8-Point & 4-Point Sockets Overview & Discussion

[@randyvilleneuve4907]

I needed some larger square drive sockets for working on tractors (Drain plugs). I found there is more 8 point available than square drive. You would think there would be more square drive sets available but they are not many (Proto is one) and they are expensive. I just purchased a Sunex set of 8-point and a 8-point used 1-3/8" from e-bay. I also purchased a small set that is specifically for taps and they work great.

[@jonathanstone2564]

I find this very interesting. I’ve worked on older roll up doors with square head nuts and bolts. I see square head fasteners on utility poles, even new ones. They are also common on lathes. But the one that almost everyone has is the socket itself, 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and so on are square on one end. While there are some exceptions, even tools made and used overseas use square imperial drive sizes. Thanks for your video.

[@zanenelson8564]

Never knew about 4pt. Sockets. Trying to remove 4 set screws in a Deuce and a half transmission. My 8pt. Sockets will only round the corners off of these set screws. To my defense....who ever worked on this before had already started the damage. Now....my search begins for 4pt. Sockets. Thanks so much for this info.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Chain link fence. I find that blasted 4 point nut always haunting me on chain link fences. tHanks for a great video!

[@Wyllie38]

A set of these would come in super handy for me. Seems hard to come by a set that’s not incredibly expensive. Nice video either way 🎉

[@WifeBTR123]

I just found a set of 8 point Craftsman sockets while I was going through my parents tools. They bought a tool set from Sears around 1992. I never even knew about these until now. I might have to 'inherit' them. :)

[@rogerdean8239]

ARP bolts have 8 points, not sure if all do but I know some do. I have them on my Chevelle engine.

[@johngibson3594]

A lot of people don’t even own these sockets they used to come with the tool sets thanks for sharing

[@CatusMaximus]

Very true you hardly see these anymore in sets

[@jamespoteat9361]

They work great on taps

[@trungnguyenquoc3473]

Hello .can you tell me the brand of the 4 point socket ? Is it a metric system? I want to buy them . thank you very much .

[@camillosteuss]

Nice, i got a few of those for my mill vises and machines equipment, the best bolts and sockets there are, in my experience... With a square on square, there is no rounding over, no fucking up, no stuttering, just pure convenience... I havent seen an 8 star socket until now, and i would never use them if i had them... Seen a triple square, but fuck that, apart for triple square bolts on cars... Ok, 8 star i have actually seen for engine bolts for some cars, but never used them myself so i tend to forget about those completely... But all said, a square drive on a square head is primo stuff, and when you loosen them or are tightening them, use a ratchet, then take a fixed bar for the last 2 degrees of Abom-torque... I aint sure, but i get the feeling you could achieve nuclear fusion with a square fine thread bolt before it would round over or break apart... Unlike socket heads, flat heads and what not... Call me an antique bag of tricks, but in over 98% cases, everything olden is better than modern, if it was kept well maintained through the decades... I may despise outdated Whitworth fasteners and drill them out to convert to metric if i can, but i do love the old Whitworth hex bolt and nut design... Quite chunkier and more nicely proportioned than modern imp. or metric hardware... Tho, i have a lathe or two so i make my metric stuff resembling the old Whits when i do make hardware for any non square project... Confuses the piss out of anyone familiar with olden looking whith hardware when they see the little Mx stamping i leave on the stuff... No need for steel grading, as its all primo steel, most often unused junked grade 12 bolts from industrial works... Like that long bolt you showed here... A lot of screws and nuts can be had from one of those if you take care and dont waste material... I should really make a whole lot of square head hardware next time i get my hands on some great steel...

[@jeffreydevoti7000]

I've got oddball stuff I've bought, needed and used over the past 43 years that would be hard to or could not be replaced if lost or stolen.

