Use 6 point sockets instead of 12 point

Ive been in the market and looking at a few bikes out there and I see so many mared up bolts with corners partialy rounded off on nice bikes like on the brake caliper bolts from people using real cheep 12 point sockets instead of using a quality 6 point. 12 point has its place in life but if the bolt is either has loctite or torqed tight or chrome plated use a 6 point. Its also a good investment to at least buy a 8-10-12-14-17mm snap on mac or matco socket in 3/8 drive JMO

Some people do buy cheap Chinese tools (Walmart shoppers mentality). Blame it on the economy or what have you, it's here to stay ...some of it could be the 12pt vs the 6pt deal, but I'm suspecting more of the el'Cheapo tools, even some idgits using a crescent wrench sometimes lol. Backwoods? yuuuup!

All I ever use, and works every time!

Don't forget the Vice-grips and a hammer. I see it all the time on stuff that others have attempted ti repair.

dcarver said:

All I ever use, and works every time!

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True story. I've seen his tool box.

dcarver said:

All I ever use, and works every time!

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...And the more rounded they get, the better the wrenches work. The real-man's Leatherman.

dcarver said:

All I ever use, and works every time!

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Is that the SAE or metric wrench set?

The only other tool you need is a Birmingham Screwdriver.

What scares me is the thought of did a shop do this? In my shop I try to do the best work possible if my shop is going to charge prime rates Im going to give prime service

shop mucked up the aluminum bolt on my steering. grrrr

I got rid of every single one of my 12-point sockets and replaced them with six-points (inch and metric, standard and deep, 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives). 12-point sockets are completely worthless IMO.

Dan

orrrr, if yer really anal...these flat drives

https://www.lowes.com/pd_587682-73126-4880_4294607633__?productId=50169259&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

ionbeam said:

dcarver said:

All I ever use, and works every time!

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Is that the SAE or metric wrench set?

The only other tool you need is a Birmingham Screwdriver.

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I always called a hammer a KnockCrometer

EricL, If the shop mucked up your steering head nut you should insist they replace it with a new one! That nut calls for 85lb/ft torque and they may have used a 12pt socket. If not they did not have the socket fully seated on the nut.

bergmen said:

12-point sockets are completely worthless IMO.
Dan

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They are a necessity when wrenching on many turbine engines (I think I see one in your avatar pic?). But I can't think of a use for our FJR's.

I actually don't see too many 12 point sockets for sale anymore.

Even the cheap Harbor Freight sockets that I just picked up for my non-mobile tool box are all 6 point sockets. I'll do my best to break a few, since the have a lifetime warranty.

A lot of high strength aircraft fasteners have 12 pt heads, it is all we used on my Sprint car.

Not a lot of application on our bikes though.

Metric hammers fix everything. Just ask Carver.

I never use a hammer when a rock will do.

You need a 10MM twelve point socket to take the front calipers off a Harley. That's when you need the metric hammer.

FJRay said:

You need a 10MM twelve point socket to take the front calipers off a Harley. That's when you need the metric hammer.

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And as I remember I also needed a 12 point 1/4 inch socket for my Road King front caliper