Seems like a lot of 1/2" sockets are 12-point, why?

[wavinwayne]

Just a random observation as I shop here and there for tools. I've noticed a lot more 1/2" sockets available in 12-point vs 6-point. Anybody have any insights into why this is, or am I just imagining things? I've rounded off several fasteners over the years using a 12-point socket when I should have been using a 6-point; lesson learned. Who uses 12-point sockets, and for what?

 

[spasm3]

I have both. If its rusty , I use 6 point. If its fairly clean and in a tight space, 12 point is easier.

 

[drtyler]

Many of my 1/2” drive sockets are 12 point, but I haven’t had any issues rounding fasteners with them. All of my wrenches have 12 point box ends, and no problem there either.

My guess is they are all decent brands and all have “flank drive” where the socket contacts the sides and not the corners.

Also most 1/2” drive tools are generally used on larger fasteners, which should have less likelihood of rounding.

I also live where cars aren’t rusted up to the window with rust, which helps quite a bit.

 

[wavinwayne]

I have both. If its rusty , I use 6 point. If its fairly clean and in a tight space, 12 point is easier.

Easier how? Easier to get the socket on the fastener?

 

[eljefino]

Because the medical lobby wants money fixing skinned knuckles.

But seriously, I agree, it's stupid, unless lining up a 3-foot breaker bar on a beefy strut fastener or axle nut that's both "known hard" and which rust won't take away enough of the hex corners to matter.

This phenomenon converges on 11mm sockets, which in those Father's day kits come in 6 pt, 12 pt, long, short, 1/4 drive, 3/8 drive, and 1/2 drive. That's a dozen sockets before you also add in the dozen 7/16" that also work.

 

[The Critic]

12 pt 1/2" drive sockets are used for certain axle nuts and suspension parts, but that is about it.

I have yet to find an access advantage with 12 pt. Usually anything that is difficult to access gets an impact swivel socket.

 

[4WD]

Probably easier for the factory to broach a 12 point …

 

[Astro14]

Post in thread 'How are ICON non slip wrenches?'
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-are-icon-non-slip-wrenches.387296/post-7013207

TL;DR - 12 points used to round off fasteners. Now, with flank drive/relief cuts in the corners, they don’t.

Don’t sweat it.

 

[Donald]

I have only 6 point sockets for main tool chest I won't buy 12 point. But my tool box to carry tools to my might have 12 point.

Better use a 6 pt on caliper bleeder screws.

If you really need a 12 pt won't a fine tooth ratchet do instead?

 

[Dadillac]

A few years ago I bought a pretty significant set of metric and standard 3/8 and 1/2 inch impact sockets. Impact sockets are 6 point. Pretty much all I grab from the tool box now. I still have all my normal sockets both 6 and 12 point.

Don

 

[SC Maintenance]

Generally 12 point are thinner wall and hence fit in tight places.

 

[drtyler]

Generally 12 point are thinner wall and hence fit in tight places.

The statement gets repeated a lot, but I haven’t seen proof of that.

 

[wavinwayne]

Enough responses in here to solidify my choice to put any and all of my 12 point sockets (don't have many) in the "never gets used" toolbox and forget about them unless some special use case arises.

 

[Dave9]

Frankly if I were to buy more 6pt, 1/2" sockets today, I'd just get impact sockets then be able to use them with both an impact wrench and hand ratchet or breaker bar, but this is because I already have thin walled 6pt and 12pt to get into tight spaces.

I'll use a 12pt if the fastener looks *easy*, not high torque and not rusted, but then it's more likely I'd be using a 1/4" or 3/8" ratchet instead of 1/2". Really I mean, if I accidentally grabbed a 12pt that was the right size, I wouldn't put it back instead of using it on an easy fastener. I can't recall the last time I grabbed a 6pt and had to put it back to get a 12pt.

 

[johnmyster]

My entire collection is 6 pt sockets. I feared the day I had to touch 12 point bolt heads on our duramax, but the truck was replaced with something else.

What I wonder is why all ratcheting end wrenches are 12 point. It's ratcheting. Orientation is irrelevant.

 

[Chris142]

The smaller the bolt head the more likely you are to round it off with a 12 point socket. Most nuts and bolts that require a 1/2 drive are pretty large so a 6 point isn't needed.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Enough responses in here to solidify my choice to put any and all of my 12 point sockets (don't have many) in the "never gets used" toolbox and forget about them unless some special use case arises.

For most cars built in the last 20 years or so, I haven't found a bolt I had to have a extremely thin walled socket for. Maybe just lucky, or maybe since everything is put together with automated tooling now the designers pay closer attention to it?

Now growing up it seemed I often had to go looking for thin walled sockets on all kinds of things - cars, farm equipment, etc. Of course I worked on a lot more things back then so who knows.

 

[redhat]

My need for 12 point is ARP fasteners for LSx builds. Main studs, rod bolts, head studs, etc.

 

[wavinwayne]

The smaller the bolt head the more likely you are to round it off with a 12 point socket...

Correct. The two things I've rounded off with a 12 point socket were oil drain plugs, both several years ago. For some reason both times I just figured any socket that fit the fastener would work fine, without giving it any more thought. After the 2nd drain plug rounded off I took the time to think about why it happened, and haven't used a 12 point socket on anything since.

 

[wavinwayne]

My need for 12 point is ARP fasteners for LSx builds. Main studs, rod bolts, head studs, etc.

In those cases, you have to use a 12 point socket, right?