Where an eight point socket came to rescue...

[OldCarGuy]

In replacing the Facet electric fuel pump on my motorhome's diesel generator, the fuel line fitting on the fuel filter could not be salvaged. Being in a tight area, an opened end wrench merely collapsed the fitting. Most likely the other fitting next to it would be destroyed if it was removed to make enough room for a heftier wrench of sort. My seldom used 1/2” drive eight point socket and ratchet came to rescue. The other common place I have a need for them is on square head nuts and bolts. Commonly found on my pre-1920 antique cars.

 

[goodfellow]

I have a set of Wright eight points -- used them maybe twice in the last five years. It's a good "warm and fuzzy" feeling to know that your toolbox can handle any job that might come along.

Good job OCG!!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Having a need for 8 pt sockets for your old cars makes me curious, what would be the largest size 8pt socket you need, and do you have 8 pointers ranging that high?

 

[kythri]

My 5/16" 8pt socket came in handy this past weekend when I needed to drive a 3/8" tap, but the tap-handle was too big in the area I needed...

 

[G1K]

9/16 (I think, could be 1/2) come in handy for the square drain plugs on small pleasure boats.

R

 

[billymade]

Another case where having options with a wide array of tools to tackle a problem, really helps! A confirmation of the "you can never have too many tools" concept when working on things. I keep running into 8 point Snapon sockets on early sets I see at flea markets; seeing how the early cars used them quite a bit, it now makes sense!

 

[tatra]

My 5/16" 8pt socket came in handy this past weekend when I needed to drive a 3/8" tap, but the tap-handle was too big in the area I needed..........................next time try pressing a nut on the end so you can use a socket on it...............works well, i even use my air ratchet or 1/2 inch impact on these to chase threads...............very rarely break a tap any more than i have by hand................

 

[OldCarGuy]

Having a need for 8 pt sockets for your old cars makes me curious, what would be the largest size 8pt socket you need, and do you have 8 pointers ranging that high?

I don't recall any square headed bolts over 3/4” on any of the old cars I have worked on. And I have eight-point socket to 3/4” size only.

Unlike today's hex bolt head standards, each motor car manufacturer used what ever sized head deemed necessary for the particular application. Though many square heads were used, they mainly used hex-head nuts and bolts. But may have such combinations as a 5/8” or even as large as 3/4” hex on a 3/8” bolt.

There was no standard pitch to the threads either. The four bolts that hold down the cylinder jugs to the crankcase on my 1914 Cadillac are 1/2” -12 pitch! And today's standard of 1/2”-13 will not start.

.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Aren't those weatherhead fittings on the fuel filter take-off?

 

[OldCarGuy]

Aren't those weatherhead fittings on the fuel filter take-off?

They are standard SAE inverted flare fittings.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Ahh, i see. The flare fitting twisted off the right-angle fitting on the filter take-off. I believe the right-angled fitting is a weatherhead though.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Ahh, i see. The flare fitting twisted off the right-angle fitting on the filter take-off. I believe the right-angled fitting is a weatherhead though.

Nope, not the case, I thought that as well till I looked at the one setting just to the left of the one OCG removed, they are the same.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Right you are. I must be getting old..

 

[jerryW]

I actually found an old 1" 4 point 1/2 dr at a swap meet one weekend. No date code but it is an SO overstamp.


jerry

 

[rhandwor]

http://www.blacksmithbolt.com/gpage19.html Sells some left over sizes.

 

[Merkava_4]

^
Grave Digger!!