What wrench or socket design will slip first?
 

Interesting...but not too surprising:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX4uHYEPOuY&ab_channel=TorqueTestChannel

Yea, that is interesting to see real testing prove what I pretty much knew from experience and a few busted knuckles. 12 point is great to get the nut or bolt snugged down kinda sorts tight, but final torque I prefer 6 point.

I have mostly old school Craftsman made in USA tools, and just the advanced hobbyist tools. One tool I had to chase down a Snap On truck to get was a 18mm Crow Foot, line wrench for removing the power steering pressure line on my El Camino. I did not even own a 18 mm wrench before that. It is deep down into an hole so no chance to get a regular wrench on it. I have used it twice, once to remove the old leaking line, and once to tighten the new line.

YT has been putting that video up for me to watch for about a week now. I haven't clicked it yet. If 99.9% of bolts are hex head, it doesn't much matter to me which option is less likely to slip. I did have spline drive lug nuts on my last miata.

Here's the video embedded
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any one found a test of other styles

crows foot or with a flare tool style

or the gator or flats combo or other gimmick wrenches

six points is the way but I would like to see some others tested

For Nota: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkCIjl5aEoA&ab_channel=TorqueTestChannel

Sounds like Glen & I have similar tool collections. Mine mostly Craftsman from the USA days, a smattering of other brands. Some snap-on bought for specific tasks. Also wondering why so many of Craftman socket sets were a mix of 6 and 12 point. Was it less costly to make 12 point? Then, why are combo sets usually 12 points on the closed end?

For the young guys still building their tool collection? Pretty obvious..buy 6 point when you can.

The video was a bit of a torture test...going to forces far beyond usual what's needed for normal wrenching. So, I'll keep that in mind when I place a 12 point socket on a ratchet because it's the only one that fits.

I used to have one set each of SAE and metric open-end/box-end wrenches. Over the years, I had to upgrade, so that now I have 5 sets, one set of each (SAE/metric) where the box ends are 12 point and 6 point. Sometimes, you need 6 point for stubborn nuts/bolts, and sometimes you need 12 point due to space constraints. The fifth set is a set of gear wrench in metric which are 12 point.

I have sockets in both 6 and 12, but most of the time, the 12 point is sufficient.

Right, lots of gimmicks out there, and they don't all make sense to me. The gimmick that first comes to mind is the one where the points are curved, so the grip is supposed to be on the flats vs the corners. In a standard 12 point, wouldn't the grip be on the ends of the flats and the corners would should be an improvement over only the flats?

http://mobileimages.lowes.com/produc...a/14369961.jpg

One of my secret weapons for head scratching problems on my 911 is a recently retired Mechanic that is a factory trained Porsche mechanic that worked for the local dealer since the 1980s. He rebuilt my 915 transmission, and has all the right tools and the experience to do it right the first time. He said in the 80s he would average three oil change and valve adjustments per DAY, as well as other things.

He has a GIANT tool box he has built over 40 year working as a mechanic. He has a ton of the specialty tools for working on G model 911s. The dealership was ready to toss them in the trash in the mid 2000s and he just let them fall into his tool cabinet.

He is a great resource for knowledge of how to do a project. If he said I could have his tool cabinet, I would have to refuse as I could not park my car in the garage any longer. And I don't ever want to need that many tools!

Steve, I see you've been to the Terkton tools site. They're getting good reviews on youtube and all their socket sets are 6 point. But I also wonder how many tool reviews are really paid promotions via free tools? It's okay to name brand names here. ;) I'm not sure...but with flats gripping maybe more area for the wrench to grab? Isn't this why 6 point is generally better? Like I said, I'm not sure one way or another...

Glen, you're lucky to have that "secret weapon" available...all that knowledge and experience is priceless.

I am lucky, but it is not quite priceless, I always slip him some green folding money. He has balked before at hoe much I give him. I tell him, I never want him to think, dang, the cheapskate Glen wants my help again. I want im to know he will have some cash to take his wife to a nice dinner on me.

In the end, yea he is pretty priceless. I was stumped on one stupid electrical problem. He brought the factory manual, and figured it out in 15 minutes. I was happy to give him 50 bucks and he tried to refuse. I had spent most a day chasing my tail with the Bently manual and my tester.

Good for you! Also wise. He's happy giving his wife a night out, and you're still ahead of the game. Think how much a stealership would have charged you, assuming a younger tech could solve the problem.

I'm jealous...don't have a similar resource. :(