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Why 6 and 12 point sockets? Toller 04-17-2007
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Posted by Toller on April 17, 2007, 1:16 pm


I just bought a used set of socket wrenchs. It has both 6 and 12 point
sockets. Why?


I am guessing that 6 is stronger and 12 can be used on square heads, but
neither of those seem to justify having both. Is there a better reason?



Real Goods Solar, Inc.
Posted by chrisexv6 on April 17, 2007, 1:34 pm


> I just bought a used set of socket wrenchs. It has both 6 and 12 point
> sockets. Why?
>
> I am guessing that 6 is stronger and 12 can be used on square heads, but
> neither of those seem to justify having both. Is there a better reason?

I believe (I could be wrong, I dont remember the exact explanation I
got) that 6 point gives you more contact area, but 12 point allows you
to use "lock on" to a bolt quicker (i.e. 360 degree circle / 12 points
= 1 point at every 30 degrees, faster "hookup" onto the head than 360
degree / 6 point or 1 point at every 60 degrees).

-Chris


Posted by dpb on April 17, 2007, 1:35 pm


> I just bought a used set of socket wrenchs. It has both 6 and 12 point
> sockets. Why?
>
> I am guessing that 6 is stronger and 12 can be used on square heads, but
> neither of those seem to justify having both. Is there a better reason?

6-pt are, indeed better for really stout needs as there is more
surface area so lest likely to round over a head or break or strip the
socket if need really high torque. 12-pt is slightly more convenient
in use as they line up at twice the locations of 6-pt.

Neither will fit square head except by happenstance -- need 4- or 8-pt
for that. Which, btw, are getting extremely difficult to find any
longer.. :(


Posted by Grandpa on April 17, 2007, 1:58 pm


dpb wrote:
>> I just bought a used set of socket wrenchs. It has both 6 and 12 point
>> sockets. Why?
>>
>> I am guessing that 6 is stronger and 12 can be used on square heads, but
>> neither of those seem to justify having both. Is there a better reason?
>
> 6-pt are, indeed better for really stout needs as there is more
> surface area so lest likely to round over a head or break or strip the
> socket if need really high torque. 12-pt is slightly more convenient
> in use as they line up at twice the locations of 6-pt.
>
> Neither will fit square head except by happenstance -- need 4- or 8-pt
> for that. Which, btw, are getting extremely difficult to find any
> longer.. :(
>
You're not looking. I just bought a brand new set of Craftsman 8
points off eBay.

You don't find impact wrench sockets in 12 point, its a strength
issue. 12 points are convenient for getting on the head and getting
them snug. You want torque? Use a six point.
--
Grandpa

Posted by dpb on April 17, 2007, 2:10 pm


> dpb wrote:
> >> I just bought a used set of socket wrenchs. It has both 6 and 12 point
> >> sockets. Why?
>
> >> I am guessing that 6 is stronger and 12 can be used on square heads, but
> >> neither of those seem to justify having both. Is there a better reason?
>
> > 6-pt are, indeed better for really stout needs as there is more
> > surface area so lest likely to round over a head or break or strip the
> > socket if need really high torque. 12-pt is slightly more convenient
> > in use as they line up at twice the locations of 6-pt.
>
> > Neither will fit square head except by happenstance -- need 4- or 8-pt
> > for that. Which, btw, are getting extremely difficult to find any
> > longer.. :(
>
> You're not looking. I just bought a brand new set of Craftsman 8
> points off eBay.

I was speaking of new -- last I looked, Sears is no longer selling
them. Was in need of a replacement and nobody in town had any in
stock any longer whereas years ago they were quite common in farm
supply places. That's difficult enough in my book although
"extremely" may be a stretch... :)


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