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Dirty Mac · 01-17-2011, 08:56 AM

Got another lesson from the school of hard knocks.

Tried taking off my brake caliper with a 12 point socket wrench. Stripped the corners of the nut. A guy at Sears explained to me that the 12 points only grab the nut at the weak corners whereas the 6 points grab the nut by the stronger flat sides.

Lesson learned

The_AirHawk · 01-17-2011, 09:50 AM

It's good to have both types in your toolbox - they each have their uses. Besides, a Man can never have enough Tools!

Dirty Mac · 01-17-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

It's good to have both types in your toolbox - they each have their uses.

When is it better to use a 12 point?

The_AirHawk · 01-17-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Mac

When is it better to use a 12 point?

Well, for 1 - anytime you need to loosen a "square" head bolt or nut - a 12-point can help. Also, in tight quarters, where there is little room to maneuvre even with a ratchet-handle, a 12pt. can be invaluable.

Those are both right off the top of my head. There are others.

pushrod · 01-17-2011, 01:07 PM

+1

A 6-pt for grunt, a 12-pt for purchase. 'Purchase' as in, get ahold of the piece, usually in tight spots.

pplassm · 01-18-2011, 10:11 AM

There are also a few 12 point fasteners out there. Sportster head bolts come to mind.

pushrod · 01-18-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pplassm

There are also a few 12 point fasteners out there. Sportster head bolts come to mind.

And the occasional banjo bolt.

Morbo the Destroyer · 01-18-2011, 11:39 AM

And if you have to remove hydraulic lines, you get a special 6-point box end with a gap in the end to allow you to slide it over the hose and down onto the nut. Otherwise your open-end will just round the nut off.

01-17-2011, 08:56 AM	#1
Dirty Mac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 23	Use 6 point socket sets. Not 12 point. Got another lesson from the school of hard knocks. Tried taking off my brake caliper with a 12 point socket wrench. Stripped the corners of the nut. A guy at Sears explained to me that the 12 points only grab the nut at the weak corners whereas the 6 points grab the nut by the stronger flat sides. Lesson learned

01-17-2011, 09:50 AM	#2
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	It's good to have both types in your toolbox - they each have their uses. Besides, a Man can never have enough Tools! __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

01-17-2011, 01:07 PM	#5
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	+1 A 6-pt for grunt, a 12-pt for purchase. 'Purchase' as in, get ahold of the piece, usually in tight spots. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

01-18-2011, 10:11 AM	#6
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	There are also a few 12 point fasteners out there. Sportster head bolts come to mind. __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life.

01-18-2011, 11:39 AM	#8
Morbo the Destroyer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,309	And if you have to remove hydraulic lines, you get a special 6-point box end with a gap in the end to allow you to slide it over the hose and down onto the nut. Otherwise your open-end will just round the nut off. __________________ Fun Facts to Know and Tell! Thomas Jefferson wrote that the 1st Amendment erected a "wall of separation" between the church and the state (James Madison said it "drew a line," but it is Jefferson's term that sticks with us today). The phrase is commonly thought to mean that the government should not establish, support, or otherwise involve itself in any religion. Its.......A FACT!

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