socket drive question

[Charles Garrett]

Does anyone know why the socket drive went from Hex to square?  Chuck Garrett

[amecks]

I don't know but I bet it had to do with manufacturing cost.  It's gotta be cheaper/less work to make a square than a hex.

Al

[Nolatoolguy]

I don't know but I bet it had to do with manufacturing cost.  It's gotta be cheaper/less work to make a square than a hex.

Al

Didn't they start putting detent balls on the square drives thoe, that would be more money so idk to just a hunch I don't know for sure.

[EVILDR235]

My thought is a square drive can be a little sloppy by a few thousands and still work fine, but a hex must be made to tighter specs or it could strip out.

XXXXXX

[Yadda]

My thought is a square drive can be a little sloppy by a few thousands and still work fine, but a hex must be made to tighter specs or it could strip out.

XXXXXX

+1

[eddie hudson]

Does anyone know why the socket drive went from Hex to square?  Chuck Garrett

I'm far from being an expert, but didn't hex drive come AFTER square drive? Autocle, Walden etc are technically square drive. Blackhawk started in 1919 using square drivw.

[Charles Garrett]

I don't know abt dtding but Sedgley hex drive ratchet Pat # 1140167 is dtd May 18, 1915.  Chuck Garrett

[Charles Garrett]

Also that patent showed the spring ball socket retention.    C G

[eddie hudson]

Auto - Cle socket sets were patented in 1904. They used a female ratchet or a 1/2" square drive handle.

[mvwcnews]

Hex & square drives were in use at the same time.   There are an amazing variety.     For example, the mid-1920s HUSKY  ratchet from Milwaukee used a 5/8" hex drive.       There are both square & hex drive versions of the "all malleable" Chicago Mfg. & Distributing Co. ratchet & socket sets based on the Gordon K. Wright  March 10, 1914 patent no. 1,089,737.
Carl Bolt's museum in Oroville, CA has a whole board devoted to different  socket drive sizes.