edcantu9
Well-known member
Are those cheaper to manufacture than the 6pt?
Why are 12 point sockets everywhere.
- Thread starter edcantu9
- Start date
Original Guster
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- May 7, 2012
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- 32
No, they are not cheaper to make. Usually have thinner walls and will fit in tight spots better. Much better in tight places and they also fit 12 point fasteners. 12 pt is the standard in aircraft. About the only 6 point sockets I own are impact sockets.
I really don't see them that often over here in Canada, to a point where I've had to buy individual sockets a few times when doing a job that required them.
They're often used on clutches, flywheels, headbolts, and driveshafts. I tend to avoid them like the plague unless I'm dealing with a 12 point fastener.
They're often used on clutches, flywheels, headbolts, and driveshafts. I tend to avoid them like the plague unless I'm dealing with a 12 point fastener.
Gotcha640
Well-known member
Because 12 is more than 6, so the average "I'm a man therefore I will buy tools and never use them" buys them, so volume, so you see more 12 point.
Impact and industrial will be 6 for hex head fasteners, 12 for 12 point fasteners.
Impact and industrial will be 6 for hex head fasteners, 12 for 12 point fasteners.
yossarian19
Well-known member
I've wondered the same thing.
I use 6 point impact on just about everything. If the 1/2" set won't fit, I use the 3/8. Rarely if ever have I dug out a chrome socket for space concern and while I do own 12 point sockets, they are in my "seldom seen" drawer.
I use 6 point impact on just about everything. If the 1/2" set won't fit, I use the 3/8. Rarely if ever have I dug out a chrome socket for space concern and while I do own 12 point sockets, they are in my "seldom seen" drawer.
csp
Well-known member
Twelve point are easier to line up on the fastener in that blind hole with limited room where you can't see the bolt head.
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
I have used them for a square but now and then. I do have deepwell 3/8" sockets & some deepwell 1/2" sockets. I do deal with some 12 point fasteners but no very often. The 12's are kept around just for that rare occasion of a 4 point or 12 point fasteners but that's about it. Other than that all I use is 6 point.
But it does get annoying when you want to buy a socket set and more often than not they're available on in 12 point instead of 6.
But it does get annoying when you want to buy a socket set and more often than not they're available on in 12 point instead of 6.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
They don't.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Charles.....
rayra
Well-known member
Easier to get on, easier to use in confined spaces, about the only time I want a 6pt is for a damaged head / nut or impact.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
12 point sockets fit square head fasteners.
laser3kw
Well-known member
I got tired of rounding off bolts with the twelve point. They now reside on the "reserve" portion of my toolbox. I went and bought complete sets of six point, regular chrome sockets, deep and shallow and have never regretted it.
Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
X2, especially if you can't actually see the bolt head. If I'm dismantling a rusted pos chassis I will use the 6 point, otherwise I grab the 12 point first.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Same here ! Now I don't OWN ANY 12 POINT SOCKETS !!
For many years, Craftsman ONLY made 12 point deep SAE sockets !
sometoyotaguy
Well-known member
All of my sockets are 6pt. I had to go find some 12pt to pull the head on my Corolla.
My south bend has some square head bolts. Time to try to find a SAE set of 12pts.
My south bend has some square head bolts. Time to try to find a SAE set of 12pts.
Joe Reed
Well-known member
Anyone have 8pt sockets...to fit square nuts? I know I used to see them listed in the Sears catalog years ago...
matt_i
Well-known member
In regards to manufacturing, less material to be taken out with a rotary broach on a 12 point , since the ID is larger.
Since every job is usually getting good fasteners tight or getting damaged/rusty ones off, I also like the 6 points. However the 12 points that I bought in my youth are still around.
Since every job is usually getting good fasteners tight or getting damaged/rusty ones off, I also like the 6 points. However the 12 points that I bought in my youth are still around.
kwoswalt99
Well-known member
They do somewhat, but not correctly. I've messed them up before with 12 points. You'll round the heads if you apply any significant amount of torque.
Yeah, quite a few. Got some c'man, sk, brown tool co., indestro, and I think some apex as well. I think I even have a 4 point socket somewhere.
