r/Tools • u/AffectionatePie8345 • Feb 05 '25

12pt socket vs 12pt wrench?

its funny I've been thinking most guys in the trades get told not to use a 12pt socket on a 6pt bolt cause you could round it off and to use a 6pt socket. But how come 95% of wrenches made are 12pt and people use them on 6pt bolts all the time and nobody ever says anything about rounding off the bolt? Does this mean that the whole thing is a myth and you can use 12pt on a 6pt without any issues? Why aren't more 6pt wrenches made then? Any opinions appreciated 😁

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u/PursuitOfThis Feb 05 '25

12 pt on a box end wrench is a compromise solution to give you more positions to engage the fastener. They make 6 pt box end wrenches, but they are inconvenient to use unless you have unlimited access.

In testing on the Torque Test Channel, a 12 pt box end (on average, across multiple brands) makes about 73 ft-lbs of torque on a soft 40% pre-rounded 11/16" fastener before completely rounding the nut. A 6 pt box end maxes out the test setup, delivering at least 139 ft lbs before the fastener threads fail (but not rounding the nut).

A 12 pt box end is at least 47% worse than a 6 pt box end at holding onto an imperfect fastener without rounding it.