HELP-Sockets

[Case IH]

I am having alot of trouble with organising my sockets I recently bought some organizers from HF which reselted in me throwing my half full metal scket rack across the garage (yes im frusturated) b that didnt solve my problem . what i need is some advice on organizing my sockets currently I have included some pics to show what I have]

PS: can we try to keep suggestions around $60

 

[amolaver]

i've converted to the ernst rails, but one of the primary reasons i switched is i like having a set of sockets with me under/around the vehicle. in fact, i commonly find myself with two rails - deeps and swivels - along with a ratchet or 2 and the impact. this usually lets me do the job much more quickly; not having to go back and forth to the toolbox is just wasted time.

the ernst stuff is expensive (i ordered everything direct) but someone recently posted a reseller who is cheaper, but a) doesn't list the 13" rails on their site and b) never responded to my email asking about them.

i had used the metal friction rails for years and like them, but they don't store vertically so need a ton of drawer space. using the ernst rails with their mounts means i can fit all my metric sockets in one drawer - b4 them i had them spread across 5 drawers and 2 boxes...

ahm

 

[DanCo]

I got bored a few weeks back, and decided to make a couple of tray to hold my doubles at home and some impacts for work. Found some "scrap aluminum" and picked up some drawer pulls for handles. Using a few 1/2", 3/8", & 1/4" rails.

Made another tray but its too cold to paint. I'm wondering the weight once I get the trays fully loaded.

P.S. does anyone make 3/4" rails, I got a few loose 3/4 drive sockets.

 

[bsaint]

yea just use socket rails.

 

[reptilezs]

socket rails are like 2 bucks on snap on's site and free ship

 

[crewchief888]

I am having alot of trouble with organising my sockets I recently bought some organizers from HF which reselted in me throwing my half full metal scket rack across the garage (yes im frusturated) b that didnt solve my problem . what i need is some advice on organizing my sockets currently I have included some pics to show what I have]

PS: can we try to keep suggestions around $60

i use a combination of SO metal rails and clips, hansen trays, MTS magnetic holders, and OEM metal trays that my sockets came in.

if you decide to do the metal rail/clip, buy something besides HF.

 

[mrholeshot]

well made steel socket rails are just hard to beat

 

[70chevellegsp]

Www.automotivetoolsonline.com has good pricing but not great selection. Shipping is very fast. I just switched over and like them way better than the metal rails they replaced.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

P.S. does anyone make 3/4" rails, I got a few loose 3/4 drive sockets.

Yes, Snap-on do.

 

[supertooljunkie]

Most of what I have are on socket rails. I have a few Hanson trays. I bought the HF red trays and use those in my tool cart and at home. The socket rails are much more portable.

The HF in Lilburn finally received the black trays. I bought a set of those in MM & SAE, Friday, and switched from the red over to the black. Spare sets went on the red. If you liked the red trays, the black ones are soooooooo much better. The sockets actually fit, and they don't skip sizes.

 

[lauver]

Case IH,

Looking at your two photo's, it appears that your current organizers will fit in your drawer. This type of organizer is pretty wasteful of space, but it get's the job done. It also looks like you have enough holes in your organizers to accommodate your sockets. So what exactly is the problem/frustration?

Too many sockets for the available holes?

Not enough storage space for drive tools?

Both of the above?

As others have pointed out, there are other storage methods (i.e. various types of trays and rails) that are more space efficient.

 

[DanCo]

Thanks Moose!

 

[mkirkpatrick]

I got bored a few weeks back, and decided to make a couple of tray to hold my doubles at home and some impacts for work. Found some "scrap aluminum" and picked up some drawer pulls for handles. Using a few 1/2", 3/8", & 1/4" rails.

Made another tray but its too cold to paint. I'm wondering the weight once I get the trays fully loaded.

P.S. does anyone make 3/4" rails, I got a few loose 3/4 drive sockets.

Nice work Danco, give me something to do this winter.

 

[Case IH]

Case IH,

Looking at your two photo's, it appears that your current organizers will fit in your drawer. This type of organizer is pretty wasteful of space, but it get's the job done. It also looks like you have enough holes in your organizers to accommodate your sockets. So what exactly is the problem/frustration?

Too many sockets for the available holes?

Not enough storage space for drive tools?

Both of the above?

As others have pointed out, there are other storage methods (i.e. various types of trays and rails) that are more space efficient.

my problem is that I have different sizes and the holders don't either have enough holes or sizes so is everyone recomending different rails?

 

[crewchief888]

my problem is that I have different sizes and the holders don't either have enough holes or sizes so is everyone recomending different rails?

i had a couple of those type of socket organizers.

i was trying to get stuff organized, having tools scattered around in different boxes, in different locations.
they lasted about a week before i tossed them in the trash.

finally decided to take all my tools, and put them in one of 2 places, either at work, or at home.
at least i can find what i'm looking for...

1st pic garage socket drawer, added a few more ,and reorganized since this pic
2nd pic service truck 3/8" & 1/2" dr 3/4" & 1/4"dr in a seperate compartment in the truck

still have a few unused 3/4" dr sockets, and acouple sets of 1/2"dr in my work box

 

[Case IH]

Mmkay I think I will just try re organizing with my metal rails

 

[lauver]

my problem is that I have different sizes and the holders don't either have enough holes or sizes so is everyone recomending different rails?

Case IH,

Absolutely not. I'd suggest you explore Hansen Trays. They are much more space efficient than the organizers you are currently using, and offer many other advantages:

-- Each Hansen tray holds between 26 and 34 sockets including both shallow and deep sockets in the same tray.

-- SAE and Metric trays are color coded for easy identification.

-- Socket sizes are clearly marked.

-- Trays can easily be removed and taken to your project for ease of use.

-- Hansen also makes special trays for bit sockets.


I'd also suggest you explore using the top bin of your tool chest for your socket storage, instead of a drawer. This will give you even more space and it's usually very accessable, unless you have a very tall chest/cab set. Last, if you have duplicate or misc sockets, don't store these in Hansen trays. Instead, keep your dupe/misc sockets in small rectangular, square, or round plastic storage bins. You can nest these bins around your Hansen trays and keep all your sockets and bit drivers in one place.

Or, you can explore other storage systems like rails, or any combination of storage systems to meet your specific needs and preferences.

Let us know how you make out... photos required!


--

 

[Case IH]

Yeah the top of my box is slightly smaller and is too high.... Where can I get Hansens I've only seen them In the tool world mag.

 

[miccontreras]

I've tried 3 things recently. I bought the red "Hansen type" trays from HF, I've tried the plastic socket rails at HF (cheap version of Ernst) and I just recently bought the Ernst complete tool kit that I found locally for $39. Prior to this I was using metal rails. The HF Hansen type trays would be fine if the spacing was right. I bought mine on clearance, so I've got the old ones where the spacing is off so the larger sockets don't fit. For me, the Hansen style take up too much room.

My preference is the Ernst rails, and I will be placing an order to have enough Ernst for all of my sockets. I kind of like the HF plastic rails, but they seems hard to get the sockets on and off. However, they stand up on their own (similar to Ernst), so they are space efficient. They are 14" long, which is a little shorter than the Ernst ones I have.

Regards,

Mike

 

[BiltFordTuff]

i personally love the plastic rails from HF, no different from the craftsman ones, just not as expensive