Evilunclegrimace
Well-known member
Snap-on offers both square and 8 pointed sockets if I remember correctly
Hybridss
Well-known member
Depends on what you are working on. In the aircraft industry or anything with smaller hardware where Tq values are low 12 point is the only way to go. I own both because I also work on cars and tractors and trailers etc where 12 point would be foolish. Also anything where corrosion is an issue should avoid 12 point.
four.cycle
Well-known member
some newer stuff is put together with 12-point bolt heads, so they're an evil necessity. all my stuff originally was 6-point, but when I bought a new Ford truck I had to buy a mess of 12-points.
square-headed bolts (or nuts) require an eight point socket (not a 12.)
real old-time socket sets came with both 6 and 8-points. the 3/4" drive set I gave to my buddy had a mess of 8-points in it.
only 8-points I have are 1/4" drive, as I recall. they don't see a lot of use.
square-headed bolts (or nuts) require an eight point socket (not a 12.)
real old-time socket sets came with both 6 and 8-points. the 3/4" drive set I gave to my buddy had a mess of 8-points in it.
only 8-points I have are 1/4" drive, as I recall. they don't see a lot of use.
Mikerodrig27
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2014
- Messages
- 171
I've used 12 points on square fasteners. I made a caliper press and used a square nut that is meant to be turned with a socket or open end wrench. A 24mm 12 point works just fine.
Kensgarage
Banned
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- Sep 30, 2015
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Damn whippersnappers.
Get yourself a 20 tooth ratchet or a breaker bar and try mechanicin' all day with six point sockets.
Liquor sales fell 15% when some guy came out with a 12 point.
Since then the fine tooth ratchet has made them less purchesed ESPECIALLY amongst "some mechanics".
Some= Goofy people who frequent some unmentionable forum frequently singing praises to box end wrenches and crying about 12 point sockets out of the other side of their mouths.
I can't recall the name.
Get yourself a 20 tooth ratchet or a breaker bar and try mechanicin' all day with six point sockets.
Liquor sales fell 15% when some guy came out with a 12 point.
Since then the fine tooth ratchet has made them less purchesed ESPECIALLY amongst "some mechanics".
Some= Goofy people who frequent some unmentionable forum frequently singing praises to box end wrenches and crying about 12 point sockets out of the other side of their mouths.
I can't recall the name.
P51Boilermaker
Well-known member
Actually, 8 point sockets fit square head fasteners best. 12 might work but 8 point are specifically made for square fasteners.
Boils down to the right tool for the job! 12 pt socket for 12 pt hardware. 12 pt is also good for tight areas where you might not have room to spin a ratchet to line up a 6 point socket.
Aviation uses 12pt hardware on turbine engines and other places but they aren't common many other places.
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MikeF2316
Well-known member
I pretty much use 12 point sockets everywhere. The only time I'll grab a 6 point socket instead is if the bolt head or nut is rusty. I've never rounded off a non rusty 6 sided nut with a 12 point socket.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
You need to find 8 point sockets. 12 point does not fit square head bolts and nuts.
Charles
tcianci
Well-known member
12 point sockets are also very useful when you're working in a confined area with a socket on a breaker bar, requiring that you remove the socket from the square drive and index it to get another bite on the fastener.
One of these days, you geniuses will finally realize that just because you don't understand something, that doesn't make the guy who invented it an idiot.
One of these days, you geniuses will finally realize that just because you don't understand something, that doesn't make the guy who invented it an idiot.
This. Just yesterday I had to use a 12 point socket on a hex nut. The rope on my snowblower broke and the nuts holding the recoil on we're too close to the housing. 6 point 7/16 wouldn't go on but a 12 point would.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
A 12 point socket will fit a square fastener on the points, an 8 point socket fits a square fastener on the sides
rburke65
Well-known member
Great answer Kevin .... thanks for that.
padroo
Well-known member
You should never use a non impact socket on your impact. They can litterlly explode.
Because a six point will not slip I have split the side wall on several of them, where a 12 point just rounds the nut off.
Because a six point will not slip I have split the side wall on several of them, where a 12 point just rounds the nut off.
laser3kw
Well-known member
wrench all day in the "salt belt". Six points are a must - all bolts are rusty and will laugh at 12 points. 12 points do have a use as mentioned, but around here, you attack with a six point first.