Sockets for Square Nuts

RTR

Well-known Member
I would like to get a few "common" sockets to use when working on Farmall Cubs, Super A's and 140 tractors. I have tons of sets of standard tools in everything from 1/4 drive to 1 inch drive. I only have 2-3 star (8 point) sockets in sizes such as 1/2, 9/16, etc. I would like to get some 1/2 in. drive sockets for the impact and rachets that will fit the most common SQUARE NUTS found on these tractors and their implements such as cultivators.

Which 8 point socket size(s) would I need??
 
I have found them here and there at flea markets. You dig through their boxes of tools and all kinds of stuff pops up!
 
I've used 12 point sockets many times on square nuts and also an unusual three point nut I found which was supposed to avoid folks with ordinary tools to fit. Worked just fine but it is a process of elimination for correct size.
 
I also use a good 12 pt socket. For 3/8 sq the 7/16 fits. For 1/2 sq & larger, have good luck going 1/8 larger than the sq.
Eg: 1/2 sq=5/8 12pt, 3/4 sq=7/8 12pt etc.
Willie
 
I has a farmer give me a complete set of square sockets and
the original drive tools there are 1/2 inch drive so you can use
newer ratchet if needed
Any time someone new comes to my shop and I am working
on something with square heads they always comment that
they have never seen a real square socket set
 
I use my 12pt 60yr old S-K 1/2 drive set. Trouble is thru the yrs adjustable wrenches were used too many times and the square heads just arent square anymore.
 
I don't know what sizes you need, but SNAP-ON still makes them, and I think CRAFTMAN does also.
I got a near complete set at a yard sale for a couple bucks.
You might want to set up a "followed search" on the popular web auction sites.
It would be cheaper to replace the bolts with hex head.
 

Mine are Craftsmen that I bought a couple years back. The 3/8 drive goes from 1/4" to 1/2" and the 1/2 drive covers from 7/16" to 3/4". These are not impacts - don't know if they carry those...? I think I had to piece together my set, I bought some at the store and the rest from Sears on-line.
 
They are called "8-Point" sockets and are the exact size - a 9/16" 8-point socket fits a 9/16" square nut/bolt exactly.
 
(quoted from post at 18:56:41 08/03/14) They are called "8-Point" sockets and are the exact size - a 9/16" 8-point socket fits a 9/16" square nut/bolt exactly.

Thank you for all the responses guys. This one has been most helpful. Yeah I definitely need 8 point sockets since they fit the square nuts and bolts perfectly. I didn't realize that if you had a 3/4 square nut or bolt that the 3/4 8 point fit it. For some reason I thought the sizes were different since it were 8 point. I'm looking for 5/8 inch and above, all the way to 1 1/2 inch or so. Most of these bolts/nuts are on cultivator sets that need tightening or other implements where I want to try and save the bolt and nut
 
I had about 20 one inch 8-point a couple of years ago. The were NOS and Snap On but they sold like hot cakes. I even advertised them on the ad site here. Other sizes I had to buy some from Snap On and others from other manufactures. They are pricy. I do not have any left.
 

Thanks for the help guys. I think I will just start looking in the parts manuals to see what sizes of bolts were used so I'll know what size socket to buy. Might try looking on eBay for used individuals first.
 
Would the larger bolts even be turned with sockets? I imagine that they would've used an open-ended wrench or a "monkey wrench" back in the day.
 
I was at a farm auction and obtained a set of impact 4 point (not 8 point) sockets for little of nothing as nobody thought they would use them I guess. They have come in handy numerous times. Also, a couple of years ago I purchased a new Craftsman 200+ piece SAE only tool set which included several 8 point 3/8" drive sockets in the smaller sizes (around 3/4" and smaller) so they should still be available. You can probably also obtain individual 8 point sockets from Grainger as well as Snap-on which has been noted as well, Hal.
 

Thanks Hal. I guess I could look into 4 point ones too. Yeah, we have a couple sets of Craftsman tools that have that 8 point set of like 5 sockets, but those are too small of sizes for anything I would need them for....unless I need to remove a male pipe plug on the steering box or something.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top