6 point vs. 12 point

[Princess Valiant]

using a 14 mm wrench on a 1/2 bolt would be a good start

You can also make a 12 mm socket fit on a 1/2 inch bolt head, just make sure and bring a hammer. LoL

 

[Bodyperson]

I break high quality six point impact socket’s regularly. It hurts when it happens in your grip.

 

[toolmanmike]

Chrome sockets get the crap beat out-of them on an impact. The impact anvil takes a bigger hit. Catch my drift?

 

[Princess Valiant]

I can say that I have never broke a socket before.

I probably don't have the upper body strength that most of you have. I once used a pipe cheater bar sleeved over a ratchet handle to break CV shaft nut. The gear in the ratchet went long before the socket probably would have.

I feel bad about the ratchet so now I try to use the right tool, and bought a breaker bar and impact socket set.

 

[Princess Valiant]

Chrome sockets get the crap beat out-of them on an impact. The impact anvil takes a bigger hit. Catch my drift?

Yup, the little metal ring that keeps the socket on the impact usually goes bye bye

 

[gunbunny]

So I am really into craftsman tools. Like really into them, so much that I consider myself a craftsman tool memorabilia collector and I love all things related to the old Sears. Sears was my store even when they played me dirty when I worked for them.

So back on topic: I'm trying to complete a couple sets of sockets that I have had for a decade and a half. So I go to lowes and accept that I will have to fill in my sets with the CMM part numbers they have that indicate china made stuff (I'm not totally against the new tools) but I found that two local lowes stores do not carry 12 point 3/8 drive deep well sockets. WTH.

It seems that sockets are only available in 6 point, YET, combination wrenches are all 12 point and 6 point wrenches seem to be non existant in my local stores.

1. Is there a logical reason for this or is this just incompentcy on the part of my local lowes stores?
2. Is one better than the other in regards to 6 point vs. 12. I always felt the 6 point would be stronger because of more surface contact with the fastener?

For what its worth, ACE Hardware here in Ohio carries Craftsman tools. Way better selection of individual tools than Lowes. Lowes seems to just want to sell sets.
I asked about the warranty, the guy at ACE told me no sweat, they'll replace broken hand tools with no problems. He then showed me a 1/2 ratchet that was probably from the 50's that someone exchanged. He said he was going to keep it as a wall hanger. So the warranty is still good at ACE.

 

[Tooljunkie]

So I am really into craftsman tools. Like really into them, so much that I consider myself a craftsman tool memorabilia collector and I love all things related to the old Sears. Sears was my store even when they played me dirty when I worked for them.

So back on topic: I'm trying to complete a couple sets of sockets that I have had for a decade and a half. So I go to lowes and accept that I will have to fill in my sets with the CMM part numbers they have that indicate china made stuff (I'm not totally against the new tools) but I found that two local lowes stores do not carry 12 point 3/8 drive deep well sockets. WTH.

It seems that sockets are only available in 6 point, YET, combination wrenches are all 12 point and 6 point wrenches seem to be non existant in my local stores.

1. Is there a logical reason for this or is this just incompentcy on the part of my local lowes stores?
2. Is one better than the other in regards to 6 point vs. 12. I always felt the 6 point would be stronger because of more surface contact with the fastener?

I saw a video the other day, 12 point wrench has a thicker wall, but its prone to slippage occasionally. I have never broken a box end on a combination wrench. Except for 1. I use it for the hex on clutch fans, i beat on box end with a hammer and after 15 years it finally broke. As in it shattered. Was a cheap wrench though.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Chrome sockets get the crap beat out-of them on an impact. The impact anvil takes a bigger hit. Catch my drift?

And the electric impacts beat the snot out of every socket.

 

[Princess Valiant]

You were a dirty sears girl?

When I said Sears played me dirty, what I meant is several years ago I worked at Sears.
When I first applied at Sears, I applied for the auto center because that's where I wanted to work.
They called me in for an interview but after talking down to me like I don't anything about cars (I went to auto school) they offered me a job in baby apperal. That pissed me off so I didn't take it.
So I applied again but this time for "tool territory". Again I got called for an interview, got the same interviewer and he offered me a job in jewelery.

I took the job for jewelry, and did that bullshit for 2 months, by then I got to know the people working tool territory and I knew of a guy leaving so I made a big deal about it and I got his spot. I worked in tool territory for just under a year and then I quit on my own because I got a different job that paid more.

Everyday working in Sears tool territory around craftsman tools, those were good times and I bought a lot with the employee discount.....I fondly remember those days.

 

[mopowers]

using a 14 mm wrench on a 1/2 bolt would be a good start

Who did that? The guy who rounded off a ARP head bolt used a 14mm socket on the 9/16 hex head bolt to remove it.

 

[Slowswinger]

When I said Sears played me dirty, what I meant is several years ago I worked at Sears.
When I first applied at Sears, I applied for the auto center because that's where I wanted to work.
They called me in for an interview but after talking down to me like I don't anything about cars (I went to auto school) they offered me a job in baby apperal. That pissed me off so I didn't take it.
So I applied again but this time for "tool territory". Again I got called for an interview, got the same interviewer and he offered me a job in jewelery.

