post pics of how you organize your sockets

yjWrangler · Oct 29, 2011

twincam00 said:
I love the harbor freight trays, they keep the sockets drive side down unlike the hansens

What's to like about that? :dunno:

balane · Oct 29, 2011

This is how it sits today. Can't really fit too much more in my HF box.

.

dankicksass · Oct 29, 2011

I've tried poly rails, metal clip rails and magnetic rails, Kobalt trays, Hansen trays and HF trays. Nothing is perfect but for now I'm happy with HF trays (Hansen type) and magnetic rails mixed in my boxes. The HF black trays are a great value, under $20 shipped for two 3pc sets. I don't often buy from that store, but I was happy enough with those trays, I actually ordered extras and stored some, knowing they often change vendors and screw it all up.

PCO6 · Oct 29, 2011

I use socket trays that I get from Princess Auto.

54FordPanel · Oct 29, 2011

HarveyM · Oct 29, 2011

I use a Montezuma 26" crossover topchest (for at home usage). Still delighted with it after a couple years ownership. Here's some early pics of my setup.

scott4 · Oct 29, 2011

54FordPanel said:
[/IMG]

Is that yours?

Some of that is brilliant.

Luke G · Oct 29, 2011

54Ford, thats one hell of a tool wall!

e30bradley · Oct 29, 2011

the first three pics are old, but last night I combined all my sockets (almost) and put them in the top section of my box. also, in the last 3 pics some of my tools aren't their.. they are gone ATM and I should have them back eventually..

EDIT: My pictures won't upload! Is this happening to anyone else?

Weedwaka · Oct 29, 2011

I use a combo of hansen racks on the box and nylon racks from KMS (with the ball bearing attachment, not the cheap *** ones with the plastic tabs sold at most locations ) for mobile . The Nylon racks are great for taking with you as you can pick up an entire line of 1/2 inch deep sockets by one socket and they wont fall off. They never come loose.

54FordPanel · Oct 29, 2011

scott4 said:
Is that yours?

Some of that is brilliant.

Luke G said:
54Ford, thats one hell of a tool wall!

Thanks guys. I posted on several of these socket organization threads about how I did mine.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71176&highlight=socket+organization

To the O.P....I did a quick search and got 5 pages on "socket organization". There's tons of threads on this.

Wiggum · Oct 29, 2011

This guy inspired me.... this may be my next project.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43017

scott4 · Oct 29, 2011

54FordPanel said:
Thanks guys.

Can you detail how you chose to fasten these 2 x 4s?

Something about this method I really like. I'm copying that once we move. I'm picturing countersunk screws drilled directly into the studs.

Perhaps other bits that might be useful for someone choosing to copy this?

54FordPanel · Oct 29, 2011

scott4 said:
Can you detail how you chose to fasten these 2 x 4s?

Something about this method I really like. I'm copying that once we move. I'm picturing countersunk screws drilled directly into the studs.

Perhaps other bits that might be useful for someone choosing to copy this?

You bet, glad you like it.
I used a combination of Hanson trays and Sears plastic socket rails. I tried other socket rails but liked the Sears plastic ones the best. The steel ones didn't work right, and the HF knock offs sucked.
I bought extra socket plugs for the socket rails. I put them end to end, and cut off the ends so they would fit together flush.
I ripped 2x4's at an angle (don't remember what angle exactly) and just screwed decking screws into the plywood that I put on top of the sheetrock. I like plywood around the work bench on top of sheetrock, it's much easier nail/screw things in.
You could use 2x6s if you wanted the shelves deeper for more socket room.

I like it because I can tell exactly if I'm missing a socket and which one is missing.

chopper1 · Oct 29, 2011

Extras are on rails in the drawers commonly used ones are on the Hansen style trays.

scott4 · Oct 29, 2011

54FordPanel said:
You bet, glad you like it.
I used a combination of Hanson trays and Sears plastic socket rails. I tried other socket rails but liked the Sears plastic ones the best. The steel ones didn't work right, and the HF knock offs sucked.
I bought extra socket plugs for the socket rails. I put them end to end, and cut off the ends so they would fit together flush.
I ripped 2x4's at an angle (don't remember what angle exactly) and just screwed decking screws into the plywood that I put on top of the sheetrock. I like plywood around the work bench on top of sheetrock, it's much easier nail/screw things in.
You could use 2x6s if you wanted the shelves deeper for more socket room.

