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

[her209]

As I understand it, 12 pt sockets are more prone to stripping the nut/bolt due to less contact surface area.

When does using a 12 pt socket make sense?

 

[T2urtle]

the only time a 12pt socket makes sense is in those really tight areas where you dont get a change to spin the socket to fit nicely... and then the most obvious one is the 12pt bolts, mainly on the torque converters.

and yes 12pts tend to round off 6pts bolts

 

[halik]

I suppose for practical reasons it gives you a new angle every 30 degrees as opposed to every 60 degrees. But I'm thinking manufacturers do it just to make the part a dealership-service item.

I think either my old A4 or my CLK had a "safety" triple square on the trans fill plug, so you end up running around looking for a triple square bit with a hole in it...

 

[boomerang]

I don't agree with the 6 pt vs. 12 pt rounding argument. A quality socket will have little to no difference in contact area.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't agree with the 6 pt vs. 12 pt rounding argument. A quality socket will have little to no difference in contact area.

Would it be 1/3 less contact area (assuming a perfect fit)? The question would be whether this reduction matters or not.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't agree with the 6 pt vs. 12 pt rounding argument. A quality socket will have little to no difference in contact area.

Would it be 1/3 less contact area (assuming a perfect fit)? The question would be whether this reduction matters or not.

Why would it be 1/3 less, you are only grabbing a minisclue amount of the corner of the bolt head. I think the only thing a 6 point would allow better is when the head is round the sides would contact that rounded edge unlike a 12 point.

 

[iamwiz82]

I only use my 12-point sockets when the bolt is 12 point.

 

[Howard]

I think you could fit a 6-pt socket anywhere; if it doesn't fit, pull out the wrench and spin the socket.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't agree with the 6 pt vs. 12 pt rounding argument. A quality socket will have little to no difference in contact area.

Would it be 1/3 less contact area (assuming a perfect fit)? The question would be whether this reduction matters or not.

Why would it be 1/3 less, you are only grabbing a minisclue amount of the corner of the bolt head. I think the only thing a 6 point would allow better is when the head is round the sides would contact that rounded edge unlike a 12 point.

Some socket designs have the inner faces "tilted" to grab more of the screw face.

 

[franksta]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I only use my 12-point sockets when the bolt is 12 point.

Same here and that's only been once, when I was torquing down connecting rod bolts.

 

[LTC8K6]

Pretty much never.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't agree with the 6 pt vs. 12 pt rounding argument. A quality socket will have little to no difference in contact area.

if it didn't matter tool companies would not produce both.

6pt is key for ensuring the proper removal of high torque fastners...not only is there more surface contact, but the socket and wrench are stronger.

a 12 pt is great once torque is broken, you have more points to grip the head and each turn does a bit more work usually. A 12 pt can also be used on a square nut in a pinch (like for fencing), but an 8 pt should be used if it's going to take much to loosen.

That said most people aren't dealing in truly high-torque things on this forum.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

That said most people aren't dealing in truly high-torque things on this forum.

Almost 99% of impact sockets are 6 point because of wall strength. So I would assume quite a few people here own them. I can't count how easily they will break though when using a bar.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
if it didn't matter tool companies would not produce both.

6pt is key for ensuring the proper removal of high torque fastners...not only is there more surface contact, but the socket and wrench are stronger.

a 12 pt is great once torque is broken, you have more points to grip the head and each turn does a bit more work usually. A 12 pt can also be used on a square nut in a pinch (like for fencing), but an 8 pt should be used if it's going to take much to loosen.

That said most people aren't dealing in truly high-torque things on this forum.

That about sums it up. 6 point wrenches are about as common as 12 point impact sockets 🙂

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: alkemyst

That said most people aren't dealing in truly high-torque things on this forum.

Almost 99% of impact sockets are 6 point because of wall strength. So I would assume quite a few people here own them. I can't count how easily they will break though when using a bar.

Well I was referring to MOST people here, I didn't say no one. I deal in torques over 150ft/lbs pretty regularly for a shade-tree.

 

[bruceb]

12 point sockets allow the user to more easily get them on the fastener, especially when you can't really see the bolt head and it is not feasible to spin the ratchet head. Some ratchets have a knurled ring that makes spinning the head easy. But far and away, when you can use a 6 point socket, you should, especially if the bolt is tight or if the head is
already a bit messed up. I like the Snap On sockets with their patented Flank Drive.

alkemyst .. I think you meant to say 150 ft/lbs

 

[alkemyst]

yeah ft/lbs...

 

[BlackTigers]

I use 12 whenever I can't see a bolt or if it's in a reallly tight spot.

It makes it much easier to grab onto.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: bruceb
12 point sockets allow the user to more easily get them on the fastener, especially when you can't really see the bolt head and it is not feasible to spin the ratchet head. Some ratchets have a knurled ring that makes spinning the head easy. But far and away, when you can use a 6 point socket, you should, especially if the bolt is tight or if the head is
already a bit messed up. I like the Snap On sockets with their patented Flank Drive.

alkemyst .. I think you meant to say 150 ft/lbs

Flank drive is what I have been alluding to earlier in this thread. It's why I said that a quality socket will have little to no difference in contact area. Flank drive sockets take the stress off the corners of a bolt/nut and move it ahead of the corner, putting the force on a stronger area of the fastener. Snap-on tools are pricey, but you often are getting some real value for your dollar. The cost however is hard to justify if you don't earn your living with the tools.

A flank drive socket will often remove a fastener that is already rounded. They have flank drive wrenches too.

By it's very design, a 6 pt socket is stronger than a 12 pt. I agree with the consensus that a 6 pt is preferable over a 12 pt.

A lot of modern cars present situations where a ratchet can be used, but it's in a tight area with little room to swing the ratchet. Often it's a blind situation too, where you can reach in, but can't see what you're doing. 12 pt sockets are made for this scenario IMO. This is where a fine toothed ratchet is indispensable.