Why do they still make 12-point sockets?
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 430
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Originally Posted by Greaseymec
...If the auto industry used better hardware, rounded bolt heads would not be an issue. Just my .02.
Mec
Mec
Like was said earlier, its more user friendly in tight spaces on angles. I put the passenger side doors on the M and R class Mercedes and using the 12 point is a must sometimes to double check the torque after I use the DC tool 
Originally Posted by MadBill
True, but how much would it cost to buy every fastener for a single engined Cessna; maybe $20,000? A bumper to bumper set for a Corvette would likely be ~$500...
Mec
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 26
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From: Delano, MN or ISU
Dodge ram front axles from late-80's/early 90's thru at least late 90's and maybe later have 12 pt hardware to hold the 4wd hub to the knuckle on the solid front axle. I've seen plenty more examples but too lazy to list em off.
Now, had you said something about those bastard 12-pt torx on volkswagens/audis, I'd definitely agree with you....
Now, had you said something about those bastard 12-pt torx on volkswagens/audis, I'd definitely agree with you....
If money were no object, everything would use 12 point bolts on the car. The 12 corners allow more pressure to be put on the fastener, and believe it or not, will lessen the chances of stripping the nut or bolt.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 554
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From: NY
Originally Posted by Greaseymec
12 point is all I buy. I dont own an aircraft but I work on them for a living. Aviation is big buisness and Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanics buy ALOT of tools. Aircraft hardware is very high quality. You usually break a wrench or a socket before you round off a bolt head. If the auto industry used better hardware, rounded bolt heads would not be an issue. Just my .02.
Mec
Mec
When you're dealing with heavies, you need to try to avoid having downtime due to a broken tool on the job. Like for example, a engine mount bolt on a A330 costs a grand each and you need 16 of them.
A turbofan blade on the 777 costs 36 grand each and there's a total of 22.
How about a engine pneumatic starter- $66,700.00 for each!
A main wheel brake assy. costs 60 grand for each wheel!
These are off the shelf prices.
Now compare a oil filter a $7 oil filter for cars isn't much, a oil filter for turbine aircraft costs $280 for the scavenge oil filter and $600 for the high pressure oil filter. Now you're gonna need two of each for 2 engines!
$880 just for changing the filters not including labor...
Sometimes I wish my car came with aircraft quailty bolts and hardware...
the bolts holding my driveshaft to the rear end on my 96 Gt were 12 point...first time i looked at them iwas like WTF?! and then i looked again and noticed they were 12 point...lol they caught me off guard
Originally Posted by 01SSRMS
As an Audi tech we have several 12 point fasteners so they are a necessity. All crank bolts are 12 point, Axle nuts on TT's 30mm 12 point, and to do clutch jobs you need a 12 mm 12 point. And let's not talk about all the triple squares and reverse torx head stuff, hehe.
depends on the situation.. but 12 point sockets can be a life saver in a tight spot. i obviously use 6 points as much as possible though. newer cars are cake walks when dealing with grades of hardware. try an old car from the 70's with original hardware. 6 points usualy dont even stand a chance. i use a blue wrench 