I like it because I can tell exactly if I'm missing a socket and which one is missing.

Really appreciate it, especially the trial and error parts. I remember when I first saw those pics in another thread and thought, "yep, thats what I want to do."

If anything else comes to mind regarding what you had find out on what works and what didn't, please post it up. I don't want to make the same mistake if possible.

That **** is fantastic. :thumbup:

smokey0066 · Nov 10, 2011

hey guys I'm currently shopping for a box and looking at your boxes I'm wondering how tall of a drawer do i need to store sockets with trays or rails. will a 3" drawer be enough or will I need a 4" drawer to be able to stand up my sockets. I do have any super large sockets. I just have the standard stuff in 1/4 3/8 1/2 mostly standard and some deep stuff. few plug sockets.

I'm currently working out of the stock plastic cases and a few mobile tool boxes but will soon consolidate once I figure out what I want.

mdnelson86 · Nov 11, 2011

you probably want a 4" drawer if you have some 1/2" drive deep sockets that you want to stand up. Mine are on the ernst rails but I also use their mounting system that holds 4 rails but it adds a little height on top of the rail itself. My 1/2" drive deep sockets hardly fit. every once in a while, depending on the exact angle they are standing, they will scrape the drawer above them on my craftsman chest. the literature calls that a 4 1/8" tall drawer but I have pretty thick drawer liners and the rails as I said before which takes up a lot of space vertically. I've never actually measured the drawer to see what it actually is though.

BHR4CE1 · Nov 11, 2011

binkcat16 · Nov 12, 2011

i love the hanson trays

bnichols04 · Nov 12, 2011

54ford- great idea!!! i couldn't find anybody that sells holders for 3/4 sockets

kxxr · Nov 12, 2011

54Ford - Nice arrangement! I am certain that everyone else already knows, and maybe you answered the question in another thread, but, excuse the slight digression and tell me what is that thing?

jeffk14 · Nov 12, 2011

kxxr said:
54Ford - Nice arrangement! I am certain that everyone else already knows, and maybe you answered the question in another thread, but, excuse the slight digression and tell me what is that thing?

I'm gonna take a guess and say it's the gi-normous breaker bar from Northern Tool. Goes for around 79 bucks. At least, that's what the 3/4" drive one goes for. Can't really tell if that one is 3/4".

jeffk14 · Nov 12, 2011

balane said:
This is how it sits today. Can't really fit too much more in my HF box.

.

Hey balane, what material are the white socket holders with the holes made of? Did you buy those or make them yourself? I like 'em. :thumbup:

scott37300 · Nov 12, 2011

I've been buying the harbor freight hanson style trays this week. They are on sale for 7 bucks for a set of 3, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2". I bought two sets about a year or so ago and they were red and they ****. They are missing common sizes like 15mm. The sockets didn't fit, just useless. But the black ones they have now are great. So far all the sockets fit and they don't skip sizes. The only complaint is that the stamped size numbers on them are a little smeared. But for 15 bucks for a complete set of 6 trays I can't complain. You can also use a 20% off coupon to make them a little cheaper. I haven't tried them with impacts yet, but for my chrome up to 1 1/4" they are working good.

I've bought one metric and 2 standard so far this week and will buy a couple more next week. Looking to get 4 sets total, one for work and then 3 for home-set for 12pt, 6pt, and impacts.

WR250F · Nov 15, 2011

Mine is pretty simple.

Magnetic sheet holds them in place very well

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1467&pictureid=13156

View media item 13156

jeffmoss26 · Nov 15, 2011

54Ford, that is so cool. I really like those old signs!
Here is an older pic of mine, not fancy but it does the trick.

wildchev67 · Nov 15, 2011

I just organized my sockets using the Ernst socket rails.

XxToolAholicxX · Aug 29, 2014

You cant beat the Harbor Freight ones, 3 trays for under $8.00 bucks with 20% coupon.

