[TR] A question regarding 12 poitn and 6 point sockets

[Michael Marr]

Generally speaking, six point sockets are used on hex nuts where a heavy 
tightening or untightening torque is to be applied, as in using an impact 
wrench.  12 points are generally used when tightening or untightening can be 
accomplished by hand, rather than by a machine.

8 point sockets would only be used on square nuts.

As an asided, you should always use the correct sized wrench or socket for 
the job.  I have never bought into the "pound a metric socket onto the nut" 
school of thought, for loosening nuts that have worn corners, for example. 
There are better and safer ways of removing recalcitrant nuts, that don't 
involve smashing your knuckles because the wrong sized socket slipped off 
the nut.

For the same reason, any adjustable wrenches should be banished to the far 
corners of the shop so that you are not tempted to use them instead of the 
correct wrench.  I would venture to guess that many of the rounded off 
corners on nuts and bolts on our cars were caused by POs that used 
adjustable wrenches.

Mike Marr



> All my sockets at home are of the 12 point type.  I've seen 8 point and 
> more
> commonly 6 point. Are there advantages using 6 and 8 point?
> One advantage I see with a 6 point socket is that there is more surface 
> area
> being applied on the nut and can help prevent it from the corners from
> rounding.
>
> So I suppose if you have a stubborn nut or bolt , a 6 point socket would 
> be
> a better choice. Would this make sense?