A Question of Torque

[Our Gee]

Just back from Machine Mart where I have purchased a small Socket Set. On the package the description states "Flat Drive" Allows up to 30% more Torque by Gripping the "Flat Sides" of the Nut and Not the Corners". Must admit this a new one on me and I just can't see what they are getting at.
Any idea's anyone ?.

[Graham88]

Its not a new thing, the likes of Snap on have been on this for a while, they call it 'Flank Drive', see below. Basically a slight change in profile that shifts the contact point further down the flat and away from the corner, reducing the risk of rounding.

[Sprintgull]

Also known as surface drive.  They work well.

[Our Gee]

Thanks for the replies Chaps, although it does seem that there different things here. The Sockets I have just acquired are of a full hexagon type, hence the description "Flat Drive". The picture of the "Flank Drive" posted by Graham is different. What originally concerned me was the statement "Allows 30% more Torque" which I probably and mistakenly understood to mean that 30% more torque was being applied than was set on my wrench. However after giving this some thought I now see that this would not be possible. (I hope !!).

[Graham88]

You are right, the torque is a product of the force applied and the distance it is applied from. A socket on its own cannot increase the applied torque although torque multipliers are a thing. The claim is that you can increase the torque by 30% without the fastener rounding.

As for your sockets they are a 6 point and the one in my picture is a 12 point, both work in the same way and flank drive is available on 6 and 12 point sockets, ring spanners, open ended spanners and even adjustable spanners now (I think), flank drive is just a snap on trademark - I'm sure if you tried you could find plenty of other names for essentially the same thing.

[Our Gee]

Nicely explained Graham. Cheers.