12-Point Sockets VS. Spline Sockets?

New one on me.

 

The Truck Tool Equivalents Thread 2.0 - Expanded with Part Numbers - The Garage Journal Board

 

My spline socket set:



It’s meant for long studs or threaded rod that a normal socket would be too shallow to fit over.

 

These are not new and I agree on your thoughts of a marketing gimmic.


In all my years of wrenching on everything from a weed wacker to a Class 8 truck I have never seen a spline headed fastener. I get the universal aspect but to me the convenience is not worth the frustrations when the socket fails, ruins the fastener, or I slip off causing injury.

They may be on something somewhere, but until I see it I have no use for them taking up space in my toolbox. I will stick to using the correct socket for the faster in front of me.

 

When I first saw spline sockets and wrenches, the "purpose" was they were less likely to round off a nut or bolt. Never trusted them myself, as the splines looked weaker then a nice 6 point socket.

 

I love my mac tools spline sockets. Sob's grab onto and stay on most anything. Not cheap meaning less than $200 for the 8 piece set but now since hazard freight has purchased some of snap on the icon tools brand is really tool truck quality without the high price tags.