little O/T ? about socket organizers

I got some new work benches for the shop and figured I would reorganize all my boxes and stuff I realized that I have tried a few different types of socket organizers and never found one that worked all that well and I just figured I would ask what you guys found that worked and what did not. Thanks Jeremy

 

i need to organize my sockets too. they are in two drawers one for metric and one for standard.

I have numerous sets in the drawers and various drive sizes so it can take some time to find one sometimes.

I kinda want to get a hang on the wall thingie that holds sockets so I can put my more commonly used ones there.

 

Sears has a plastic socket organiser, with a magnet to hold each socket that works well. They could be screwed to a wall. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...6+Tool+Storage&sName=Tool+Storage+Accessories

 

I have the plastic set from craftsman. It is slightly raised, and has (2) holes per socket size. It seems to work fine and reasonable cost. They carry 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive sizes. It may be sized just for their boxes, not sure
Something like this.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00965172000P

 

I used these while I was a mechanic at Carmax. Very handy and quick to read. You can also get them in different colors from different vendors. I use red for my standard, gray for my metric, and black for my impact sockets.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933933000P?keyword=socket+organizer

 

I use this kind at work too.

 

I use 2 magnetic bars that I got off the mac truck. 1 for standard and one for metric. 3/8" in front 1/4 inch on top and 1/2 on the back side. they run the width of my box and my ratchets and extensions go in front. works really good.

 

Some of the cheaper things snap-on makes is a socket holder that has a handle on each end,so if I want to goto my buddies house and help him I can just grab it and go.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=3164&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

The purpose of socket organizers is to show you the empty slots, and by doing so to remind you what a lazy and sloppy bastard you are. The sockets that are always in their proper spots on the organizer are the ones you can throw away because they don't fit shit and you will never need to use them.

The same applies to a drill bit index.

 

Empty Tuna cans.

Small for 3/8" drive sockets, one for 12 point, one for 6 point.
Small for 1/4" drive sockets, regular and deep.
Small for size adapters - 3/8" to 1/4" all the way up to 1/2" to 3/4" - they fit in one can.

Large for 3/8" drive allen, Torx etc.

Sounds weird, works good.

Leaves room for all the 3/8" and 1/2" drive deep socket sets to lay in their side in the same drawer.

Kinda handy as well to have some clean Tuna cans, both sizes, ready to go for some projects.

Far as getting the right size socket out, it's easy to grab the right one . . . even when you have two 1/2" and three 9/16" 6 point 3/8" drive sockets in the same can.
The full set runs from 3/8" to 13/16" plus the extra sockets.

Be sure to get the cans you open with a can opener and not the pop-lid type.
Clean up the little sharp edge thats left at the end of the cut.

Price is right too....

 

All my Snap-on sockets came with their own organizer. Never broke one of them and I have 12 sets. I brought my Snap-on sets in the early 90's when I had money. My craftsmen sets I have I just buy the cheapies from farm and fleet but they only last so long. The pins always break off.

I like using the organizer especially if I'm parting a car out. I put my tools back away before the shell goes to the crusher. If ones missing I keep searching that car until I find it. Snap-on is to expensive to throw away. Organizer makes it faster to find the right socket too.

 

I took a thin board and screwed several rows of the metal clip type socket rails to them. One row for 1/4, one for 3/8 short. 3/8 tall, ect. It works great for me and makes cleanup easy since you can see where the empty slots are.

 

You can make your own out of MDF if you're a cheap son of a bitch like me.

 

I use Hansen socket trays. They are by far the BEST and easiest to use I have found to date. Easy to see one missing, easy to figure out what size to get and my local sears stocks them.

http://www.hansenglobalinc.com/socket_trays.html

 

Do yourself a favor and get yourself some socket sticks. These little jewels are slicker then cum on a gold tooth. Not only do they keep you sockets organized in the tool box, when you climb under the car, you take the stick with you so you don't have to crawl out and get a different size socket out of the box. Come in 1/4" 3/8" & 1/2". I have my metric sockets with blue handles and my SAE with red. Naw...I don't work at Sears, but I saw them on sale last week.

