When does one use a 12 pt impact socket over a 6 pt impact socket of the same size?

[sgtgrizzo]

Just wondering, if bought a high quality set of 12 pt impact sockets 3/8 in. drive. Can I use them on 6 point fasteners and nuts?

 

[CWP1616L]

As long as they have modern off corner engagement, you can use them on 6 point fasteners just fine.

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

If it was me i would stick with the 6pt. The 6pt offers a greater contact area, also less rounding and stripping bolt fasteners.

 

[Neura]

certain things require a 12 pt, I know of a lot of ARP studs that use 12pt nuts on the studs, and you need impact sockets most of the time to take them apart and torque them back down. I have 3/8" and 1/2" 12pt impact sockets as well as 6pt sockets. guess it depends on how much you work on different things. the last 6L diesel I did I snapped a snap-on 13/16 12 pt 1/2" drive impact socket taking heads off that had warped. had it replaced and torqued the new heads back down 210 Ft-Lbs...

 

[firebox40dash5]

The only 12 points I own are sizes commonly used with 12 point fasteners. 14mm deep 1/2" for Asian head bolts and Dodge truck wheel bearings, 12mm shallow for Jeep wheel bearings, and 1/2" deep for Jeep heads are the ones I personally own. I have no use for them besides 12 point fasteners, although if you use breaker bars a lot they allow more options in tight spots.

 

[bobcatdan]

12 point bolts are kinda common on heavy equipment. The only reason I would see buying 12 impacts is if a person dealt with a lot of 12 point head bolts. I never did because I tend to buy my chrome sockets 12 point and impacts 6 pt.

 

[got2boostit2]

If it was me i would stick with the 6pt. The 6pt offers a greater contact area, also less rounding and stripping bolt fasteners.

My thoughts as well. Live in the rust belt and only have 6 points in my tool box.

 

[Packard V8]

Shows how much I know. I wasn't even aware there was such a thing as a 12-pt impact socket.

FWIW, since it's my nickel and not being a flat rate tech, I never use an impact on my ARP 12-pt nuts. I want to feel if one is coming off/going on/tighter/harder/looser than another.

jack vines

 

[theoldwizard1]

The only 12 points I own are sizes commonly used with 12 point fasteners.

I have only purchased 6 point sockets for the past 45+ years. I still have not run into a 12 point fastener although I know they exist. When I do, I will buy that 1 socket I need !

 

[ez-duzit]

Bought my first set of 12-point sockets about 56 years ago. Never rounded the corners on a nut or bolt because of it. !2-points are handier, especially when using a breaker bar in tight places.

 

[bcradio]

certain things require a 12 pt, I know of a lot of ARP studs that use 12pt nuts on the studs, and you need impact sockets most of the time to take them apart and torque them back down. I have 3/8" and 1/2" 12pt impact sockets as well as 6pt sockets. guess it depends on how much you work on different things. the last 6L diesel I did I snapped a snap-on 13/16 12 pt 1/2" drive impact socket taking heads off that had warped. had it replaced and torqued the new heads back down 210 Ft-Lbs...

Ouch, I hope you are not running these down with an impact.

On the rare occasion I need a 12pt socket, I'll just use chrome that I have.

 

[ZRX61]

Turbine engines...

 

[Neura]

No.. remove them with an impact. Hand torque them back down. But I know how much my **** hurts when I snap chrome ones torquing them back down... so I prefer impact to take the extra abuse. Use to work at an engine machine shop so had to have sockets for everything.. including triple square... not used very often except on European stuff. And when you get into medium and heavey duty I needed them again. Was doing body work and custom fabrication on oil rig haulers 8x8's. Lots of 12 pts stuff needing upwards of 400ft lbs of torque. Some of the guys had 3/4" stuff for it I preferred a good 1/2" socket and use an adapter to a 3/4" torque wrench.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[Tallted]

My grand cherokee has a 12 pt holding in the hub assembly (I think thats what it was holding). Just happened to have the right one from a Craftsman set I got when I turned 16.

 

[zkling]

Random question, are 12pt or 6pt sockets cheaper to make?

Only time I would use a 12pt impact is if I had a 12pt bolt to remove. I only own 6pt impact sockts and see 0 need ATM for 12pt impacts for general DIY stuff.

 

[djb2]

Random question, are 12pt or 6pt sockets cheaper to make?

There might be a slight cost difference in the broach tool itself, but that has to be trivial in the overall socket cost.

As far as using impact sockets on head bolts: most procedures have the clamping force relieved by loosening the fasteners a little at a time in a prescribed pattern. Installation is more critical, and is precisely specified. You aren't going to be using an impact driver for either.