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Made a big score at a garage sale yesterday, a new Craftsman 100+ piece socket set and a torque wrench for $45.00. My question is, there are both 6 point and 12 point sockets included in the set. In which applications would one be preferable over the other?
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don hodgdon '89 744ti, '81 242t, '71 D-35
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Twelve point sockets were designed to fit the square nuts and bolts used on farm tractors years ago.
YOU try turning a square nut with a six point socket!
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3 8s & 2 7s 725,000 miles total
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posted by
someone claiming to be Jesse
on
Wed Mar 26 23:07 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Jim,
You're wrong about the 12 points used for square nuts/bolts. Square fasteners use an eight point socket. Craftsman makes them, but for obvious reasons, they're not common.
The main advantage I can see with the 12 point sockets is they will engage the fastener without as much tool rotation needed if the points aren't lining up with the fastener as a six point will need to line up.
Jesse
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None of them are any good. It really is all junk. I'll give you $50 and shipping,so you won't get in trouble with the waste haulers.There's probably oil and grease residue on some of them,so that would make it a hazardous waste.Ship them to me and I won't tell the E.P.A. if you don't.
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One thing I've noticed about big combination sets like that, is that most of the sockets are duplicated (six point, 12 point) but not all the sockets are duplicated.
This doesn't really mean that much, because in most applications you can use--for example-- the 3/8" drive 13mm socket. But if you want to use the 1/4" drive socket, it might be 12point. In other words, you might not have an option for ONE drive size and one socket. Usually tool manufacturers are smart enough to at least give you BOTH options in the bigger drive size, if not only the six point ones.
I've run into that problem personally, having never thought about it. As a result, I have a big combination set, and then a few smaller sets that I picked up here and there, with six point sockets to make up for it.
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chris herbst, near chicago
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posted by
someone claiming to be Rhys
on
Sun Mar 9 06:31 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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I use 6-point sockets every time they fit. They should have the same wall thickness as a 12-point. I have only a few 12 point sockets, and they were purchased to use on twelve point fasteners. Like Buick connecting rod nuts, or ARP con rod nuts, or the like.
Most of the trouble I have found with sockets, of various brands, is that the lead in angle is too long, and the socket doesn't grab the fastener except on the outermost portion. I simply machine the lead-in off in my lathe, at least most of it. Craftsman has a particularly long lead-in. That can cause as much trouble as the 12 point.
You didn't ask a stupid tool question - you asked a very perceptive tool question.
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posted by
someone claiming to be steve
on
Sun Mar 9 04:42 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Rob is right. In addition, use the six-point socket if the bolt head is rusty or corroded in place.
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The 6-point sockets would certainly be preferable in any high-torque application. The socket is stronger and it grips the hex much better on the bolt or nut. The 12-point sockets tend to have thin walls and may allow access into difficult locations better than the 6-points.
In general, unless there's a good reason NOT to use the 6-point, i.e. it won't fit for some reason, you should use the 6-point sockets. The chances of rounding off a bolt head are greatly reduced.
Rarely, you will come across bolts with 12-point heads, but these are uncommon and used mainly inside engines or other very high-stress applications. The normal mechanic won't come across one very often.
And remember, never use a standard socket on any kind of impact tool. If you've ever seen a socket come apart, it's very dangerous. Enjoy your new tools!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: "Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!"
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Thanks Rob. That's what I assumed. Unfortunately I'll have this cast on my hand for 6 weeks, so I only get to look at my tools and this ever growing mountain of parts for the 240 stacked in my living room ;-)
I am taking this time to sort through my motley collection of old tools, mostly hand-me-downs from my grandfather and step-dad, and weed out some of the duplicates and junk.
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don hodgdon '89 744ti, '81 242t, '71 D-35
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I agree 100% with what Rob said and add that a 6-point socket is the only tool to use on a slightly worn, rounded, or rusted nut. A 12-point socket often rounds over the hex, whereas a 6-point grips much better.
I have a complete set of 6-point sockets and a complete set of 6-point box wrenches. They can sometimes be a lifesaver.
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)
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