I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman won't give me no credit

CGT80 · Aug 30, 2014

I have lurked on and off in the past and I ran across this forum again yesterday. I was thinking about getting more needle nose pliers and I use a lot of Craftsman tools. I learned from this site than most of the Cman stuff is made in china now. When I went to Sears, yesterday, I saw for myself. Others thought the sockets and wrenches with the Cman or pro name would stay made in USA and the companion and black wrenches were to compete with the other chineese ****. I thought the same, but I was wrong. My Cman tools are USA made.

My first tool set was AC Delco from the late 90's or early 2000's. It is made in Taiwan, but has held up as well as the USA Cman stuff. The screwdrivers held up a bit better than Cman. I used some of the tools at work on occasion and I am an advanced home mechanic/hobbyist. My trucks are a 79 Chevy C20 and an 88 Chevy K5 Blazer. My dune buggy is a VW based rail. I have done most of the work on my trucks including changing out engines, brake upgrades, fab work, electrical, paint, etc. My tools have to be taken out to the trucks, so they need to be portable.

My main toolbox is a Kobalt (Lowe's) stainless upper and lower. It is the big one, but it doesn't have the fridge or stereo. My socket organizers are Cman and I can run any combo of drive sizes. They have worked very well. I need to buy more. The organizer for my deep impact sockets is a magnetic steel and plastic sears rail. It ***** nuts. You have to twist the sockets to get them to stay on. They fall off with just the movement of the toolbox drawers.

I haven't found an end wrench solution yet. They have to be portable, but easy to get in and out of the holder. Unfortunately, my tool box doesn't have very deep drawers, so I am limited on space. The box has done very well for me, but it is not sitting on level ground, so it makes it a bit of a pain. Snap On and pro boxes are out of my budget. My air tools are older IR composite, like the 2135Ti 1/2" impact, 3/8 air ratchet, and 90 degree IR composite die grinder. I also have some Allen, proto, mac, snap on, etc. mixed in. There are a few items that are made in taiwan that were specialty sizes that don't get used much.

My name is Chris, and I might have a tool problem

Sterff · Aug 30, 2014

Here are most of mine. I keep all the ratchets, long ball hex, torx in another drawer.

ganymede · Aug 30, 2014

I'm one of the ones who don't really organize.
Some in a box with drive tools and the others in those portable metal things.

MechanicNamedJohn · Aug 30, 2014

sberry · Aug 31, 2014

For me that is way to tedious for the common ones.

maddawg1952 · Aug 31, 2014

Fortunately for me most of my socket sets are in metal trays, so I can just grab a tray and go over to my project.

jp.poulin180 · Aug 31, 2014

I'm reorganizing my tool box today so at the end of the day, when I'm done, I'll post my set up...! And yeah basically Hansen tray are the way to go or any Chinese copy of it! Any late technology do not make sense to me I don't need to lock my sockets on a rail I need them only organized and easy to pick!

I also use this to cut my tools shape and slot them in.

Connect-A-Mat

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/connect-a-mat-primary-colours/6000016952738

vandezand · Aug 31, 2014

IMG said:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bvHB1xUq-Bk/UyyUyJH0BuI/AAAAAAAAJOM/F-yiqpj58Yg/w702-h527-no/14+-+3[/IMG]

Where did you get this set and how much did you pay?

Its the last pic of MNJ's toolbox.

DodgeMech · Aug 31, 2014

http://store.snapon.com/Lock-A-Socket-Trays-Tray-Lock-A-Socket-Combination-Drive-Sizes-P647214.aspx

i use this for my main sockets, and most of the others are kind of spread out across my top drawer haha

PCO6 · Aug 31, 2014

^^^ That looks like a much nicer version of what I posted back at #44 of this thread. Can you mix and match the socket holders (i.e. 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2") from row to row? I found that to be important in my socket drawer. Several rows have different drive size sockets in them.

View media item 37148

90zcar · Aug 31, 2014

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1409502097.807098.jpg

This is mine. I use mostly hansen socket trays. Some of the factory mac/snap on plastic tray holders.
My hex and torx sockets are held in a red snap on plastic holder that snap on offers. I forget the model number. Around 15 bux I think.
I also have a 3 section black plastic tray on the bottom left that Ernst manufacturing makes that runs around 7 dollars

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

post pics of how you organize your sockets

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