Description

Key Features

Better Fastener Grip

DirectTorque technology is built to grip fasteners more effectively and help reduce rounding. That matters most when you’re working on small metric hardware that can strip out in a hurry.

Chrome Vanadium Build

The chrome vanadium steel construction gives this socket the strength serious users expect for repeated ratchet work. The polished chrome finish also helps resist chipping and flaking over time.

Compact Metric Socket

This DEWALT 1/4 Inch – 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Metric Socket pairs a 1/4 inch socket size with a 3/8 inch drive for controlled work on smaller metric fasteners. The knurled ring gives you a little more grip when starting or removing hardware by hand.

Overview

The DEWALT 1/4 Inch – 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Metric Socket, model DWMT86255OSP, is a single 6-point hand socket made for turning 1/4 inch metric fasteners with a 3/8 inch drive ratchet or extension. This is a metric socket designed for fastening and mechanical service work where secure grip on smaller fasteners matters. If you spend time on automotive work, equipment maintenance, or general shop repairs, this is the kind of piece you keep in the drawer because the right socket size saves time and saves hardware.

The big selling point here is DEWALT’s DirectTorque technology. On the job, that means the socket is designed to contact the fastener in a way that helps prevent rounding while improving grip. With a small socket size like 1/4 inch, that matters more than people think. Smaller fasteners do not give you much room for error, especially when they’re already worn, slightly corroded, or tucked into awkward spots.

This socket uses a 6-point configuration, which is the right call when you want stronger engagement on hex fasteners. A 6-point socket is typically the better choice for service and repair work where you care more about holding power than speed. It grips the flats of the fastener more positively than a higher-point design, making it a practical option for mechanics and anyone doing repeat fastening on metric hardware.

DEWALT builds this socket from chrome vanadium steel, a material widely used for hand tool sockets because it balances strength and durability well. The polished chrome finish helps protect the surface from chipping and flaking, and it also makes the socket easier to wipe clean after greasy or dirty work. That is a simple feature, but it matters in a toolbox where tools see oil, grime, and constant handling.

Another useful detail is the knurled control ring. That textured band gives you extra purchase when you are spinning the socket onto a fastener by hand before putting a ratchet on it. It is a small design feature, but it makes the socket easier to handle when your hands are slick or when you are working in tighter areas where finger control matters.

Hard stamped markings are also worth mentioning because socket identification gets old fast when marks wear off. Clear size markings make it easier to grab the right piece from the rail or drawer, especially when you are switching between metric sizes during assembly, teardown, or repair work. For a single replacement socket or a gap-filler in an existing set, that kind of easy identification is more important than most catalog copy makes it sound.

In practical terms, this socket fits users who already work with a 3/8 inch drive platform and need a compact metric size for smaller fasteners. It makes sense for mechanics, maintenance techs, and serious DIYers who want a dependable 3/8 inch drive socket for routine service tasks. If your work leans heavily on metric hardware and you prefer 6-point sockets for better fastener contact, this is a straightforward, no-nonsense addition to the kit.

Secure Grip on Small Metric Fasteners

This socket is built for controlled fastening where a sloppy fit can damage the hardware. The 6-point design and DirectTorque geometry make it a smarter pick for stubborn or already-used metric fasteners.

• 1/4 inch socket size for smaller metric fastening tasks
• 3/8 inch drive fits standard ratchets and extensions in that drive class
• Knurled ring helps when starting fasteners by hand

What’s in the Box

• (1) Socket

Key Specifications

Drive Size	3/8 in
Socket Size	1/4 in
Point Configuration	6-Point
Measurement System	Metric
Material	Chrome Vanadium Steel
Weight	0.32 lbs

Compatibility

Drive Interface

Fits standard 3/8 inch drive ratchets, extensions, and hand tools that accept 3/8 inch drive sockets.

Fastener Fit

Designed for 1/4 inch metric fasteners where a 6-point socket is preferred for stronger contact.

Built For

Automotive Mechanical Service Equipment Maintenance General Contracting DIY / Hobbyist Metric Fastening

Pro Tip

If you’re dealing with a tight or slightly worn fastener, reach for this 6-point socket before a 12-point. On small hardware, that extra contact can be the difference between breaking it loose cleanly and rounding it off.

Tool Nut’s Take

Tool Nut’s Take

Small Socket, Important Job

The DEWALT 1/4 Inch – 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Metric Socket is the kind of single socket that earns its keep fast when you need solid grip on smaller metric hardware.

• Who it’s for: Mechanics, maintenance techs, and DIYers filling a missing size in a 3/8 inch drive setup.
• Why it stands out: DirectTorque design, 6-point grip, chrome vanadium steel construction, and a knurled ring that makes hand-starting easier.
• Worth knowing: This is a single socket, not a set, and the listed warranty information states no manufacturer warranty.

Common Questions

• Is this a metric or SAE socket? It is listed as a metric socket.
• What drive tool does it fit? It fits 3/8 inch drive ratchets and extensions.
• How many points does the socket have? This socket uses a 6-point configuration.