IowaCowboyLost in the Supermarket Premium Member join:2010-10-16 Springfield, MA ·Comcast XFINITY
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[Tools] Best way to organize socketsI have a 200 plus piece Mechanic's tool set that I'd like to store in the upper part of this tool chest that I got for Christmas.
What would be the best way to organize it. The tool set did come with its own storage case but I'm afraid those drawers won't fit in this unit. And Sears sells a socket organizer but that is for the bottom part. I want that for larger tools like power tools.
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shdesignsPowered By Infinite Improbabilty Drive Premium Member join:2000-12-01 Stone Mountain, GA (Software) pfSense ARRIS SB6121
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I use rails like ebay item # 141081098197
Mine came with handles but i cut them off to take up less space. I prefer them as I can grab a rail of sockets and a ratchet and take it to the work.
There are plastic carriers that hold sockets flat and include a magnetic holder. They would be nice but at near $20 each I don't want to spend a fortune. |
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UHFAll static, all day, Forever MVM join:2002-05-24 |
to IowaCowboy
I also like the socket rails. |
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skipon11 Premium Member join:2005-06-09 Pittsburgh, PA 1 edit |
to IowaCowboy
How about something like this,should fit right in the drawer? » www.tooltopia.com/hansen ··· odYiQA_QCraftsman sells trays that fit tool box drawers as well. |
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randavis74 Challenger 440 4bbl join:2000-01-19 Blue Springs, MO |
to IowaCowboy
This is what I use. I found those little clips on the SnapOn truck in the late seventy's. They hold the rails in the box so I can get them with one hand. If I'm working away from the box, I can undo the clips and take the rails with me. I hate fumbling around in a box of loose sockets trying to find the one I need. Excuse the dust! |
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1 recommendation |
to IowaCowboy
You guys don't want to see my toolbox.
My sockets are identified by a blend of brand, location and patina.
Most commonly used sockets are closest to the front, and tend to be showing the most wear.
I can find what I need in moments, everyone else shakes their head. |
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HarryH3 Premium Member join:2005-02-21 |
to IowaCowboy
I also use socket rails with no handles. I found that the handles just waste space in the tool box. The plastic trays look nice but they also waste quite a bit of space and can't be tossed around like the rails can. |
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to Cho Baka
said by Cho Baka:You guys don't want to see my toolbox.
My sockets are identified by a blend of brand, location and patina.
Most commonly used sockets are closest to the front, and tend to be showing the most wear.
I can find what I need in moments, everyone else shakes their head. Why would we not want to see your toolbox? How about some pics. |
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Msradell Premium Member join:2008-12-25 Louisville, KY |
to IowaCowboy
The rails are definitely the way to go, whether you take the handle off or not is personal preference depending on how much space you have. |
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randavis74 Challenger 440 4bbl join:2000-01-19 Blue Springs, MO |
to Cho Baka
I use my tools in my work. When I need a 9/16ths socket, I don't have to look for it. It sure speeds up the job.
At the end of the job it is really easy to see if I left a socket somewhere, as there is a gaping hole in the rail.
Those sockets in my pictures above date to the early seventy's. I very rarely lose one. |
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Mdg Premium Member join:2009-01-10 Allentown, PA |
to IowaCowboy
You don't want to see the inside of mine, sockets just thrown in there.
Best part is when I moved cross country, I have a three piece stack on, I locked the two other section keys in the top drawer and couldn't find the key to unlock it. I had to drill it out to open the other two sections.
Keepin it classy |
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LazMan Premium Member join:2003-03-26 Beverly Hills, CA |
to Cho Baka
said by Cho Baka:You guys don't want to see my toolbox.
My sockets are identified by a blend of brand, location and patina.
Most commonly used sockets are closest to the front, and tend to be showing the most wear.
I can find what I need in moments, everyone else shakes their head. I have my metric sockets in one drawer, imperial in the top... No rails; no holders, just loose. Ratchets, extensions, etc are in with the imperial sockets. Not the most organized way to roll, I know; but it does the job... |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on hold Premium Member join:2002-11-19 Parsippany, NJ |
to IowaCowboy
I use trays in the drawer. I love 'em! » m.sears.com/index-g.html ··· 5172000P |
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garys_2k Premium Member join:2004-05-07 Farmington, MI |
garys_2k
Premium Member
2014-Jan-2 8:25 am
Does that tray accept non-Craftsman sockets? |
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HarryH3 Premium Member join:2005-02-21 |
to dennismurphy
Too much wasted space for those of us that have a LOT of tools. I have at least 12 rails of sockets. 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2-inch drives, SAE, Metric, 6-point, 12-point, deep well, Torx, Hex, impact, etc. |
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HarryH3 |
to IowaCowboy
Here's another toolbox item that I have found invaluable; socket labels: » www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome- ··· &vxp=mtrThey make it MUCH easier to grab the right size the first time. |
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to IowaCowboy
I started using these years ago and found them to be the best thing out there. |
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neonhomerDearborn 5-2750 Premium Member join:2004-01-27 Edgewater, FL |
to IowaCowboy
Harbor Freight sells those socket rails for 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sockets. I don't think they cost too much. Then put some kind of strong magnet on the back of the bar to hold it in place. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on hold Premium Member join:2002-11-19 Parsippany, NJ |
to HarryH3
said by HarryH3:Too much wasted space for those of us that have a LOT of tools. I have at least 12 rails of sockets. 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2-inch drives, SAE, Metric, 6-point, 12-point, deep well, Torx, Hex, impact, etc. I just added a 3rd tool chest. Problem solved. I tried the rails but found them a pain in the ass. I use 3 drawers for all my sockets and that's fine with me. I also have a drawer just for phillips head screwdrivers, one for flats, and one for torx & hex. I guess I have more wall room than sense, but I've given up on the "gotta pack it all in as tight as possible" idea - I can't find sh!t that way. |
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to Jack_in_VA
said by Jack_in_VA:Why would we not want to see your toolbox? How about some pics. A toolbox organization pictures thread. Now that I would LOVE to see! |
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xj31 join:2005-09-25 Lake Villa, IL |
to IowaCowboy
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Msradell Premium Member join:2008-12-25 Louisville, KY |
to HarryH3
Those have always sounded like a great idea but if you use and abuse your sockets a lot they don't stay on very well. If you use the rails just keep separate rails for metric and English in determining which is what size is extremely simple. |
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IowaCowboyLost in the Supermarket Premium Member join:2010-10-16 Springfield, MA ·Comcast XFINITY
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I decided to go the rail route. But I'm going to have to buy more rails as I have a lot more loose sockets to sort.
They also didn't have the rails for the 1/4 drive sockets in stock so I'll get those at another Sears.
I've got more tools to sort as well from Electrical to Plumbing to CATV tools that are scattered about.
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