STEVE ‘SHEDS’ BAIN concludes his inside look at sockets. Next week the accumulation foryour shed goes on
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
TWELVE point sockets (AKA double-hex sockets) are probably the most common type in our socket kits.They work with a very wide variety of fasteners (nuts & bolt-heads) including hex-heads and square nuts.When working with common sixpoint hexagonal fasteners/nuts, the 12-point shaped socket offers double the number of starting points or possible positions which to put the socket on the nut.This allows alignment every 30 degrees, rather than every 60 degrees of angle.This can be pretty handy if you are using a short-handled breaker bar in a tight spot.NB: There are also four-point (aka 'square') sockets as well as eightpoint, spline types and others.Deep SocketsWhen the length of the bolt's threaded-end means that the bolt will need to be extended up further into the socket, deep sockets are a much better choice.The long threaded tail part of the rod can protrude up into the inside of the socket as you tighten the nut.An example is when you are using U-bolts.A very typical example being exhaust clamp bolts on machinery.Incidentally I've never heard of the term ‘bolt tail’; I think I may have made it up … it seems fitting given the other end of the bolt is sometimes referred to as the head.U-bolts and some clamps are common examples of a bolt that may have a long protrusion.Most 'single'-bolts are available in a multiple choice of shaft lengths so that you can choose the ideal length bolt in order to minimise protrusions and allow you to use standard depthsockets.However the choice of length options is not as extensive with u-shaped-bolts (often it is the radius of the inside of the bend that determines which u-bolt that you choose – thus you get stuck with long 'tails').Some deeper sockets will have a large deep and wide open pocket inside; while others have a skinny pocket which only allows for the bolt diameter.Often a viable alternative to a deep socket is a pass-through socket (in fact you'll need a lot of pass-through specific pieces if you choose this option; so maybe I should have said apass-through socket set).I have a set of pass-through sockets so I'll be sure to cover them in the future sometime.Deep sockets are available in many types including six and 12-point.Goblet SocketsThese are sockets with some curving on the outside walls.'Goblet' is my nomenclature for them…maybe there is a proper term?My best way of describing them is to refer you to the photograph hereabouts.Some brands offer both straightsided and goblet shaped sockets in the same drive size.It's good to know this if you are building your set(s) by collecting bits 'n pieces from here and there.