AD wrote:
> On Dec 26, 2:42 pm, "Garrett" > wrote:
>> "AD" wrote in message
>>
>> ...
>>
>> What's the purpose of 12 points? (given that they are more likely to
>> damage bolt heads I got to ask!)
>>
>> I nearly always see them on box end of open closed combination
>> wrenches
>> and 12pt sockets are not uncommon also.
>>
>> Why would anyone need a 12pt socket???
>>
>> Six points are useless on Boeing, Airbus, Douglas, Lockheed etc. Lot's of
>> 12 point bolts/nuts on
>> commercial aircraft. I haven't got a six point socket in my flight line
>> tool bag.
>
> meaning that you can't use open end of the combo wrench on those
> fasteners, right?
>
>

Correct. Just like you cannot use the two flat open end on Torx, Spline,
or any of the special drives out there.

If you started working on OLD items you would have a set of open end
wrenches and sockets would be 8 points.
Then came the hex head so now you added the "normal" combination
wrenches with 12 point box and 12 and 6 point sockets.
Then spline drive for industrial uses. Then came metric sizes, then the
specialties like Torx and more.

--
Steve W.