[@KaliKali216]

Where do I find the square head sockets removal tools I have a water heater that come with it I need to remove it to place the relief valve and nobody sells it

[@antonioinfante9170]

Where do i find a 4 poimt socket set like yours i need it for my extractor bolt that has a squared end. Or do any of you have ideas i already tried removing my stripped draim plug with everything crscent wrench, pliers. Mu problem is thay i cant find a squared socket to use it with my ratchet

[@CatusMaximus]

Look for tap sockets

[@mariogalarza5036]

Thank you for sharing, I never seen that before

[@rajanikanthss]

Deep socket can it be used in the place were shallow socket are used .. some say deep socket do break .. which is stronger deep socket or shallow socket ..can deep socket can it be used in high torque bolt .. waiting for your reply

[@donaldgay9501]

Use your shallow socket for high torque deep sockets should only be used on less torque fasteners that can't be reached by any other means. I learned the hard way as a teenager not to use deep well sockets for high torque applications when I broke a proto LA 9/16 deep well 😢 I still have the socket to this day just to reflect back I'm now 46

[@jonnda]

Holy shit, sockets for square head fasteners! I’m not sure I’ve seen 4 point sockets before. I have seen double square and triple square on some suspension parts.

[@martinschaffmeir7729]

Good post sir, we have older tables that have 1/4 square nuts I found I can use a 9/16 12 point socket

[@CatusMaximus]

Spline Drive sockets work as well. But obviously you need one of these if you have square fastners that need lots of torque

[@mckeeganator5844]

Wild that wright tools still makes 8pt sockets regularly guess they sell enough to make a profit

[@edwardweisenburg6585]

Awesome. I didn't know that

[@sangkang6294]

My compressor fell down and broke a piece of pipe at the thread that links air tank from the regulator. Irwin makes a set screw extractor but the end is square. Using a adjustable wrench is useless and need more torque, ideally a square socket that would fit the extractor but no one sells these. Irwin makes an adjustable adapter that will fit a socket but when I applied my breaker bar on it, it broke the adapter. Need a 3/8" square socket.

[@CatusMaximus]

If you go by O'Reilly's Auto Parts I believe they have Lisle tap driver sockets. Yes the squares on the ends of taps are a different size for each tap making them not as easily used you could also go to Harbor Freight and get the ratcheting tap wrench because it has an adjustable Chuck on it for Square Drive

[@emptech]

I just rand into a bind, had to turn a hand reamer deep inside a casting, did not have a square socket. Fortunately, I had enough room to use a crow's foot, but a cheap set at harbor freight. I remember my dad had a set of 8 point sockets, probably craftsman. I haven't checked availability of them. Good luck. Jim

[@gatekeeperofchaos]

Do you have any hex drive sockets? I have a partial set plus some misc ones. This includes a ratchet and some....essentially Allen keys handles.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes I have seen those at flea markets and thought they were an interesting idea but never picked any up

[@jonathanfrausto3129]

I got a tool box that belonged to my grandfather in law and it had a bunch of 4 point sockets and never considered they were for 4 point bolts

[@francisdevilliers3288]

at last! They do exist! I need a set but can't any for sale.

[@davidzmuda7875]

Look on the Proto website. I think both Proto and Blackhawk sell 8 points. If you can't find any there, there's always craftsman 8 points on Ebay

[@harveysmith100]

@@davidzmuda7875 Always best to have the right tool but 12 point sockets will work on square nuts.

[@branned]

I have 8pt but no 4pt. Thanks for the video.

[@JAI45624]

THOSE 4 POINT SOCKET STILL LOOKS GOOD FOR ITS AGE

[@madmike225]

Drain plugs?..

[@danh2134]

I think I seen an 8 point on a chevy hhr radiator fan bolt but I might of been high

[@CatusMaximus]

I'll have to take a look next time I'm at the junkyard

[@PeterB12345]

Modern German cars have triple square fasteners all over them... 12 point, but the fastener is basically like a socket (female) and the bit that goes on your wrench is male. Super annoying since those fasteners have thin walls and tend to rust out and crack. Also, you have to buy a special set of these drive bits if you want to work on your car.

[@mikedewsberry1774]

You said chrysler........you mean motorized garbage can on wheels