How many points is a socket?

Sockets are commonly made in both 6-point and 12-point styles.

Keeping this in consideration, is 6 point or 12 point socket better?

Answer: It's true that 12-point sockets are fine for most lightweight repairs, but heavy wrenching calls for a six-point socket. A six-point socket is much less likely to slip off a stubborn fastener or round over the corners.

Likewise, what are 8 point sockets for? 8 point, or even special 4 point sockets from Snap On, are great for square headed set screws, drains for small engines, or square headed gearbox plugs. A set of 8 points is not used very often, but real handy when you do need them!

Accordingly, what is the point of a 12 point socket?

12 Point Sockets – Advantages 1) The additional “notches” in the twelve point make it easier to connect with the head of the fastener, saving time. This is especially good in situations where the bolt is hard to see. 2) Better range of motion due to the fact you can connect at more angles.

What is the most common socket drive size?

10mm sockets and 36mm sockets are typically the most commonly used sizes.

31 Related Question Answers Found

Can you strip 12 point sockets?

Do most of you all have sets of both 6 and 12 point tools, or rely on just one kind? As long as you are capable of holding the socket on the nut or bolt head, a 12pt socket will not strip the nut or bolt head any faster then a 6pt socket.

How many types of sockets are there?

Socket Types

There are four types of sockets available to the users. The first two are most commonly used and the last two are rarely used. Processes are presumed to communicate only between sockets of the same type but there is no restriction that prevents communication between sockets of different types.

Which socket is best?

Socket Set Reviews

#1 – DeWalt DWMT75049 192-Piece Mechanics Socket/Tool Set.
#2 – GearWrench 80550 57-Piece 3/8-Inch 6-Point Socket Set.
#3 – Williams 50666 47-Piece 3/8-Inch 6-Point Socket Set.
#4 – SK 94549 49-Piece 3/8-Inch 6-Point Socket Set.
#5 – Stanley 92-839 99-Piece Black Chrome Socket/Wrench Set.

What is a 1/2 breaker bar?

Product Overview. Use this breaker bar to break loose stubborn nuts and bolts. Chrome vanadium steel construction gives this 1/2 in. breaker bar the edge on tough jobs. The drive end of the breaker bar has a 180° swivel to get the best angle on your work.

What are spline sockets used for?

Spline sockets on spline fasteners help deliver twice the torque of 12 pt. wrenches on double hex fasteners, helping tighten high strength bolts to high torque loads. Spline helps reduce foreign object debris (FOD) by forcing a precise fit between thefastening tool and the fastener.

What is impact socket?

What is an impact socket? Impact sockets are designed for use with powered impact wrenches or 'drivers', as they are sometimes called. The combination of an impact wrench and impact socket can deliver greater torque to the head of a fastener than can be achieved with a manual wrench.

What is the difference between regular sockets and impact sockets?

The difference in color also helps you to quickly distinguish impact sockets from standard sockets in a tool box. Regular sockets are typically made of chrome vanadium whereas a good impact socket is made from chrome molybdenum. Chrome molybdenum is a ductile metal which is durable and can withstand vibrations.

What is the difference between metric and SAE?

The difference between Metric and SAE sockets is similar to the difference between yards and meters. Metric fasteners are used on imported cars, and SAE fasteners are used on domestic (USA) made cars. Metric sockets use the metric measurement system i.e., millimeters to describe their size (18mm socket).

Can you use impact sockets with Ratchet?

The short answer is yes, with some minor caveats. Depending on what you're wrenching on, an impact socket can be used in place of a normal socket when using a normal (non-impact) ratchet. Similarly, it is safe to use an impact socket on a hand ratchet (although not vice versa).

What is a ratchet tool?

A ratchet is a common wrench device with a fastener component. A ratchet wrench is an essential tool that is used to fasten or loosen nuts and bolts.

Will a 12 point socket work on a square nut?

A 12-point socket can be used on a square nut if it happens to fit close enough. The teeth of the socket do not match the angle of the corners of the nut, but often will get the job done. I believe that one reason older socket sets have so many /32" sizes is to they would fit square nuts.

What is a universal socket?

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A universal socket looks like a standard deep socket but the head is full of small metal pins.

How long is a deep socket?

A deep socket will generally be around 1 inch long.

What are the different socket types?

What are the different types of socket?

Hex Sockets. Hex sockets are the most common type of socket and come in two main types: hex/6 point sockets and bi-hex/12 point sockets.
Socket Bits.
Impact Socket.
Spark Plug Socket.
Insulated Sockets.
Pass Through Sockets.
Adjustable Multi Sockets.
Oil Filter Socket.

What is flank drive socket?

Flank drive was the name given to Snap on's off corner engagement machining in their sockets and wrenches. It's a bigger deal in 12 point wrenches and sockets than 6 point versions to prevent rounding the fastener. It's not like a turbo socket, Mac edge, or spline where it works great on damaged fasteners.

Can a 12 point socket be used on a hex bolt?

They're general-purpose threaded fasteners designed for insertion in pre-tapped holes or for use with nuts. A 12-point bolt design offers the same bearing surface as a hex head cap screw of comparable size. It's much better to use a 12-point bolt in this application.

What is a pipe plug socket?

Also known as pipe plug sockets, these sockets have a square shape that provides the best possible grip on square fasteners and prevents rounding.