Edumacate me on sockets

[Kejtar]

ok... so why 12 point sockets?? Am I missing something here? When would I want to use a 12 point socker over a 6 point??

 

[LRRH]

i usually use the 12's when a bolt is a little mangled. they tend to be able to get around it a little better....due to their sides not being so flat.

aside from that...educate me too!

 

[Kejtar]

i usually use the 12's when a bolt is a little mangled. they tend to be able to get around it a little better....due to their sides not being so flat.

actually that's the scenario that has me worried! as the 12 point has a higher chance of slipping and ruining the remainder of the head

 

[GSequoia]

Keep in mind that 12 point bolts and nuts do exist...There's a good reason...

 

[ChiXJeff]

Well........ for those occasional 12 point fasteners, like on hub bolts and sometimes head bolts, there's no substitute.

Otherwise, not much excuse with ratchets. If you're using a breaker bar in a tight spot, I can see where a 6 point socket wouldn't let you get on the head.

 

[5-90]

12-point sockets will work with some "spline drive" fasteners, 12-point bolts, 6-point bolts, and 4-point fasteners (but not 8-point "double squares" - that's another wierd socket.)

I prefer the use of 6-point sockets wherever possible, due to the force being transferred more through the flanks of the fastener than the points. 6-point sockets also have a higher average wall thickness, which results in more structural integrity (ever notice how most impact sockets are 6-point? Ever wonder why?)

Oh - and in a pinch, you can use a 12-point socket on an external Torx - but it's not usually recommended.

The key selling point of the 12-point socket is versatility.

All this starting to make sense now?

5-90

 

[Ivan]

12 point sockets also make it easier to take a "stab" at 6 side bolt for quicker fit. Most 12 point applications that would benefit from this would be in assembly operations where one wouldn't have to clock the socket as much on the bolt/nut....

 

[Kejtar]

Cool.. thanks guys... that's kind of what I thought

 

[Ed A. Stevens]

Rachets used to be much more course in their action, sometimes failing to unlock for anything less than a 1/8 turn, where the 12-point held an advantage in getting the socket off the bolt head.

12-point sockets also used to just as thick at the corners as today's 6-point sockets, with the same socket strength. The bolts would round rather than break a socket.

 

[Kejtar]

The bolts would round rather than break a socket.

that's not good

 

[Ghost]

Don't forget........

There are bolts on the front D30 that will only work with only a 12 point too!

 

[Eagle]

12-point sockets were around long before the XK hub bolts.

5-90 has it. The primary reason is versatility. Many fasteners used in woodworking have square (4-point) nuts. A 12-point socket will fit both hex nuts and square nuts.

It does suck that most tool sets (Sears, at least) default to 12-point sockets and wrenches, and then you have to go out and buy duplicates in 6-point to do any rear work. Square nuts are so uncommon these days that they should put the 6-pointers in the sets, and let those who need 'em buy the 12-point (or 8-point, as 5-90 mentioned ... I have a few of those in my father's old tools).

 

[Matthew Currie]

12-point sockets were around long before the XK hub bolts.

5-90 has it. The primary reason is versatility. Many fasteners used in woodworking have square (4-point) nuts. A 12-point socket will fit both hex nuts and square nuts.

It does suck that most tool sets (Sears, at least) default to 12-point sockets and wrenches, and then you have to go out and buy duplicates in 6-point to do any rear work. Square nuts are so uncommon these days that they should put the 6-pointers in the sets, and let those who need 'em buy the 12-point (or 8-point, as 5-90 mentioned ... I have a few of those in my father's old tools).

It wasn't THAT long ago that 8 point sockets came with a set. Back in 1972 I bought a nice Wards PowRKraft set that had all the common 8-point sizes. Unfortunately I made the mistake one night of leaving them in the car when I parked it in New Haven, (or because this is a family-oriented board, I should probably say "N*w H*v*n), so they're long gone!

Although 12-point sockets will sort of fit a square nut, they don't do it very strongly because the indentations are not 90 degrees but 120. I always assumed 12-points were mainly for more convenient placement, as Ivan notes.

 

[Glenn B]

It wasn't THAT long ago that 8 point sockets came with a set. Back in 1972 I bought a nice Wards PowRKraft set that had all the common 8-point sizes. Unfortunately I made the mistake one night of leaving them in the car when I parked it in New Haven, (or because this is a family-oriented board, I should probably say "N*w H*v*n), so they're long gone!

Although 12-point sockets will sort of fit a square nut, they don't do it very strongly because the indentations are not 90 degrees but 120. I always assumed 12-points were mainly for more convenient placement, as Ivan notes.

I have 6, 8 and 12 point sockets that I use. They are not that old as some would try to make you think. They are out there and are available. Depends on your use.

 

[Faux4X4]

Change all the bolts on the jeep to 12 point aircraft bolts, and also rod bolts are 12 point.