A hex bit socket is a tool used with hand or power screwdrivers/drills for fasteners with six sides. The male end fits hex holes, while the female end fits nuts. Bits come in standard sizes and can be purchased individually or in sets.
A hex bit socket is a specially designed bit that fits into a hand or power screwdriver or drill. Such sockets are usually double-sided, with one side having the male unit, or driver, and the other side having the female unit, or socket. Both the male and female ends are made to work with fasteners that have six sides.
The word “hex” comes from the Greek hexa, which means six. The male end of a hex bit socket is made specifically for screws that have hex holes in the top rather than the more commonly seen flat slot or series of criss-cross slots. The male end, which is usually a small six-sided rod, is inserted into the screw hole and then rotated to either drive the screw or flip it over. These screws are less prone to stripping than screws with traditional heads, making them easier to drive into strong materials. Also, cap screws are much more difficult to remove without the proper tool, unlike traditional screws, which can often be removed using a knife or other thin, flat, sturdy object.
The female end of a hex bit socket is simply a metal bracelet that has a deep six-sided depression formed into it. This opening is made to receive a six-sided piece of hardware, usually a nut. The socket goes over the nut, making contact on all sides. As the sleeve is rotated, the nut loosens or tightens, depending on the direction of the torque.
The term “bit,” when used in relation to tools, refers to a specially made attachment designed to be inserted into a screwdriver or drill head. Bits can be changed as needed, eliminating the need for different tool bodies. Hand and power screwdrivers, as well as power drills, are designed to accept such bits. Drill bits are generally universal, meaning they can be used with any drill on the market, but bits made for hand-held drivers may be incompatible with power-driven drivers, and vice versa.
Bits, including hexadecimal bits, come in a wide variety of standard sizes, which match the standard sizes of the hardware they are to bind. Those looking to purchase a hex bit socket might opt to purchase a single bit of the size that meets their needs. These bits, however, are also sold in hex bit socket kits or sets, which can contain as few as three and as many as 20 or more sockets of different sizes.
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