12 pt. vs. 6 pt. sockets - Which is BETTER?

[RWebb]

now that the mid--term elections are over (and the transmission gear lube thread seems to be winding down), I thought a rousing debate on sockets would be appropriate.

have at it...

[Tobra]

6 point

[Superman]

6 point

[M.D. Holloway]

4 point...

[dhoward]

Two three-point.

[red-beard]

I like screw drivers and hammers

[Paul_Heery]

6 point, they get a better grip on your nuts.

[RWebb]

I see the write in candidates are doing better than the 12 pt.s and that the 6 pt.s have quickly surged into an early lead...

What are the political advantages of the 6 pt. socket?

[Scott R]

Depends on the job. Exhaust manifolds on a Land Rover requires a 12 point, tie rods I would use a six.

[URY914]

Split the difference and try a 9 point.

[cbush]

Guess 12 points would be better for tight areas, but I always use 6 point when I can--much better grip/torque transfer to the nut-in my opinion.

[VaSteve]

Those spiral rusty nut extractors.

[dafischer]

Vice Grips!!

[A930Rocket]

6 point is the way to go, but why do I have so many 12 point?

[Zeke]

It shouldn't matter. But, if your nuts aren't in good shape, they may slip.

[turbo6bar]

You losers stay in the 80s with your rack of sockets. Gator grips changed my life.

[sammyg2]

If the bolt or nut is a standard hex, a 6 point socket will get a better grip and transfer more torque than a 12 point, especially if the head is rusted or partially stripped or whatever. The 12 point is more convenient as it can go on indexed many different ways.

Iffn the head is made for a 12 point (as in many aircraft fasteners or some header bolts) then you have to use a 12 point.

I prefer 12 point on smaller sizes, like 1/4" drive and smaller 3/8" drive.
For the larger 3/8" drive sockets and all 1/2" and 3/4" drive, 6 point is the way to go.

And all sockets that will be used on an impact gun should be 6 point, hardened, heavy duty and designed for impacts or they'll eventually crack and can cause injury.

[JJ 911SC]

Used a 12 points to removed a broken wheel lock nut... work like a charm

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by turbo6bar

You losers stay in the 80s with your rack of sockets. Gator grips changed my life.

Those are loosers, not losers.
Or maybe they are tighters.


Either way I've been turning wrenches too long and I'm too set in my ways to go for those new-fangled gimmicks.

[Hugh R]

After you've rounded off the bolt, or nut, go to Sears and get their "Bolt out" sockets (as advertised on TV by Bob Veila). They have internal biting teeth and are really good at getting rounded nuts and bolts off.