Like the title says, is there any reason to keep my 12 point sockets handy? I feel like I'm hauling around twice as much as I need, since i can't remember the last time I reached for a 12 point socket (unless I couldn't find a 6 point). I've been thinking about it, but I just can't think of a single advantage of a 12 point socket. I'm thinking of just throwing them in a drawer so i can have room for other stuff.
Any uses for 12 point sockets?
- Thread starter ducktapeguy
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12 points will also remove square nuts, but it's not often that you run across a square nut. The 12 point will go on the bolt in twice the angular positions as the six point so it might work better in tight clearance situations. However, this only matters when using a non-ratcheting breaker bar. I've been slowly switching over th six points. I only use the 12 points when it's all I have or when I need a second socket at the other end of the fastener.
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It all depends on how fine toothed your rachet is. Some times you do not have enough room to get a 6 point in a spot with a course spline ratchet.
Some bolts have 12-point heads as well, but they're also few and far between.
If it's really bothering you, I would post up in your vehicle specific forum and ask if there is any particular bolt/nut that needs a 12-point socket and what size it is. Then just carry any that are mentioned and leave the rest at home.
Ary
If it's really bothering you, I would post up in your vehicle specific forum and ask if there is any particular bolt/nut that needs a 12-point socket and what size it is. Then just carry any that are mentioned and leave the rest at home.
Ary
Colorado Boy-74-FJ40
I may grow older but I refuse to grow up!
In Aircraft maintenance, there are a lot of 12 point nuts espacially on engine components.
fj40charles
SILVER Star
My Dodge truck uses a 12 point socket to remove the brake calipers.
I would keep a set of 6 point and 12 point sockets.
I would keep a set of 6 point and 12 point sockets.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
80 series head bolts are 12 point.
The nut that holds the gear on the power steering pump shaft is 12 point.
Otherwise, 12 point sockets suck.
The nut that holds the gear on the power steering pump shaft is 12 point.
Otherwise, 12 point sockets suck.
I keep my 6 pts handy, with me and organized in the drawer. Have a box of 12pts in case I ever need them but they aren't in the way in the drawer or travel bag.
Extremely useful if you have a rounded off bolt heat or nut. Hammer on the next size down and voila the bastard will turn. Also, as mentioned, aircraft bolts and nuts. When I left the Army I brought a big bag of those fasteners with me that I had collected during Desert Storm. (Rarey find a use for them though)
- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks for the input everyone.
I've heard 12 point can also do square nuts, but I also have 8 point sockets for that specific purpose as well, although most of the time I just use an adjustable wrench. Also, if I see what you're saying about using them with the breaker bar in tight clearance situations, but ironically if you needed to use the breaker bar for a stubborn nut, that's probably one situation where I definitely want a 6 point socket to prevent rounding over the nut. I think I've only run across a 12 point bolt once in the last 6 years or so, maybe I should start working on more aircrafts
I'll probably do what Junk does, keep the 6 points handy, and keep the 12 points in a drawer somewhere. I'm just reorganizing my whole garage right now, so I want to try and maximize the efficiency of my workspace. There's always those tools that take up valuable space in your toolbox, you probably bought them for one specific job and years ago, and haven't touched it since. That's what half my toolbox looked like.
I've heard 12 point can also do square nuts, but I also have 8 point sockets for that specific purpose as well, although most of the time I just use an adjustable wrench. Also, if I see what you're saying about using them with the breaker bar in tight clearance situations, but ironically if you needed to use the breaker bar for a stubborn nut, that's probably one situation where I definitely want a 6 point socket to prevent rounding over the nut. I think I've only run across a 12 point bolt once in the last 6 years or so, maybe I should start working on more aircrafts
I'll probably do what Junk does, keep the 6 points handy, and keep the 12 points in a drawer somewhere. I'm just reorganizing my whole garage right now, so I want to try and maximize the efficiency of my workspace. There's always those tools that take up valuable space in your toolbox, you probably bought them for one specific job and years ago, and haven't touched it since. That's what half my toolbox looked like.
Blue77FJ40
SILVER Star
They also fit taps when you can't fit a t-handle in the workspace.
Bumping this because there is some good information here. You can also hammer them onto round inner-allen-key type fasteners when you find one with the middle rounded out.
