've also seen them on some cars (mostly brakes and suspension). Dunno why. But its becoming more popular for some reason. But as other have said 12 pt are good for pounding onto a rounded bolt or for 4 pt bolts if you ever come across those

 

[jk47]

Harley tappet block bolts, and head bolts.

Honda clutch jobs...

 

[olytdi]

Many of the bolts connecting the upper and lower cases on Quincy air compressors are 12 pt. I, too, had never really come across one (at least that I can remember) and wondered "what are these funny looking bolts?" on my compressor. 12 pt. sure enough. I think that the tendency for box-ends and sockets to be 12 pt largely is a case of old-school tradition. I think these were way more common mid-last century. Why they still predominate is an oddity.

 

[mypov]

some head bolts...
don't own any 12 point save the one drive shaft flex socket I own...
Sometimes they are nice to have when you do not have any room to move, they require less of an arc to turn the fastener.

 

[Murphy4570]

Ford driveshaft bolts are 12mm 12 point, as mentioned. Jeep 4.0L head bolts are 13mm 12 point.

I don't own any 12 point socket sets besides my snappy low profile 3/8 drive set (part # 210RAFM), useful for tight spaces. I buy them individually as I need them for specific jobs, I don't have a general need for them otherwise. All my stuff is 6 point.

12 point fasteners are uncommon, but you do find them from time to time.

 

[earlthegoat2]

The easy answer is: On 12 point fasteners. Thats really it.

 

[balane]

Second on head bolts. I run into them often enough to need a set of 12 point sockets in both SAE and Metric.

 

[battlegraduate09]

some cat motor bellhousing bolts, not mains but some that have 3/8 12 points all around it.

starter bolts on class 8 trucks.

some headbolts.

 

[mscribellito]

Ford driveshaft bolts are 12mm 12 point, as mentioned.

What he said

 

[Eric Nordstrom]

The ARP bolts on the crate motor in my 82 El Camino (not all-but some)

 

[TOOLFREEQ]

I use mine on rusty bolts more than anything

 

[farmall400]

All the ARP engine bolt kits I've bought over the years

 

[chevroletfreak]

Home Auto mechaninc......I intentionally built a kit with all 6 point for ease and storage savings. I have only need 1 12 pt for some ARP flywheel bolts in 6 years.

 

[crewchief888]

hydraulic pumps and motors
deere rod bolts
bobcat 40 series u joints

 

[bigbarf48]

Aren't some ford drive shaft bolts 12 point?

This

 

[Dustball]

Yup, Ford double cardan bolts-

 

[rc77]

A lot of bigger trucks use 12 point bolts for the u-joint straps too.

 

[wafrederick]

Harley Davidson Evo rocker box bolts too,a 1/4 12 point.In the 4L80E,there is one 12 point bolt which is a 12 point 3/8.Kia and Hyundia flywheel and flex plate bolts too bolting to the crankshaft.Includes the headbolts too on Kia and Hyundia engines too.

 

[KPSquared]

Ford drive line, most ARP fasteners are 12 point. That's why I have mine.

 

[cascivic]

jeep hub bolts are 12 pt also

 

[markw365]

Jeep unit bearings 13mm 12 point. Honda clutch, flywheel, head bolts.

 

[tribbles]

GM 60° V6 rod bolts and nuts. I believe Pontiac also used them on some exhaust manifold bolts in the 70's, at least I think my old 301 Pontiac had them.

 

[jkeyser14]

I have found one good use for 12 points. When you have a stripped bolt that a 6-point won't grab, find the next size down 12 point and hammer it onto the head of the bolt then unscrew it. Then press the bolt back out of the socket using an arbor press or hydraulic press. Or throw socket in the trash if you ruin it in the process. I have a whole set of "junk" sockets that are duplicates I acquired for free over the years and I keep them around just for that reason.

 

[Plasmatic]

Ultra-high vacuum (UHV) equipment typically uses 12 point bolts, often silver-plated to stop galling. 1/4" and 5/16" covers most of what I run into (2 3/4" through 4 5/8" conflat flanges).

 

[toolmaker1]

dodge ram dana 44 front unit bearing bolts, actually any dana 44 front axle I believe.

 

[redwrench60]

AAM 11.5" rear end pinion nut (36MM), GM 4L80-E center support bolt (3/8"), Duramax crank balancer bolt to name a few.

 

[Terra Nova]

12 pt fasteners obviously! . As mentioned some drive-shafts and head bolts. My 2001.5 Dodge Ram 2500 has them in seemingly random spots (front caliper bracket bolts, hub&bearing assembly bolts, starter, and drive-shaft straps to name a few).

I've not run into them too many other places but often enough that I am wanting to get a set of SAE and Metric. Up until now I've just bought individual sockets. E-trox are getting common on the newer Chryslers, going to need a set of those soon too.

 

[jetmech09]

Compressor case bolts, hydraulic pump bolts, Generator bolts, Alternator bolts, fuel pump bolts, FFR bolts and adjustments, adel clamps, nose cowl attaching bolts, T/R attaching bolts, acoustic filter, etc. etc.

 

[plinker]

A few place's I run into 12pt's are;

Ford driveshaft's + some 4wd shaft's 12mm & 5/16

Ford 6.9L & 7.3L diesel head bolt's

Dana axle's, 14mm Dodge hub bolt's, & Ranger D35 pinch bolt's 12mm

Mack (and other make's) driveshaft's and other componet's, 1/2 + other's

Some part's on Serco loader's have them

12pt flange bolt's / ferry cap screw's that get used instead of something else.

More or less, I find it help's to have a 3/8 drive inch & metric shallow set as you never know when you might need them.

Plus you cant use a 6pt to remove 12pt's if you dont have have a 12pt socket

 

[djkeev]

I am also a 6 point fan but..... It pops up often enough (the need for 12 points) that I have a full set of 12's in my tool box.

Dave

 

[TwoInch]

i though we needed em, just because they make em. isnt that how the tool thing goes?

99% of the time, i have no problem interchanging them on most hex heads. only old crustys get any special thought.

 

[Rogue1987]

Uniflange bolts are 12 point, at least the last ones I installed were.

 

[TwoInch]

on clean. or good shape hex heads, contact is pretty close for most 6pt and 12pts, with only a couple exceptions from what i see.

contact points of 6 and 12pt sockets
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73245

most all hex heads that i have stripped were mangled by someone else using wrong tool or size. i cant remember stripping any myself with a 12pt that werent already mangled. when i come across one thats mangled, i try to do something different before totally rounding it.

 

[Harwinton]

12-point sockets also come in handy when you're using a non-ratcheting handle for them.

 

[cgv69]

Thanks for the reply's guys. I'm not going to run out and buy a bunch of 12pt sets but I will start keeping my eyes open for them. In the past, If I saw a 12pt socket or set for sale, I immediately lost interest but it seems like it might be a good idea to have some on hand if I can find a good deal on them, you know... just in case.

I probably should just go with the buy 'em as I need them approach but few things in life irritate me more then being in the middle of a job and finding I don't have a tool I need and then having to stop everything to go find one.