Blue Spot Tools Individual 12mm Shallow Hex Socket (1/2" Drive) 01724

Blue Spot Tools Individual 12mm Shallow Hex Socket (1/2" Drive)

MPN: 01724

Barcode: 5028734017243

Size: 12mm

Weight: 0.06kg

Overview:

The Blue Spot Tools 12mm Shallow Hex Socket is a 1/2" drive hand tool socket constructed from chrome vanadium steel. The 212Nm torque rating covers hand-driven applications on 12mm metric fasteners across automotive and workshop settings.

At 38mm deep, the socket maintains the shallow profile that suits fastener heads in spaces where surrounding components block a longer tool from seating correctly. The mirror-polished surface gives a hard, low-maintenance finish across the socket body.

A knurled band runs around the mid-section, giving a reliable grip surface. It attaches directly to any 1/2" drive tool without modification.

Key Features and Benefits

• Chrome Vanadium Steel: Provides the material strength for hand-driven torque applications at this compact metric size
• 212Nm Torque Rating: Rated for hand-driven applications on 12mm metric fasteners
• Six-Point Hex Opening: Full face-to-face engagement with fastener heads through the full rotation
• Mirror Polished Finish: Hard, low-maintenance surface across the socket body
• Knurled Mid-Section Band: Reliable grip when picking up, placing, or removing the socket in working conditions
• 1/2" Drive: Attaches directly to ratchets, torque wrenches, and breaker bars
• Shallow 38mm Depth: Maintains usability in spaces where surrounding components block a longer socket

Specs & Attributes

• Size: 12mm
• Drive: 1/2"
• Type: Hex (6-point)
• Material: Chrome Vanadium (CrV)
• Finish: Mirror polished with knurled grip band
• Max Torque: 212Nm
• Depth: 38mm
• Weight: 0.06kg

Typical Applications

• Small engine cover and sump plate fasteners
• Interior and bodywork trim bracket bolts
• Electrical box and sensor housing hardware
• Coolant and fuel system bracket fasteners
• General hand tool works on 12mm metric fasteners with a 1/2" drive

How to Use

• Verify the Fastener Size: Check that the bolt head measures 12mm across the flat faces before fitting the socket.

• Attach to the Drive Tool: Connect the socket to a 1/2" drive ratchet, torque wrench, or breaker bar.

• Seat the Socket: Set the hex opening squarely onto the fastener and confirm full seating with no rocking before applying force.

• Apply Rotational Force: Drive the fastener in the correct direction - do not exceed 212Nm.

• Remove the Socket: Disengage the drive tool and pull the socket free using the knurled band.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is a 12mm socket used for?
  A 12mm socket handles small engine cover fasteners, bodywork trim brackets, electrical and sensor housing bolts, and coolant or fuel system hardware. It is a common small-format metric size across automotive and general mechanical applications.

• What is a nut runner, and how does it differ from a socket and ratchet?
  A nut runner is a powered production tool designed for high-speed, high-volume fastening with preset torque and speed values. A socket and ratchet is a hand-driven tool used for controlled torque at the point of use, suited to maintenance and repair work rather than production-line assembly.

• Can sockets be used safely on nylon-insert lock nuts?
  Yes. The socket seats over the hexagonal outer profile of the lock nut in the same way as any other nut. The nylon insert sits inside the thread and does not affect how the socket engages the fastener head. Apply the torque value specified for the joint as normal.

• What advantage does a socket give over an open-ended spanner on a tight fastener?
  A socket covers all six flat faces of the fastener head at once and is driven by a ratchet, allowing continuous rotation without repositioning. An open-ended spanner contacts only two faces and must be reset on every stroke. On a fastener that requires high breaking torque, a socket paired with a breaker bar applies significantly more force than a hand spanner alone.

• Why would a 1/2" drive socket be used for a small size like 12mm rather than a smaller drive?
  Smaller drive sizes are common for 12mm work, but a 1/2" drive socket fills a gap in an existing 1/2" drive set, or handles situations where the fastener needs more torque than a lighter drive can safely deliver. Using the same drive size throughout a job also avoids switching between different drive tools and extension setups mid-task.

Summary

The Blue Spot Tools 12mm Shallow Hex Socket is a CrV 1/2" drive hand tool socket rated to 212Nm. The 38mm shallow depth suits bolt heads in tight access points where surrounding components limit the available clearance. This socket is backed by the Blue Spot Tools Lifetime Guarantee.