
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
- The 12 point sockets were awesome when you only had 36 teeth on your ratchet and a tight area.
- 12 point is great to bang on stuck/rounded/stripped lugs, nuts, bolts, and break loose or break off
What is a 12-point socket?
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. ( Check prices here) A twelve-point touchline is known as a double-hex or double-hexagon. That means it has twelve points or pinnacles that can constantly be spaced at thirty-degree enhancement around a band.
What is the advantage of a six point socket?
1) Better for jobs requiring a large amount of force. Something to note is that impact sockets almost always come in the six point configuration (with good reason). 2) The additional contact surface along the flat edges of the fastener makes it much less likely to slip around corners, stripping the bolt.
What are the advantages of a 12 point screwdriver?
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.
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.

Are 12 point or 6-point sockets better?
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 advantage does a 12 point socket have over a 6-point socket?
0:496:54Should you be using 6 Point or 12 Point Sockets? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow these can be used in multiple different applications. But the main topic that comes aboutMoreNow these can be used in multiple different applications. But the main topic that comes about whenever we're talking about a six point versus a 12 point is the amount of torque that can be put on a
What is the point of 12 point bolts?
The twelve point head design is tightened with standard twelve point socket wrenches. The 12 point design permits greater torque to be applied to the bolt and eliminates the rounding of the hex socket that occurs with standard hex sockets.
Does a 12 point socket have more grip than a 6-point socket?
The more points a socket has, the more points of contact available. Compared with the 6-point socket, a 12-point socket has twice as many points, so it can more easily slide onto a hex nut. In other words, you would need to rotate only up to 30 degrees to fit a 12-point socket onto a hex nut.
Can I use a 6 point socket on 12 point bolt?
Can't Use 6 Point Sockets on 12 Point Bolts. 6 point sockets also don't fit on 12 point nuts and bolts, so you can't use them in every situation. However, the 12-point bolts are less common when compared to hexagonal bolts.
What are 8 point sockets for?
Proto® 8 Point Sockets are ideal for use on stubborn or damaged fasteners, and also on fasteners made from soft materials.
Why are 12 point bolts used instead of hex bolts in some applications?
The 12-Point design permits this style bolt to be tightened down with a 12-Point socket wrench, which permits higher torque to be applied as compared to a standard internal hex drive socket head cap screw. Another advantage of the 12-Point head type is their use in tight spaces.
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.
Are impact sockets necessary?
Impact sockets can be used safely on a hand tool, however you should never use a regular hand tool socket on an impact wrench as this can be extremely dangerous. A regular socket is likely to shatter when used on power tools due to their thinner wall design and the material they're made from.
Do I need both 6 and 12-point sockets?
If your fastener is 12-point, which is somewhat uncommon, then you must use a 12-point tool. For 6-point fasteners, a 6-point tool is your best choice. Matching up the points between the tool and fastener means that you will maximize the surface area of steel in contact, making the tool less likely to slip or fail.
Why are impact sockets black?
Impact sockets are typically black. This is because the surface is carbonized in order for it to harden. Ensuring that the surface is hard allows the sockets to absorb sudden torque changes i.e. “impact” a lot better.
What is the difference between impact and chrome sockets?
Standard sockets are made from chrome, which is fairly brittle and can split and shatter with too much vibration. Impact sockets are designed to handle the torque and flexibility without the product failing or shattering. It is made from a softer, more malleable material called chrome molybdenum.
Why are ARP bolts better?
The process starts with wire coils and ends with fasteners, nuts and bolts that are superior to what is widely considered aircraft quality. ARP's fasteners are built to withstand serious racing and have higher tensile strengths and can survive higher stresses than most aircraft fasteners will ever see.
How do you remove a 12 point flange bolt?
0:211:4212 Point Flange Screws Explained - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGroup is that the only way to settle these things up is either using a hex key or a hex socket.MoreGroup is that the only way to settle these things up is either using a hex key or a hex socket.
Why is hexagonal head preferred for cap screw instead of square head?
The reason they're so popular is because the hexagon shape of the head is very versatile, it can be grabbed by tools from all angles and even by hand if need be. Hexagon nuts use their shape to their advantage.
What is a point bolt?
They're general-purpose threaded fasteners designed for insertion in pre-tapped holes or for use with nuts. A 12-point bolt design offers the same bearing surface as a hex head cap screw of comparable size.
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 is it important to strip a bolt?
Improved surface coverage. Though it may not be something that jumps out to novice handymen, the improved surface coverage is important. Stripping a bolt is the last thing you want to do. With more contact surface area, there is less likelihood of slipping. No slipping means no stripping. Which tends to mean that the job is easier to pull off.
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.
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.
Why is a 6 point socket less likely to strip the head of a bolt?
What makes 6 point socket less likely to strip the head of a bolt? The reason is that it does not put pressure against the point. The pressure is actually put against the shoulder of the point.
What is the advantage of a 6 point socket over a 12 point socket?
The number of angles in 6 point sockets is less than 12 point sockets. Therefore it allows them to have more contact inside the socket. Six-point sockets also can carry higher pressure than 12 point sockets. This is another reason to use 6 point sockets over the other one.
What's the difference between a 6 point socket and a 12 point socket?
The more points a socket has, the more points of contact available. Compared with the 6-point socket, a 12-point socket has twice as many points, so it can more easily slide onto a hex nut. In other words, you would need to rotate only up to 30 degrees to fit a 12-point socket onto a hex nut.
Are 12 Point Socket's Necessary?
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. ... If your fastener is 12-point, which is somewhat uncommon, then you must use a 12-point tool.
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.
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.
