Here’s an interesting find… A set of government issue SAE ratchets. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen them before and was wondering if any of you fellas have the goods on them. The site offering them claims the utmost of quality for around $150. Regardless, they are damned cool looking!
I’ve recently been outfitting a vintage, sort of condensed, tool box at my office. In doing so, I’ve been thinking a lot about socket organization. Typically, I’ve always used Hansen style socket trays as pictured above. I just like the fact that with a glance you can see what sockets are in use and which you might need. That said and as silly as it sounds, they don’t exactly reflect the vintage atmosphere this particular set of tools requires.
The obvious choice in this situation is a nice set of all metal socket rails and I did, indeed, buy a set off eBay. Unfortunately, they were junk… sockets were hard to attach and when they did, they frequently fell off the rail.
So, my question for you guys… Who makes the best damn set of all metal socket rails? Failing that, what do you guys typically use for socket organization?
One of our members sent me an email the other day and included a link to a Flickr account that featured some amazingly restored old tool boxes. I’ve been staring at them for the last few days and have finally decided to post them for all to enjoy. Take some time and browse all of these photos… You will be glad you did.
So I was just sitting here at the Atomic Industry world headquarters, minding my own business, when some dude walked in with a book under his arm. Turns out, it was Lee Klancher and he wanted to show off his latest release - Motorcycle Dream Garages. A quick flip through proved he was on to something. The book features excellent photography of not only showroom garages, but real working garages as well. It focuses mostly on motorcycles shops, obviously, but the concepts are true for us all.
For more info, check out Lee’s site.
I recently got an email from a guy in Copenhagen who had just finished up his new garage space. Interestingly, he focused on using old/aged materials in the construction of his benches, shelving units, and other items in an effort to give his new space and old feeling. From the limited photography he has posted on his blog, it looks like the effort really paid off.
In any case, this got me thinking… Who else out there has tried using reclaimed material in the construction of their shop environments? Post pics…
Through the years we’ve had some pretty amazing articles pop up here on The Garage Journal. The following is just a few of them:
Love the prices of discount tool houses, but not the quality? Learn which cheap tools make the grade and which don’t right here.
Have a typical two-car garage and want to use it as effinciently as possible? You’ve come to the right place for ideas. Check it out.
Our favorite work shop in the world… You can’t buy cool and you can’t by atmosphere. Nimrod proves it!
Need space to hold Bavarian’s finest? No sweat. Just follow this build from start to finish for some incredible ideas. Check it out.
It’s huge, gorgeous, and almost done… Check it out here.