The hex socket has 6 touching points inside the socket head, and the bi-hex or double-hex socket has 12 points. 12 points socket will need smaller space, and 6 point socket needs double the room than a 12-point socket to use. Which one should be used depends on the situation of the working conditions. In most cases, you can use both sockets, but in tight spaces, a bi-hex socket gives you a benefit over a hex socket. Now let’s see how do they offer different benefits.
Which is Better 6-Point or 12 Point Sockets?
A less touching point means you need a large rotating area to complete one shot. Just think this way, suppose you have 2-point nut heads. Now, tighten that nut will need at least 180-degree space to move the ratchet; otherwise, you can’t complete one circle. If you have a 4-point socket, it takes 360/4-degree space that is 90-degree. In this way, the higher the point gets, the less space it takes. For 6 points socket, it takes 60-degree space, and for a 12-points socket, it only takes 30-degree to complete one rotation. That is half of the 6 points sockets. Remember, this will only affect you when you use a manual ratchet, not the impact socket.
In the general case, you can do either one of them; that doesn’t matter but suppose you are removing a bolt in a very tight space and you don’t have much area to rotate the ratchet. Which one do you think will work better? Obviously, a 12-point bi-hex socket can save you from getting irritated by the bolt. But if you are going to use an impact socket, that’s a different thing; just go with either one of them.
Can 12 Point Socket be Used on a Hex Head Bolt or Vice Versa?
Yes, of course, you can. The situation will be created when a 12 points socket using a 6-point head bolt is that 6 points of the 12-point socket connection with the 6 points of the bolt head. The other 6 points remain unused or untouched. But with only these 6 points, it grips the bolt’s head.
Vice versa, a 6-points socket effect on the opposite way on a 12-point bolt head. It grips half the bolt head points with 6 points, and other points remain untouched with the socket. But it doesn’t affect the gripping power.
Do I Need Both 6 And 12 Point Sockets?
I suggest having both of them in your hand. Although one of them can be used on both hex or double hex bolts, sometimes, when some of the points remain untouched, the socket gets a little slipped from the point. In this way, bolt heads get damaged. So I suggest you get both of them.
Conclusion
It was a very small article to solve very little confusion. I have solved your confusion and helped you make a decision. Comment below if you have any others questions, and I will try to answer them.