What's the purpose of 12 points? (given that they are more likely to damage bolt heads I got to ask!)
I nearly always see them on box end of open closed combination wrenches and 12pt sockets are not uncommon also.
Why would anyone need a 12pt socket???
What's the purpose of 12 points? (given that they are more likely to damage bolt heads I got to ask!)
I nearly always see them on box end of open closed combination wrenches and 12pt sockets are not uncommon also.
Why would anyone need a 12pt socket???
Six points are useless on Boeing, Airbus, Douglas, Lockheed etc. Lot's of
12 point bolts/nuts on commercial aircraft. I haven't got a six point socket in my flight line tool bag.Garrett Fulton
12 point allows more positions for the wrench to move in tight quarters. There are also many areas where 12 point fasteners are used for increased torque for a small diameter.
meaning that you can't use open end of the combo wrench on those fasteners, right?
Correct. Just like you cannot use the two flat open end on Torx, Spline, or any of the special drives out there.
If you started working on OLD items you would have a set of open end wrenches and sockets would be 8 points. Then came the hex head so now you added the "normal" combination wrenches with 12 point box and 12 and 6 point sockets. Then spline drive for industrial uses. Then came metric sizes, then the specialties like Torx and more.
They're more useful in tight quarters. I do have a set of 6 pt. combo wrenches however for "high torque required" situations.
I haven't a clue on this one. I again have them for one specific need -
12 pt. bolt heads or nuts (e.g. as used by ARP for some applications) but why they seem to be the default with 6 pt. being the "special application" I haven't any idea. My rule is to use the 6 pt. sockets typically unless there is an overriding reason to use something else.nate
what was the reason for the torx?
to keep the costs for airplane mechanics lower by avoiding the need to buy special application 12 pt wrenches ;-)
good for you and your fasteners
In close quarters you might get a 6 point on, but can't turn it, or a
6 point won't clock to where the ratchet will fit in the socket. ------ gpsman
that's an argument for fine tooth and/or gearless "zero degree" ratchets, not 12 point sockets IMHO.
nate
Getting a 12 point on a bolt or nut in a blind hard to reach situation is a bit easier. I can't think of a reason for 12 point socket that can't be accomplished with a finer operating rachet. Of course I've at times found the rachet I had at hand wasn't fine enough and 12point came in handy.
In situations like that, I tend to put the socket on the bolt, before putting the ratchet on the socket. If you have one of those knurled wheels on the ratchet that makes life easier to accomplish.
nate
Allows for more torque to be applied than a slot or phillips style bit.
but there were allen bits at the torx time already, no?
Yes, but Allen bolts won't deliver the same torque either. The extra flutes and blades on the Torx do a real good job preventing slipping or the cam action of the other bits as well.
soooo the airplane industry is switching from 12 point bolts to torx bolts en masse now of that's only for teeny fateners?
The largest Torx I have seen in normal automotive use were T60 and T65 and were on seat belt bolts and brake calipers. The largest that I have seen in use were T100 those can handle something like 1100 lb/ft of torque! They were on a large turbine assembly.
Not sure what other industries are using them. Then you have external Torx as well, they are another PIA.
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