sockets: 6 or 12 point? what use for what socket?
 

ive done a few searches, but to no avail.

what are the specific uses for a 6 point socket and for a 12 point? does one handle more torque than the other? im trying to organize my tools & pick up what i need to get things on my car done. any imput would be great. Thanks.

Some cars, i believe BMW or Mercedes, use 12 point bolts! I would stick to a good quality 6 point because you will be less prone to stripping out tight bolts with a 6 point.

Some bolts use 6 point and some use 12 point. Most flywheel bolts are 12 point.

so just get a 6 point & call it a day? im only doing any real wrenching on subarus if that matters at all.

6 points are generally stronger sockets, but they also apply pressure more broadly across the flat area of the bolt, instead of in smaller areas along the points of the bolt that a 12 point does.
the one advantage that a 12 point has is that in tight spots it allows you for 2x the 'resolution' in the placement of the wrench or socket.

wow, thats almost exactly what the snap-on guy just said when i called him 2 min ago. smart man BT.

thanks for the imput. keep it coming.

i was just gonna say that! wtf man!

i use 6 points always unless its a tight sport, ur better off usin a 6 point then usin a 12 and ruining the bolt. and dont ever use chrome sockets on impact tools! or tighten metal bolts into plastic with impact tools.....heh heh just things ive seen along the way while workin at faulkner and reedman toll.......

yeah, the snap on guy warned me about not using chrome sockets on impact guns - apparently it breaks the GUN! the impact sockets are a softer metal that gives a bit of cushion for the gun apparently. go figure.

Good choice goin with Snap-On too! If anything breaks, John (thats the local snap on guy who you may have talked to) will come out and replace it on the spot too, no questions asked! Their tools are definatly superior. Ratchets have next to no turn required and make them amazing in tight spots. I have also noticed that they seem more comfortable (nice rubberized grips) and looks nice (not that it matters)!

yeah, they are indeed awesome. . . until you get the bill. i deffinitly love snap-on tools, and ive helped a few others understand the value in them. but some of their stuff is just too damn expensive. i use their ratchets, screwdrivers, extensions, and a few other tools. but for wrenches & sockets, i usually end up with craftsman. 95% of the quality of snap-on at 50% of the price. the real value in snap-on are their specialty tools. the get very specific with the tools they make. sure, you could use any wrench to install brakes on a 96-00 ford tarus, but having a wrench that was specifically designed to do that and only that will make the job alot easier & alot less stressfull. that and every tool they design has the person who is using it as their 1st concern. the tools are durable, and comfortable to use all day.

and as for looks: the look of the tool itself isnt a concern to me, but the availibility of colors is a really nice thing. the 2 installers at the store i work at & myself all have the same series of ratchets, screwdrivers, & pick tools from snap-on, but each in a different color.

Orange FTW.

Most german vehicles use 12point bolts for their drivetrain. They use alot of weird bolts. Reverse torx are the worst out of all of them.

12 point bolts are much better for high torque applications. They have a lower chance of stripping out.

Very true! I made the mistake of buying craftsman ratcheting wrenches because they were on sale for less than 1/3 if the price of Snap-On...THey are less than 1/3 the quality though...

BTW...Lime Green FTW!

so you are saying 12 points are better for high torque? now im confused. others are saying go with a 6 point for high torque.

Think of it this way. If you buy 12 point sockets. You use them with 6 and 12pt bolts. 6 point sockets= 6 point bolts only. I use 12 points for almost everything, smaller bolt heads ftw. oh and btw i never had any problems stripping 12points. If your stripping 12points, your doing something wrong.

i dont have any 12 point bolts on my car iirc. so now we are getting 2 completly conflicting arguments. :confused:

if you have no need at all for 12 points, then why dont you just get 6 points? Its like when you were a little kid trying to shove a square into a round hole. 6 point bolts are for 6 point sockets. 12 point sockets are for 12 point bolts.

http://www.wrighttool.com/news/article06A.htm

here's a great read.

thats what i was looking for, thanks will.

[QUOTE=TurboTagTeam;511706] Reverse torx are the worst out of all of them.

[QUOTE]


hell yeah, valve covers on v dubs and saabs, wtf man


i used to work at faulkner mazda and our snap on guy was named john, its prolly the same guy, how weird!

now im at reedman and our guy is named mark, go fig

there are 12 point bolts on the internals of your engine fred :).