The only purpose for a 12 point socket is you can turn it less to get it
to line up with the nut/bolt.  Sometimes good when working where there
is limited access.  Other than that ... keep them in a separate
container so they don't usually get used.

Mike

Al and Sue Brase wrote:
> I've always been a bit puzzled as to why they even sell many 12 point
> sockets. Yes, they fit square bolts & nuts. Did you ever encounter one?
> Me neither. They are just troublemakers, if you ask me.
> Al Brase
>
> mark drillock wrote:
>
>> Heli coils are great but by his description it sounds like what he did
>> was round off the drain plug rather than strip the threads. I would get
>> a 6 point 1/2" socket and hammer it onto the plug very hard. Then it may
>> well come right out. The 1/2" is slightly smaller than 13mm and the 6
>> point socket will bite into it much better than a 12 point. If he had
>> used a 6 point 13mm in the first place the rounding of the head would
>> likely never have happened.
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> Jake Beaulieu wrote:
>>
>>> Hey cr,
>>>
>>> I am in the process of having a heli coil installed in my cylinder
>>> head to take
>>> care of stripped spark plug threads.  I have searched the archives
>>> for info
>>> about heli coils and came across a ton of messages about stripped oil
>>> drain
>>> plugs.  I didn't read many of these so I can't tell you what they
>>> said, but
>>> check out the archives.  Lots of info on this subject in there.
>>>
>>> good luck,
>>> Jake
>>> 82 air cooled westy
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Fri, 27 Jan 2006, Chris Renz wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> well, I finally did it. I wrenched it too tight recently I guess
>>>>> and have
>>>>> seemingly stripped into a perfect circle.
>>>>>
>>>>> any tips on getting this sucker out so I can replace it without
>>>>> damaging
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> the
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> case?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>> cr
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>