Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

[dolluper]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Do yourself a favor buy good quality 6 point sets of sockets in standard + metric....like craftsman ,,,they go on sale lots and if you really need 12 point buy a 10 buck set...when you get in bigger sizes it is hard to find 6 point {pricey} usually in 3/4 drive size....last time I used a 12 point under an inch size was about 10 years ago

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Mac here in my area markets a brand called Blackhawk, the dealer told me that they are made in the same factory as the Mac tools and carry the same warranty that Mac does, but they are about 1/3rd less than the Mac brand, I picked up a nice set for less than $150.00 that would cost me quite a bit more with the Mac name on them, no problems at all and it included both 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 drives with both 6 point and 12 point sockets for the 3/8 drive.

One thing I will add, is I have owned quite a few craftsman tools over the years, and for some reason, I have split quite a few of their 12 point sockets, of course they always replace them, but when it happens in the middle of a project, it does lead to a bit of frustration!

 

[CVX20SPRINT]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

As mentioned both have their uses. The six points really shine when the bolt head or nut are undersized due to corrosion. FWIW Snapon's flank drive sockets are some of the best out there. But they are da## pricey.

Snap-On doesn't have the sole rights to flank drive anymore.In fact they haven't for at least 10 years.This means that there are cheaper brands out there with this much better design and a lot cheaper for the average mech.Having been a licensed auto-tech for a number of years I can't believe that 12 point bolts/sockets are even around anymore.Can't think of anywhere that 12 point would be an advantage.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

One thing I will add, is I have owned quite a few craftsman tools over the years, and for some reason, I have split quite a few of their 12 point sockets, of course they always replace them, but when it happens in the middle of a project, it does lead to a bit of frustration![/QUOTE]

Yep and when it happens while you're leaning on it hard and your hand slams into usually the sharpest thing within 10', you'll understand why Snap-On and Mac are worth it.

 

[KRS]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Huh? Nothing ever breaks on boats....

 

[Adjuster]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

I am 42 or 43 years old not real sure. But anyway one of my fondest memories as a child, I grew up with a single mother parent, was when a curmudgeoning(sp) old Uncle put together a tool box for me with a bunch of old screwdrivers, sockets, pliers, pocket knife whatever he had extra of lying around. My tool box was the greatest thing in the world for a 10yr old. My mother however was not happy that I took everything in the house apart. If you have a younger relative thats showing some interest in this kind of stuff put a box together for them. Everyone has extra old cheap tools lying around as adults. Heck you can buy 150 piece sets with box at Harbor Freight for 39$.

 

[mkast]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Can't think of anywhere that 12 point would be an advantage.

Aircraft.

Example of some people and tools:
A guy just retired and wants to build a home built aircraft.
Signs up for the Airframe and Powerplant class.
Students are required to supply their own tools.
This guy shows up with two plastic toolboxes filled with a wide assortment of carpenter hammers, adjustable wrenches (Crescent) ,vise-gripe pliers, slip-joint pliers, a few wrenches, no sockets and a lot of broken screw drivers.
I ask him what he plans on doing with these tools?
He tells me that he plans on rebuilding the engine in the powerplant class.
He then states, "These tools have served me faithfully for over fifty years."
I ask him how he plans on fitting a torque wrench to a set of vise-gripe pliers?
He then states, "Torque isn't that important, I have a good "feel" for how tight something should be.

 

[rbh]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

For what it is worth, get a good set of the 3/8 drive 12 or 6 point
(chrome vandium SP ???) with the life time warranty, for the light stuff, they are cheap.
And get a 6 point impact set with ratchet and breaker bar for those bigger harder nut's and bolts.

Remember garage sales are your best friend.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Here where I live, a couple of the pawn shops sell just about any socket you would want for $0.50 a piece, I have some snap on sockets I have picked up out of their barrels that were like new, no more than $0.75 for the large ones, 1" and over.

 

[KRS]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Aircraft.

