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There are MANY times when you need different point sockets, it is very worth it to have all of them...

 

6 pnts sockets are less likely to strip the corners of a nut; however, 12 pnters can be easier to use because you have twice as many places you can get the socket to fit on a nut.

 

I have Craftsmen 12 pt sockets but have replaced all of them with Snap-on 6 pt. I believe 8 pt is for square headed bolts only. I have rounded many heads with the 12 pt and that is why I went to 6 pt.

 

Although rare on cars and trucks, they make 12 pt. nuts and bolts too. (common in aviation).

 

Lots of those on industrial gas turbines as well.

Personally, I would go to Wal-Mart and buy the Stanley line of whatever you're considering in the Crapsman line. They're better made and cheaper priced. I have plenty of Crapsman wrenches, sockets, etc... and they have all be relegated to back up tools status.

The Stanleys are the best bang for the buck.

 

as a former mechanic.......the only 12 point i used was on honda head bolts. as for craftsman sockets........couldn't tell ya how many i broke....but they did replace them!!!!! all my sockets are snap-on and mac tools. and they are 6 point. my preference, though!!!

 

You've got to be kidding me. Stanley's are almost a joke. i only use their cheap screwdrivers for prying on junk

Snapon >> Craftsman >> Stanley > No Name

 

Kobalt and Husky (sold by Lowes and Home Depot) are decent quality tools and both are superior to any new make of Craftsman IMO.

 

I use them both. The only time I really reach for a 6 point socket is on a specific application that's gonna require a lot of torque - like pulling down a crush sleeve to set pinion bearing preload on an axle, or removing and reinstalling a pitman arm nut or most anything else that's gonna require an impact gun.

The only specific place I can think of on a Ford pickup where you'd really need a 12 point socket is for the driveshaft bolts - 12mm, 12 bolt.

 

Common in marine too.....

I didn;t have any at all and had to go buy some just to get one 12 point bolt out to change the fly wheel on my boat. 6pt socket will not fit a 12 pt bolt. A 12 pt socket will fit a 6pt bolt if it's not siezed or highly torqued, then it will come out.

 

No name=china.