hi.
12 points are more exotic bolts.
the AAZ rods I'm working on have those in 10mm , 12 pt.
ARP aftermarket improved cylinder head studs for Subaru engines use a 9/16's
12 point.

tdi clutches have ...here's werid one for you ...9 mm 12 point pressure
plate screws.
btw ..
I ran into an 18mm on a VW today , 92 Jetta, produced in Mexico, on the
front suspension.  ( a regular hex nut )

forget what it was..
but I've worked on things where if I did not have n 8mm 12 pt, a 12mm pt,
soecket, I was just screwed.
Though I can't think of many of them on vanagons.

thin wall deep socket ...
oil pressure swtich, as you mention..
and radiator fan switch

norally I like a 6 point for a socket.
it's the 12 pt only fasterners though.

scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Duntz" <eduntz@hotmail.com>
To: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>;
<vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: Re: wrench/socket (nut and bolt head) sizes

> Why would you need 12-point sockets, unless you are not using a ratchet?
> Can you think of specific instances where you need a thinwall or a deep
> socket? Most work I've done (though far from extensive) has not required
> thin or deep sockets. I can see where a deep socket would be needed on the
> oil pressure sender.
>
> Ed
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Scott Daniel  - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 4:45 PM
> To: "Ed Duntz" <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>; <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: Re:      Re: wrench/socket (nut and bolt head) sizes
>
>> you really need several versions of each tool..
>> you need short and long, deep and thinwall,
>> 6 point, 12 point, and tubing nut wrench .
>> etc. etc.
>> and LOTS of penetrating oil.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Ed Duntz" <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 12:55 PM
>> Subject: Re: wrench/socket (nut and bolt head) sizes
>>
>>
>>> Thanks to all who have replied so far. I'll be continuing to dismantle
>>> my
>>> old '85 Westfalia in the coming weeks, and I'll post sizes of nut and
>>> bolt
>>> heads just for reference.
>>>
>>> In the meantime, can anyone say that they've used 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, or
>>> 14mm
>>> wrenches or sockets on a Vanagon? (Besides possibly bleeder valves or
>>> exhaust nuts on some applications).
>>>
>>> Ed
>>
>>