the primary design function of the 12 point socket

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
As I have frequently seen in both my own experience and those of other friends,
the primary design function of the 12 point socket,on six point head bolts,
or oil passage plugs on the block rail area on big block chevys,

is a carefully planed ruse,

designed to force you to buy both new 6 point sockets,
and replace rounded off parts.
It would appear to be, that the strong point of the 12 point socket is,
its easy use on six point head bolts,
but its going to result in far more rounded off bolts than the 6 point design.
but as all experienced mechanics know and all Beginning mechanics will be forced too eventually realize,

its prime function of the 12 point socket, is to round off the edges of 6 point bolt heads
thus forcing you to to spend the time required to gain valuable experience thru far more detailed and far more extensive dis-assembly,\
and re-assembly of a great deal more components,
usually in hard to access areas, as inevitably this far more extensive work is mandated to remove the stripped bolts,
and replace them.
yes I'm fully aware you.ll need 12 point sockets for ARP and some similar high quality bolts

thus the sale of the 12 point socket sets, is a rather valuable, if insanely frustrating device,

that is designed to add to your knowledge and experience ,
by forcing you to do far more extensive work,

and bring millions of extra sales dollars to tool manufacturers,
until .. you eventually learn to look over the socket sets you purchase and only buy the 6 point socket designs,
I feel the 12 point socket was looked on with out-right
GLEE and LAUGHTER by SATAN HIMSELF

while it was being invented, by the tool manufacturers ,
who know you'll need both standard and deep sockets in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive in both SAE and METRIC SIZES ,
which means youll generally need two separate length sockets in each common drive size,
but by producing and selling the 12 point design the tool manufacturers and bolt manufacturers both benefit,
as their sale alone assures far more sales ,
in total and eventually the purchase of the 6 point sets,

in addition to the 12 point sets that are almost universally offered to the un skilled masses,
and arguably rather gullible newer guys who are just starting out in the hobby six point fasteners require six point sockets ,
the twelve point design being a basically flawed design with no where near the ability to transmit torque before the fastener strips, the matching bolt head contact surface.
yes Im sure youll cheat fate occasionally and get by with those inferior 12 point sockets,
thats just to lull you into thinking your tools are adequate,and its almost always going to be during weekday morning hours,
when you have options to run out and replace tools, or bolts the sad truth will only become ,
all too obvious at times when the local hardware or auto parts store,
you buy tools and bolts from has just closed and getting your car up and running is mandatory!
yes this is a bit ( TONGUE IN CHEEK)
but IF your smart youll take the humor in stride,
and see the experience and next time you buy sockets,

youll generally AVOID the 12 point like THE PLAGUE

18294sa.JPG



BTW use of a 6 point socket and a sliding t-bar rather than a breaker bar allows the torque applied to the fitting to have the force applied directly on center while a traditional breaker bar or wrench applys a great deal of side torque thats counter productive



6vs12.png



btw the FLEX SHAFT extension is another tool that seems like something its NOT!
while these allow fast and easy access to hard to reach locations and as long as the bolts finger tight it allows you to spin it so the bolt can be threaded in or out its ABSOLUTELY USELESS once you need to break something loose or snug it up tightly as once any significant resistance to torque load is applied they either squirm like an earth worm on a hot side walk or shear off.
flexex.png


RELATED INFO

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http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...you-gentlemen-use-air-powered-ratchets.15157/
 
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Recently I cursed the engineers who speced 12 point bolts for the yoke on a 8.8 Ford rear as I don't bring 12 points to jobs and had to remember the torque wrench and a 12 point my next visit. They should be banned!!! AHAHAHA
 
yea you only find12 point bolts in a handful of places, i wish you could buy a 300 piece tool set from sears that did not have 25pc allen keys, 30 piece magnetic tips for the garbage quick change screwdriver youre never gonna use, and also didnt come with 12 point stuff. wouldnt it be nice
 
philly said:
yea you only find12 point bolts in a handful of places, i wish you could buy a 300 piece tool set from sears that did not have 25pc allen keys, 30 piece magnetic tips for the garbage quick change screwdriver youre never gonna use, and also didnt come with 12 point stuff. wouldnt it be nice
I love those quick change screwdrivers keep one in every car with a bunch of bits either in the center box or glove box.
 
I recently split a 1/2" drive deep well, 6 point 5/8" husky socket trying to loosen a head bolt,
its warranted for life, so I bring it to home depot, I have a bit of trouble finding anyone willing to make a tool exchange,
but once I do, they don,t have any 1/2"drive deep well, 6 point 5/8" husky socket's in inventory they try to swap it out for a 12 point version,
I detest 12 point sockets ... I drive to a second home depot... same result, so I will call home depot in the morning Monday to see how they resolve the issue
 
They want to frustrate you with this until you give up. All part of their plan. That's why they don't stock individual replacement pieces, despite their lifetime warranty. This is the reason I haven't bought Husky in over 25 years. But I do like the quality - of my OLD socket set.
 
I recently split a 1/2" drive deep well, 6 point 5/8" husky socket trying to loosen a head bolt,
its warranted for life, so I bring it to home depot, I have a bit of trouble finding anyone willing to make a tool exchange,
but once I do, they don,t have any 1/2"drive deep well, 6 point 5/8" husky socket's in inventory they try to swap it out for a 12 point version,
I detest 12 point sockets ... I drive to a second home depot... same result, so I will call home depot in the morning Monday to see how they resolve the issue
12-point sockets were made for Aviation use.
Snap On sockets I Love.
It's a Huge investment I made.
 
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