What is the difference between 6-point and 12-point sockets on hex nuts?
Both 6-point and 12-point sockets can be fitted on hex nuts, the primary differences being convenience and torque. The more points a socket has, the more points of contact available.
Do you need a 12 point socket for a bolt?
2.) Torque power load is borne by the flanks of the nut or bolt instead of by the corners. However, you must use a 12-point socket with a 12-point fastener (such as the old Camry internal bolts). In conclusion, every professional craftsman should own a complete set of 6-point sockets.
What are 12 point bolts used for?
What are 12 point bolts used for? Most of the time, a twelve-point nut is used for higher and better clamp load. Usually, a twelve-point screw could be watched in the gas and oil production because of all the niche heads of nuts.
What is a 12-point head nut?
A twelve-point nut’s head design is a fastened screw that is tightened with a twelve-point sack wrench so that it can permit torques in higher amounts and they get to be utilized as a standard central hex sack drive head nut cap. To get a better look at a twelve-point attachment follows this link:
When would you use a 12 point socket?
The additional points make these sockets easier to connect with the heads of fasteners. This is ideal if you are trying to work on a fastener that is hard to see or you cannot see at all. 12 point sockets are also great for use in tight spaces as they allow you to connect to a fastener at more angles.
Can a 12 point socket be used on a 6 point head?
A 12-point end is a double-hexagon (sometimes called “double-hex”)—it has 12 points, or vertices, evenly spaced at 30 degree increments around a circle. This geometry will also fit on a 6-point fastener. Your tool will work best when it fits precisely onto the fastener.
Should I get 6 point or 12 point sockets?
Answer: It's true that 12-point sockets are fine for most lightweight repairs, but heavy wrenching calls for a six-point socket. A six-point socket is much less likely to slip off a stubborn fastener or round over the corners. Here's why: (1) Six-point sockets have thicker walls, so they're less likely to flew.
What is a 12 point box end wrench used for?
wrenches. Box-end wrenches have ends that enclose the nut and have 6, 8, 12, or 16 points inside the head. A wrench with 12 points is used on either a hexagonal or a square nut; the 8- and 16-point wrenches are used on square members.
Are spline sockets the same as 12-point sockets?
Spline sockets on spline fasteners help deliver twice the torque of 12 pt. wrenches on double hex fasteners, helping tighten high strength bolts to high torque loads. Spline helps reduce foreign object debris (FOD) by forcing a precise fit between thefastening tool and the fastener.
Are spline sockets better than 12-point?
1:133:03Why You Should Never Buy Spline or 12 Point Sockets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo in my opinion you should just never buy these twelve point sockets. The only benefit to them isMoreSo in my opinion you should just never buy these twelve point sockets. The only benefit to them is that they're quicker to get on the ball. And especially easier in like tight spaces.
What is the disadvantage of a box end wrench?
The main disadvantage of the box wrench is that you need to slip it over the end of the nut or bolt. This of course means that if you don't have access to the end of the bolt/nut, you cannot use it. Box wrenches can be more expensive that open ended wrenches and you need a complete set as they are not adjustable.
Are 12 point sockets needed?
12 point sockets are used to loosen and tighten both 12-point and hexagonal head fasteners. It is necessary when working with 12 point fasteners such as ARP engine bolts since no other socket will fit the fastener.
Why would you use a 6 point socket?
1:296:54Should you be using 6 Point or 12 Point Sockets? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEdge. So with having that more sturdy edge that thicker edge. You are going to be able to get moreMoreEdge. So with having that more sturdy edge that thicker edge. You are going to be able to get more torque. On a hex head bolt with a six point socket versus that 12 point socket now the other thing
What size socket set is most useful?
A ⅜” drive ratchet and socket set will be the most versatile and suitable in most applications. If you intend on doing a lot of work on small or very large items, then you should purchase a socket set with a drive size more suitable to that size of work.
How many points does a hex nut have?
A hex nut has 6 points. Both 6-point and 12-point sockets can be fitted on hex nuts, the primary differences being convenience and torque. The more points a socket has, the more points of contact available.
Why use a 6 point socket?
