12 Point vs. 6 Point Wrenches in Large Sizes

[rbattelle]

Regarding wrench box ends, I've always believed that 6-points are stronger than 12s, since 6-points have thicker walls (on average) and grip hex-heads more on the flats.

As a result, I buy mostly 6-point stuff.

But I am continuously frustrated by the lack of wrenches with 6-point boxes in large sizes (over 1"). Since the torque on fasteners above 1" is usually going to be very high, why can't I find a 6-point 1-1/4" boxed end wrench?

Furthermore, in order to get large sockets (above 1-1/4") in 6-point configuration, I have to buy impact sockets. Seems like most (all?) 3/4"-drive hand sockets are 12-point. (I notice Armstrong does make large 6-point hand-drive sockets, but only on deep lengths).

Can anyone explain this apparent contradiction?

Ryan

 

[B.G. Smith]

Ryan , I think part of it has to do with the fact that with a six point wrench you can not work in as tight a place (limited turning motion) as with twelve point. bg

 

[nickleinonen]

all my large wrenches at work are 12pt and they take beatings and don't do damage to the nuts/bolts. my 1-5/16" combo wrench gets beaten with a hammer all the time to loosen bolts that usually have been run down with a 3/4" impact gun and it hasn't broken yet. [it is less work for me to beat the bolt off, if i wanted to use a gun, i would have to disassemble lots to get access to it]

the biggest combo wrench i have in my box is 1-1/2", but we have 2-3/4" combo wrenches hanging on the wall at work. . they are all 12pt

12pt i don't like using as much as 6pt, but i have pulled 500lbs/ft on a 1" stud [1-1/2" hex nut] with my 12pt socket. .

 

[rbattelle]

Well, I suppose it's normal, as Nick's experience shows. But it still baffles me.

BG, good point, but if you're working on stuff that big, how likely is it that space is a consideration?

Ryan

 

[nickleinonen]

but if you're working on stuff that big, how likely is it that space is a consideration?

quite often at times. . things i work on are designed for assembly line, not maintenance. .

 

[Forrest Nearing]

we use combo wrenches up to 2 5/8" and all of them are 12pt.



I see your point, but as noted above, a 6pt box wrench really limits your available space. there are many times when a 12pt wrench barely has enough travel!



if you have an exotic fastener that really "needs" the extra contact of a 6pt wrench, you've PROBABLY got enough room to hit it with a torque wrench and a socket.

 

[PToombs]

What gets me is the size jumps. Didja notice that when you get above 1 1/4, the wrenches don't fit tight? If you buy a set, you get 1 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, 2 inch. The nuts are sized 1 7/16, 9/16, 11/16, get my drift? I have gotten a couple in between wrenches, but Snap-on or Mac is about the only place to get them! I can't afford to pay their prices. :{

 

[nickleinonen]

i like the snap on ring wrenches i have. . the 1-1/2" one is also stamped 38mm right on it. . but close enough when over 1. 5" works pretty good.

 

[DJW]

nickleinonen, 'Ring' wrench, the name as God intended, but Spanner lost out to Wrench. I always thought Box-End referred to a Socket. Yes English does not travel too well at times. I stopped using the word Ring in 1956 regarding nuts and bolts but recognized the term instantly.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

What gets me is the size jumps. Didja notice that when you get above 1 1/4, the wrenches don't fit tight? If you buy a set, you get 1 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, 2 inch. The nuts are sized 1 7/16, 9/16, 11/16, get my drift? I have gotten a couple in between wrenches, but Snap-on or Mac is about the only place to get them! I can't afford to pay their prices. :{

yes, I have noticed!



oh well, they work I guess

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

I believe that you should have both 6pt & 12pt boxend wrenches they each serve a purpose :-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[Forrest Nearing]

but if you can't afford to drag a shipping container full of tools behind you at all times, I'd keep 12pt's in the truck as they'll fit both 6 and 12pt

 

[PToombs]

I drive an almost shipping container full of tools. You only have so much room you know!

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[DJW]

PToombs, is it legal to pull two trailers in the State you do business in? I was always told one could not have too many tools and certainly have two of everything, you have two hands you know, can't keep one idle, (idle hands etc. trouble waiting to happen) Then again I've often heard of some being 'Tool Poor', not short of tools, but spent too much money on tools. Tools can be very comforting though.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

my company will give me a crane truck, but I'm pocketing my truck allowance on the '98 at long as possible

 

[PToombs]

As you can see, my toolbox comes in handy on wrench days too! This was a vent mod kit job for DZink on here.

I do have a little tool problem, but I think I control it very well. Harbor Freight helps with this a lot! (and so does Mac and Snap-On's prices!) :-laf

 

[DJW]

Some years ago when going to Sea, a deckhand had a 1912 American auto mechanic's repair manual, it was a hard bound book,reading of the problems at that time, said of many auto mechanics were called 'Hammer and Chisel' mechanics as many of the nuts were square and some took advantage of not having to use a wrench, and the writer was hoping in the future wrenches were more abundant, so as to try and persuade mechanics to procure them, as it often deformed the nuts the way they were fastened. I'm sure everyone on the ship read that book and wanted to keep it, but he would not part with it. Not forgetting in those days, mechanics had plenty of room to swing a hammer around, today, just being able to see a fastening much less attack it can be a great problem.

 

[Dl5treez]

On sizes over 1" you'll never be able to pull a wrench to the torque specs required by the fastener, so having the extra leverage of a 6 point box is not necessary.

 

[rbattelle]

On sizes over 1" you'll never be able to pull a wrench to the torque specs required by the fastener, so having the extra leverage of a 6 point box is not necessary.

That's a very good point. That would also explain why you can really only get 6-point large sockets of the impact sort.



Ryan

 

[Dl5treez]

That's a very good point. That would also explain why you can really only get 6-point large sockets of the impact sort.



Ryan

Good observation.



The majority of my usage for large size wrenches is in the removal and installation of hydraulic hoses and fittings, where space is limited. It is rare to use the box end, and if I do, it's on something like a JIC fitting that only requires 20ft lbs of torque or something around there..... and usually up inside a swivel of a derrick or shovel where there's barely enough room to get a wrench on it, so having 2x the positioning afforded by a 12pt tool is paramount.