Halfords Professional Sockets
Discussion
12 point fixings are very rare.
The only thing 12 points are good for are hammering over locking wheel nuts when you've lost the key.
6 points are far better day to day.
Very short sighted of Halfords, I intended to buy one of their sets.
However I bought Bergan - rail of sockets 8-23mm for £10 and haven't broken one in 3yrs use.
The only thing 12 points are good for are hammering over locking wheel nuts when you've lost the key.
6 points are far better day to day.
Very short sighted of Halfords, I intended to buy one of their sets.
However I bought Bergan - rail of sockets 8-23mm for £10 and haven't broken one in 3yrs use.
Halfords do sell 6 points - they are impacts though, so black not chrome. Come on a little rail, all the common sizes, 1/2" drive, about 17 quid when I got mine.
12 points are more capable for everyday use, as you get twice as many chances of grip, the only disadvantage is using them on corroded fasteners.
12 points are more capable for everyday use, as you get twice as many chances of grip, the only disadvantage is using them on corroded fasteners.
te 6 sided ones do (that haven't let me down yet!). V8RX7 said:
No you don't.
More than twice the chance they'll SLIP and round the nut off.
I mean twice as many chances for the socket to go on. Very useful when working in a confined area, ie engine bay. If the nut is in good condition, and you use them properly, a 12 point wont round it off.More than twice the chance they'll SLIP and round the nut off.
Viperz888 said:
I mean twice as many chances for the socket to go on. Very useful when working in a confined area, ie engine bay. If the nut is in good condition, and you use them properly, a 12 point wont round it off.
Even some seemingly 'OK' nuts can round off with a 12 star - depending on what they are made for and assuming you have a perfect angle. Agree with the theory but would rather spend a few extra seconds fiddling with a 6 star, then the 4 hours that follows to remove the surrounding bits to get access - once you round off with a 12! (Past experience 
)12 point sockets are crap for most conventional car work - no, worse than crap - they're a liability on anything outside of a completely corrosion free engine.
I use a set of these - well, standard and deep reach but this is the best photo I can find of the shape of the socket itself:
I very rarely round anything off with these, and they hammer over especially rusty things very well too.
They're superb. I've had all sorts and these are by far my favourites.
I use a set of these - well, standard and deep reach but this is the best photo I can find of the shape of the socket itself:
I very rarely round anything off with these, and they hammer over especially rusty things very well too.
They're superb. I've had all sorts and these are by far my favourites.
Sump said:
Mr2Mike said:
For turning either hex or 12 point fasteners, rather obviously.
Done quite a bit of diying and haven't come across 12 point fasteners in the - 8mm to 18mm range....just about all con-rod bolts are 12 sided, as are a lot of head bolts/stud nuts, etc.
decent 12 point sockets are fine, the problem is with cheap ones that are not ridged/hard enough or are poor accuracy, then you start to round stuff off.
Never had a problem with my Halfords 12-pointers rounding off - if it looks ruined I'll either use a 6-point or douse it in penetrating oil. Right tool for the job, and all that.
Some cheap Draper 12-points I had were terrible for rounding, because they didn't fit properly. Still, what do you expect for <£20?
Some cheap Draper 12-points I had were terrible for rounding, because they didn't fit properly. Still, what do you expect for <£20?
Krikkit said:
Some cheap Draper 12-points I had were terrible for rounding, because they didn't fit properly. Still, what do you expect for <£20?
still use a Draper set I have had for 30+ years now, only ever broken 1 socket and the ratchet in all that time, all 12 pointed, all still perfectly serviceable (although they cost a bot more than £20 back then!)Krikkit said:
Never had a problem with my Halfords 12-pointers rounding off - if it looks ruined I'll either use a 6-point or douse it in penetrating oil. Right tool for the job, and all that.
This. Used 12 pointers for years and never had issues. If people are having issues, get the YTS lad or the Mrs to help you out. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff