
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. A 12-point socket on a 12-point head will provide maximum areas of contact and hence less chance of stripping compared to a hexagonal nut or bolt.
What is a 12 point socket used for?
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. The Teng Tools "Hip Grip" System.
What are 1212 sockets used for?
12 point sockets are also great for use in tight spaces as they allow you to connect to a fastener at more angles. The Teng Tools "Hip Grip" System. Whichever style you decide to choose all of our sockets have been manufactured according to our signature "hip grip" system.
Which sockets should you use?
It's a question we get asked all the time. Which should you use, 6 point sockets or 12 point sockets? The answer? Well it depends on the job you're looking to do. Ideal for jobs that require a large amount of force. Additional contact surface along the flat edges of the socket make it less likely to slip.
Can I use a six-point socket on a 12-point screw?
When you will put a six-point socket into a six-point screw, the socket will get a perfect grip on the screw and therefore it is unlikely to slide and circle off the bolt edges. So, we can certainly say that a six-point socket won’t fit right into a twelve-point screw. But some questions like “Can I use a 12 point socket on a 6-point nut?”

What is the difference between 6-point and 12 point sockets?
A 6-point end is hexagonal in shape—it has six points, or vertices, evenly spaced at 60 degree increments around a circle. 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.
Which is better 12 pt or 6 PT 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 the benefit of 12 point sockets?
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 I use a 6 point socket on a 12 point nut?
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.
Which of the following is an advantage of a six point socket?
Which of the following is an advantage of a six-point socket? It is stronger.
Are 12 point sockets good for lug nuts?
Can I use a 12 point socket on lug nuts? A 12 point socket can be used to fasten the lug nuts. However, if the socket or lug nut is worn out, it is likely to slip and damage the nut. To avoid this use the correct size hexagonal socket with lug nuts.
What is the most common ratchet size?
The most common ratchet sizes are ¼ inch drive, 3/8 inch drive, and ½ inch drive. There are also larger ratchet sizes including ¾ inch drive and 1-inch drive available. Most ratchets used with sockets contain a gear mechanism that is designed to allow for rotation in one direction only.
What are 5 point sockets used for?
5-Point Sockets These sockets fit the nuts found on water and gas valves. Use with hand-driven tools only.
What is the advantage of a 12 point socket?
12 points will fit the square end of a tap if you cant get a tap handle in to where it needs to be tapped
What is a 6 point socket?
Six point socket is ideal for jobs that require a large amount of force. Additional contact surface along the flat edges of the socket make it less likely to slip. Slipping strips bolts and that’s definitely something you don’t want to do. The thicker walls also add a lot of overall strength.
Why do sockets need to be thicker?
Because they’re already thick they need to be thicker to absorb that torque they have thicker walls that are designed to contact the fastener away from the corners on the thick walls. 6 point rounded corners and edge to allow the socket to easily slide onto the fastener.
Why is a six point fastener less likely to slip?
The six point is going to be a lot less likely to slip or round off a fastener because if you don’t know the points are not what is grabbing really the fastener that’s not where the torque is being applied in the corners. Sixpoint have thicker walls on the side and they have less points.
How many points does a 6 point socket have?
A 6 point end is hexagonal in shape—it has six points, or vertices, evenly spaced at 60 degree increments around a circle. ( Check prices here) And a 12 point socket is going to go over the same nut or bolt in twice as many positions so much easier to use in tight spaces. A 12 point end is a double-hexagon —it has 12 points, or vertices, ...
What is the best socket for a ratchet handle?
12 point sockets are best for tight areas where you have limited space to move the ratchet handle and need shorter throw.
How many bolts does Harley use?
Harley-Davidson uses twelve point bolts at various points on their motorcycles. They advise to have both shallow and deep sockets for things like the brake calipers.
Why do six point sockets have thicker walls?
Here’s why: (1) Six-point sockets have thicker walls, so they’re less likely to flew. (2) A six-point socket is designed to contact the head of a fastener well away from the corners so contact is made on the thickest part of the fastener.
Is a 12 point socket necessary?
Is this really necessary? 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.
Can you use a socket if chrome is peeling?
However, after years of use, the chrome finish can flake off. Don’t use a socket if the chrome is peeling. The chrome will be sharp as a razor blade. Any reputable tool company will replace one of its tools that has peeling chrome.
Which is better, a 6-point socket or a 12-point socket?
The 12-point socket is capable of connecting at more angles faster than a 6-point may. When access is not easy, connecting the socket should be. And using the 12-point socket, it tends to be much easier than using a 6-point socket.
Why use a 6 point socket?
The 6-point socket is generally used in jobs that require more force than usual. You may use a 6-point socket for removing lug nuts from a tire, for instance, because of the tremendous force involved. Less likely to slip. One important feature of 6-point sockets is that they have additional contact surface.
What are Sockets Used for?
Sockets can serve a wide range of tasks. Generally, they are a tool (a bit) that attaches to either a socket wrench, torque wrench, ratchet, or some other type of turning tool. They are meant to loosen fasteners like bolts or nuts by turning them.
What is a socket wrench?
Sockets can serve a wide range of tasks. Generally, they are a tool (a bit) that attaches to either a socket wrench, torque wrench, ratchet, or some other type of turning tool. They are meant to loosen fasteners like bolts or nuts by turning them.
Why are 6 point sockets important?
Less likely to slip. One important feature of 6-point sockets is that they have additional contact surface. Along each of the flat edges of the socket is an additional contact surface that makes the socket less likely to slip. Stripping. Slipping while using a socket can strip a bolt.
What is an impact socket?
That is where an impact socket comes in handy. Impact sockets are meant to handle vibration caused when using an impact tool. Impact tools are generally used to remove seized bolts and nuts and generally from vehicles. It is important to note that impact sockets are not meant to be used with standard fasteners.
Can you strip a bolt with a socket?
Stripping. Slipping while using a socket can strip a bolt. When a bolt gets stripped, it becomes infinitely more difficult to remove. Using a 6-point socket lessens the chances of stripping the bolt and having to deal with that nightmare. Added strength.
Why use 12 point sockets?
12 Point Sockets – Advantages. 1) The additional “notches” in the twelve point make it easier to connect with the head of the fastener, saving time. This is especially good in situations where the bolt is hard to see. 2) Better range of motion due to the fact you can connect at more angles. In other words, good for tight spaces.
Why are impact sockets 6 point?
2) The additional contact surface along the flat edges of the fastener makes it much less likely to slip around corners, stripping the bolt. 3) Similarly, the thicker walls means it is less likely to flex and slip.
Why are additional points needed for sockets?
The additional points make these sockets easier to connect with the heads of fasteners.
What makes a socket less likely to slip?
Additional contact surface along the flat edges of the socket make it less likely to slip.
How many volts are in a socket?
Insulated to protect against accidental contact with live electrical circuits, these sockets are tested to 1, 000 volts to meet IEC 60900.
How many sockets does a hammer wrench have?
These wrenches have one pivoting socket end and one open end.
What is a flare nut socket?
The opening shape makes more contact with fasteners for a better grip than standard open-end sockets. Also known as flare-nut or line wrench sockets, they're often used with fla red tube fittings and fuel and hydraulic lines.
What are OSHA sockets made of?
Made of aluminum- bronze, these sockets satisfy OSHA requirements that specify nonsparking tools for locations where flammable vapors and combustible residues are present.
How to make a T handle on a wrench?
Turn nuts on bolts and threaded rod, which can pass through the short end of the wrench. For additional leverage, slip a bar through the short end to create a T- handle.
