On 18-Feb-18 5:42 PM, MrCheerful wrote:
> On 18/02/2018 17:00, ultred ragnusen wrote:
>> Â* wrote:
>>
>>>> First question is what is the practical difference between these
>>>> three 21mm
>>>> (13/16ths) "sockets" for the lug bolts on the car I was working on
>>>> today?
>>>> http://wetakepic.com/images/2018/02/17/socket_ends.jpg
>>>> 1. The standard lug wrench (green) has 6 points, each at a sharp angle.
>>>> 2. The impact socket (black) has 6 points, each at a semicircular
>>>> angle.
>>>> 3. The standard socket (chrome) has 12 points, each at a sharp angle.
>>>
>>> The impact socket is superior for that application - whether using an
>>> impact driver or not. A 12 point socket is better in situations where
>>> fine motion is required.
>>
>> This is good to know that the impact socket is superior, probably for two
>> reasons, right?
>> 1. It has those radius corners (someone said it reduces stress on both
>> the
>> nuts and the socket itself).
>> 2. It is stronger overall (presumably)
>>
>> Since there is always a drawback, I think the drawback might be:
>> 3. They're "fatter" it seems, than my normal sockets
>> 4. They don't seem to come in 12-point sizes (at least mine aren't)
>>
>
> I use single hex impact sockets for 99.9 percent of jobs, there are
> practically speaking no occasions when they are too fat to get
> somewhere. (better makes are thinner sided than cheap ones)
>
> Unless you have 12 sided nuts/bolts, then you do not need 12 sided
> sockets (there are some odd cars/equipment which use 12 sided hardware)

Garrett turbocharger compressor nuts are bi-hex (and cack handed). I had
to special order a 8mm bi-hex 1/4 drive socket as it's not a stock item.
You won't find bi-hex 1/4 drive sockets even in "pro" socket sets.

All nuts/bolts used by a Derby based jet engine maker are bi-hex flange
nuts/bolts. They are much lighter (and unbelievably expensive when made
from aero grade nickel alloy) as the bi-hex size is at least a size
smaller - there are 12 points to drive it so it's stronger.