 

I use those too, great for us slobs that have to work on stuff out in the yard or driveway because we have too much crap piled up in the garage to get the car in , saves a lot of walking back and forth. I also have several Stanley sets just like them, I actually like the Stanley sticks better, the clips seem to hold better. Only problem is with the larger size deep wells, too much weight and leverage so they want to pop off if you carry them around but otherwise they're great. I also like this type because you can clip your Allen and Torx bits, drive adapters and swivels on them too. I'm going to set one up with different drive sizes to keep the sockets I use all the time on so I only have to carry one out to the car.

 

I found one set of these at a yard sale. The sockets squeeze on and won't fall off even if you have to toss the whole works across the garage (it happens sometimes). they're ugly as hell, but I haven't found anything that works as good. They don't even scratch the paint when you set em on the car.

I've never found any more of them. If someone knows who makes them, and where I can find more I'd be really grateful. I'd even buy you a beer (must pick beer up in person. I ain't shippin' beer).

 

I have tried all of the above except the unatianable flexable ones, and have found the Hansons work the best, are movable, last , and take the least space.

and they are cheapest at Northern

 

I just use the "rail with slide clip" type. They're neat, organisable and transportable. You can even screw/rivet them to your box or bench etc.

 

If you use sockets alot..........the bar thing sucks.......they will get wore out and will not hold a socket........I like C9's idea.....I have a messload of sockets that are in one tool box and I just dig thru it looking for the right one.

Chris

 

I have the plastic sticks and hang them on the peg board behind my bench.

In fact all most all my hand tools are on peg board.

 

I have the rail style and they do wear out pretty quickly. I also used the magnetic ones that hold shallow on one side and deep on the other I liked them but picked up every piece of metal shaving in site. I have one hansen style and I like it but figured I would get some more input before I invest in more of them. Thanks for the input and keep them comming

 

I have been looking for a way to organize my sockets as well. I've used the rail and clip type for years and wanted to try something different. Most of the organizers that I've seen, that set the socket upright don't work with my toolbox drawers, the drawers are too shallow. So my most of my deep well 1/2" drive socket don't work in the organizers.

What I did find and they are cheap, are the Harbor Freight organizers. I usually don't go to HF, but these are all right. I've had to grind the pins on some of them so the sockets will fit and mix and match. At these prices I could cut them up.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95595

Wow, they raised the price, they were $4.95

Instead of buying the metric set, I just marked the size by the socket with a marker. The metric sets haven't been on sale.

 

i like the hansen socket holders. im tired of those rails wit hthe metal clips they suck. i used to have the craftsman plastic rails, they are pretty decent.

 

I like these organizers... it's like drawer insert, places for your ratchets as well as sockets... I have since replaced this cart, but I still have all the must have tools mobile in the shop, they go where I do...

 

I've had some good luck with some socket organizer boxes I found at WallyWorld.

They're clear, got a lid, lots of partitions and are cheap enough I have one for each drive in metric and SAE (well, my 1/4" drive stuff is all in one)

The lids are clear so I can see what's missing and can easily label size/type.

Why they keep them in the "Sporting Goods" section and why they need to be "worm proof" I don't understand.

Must be a Chinese thing

 

I'm looking for something to hold my deep 1/2"drive impact sockets. Something that would allow them to lay down in the drawer, similar to a tray. I thought that I've seen some plastic trays like that, but haven't been able to find them now.

 

As a profesional mechanic I use mine every day, all day, have done for years and they're still good.

 

The "bar thing" socket clip rail can also be layed down, etc. If it wears out (after long service) buy a new one, they're cheap.

 

Brilliant! I have a half a pallet of 1'x4'x3/4 composite board, anyone have a router table handy? we could make about 50 drawers worth.