Example of some people and tools:
A guy just retired and wants to build a home built aircraft.
Signs up for the Airframe and Powerplant class.
Students are required to supply their own tools.
This guy shows up with two plastic toolboxes filled with a wide assortment of carpenter hammers, adjustable wrenches (Crescent) ,vise-gripe pliers, slip-joint pliers, a few wrenches, no sockets and a lot of broken screw drivers.
I ask him what he plans on doing with these tools?
He tells me that he plans on rebuilding the engine in the powerplant class.
He then states, "These tools have served me faithfully for over fifty years."
I ask him how he plans on fitting a torque wrench to a set of vise-gripe pliers?
He then states, "Torque isn't that important, I have a good "feel" for how tight something should be.

Jetblue?

 

[bassman284]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Aircraft.

Example of some people and tools:
A guy just retired and wants to build a home built aircraft.
Signs up for the Airframe and Powerplant class.
Students are required to supply their own tools.
This guy shows up with two plastic toolboxes filled with a wide assortment of carpenter hammers, adjustable wrenches (Crescent) ,vise-gripe pliers, slip-joint pliers, a few wrenches, no sockets and a lot of broken screw drivers.
I ask him what he plans on doing with these tools?
He tells me that he plans on rebuilding the engine in the powerplant class.
He then states, "These tools have served me faithfully for over fifty years."
I ask him how he plans on fitting a torque wrench to a set of vise-gripe pliers?
He then states, "Torque isn't that important, I have a good "feel" for how tight something should be.

Got a wayback story. Around 1962, I was helping a friend rebuild a 52 Olds V8 that he was going to put in a 53 Ford convertible. He was torquing the rod bolts "by feel" with a 1/2 drive ratchet and I was using a 1/2 breaker bar to tur the crank. By the time he'd tightened the 5th rod cap down, I couldn't turn the crank any more. He went to town and bought a torque wrench.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Can't think of anywhere that 12 point would be an advantage.

Airplanes are definitely one place where 12pt is better. There are 12 point nuts on some airplanes that a 12 pt socket does great with.

 

[KRS]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Thanks all for the input, I'm looking for my 1-1/4" deep and 1-5/16" regular sockets, but I'm not going to pay retail so I'm shopping for used.

KRS

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Well, Canada like most of Europe is on the Metric system so we don't do imperial much.....our current standards are 5 and 10 pt. (Metric) instead of the ol' 6 and 12 point (imperial).
BP

 

[CVX20SPRINT]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Pardon my ignorance about aircraft,but what makes 12 point better for them?I would think with the amount of maint. on aircraft you would want 6 point as the heads aren't as prone to rounding off,unless you use new bolts for every rebuild.Just wondering.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Pardon my ignorance about aircraft,but what makes 12 point better for them?I would think with the amount of maint. on aircraft you would want 6 point as the heads aren't as prone to rounding off,unless you use new bolts for every rebuild.Just wondering.

As pointed out earlier in this thread, 12-point are LESS likely to round than 6- point.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

On a standard hex bolt, a 12 pt socket has more potential to round off the corners than a 6 point. Your regular shade tree wrench twister isn't likely to encounter anything as unusual as you might fing working on aircraft.
My impact sockets are all 6 point, and I'm guessing there is a really good reason for that.

 

[mscher]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

This "thread" (pun intended), has been driving me "nuts", because I could no longer remember the bolt terminology, as to why 6 point sockets grip better. It took a 1914 copy of "American machinists handbook" to refresh.

12 point sockets grip a hex head nut/bolt by the hex "corners" and they why they strip relatively easy. 6 point sockets grip towards the center of the hex "face", where there is a lot more metal for support.

I don't remember where my keys are, but I do remember a Snap-on tool ad from 37 years ago, with a scientific photo, of the "grip point" of a 6 point socket, verses 12, which the 6 is what Snap-on sold at the time, when Sears, etc. sold mostly 12 point. The ad sold me, as I still have their 10 piece socket set, purchased when I was 15.

12 point sockets walls are usually thinner by design, which may be why they break more.

Sears now sells 6 point sockets, that are stronger than my old Snap-ons (I know, blasphemy). They are priced about the same as their 12 points and a lot less than the big boys.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Sockets- 6pt vs 12pt

Having been a licensed auto-tech for a number of years I can't believe that 12 point bolts/sockets are even around anymore.Can't think of anywhere that 12 point would be an advantage.

Ford drive shaft.

i would prefer it be a 6 point but I guess they had to make it look different.