Socket Organization Question

[Spiffers]

In preparation for getting a new bigger better Steven Austin like tool box, I have got trays and rails for my sockets.

We've been cleaning out the shed and found A LOT of tools. I sorted them out by made in USA and made else where. The question I have is how do you organize your good sockets and beater sockets if you have more than 1 set?

 

[wyattstihl]

In preparation for getting a new bigger better Steven Austin like tool box, I have got trays and rails for my sockets.



We've been cleaning out the shed and found A LOT of tools. I sorted them out by made in USA and made else where. The question I have is how do you organize your good sockets and beater sockets if you have more than 1 set?

Well, heres my redneck solution for my box, that I dont know if anyone else would even consider.

I bought the cheapo 99 cent socket rails from Harbor Freight, in all 3 common drive sizes. Then, I cut a piece of plywood, put my drawer liner on top of it, and screwed down the socket rails.

I organised my sets by extensions\accessories on the first rail,(for each drive size) shallows the next, then the deeps. Crappy or extra sockets get placed on the leftover rails.

This is how it looks in the drawer.

Hope I helped in some way.

Edit: This requires a deep drawer, because the plywood will take up about 1”-1 1/2”, and the length of your deep sockets. Also, the HF cheap socket rails are absolute murder to work with, but the will do the job.

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[sweet victory]

Place the sockets you normally use where you can easily access them. I personally prefer the top of a cart because it's annoying to constantly open and close drawers to get sockets. I like VIM magrails. Nice sockets rails you don't have to fight when you have oily hands is something worth getting for me. I would place your "beater" sockets in a box outside of the tool box or cart. If we're all honest...those either become seal/bearing drivers or customized for tight/weird spots. No point in taking up prime real estate for something that is seldom used.

I moved my impact sockets up here since I took this picture, but you get the idea.

DSC01034 by P A, on Flickr

 

[WWheeler]

I'm a proponent that each extra set of sockets warrants another tool box to keep them in.

 

[Spiffers]

Well, heres my redneck solution for my box, that I dont know if anyone else would even consider.

I bought the cheapo 99 cent socket rails from Harbor Freight, in all 3 common drive sizes. Then, I cut a piece of plywood, put my drawer liner on top of it, and screwed down the socket rails.

I organised my sets by extensions\accessories on the first rail,(for each drive size) shallows the next, then the deeps. Crappy or extra sockets get placed on the leftover rails.

This is how it looks in the drawer.

Hope I helped in some way.

Edit: This requires a deep drawer, because the plywood will take up about 1”-1 1/2”, and the length of your deep sockets. Also, the HF cheap socket rails are absolute murder to work with, but the will do the job.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was thinking something like that. I get less crappy brand sockets as I go higher. Sometimes with a bolt its quicker to use a socket on each side.


I could just leave them in my old craftsman box but I want everything in one spot.

 

[Tallpilot]

I'm a proponent that each extra set of sockets warrants another tool box to keep them in.

The first time I trade up a tool the old one goes in my truck. The next time the truck one goes to the lady's vehicle and the process repeats. On the very rare occasions I trade up a 3rd time the original goes to my friend's toolbox down the street and on down the line.

So I agree with your assessment.

 

[JuliusPepperwood]

I like all my sockets in one place, I don’t have any sockets that aren’t considered beater sockets and none of them are made in the USA. So I can’t help you there but if you need help with placement I’m proud of ,y setup
I use the tekton twist lock rails,
TEKTON 91805 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2-Inch Drive Socket Holder Set, 3-Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRL59PC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like them because u can put different drive size clips on the same rail good for hex sockets, torx, and adapters.

The 2 rails on the far right are my 3/4”drive set on tekton 1/2 rails with ERNST 3/4twist lock clips. The whole set up is probably too expensive but it works for me.

View media item 84915

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I use a combination of Hansen trays and rails for the most part. I like Hansen trays the best and now that they are filled. I have overlap for each size in the different drive size/s. Plus, I have full sets of 1/4 and 3/8 Pass through (Vortex). Any duplicate sockets I had went to my brother or son.

I like all of my chrome sockets in one drawer with the drive tools. The exception is most of my 3/4" drive which in in another drawer with my impacts.

 

[azchrisf]

I've used the Ernst Socket rails to great effect.
They are cheap (about $10-12 each) and come with stickers for size.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I’m looking at the same thing right now. All my chrome sockets are on the Craftsman plastic rails. I just purchased three impact sets from Sunex (1/2” SAE master, 1/2” Metric master, and 3/8” master with universals, 11 rails total), they might live in their cases or I might cut the tops off the cases. I’ll experiment before cutting the tops off the cases. I like having rails holding an assortment on where I can grab the whole thing and go.

 

[JimNC]

I used to use the Hansen trays, but they have marked posts for sockets that I don’t need and I was getting close to buying sockets just to fill the spaces. There is a vendor here that makes trays that are aluminum, Westling I think, you can get them with or without labels, I like them.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

All mine are kept on the old steel clip rails, my extra beaters are kept in a different box..

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[BroncoAZ]

These rails from HF look suspiciously like the Craftsman rails I have been using for a decade, but at 1/3 the price:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-pc-socket-rail-set-68101.html

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-p...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I’ve had good luck with the Craftsman ones, maybe I need to stick with that design and give the HF ones a try. My only real complaint is that they won’t be long enough for the Sunex master set that goes from 3/8” to 1 1/2”/9mm to 30mm, but likely nothing will hold 19 impact sockets. I’m probably better off breaking them up anyway due to the weight and not needing all those sizes at once.

In my Mac cart the 14” rails fit well, in my Lista box with the 18 or 24” wide drawers (all 24” deep) I can use dividers to keep them in check.

 

[mrtoolfool]

I used to use the Hansen trays, but they have marked posts for sockets that I don’t need and I was getting close to buying sockets just to fill the spaces.

Hansen trays are indeed great unless you have OCD and find the need to fill EVERY SINGLE PEG like me. Had I seen the option for the Westling trays in 2009 I might have gone that route and saved space and money !!!


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