On the other hand, 6-point sockets help reduce wear on the nut corners, and they also have better torque performance than 12-point sockets, for two reasons: 1) As the flanks of a 6-point socket are thicker than those of a 12-point socket, ...
Which socket is thicker, a 6 point socket or a 12 point socket?
1) As the flanks of a 6-point socket are thicker than those of a 12-point socket, torque can be evenly applied on each side of the hex nut.
What is Snap On's 12 point drive?
Fun fact. In 1996, Snap-On patented its 12-point flank drive, designed to reduce wear on hex nuts or bolts. To this day, this invention remains one of the most popular socket patents applications in the world.
How many degrees do you need to rotate a 12 point socket?
In other words, you would need to rotate only up to 30 degrees to fit a 12-point socket onto a hex nut. This can prove to be a time-saver and make life easier when you’re working within confined spaces.
What do you need to make good tools?
To make good tools, you need good quality steel. That's why ...
Do you need a 12 point socket for a Camry?
In conclusion, every professional craftsman should own a complete set of 6-point sockets. While a 12-point socket set isn’t absolutely necessary , it is nice to havel. Fun fact.
Why use a 12 point socket?
When working in confined spaces, opt for a 12 point socket if the situation doesn’t require much force. A 12 point socket is easier to maneuver in small spaces. It works well when paired with a high tooth count ratchet.
When to Use 6 Point or 12 Point Sockets?
While 6 and 12 point sockets can be used interchangeably in most situations, some call for choosing a specific one. Generally, 6 point fasteners are better suited to high-impact situations or situations that require a large amount of force. Here, their greater wear resistance and the decreased risk of stripping a bolt head make them the winner.
Why do you need a deep socket?
Deep-well sockets allow for greater reach. This is necessary when loosening a nut tightened on a long bolt. Here, the standard depth socket won’t reach the nut since there’s too much thread in the way. Deep-well sockets can’t handle much force, though. The considerable distance between the connection point and the ratchet creates a large torque, which could crack or break the socket.
How deep is a 6 point socket?
These are used tightening and loosening bolts and nuts and generally come in standard or deep-well sizes. Standard depth sockets have a well of around ¾ inch (20mm) deep, while deep-well sockets have a well of one inch or deeper, depending on the bolt diameter.
How many contact configurations are there in a 12 point socket?
A 12 point socket has 12 contact configurations available. Paired with a ratchet that has a high tooth count, this eases work in confined spaces considerably. Here, you can loosen a fastener incrementally, even in spaces that allow a tiny swing arc.
Which is better, a 6 point socket or a 12 point socket?
6 Point sockets have thicker walls than 12 point sockets. This offers better resistance to wear and tear, making the 6 point socket better suited to situations where a large amount of force is necessary. Examples include loosening a flywheel and most other automotive applications.
Can you use 6 point sockets in confined spaces?
In confined spaces, you often don’t have the necessary swing arc available to do this, and thus using a 6 point socket becomes difficult.
What is a hex bolt?
Its also worth noting that the really really important bolts, i.e. the bolt that holds the drive belt gear to the crank snout that requires 150 ft.lb. of torque is a hex bolt. Most engine fasteners are hex bolts.
Why use a 12 point head?
A 12 point head has less surface area since there are more corners and by having more corners, there is less surface area for the socket/wrench to engage.
Can you strip a 6 point head with a 12 point wrench?
Its true that its much more easy to srip a 6-point head with a 12 point wrench than with a 6 point wrench. The same is not true with a 12 point wrench on a 12 point bolt. 12 point hardware should conciveably be harder to strip, look at a 29 spline axle vs 31, more splines is better. Im not sure why but every 2 cycle outboard engine i have ever seen has 12 point heads on the con rod bolts.They put out a lot of power for their displacment too.
Can 12 pt bolts work with 12 pt sockets?
12pt bolt heads will only work with 12pt sockets and wrenches. However, the heads are generally smaller, and fit in smaller places. This can be handy for head bolts where huge springs are used, and there is very little room for the bolt heads. (usually small block chevys) Sometimes cam clearance can be a problem with connecting rod bolts...
