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

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...

6 point

6 point

4 point...

Two three-point.

I like screw drivers and hammers

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

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?

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

Split the difference and try a 9 point.

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.

Those spiral rusty nut extractors.

Vice Grips!!

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

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

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

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288820354.jpg

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.

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

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.

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.

You need a 12 point for BBS bolts:D
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288821551.jpg

PB Blaster is your friend.

but when that fails, speak softly but carry big tools:

I own full sets of 1/4, 3/8th, 1/2, and 3/4 of both 6 and 12 point.



21 Piece Metric 3/4" Jumbo Heavy Duty Socket Set

8 Piece 3/4" Drive Heavy Duty Metric Impact Socket Set

3/4" Heavy Duty Impact Wrench


This set up to 24" long fits both standard AND metric.

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-inch-18-inch-and-24-inch-jumbo-adjustable-wrenches-751.html

Dremel.....

I just butter my nuts and don't worry about it.

I was given one of those for Christmas last year. I haven't seen it since. So I went out to the tool box and there it was, front and center. Looks goofy to me.

I guess after 10 months I'll try it.

Buy 6 point sockets, 12 point wrenches.
Jim

Snow tires.....

12 Point if the bolt is tough to get to.
6 Point for normal use. I mostly use a 6 point and I always use it when I am torquing a bolt because a 12 point is more likely to strip it.

BFH

and so that this thread is not a total waste

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288824803.jpg

And there ain't nuthin better than kroil.

Generally 12 points are thinner wall sockets than 6 point. Therefore subject to more breakage.

How much torque are you putting on the bolts?

I typically go for the 12 points first because nothing is ever easy to get to.

Try the home brew concoction of Acetone and ATF, mixed 50/50.

If the ratchet on your socket wrench isn't ridiculously coarse, there's no advantage to 12 pt. For close end wrenches, I like 12 pt.

Seconded - it's an awesome tool. Those totally saved me when I did a timing belt / water pump job on the wife's car. Steel hardware + aluminum block = all kinds of fun.

12 point would only be used for 'external triple square threads' as they are referred to by the DIN.

Otherwise 6 point for any normal hex. Old 12 points will round corners off too easily.

When working on formula cars, 12 points were not allowed to be used on NAS hardware, ever.

360 / 12 = 30 deg. 360 / 6 = 60 deg.

You only need 12 point if your ratchet or breaker bar can't make that swing.

Only communists and welfare recipients use 12 point. :p

Color me skeptical.

It works.

I have both. I use them where appropriate.