I took the job for jewelry, and did that bullshit for 2 months, by then I got to know the people working tool territory and I knew of a guy leaving so I made a big deal about it and I got his spot. I worked in tool territory for just under a year and then I quit on my own because I got a different job that paid more.

Everyday working in Sears tool territory around craftsman tools, those were good times and I bought a lot with the employee discount.....I fondly remember those days.

Ok that is an acceptable explanation. You can have your clean tool girl status back.

 

[Ironracer]

One of the guys recently rounded a 6 point ARP head bolt. How do you even do that?

I was wondering that myself. I've NEVER had an issue w/ them. That said, a few members here said the head is shallower than most...

 

[Bewy]

With 12 point, make sure the socket/wrench is a tight fit.....

Otherwise use 6 point.

 

[Professor Fate]

I've got several sets, mostly old Craftsman, the rest a mishmash of Proto, SK, Mac and Matco... with a few Snappies thrown in for good measure. 6 pt., 12 pt., and yes, 8 pt. (square head nuts & bolts, pipe plugs, etc.). All good for their intended purpose. But am I the only one that constantly splits 9/16 sockets? Or is that just because good old Wisconsin rust is tougher to break loose?
As far as replacements go, Ace has been pretty good about it- no questions asked, if they don't have it they order it in for me; unless it's something they no longer make (the catalog is kinda sparse compared to the old Sears...). The one exception is my ratchets (fine and coarse). I won't take a replacement, so if they can't (or won't) get me a rebuild kit, I suck it up and order a kit online. They're my old friends and I won't get rid of them.

 

[Dartfreak75]

I can say that I have never broke a socket before.

I probably don't have the upper body strength that most of you have. I once used a pipe cheater bar sleeved over a ratchet handle to break CV shaft nut. The gear in the ratchet went long before the socket probably would have.

I feel bad about the ratchet so now I try to use the right tool, and bought a breaker bar and impact socket set.

I've cracked them down the side. I was changing the hub in my 01 ram its a 12 point 9/16 bolt head and I busted the only 12 point 9/16 socket I had on it. I had to run to lowes in the middle of the job to get a deep 12 point 9/16 socket i bought 2 of them just incase lol

 

[Ironracer]

I've got several sets, mostly old Craftsman, the rest a mishmash of Proto, SK, Mac and Matco... with a few Snappies thrown in for good measure. 6 pt., 12 pt., and yes, 8 pt. (square head nuts & bolts, pipe plugs, etc.). All good for their intended purpose. But am I the only one that constantly splits 9/16 sockets? Or is that just because good old Wisconsin rust is tougher to break loose?
As far as replacements go, Ace has been pretty good about it- no questions asked, if they don't have it they order it in for me; unless it's something they no longer make (the catalog is kinda sparse compared to the old Sears...). The one exception is my ratchets (fine and coarse). I won't take a replacement, so if they can't (or won't) get me a rebuild kit, I suck it up and order a kit online. They're my old friends and I won't get rid of them.

I got a set of Proto from a retired Airplane Mechanic. It was sad. Mans wife dies, so they put him in a home. I ignored them, and went up in the porch, talked to the Man, and asked him if it was OK they were selling his tools, and what HE wanted for them. The Kids had Money... it was a block from my old place. Not a Cheap Neighborhood. High Middle Class (You'd Never know I was There, except for the "Noise" lol) Got some Indestro stuff too. And 100% correct, I've returned stuff the Sears, that WAS USA CRAFTSMAN, and got handed Junk, Non USA in Return. Take it or leave it, they said

 

[RustyRatRod]

I got a set of Proto from a retired Airplane Mechanic. It was sad. Mans wife dies, so they put him in a home. I ignored them, and went up in the porch, talked to the Man, and asked him if it was OK they were selling his tools, and what HE wanted for them. The Kids had Money... it was a block from my old place. Not a Cheap Neighborhood. High Middle Class (You'd Never know I was There, except for the "Noise" lol) Got some Indestro stuff too. And 100% correct, I've returned stuff the Sears, that WAS USA CRAFTSMAN, and got handed Junk, Non USA in Return. Take it or leave it, they said

Proto was the absolute best. I've yet to see anything like the old stuff. Even the "best" of the tool truck stuff pales in comparison. Industro was also good. I have a wrench or three of theirs too.

 

[Ironracer]

I Absolutely Dug em, and and Still Dig the Ones I have Left, after a theft. I told You bout it Rob, the same passed away wife that took my 66 Satilite and wrecked it.

 

[toolmanmike]

Proto was the absolute best. I've yet to see anything like the old stuff. Even the "best" of the tool truck stuff pales in comparison. Industro was also good. I have a wrench or three of theirs too.

Proto was once owned by Ingersoll Rand (surprisingly) and since 84' is under the Stanley umbrella along with MAC Tools.
I sold Industro/Duro at the parts store and I always felt they were tough tools but a bit crude although a lot of tools were a bit crudely made and finished back then. The tool truck companies had started plating and polishing hard line to make them more "professional". SK is still around and American made as far as I know. They are good quality, fit, and finish.