Organizing Sockets in a Tool Bag

[Zewnten]

Have a small tool kit I'm making to grab and go for odd jobs. I am trying to figure out how to organize my socket sets, right now I'm only working on is 3/8 drive deep and shallow metric and SAE sockets. I thought of using the klien zip up bags by sticking the metric shorts in one, deeps in another and so on. I don't really like the steel rails as they are either to hard to get off or they just fall off. What do you use?

 

[65k10]

I use Ernst socket rails with their twist lock clips. The rails are nice and stiff and the twist lock clips do a good job retaining sockets. Another nifty thing about them that might be beneficial for a tool bag is you can put the clips on the top and bottom side of the rail. That way you could have shallow sockets on one side of the rail and deeps on the other side.

 

[JoeMcGov]

35 years ago when I was building my very first tool (and dirt *** poor) I took metal coat hangers and made a simple round/oblong "clip" (think large key chain) and then just ran it through each socket with a little paperclip bend on one end for the other end to nest inside of. Wasn't pretty. But worked easy-peasy and was budget friendly.

 

[tatra]

I have found using cheap socket rails with no more than a half dozen sockets , 4 with larger sockets works best . Less chance of them twisting and easier to place in the bag . Usual only need a few certain sizes so those get put together on one rail . Longer seems to get snagged . Bags get tossed a lot so having a cheap replacement worked great for me if needed which wasn’t really too often .

 

[306guy]

I used to use the rails too, but always had an issue with them falling off.

Have you heard of Socket Roll? It organizes all your sockets in a roll up bag. Holds ratchets and accessories too.

www.socketroll.com




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[Bigblue&Goldie]

Plastic rails work great if you cant just bring a blow molded case set with you.

 

[Stuart in MN]

How about some small plastic boxes, like a pencil box? Here's one example on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Unionway-Transparent-Utility-Storage-Bits，Comestic/dp/B079D4X92K/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1546118314&sr=1-5&keywords=pencil+box

 

[Can I try?]

Here's what I carry, a pouch containing a small 3/8"-drive set with select added pieces.

I'm an industrial tech. This pouch stays in my bag for when I'm answering trouble calls and can only work with what I can carry. If I'm dealing with a big job, I will carry a more comprehensive set box in addition to my tool bag.

The pouch is sold by PakTek. I carry a second one that contains all my small, easily-jumbled-in-a-toolbag tools. I purchased it on eBay, but PakTek was the seller.

http://www.toolpak.com

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Padded-socket-bag-by-Paktek-ToolPak-Brand-Window-PakPal-small-parts-bag-case/253512541797?hash=item3b06866665:g:5jcAAOSwrmdTrEQA

 

[tatra]

I used to use the rails too, but always had an issue with them falling off.

Have you heard of Socket Roll? It organizes all your sockets in a roll up bag. Holds ratchets and accessories too.

www.socketroll.com




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.

Did you have more than few on ? I found the same problem as you until I cut them down . Sometimes the end clip would slip off the rails so I just pinche the rail to prevent that . As cheap as they were I just replaced if it became a problem . Another bonus was they fit width wise instead o length wise

 

[bbrins]

I use the Wright/Craftsman/Kobalt plastic rails in my tool bag in my work truck, also in my Jeep tool bag and my main tool box in my garage. I think I started using this style of rail sometime around 2001 or so. I have only broken a handful of clips over the years, and the only times that sockets come unclipped is if I am handling them rough.

I tried the Ernst rails for a short period in my Jeep, one time I went to pick up a rail full of sockets that was sitting on the front fender in the sun and almost every socket fell off from the plastic getting soft in the heat, I have never had this problem with my other rails.

I just put the 3/8 sockets on rails right in the main tool bag, the 1/4 stuff is also on rails, but is in a leather tool pouch to make it easier to find what I need.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have tried using rails of all types, but find plastic ones break, or steel twist, sockets fall off. I have started using small zipper bags from Home Depot. I use a different bag for each size.

I put shallow and deep sockets in their own small bag. Then those go into a larger bag with a ratchet, extensions, and other accessories. Each size has it's own bag. Metric & SAE are in a different bag. Six bags total. Been doing it like that for years.

 

[El_Guapo]

For my little field bag I carry on alignments and whatnot, I went through dozens of attempts at socket organization before I found the answer: Those 99 cent pill organizers work great for the 1/4 and 3/8 drives, and a little nylon shaving kit bag for the 1/2" drive.

 

[fourjeepin]

I bought some of the small nylon zipper bags from HD & Lowe’s. One bag for each size

 

[matt_i]

35 years ago when I was building my very first tool (and dirt *** poor) I took metal coat hangers and made a simple round/oblong "clip" (think large key chain) and then just ran it through each socket with a little paperclip bend on one end for the other end to nest inside of. Wasn't pretty. But worked easy-peasy and was budget friendly.

I worked in a plant where there were metal clips floating around, they held man-fan cages together. But in essence were like an megasized safety pin about 10" long. Bent from ~1/8" wire. Several of the trades used them for socket holders that wouldn't let go until they were ready.

 

[Wamsutta]

I like the GearWrench rails because they hold the sockets just fine without making them hard to pull off. They use spring loaded friction balls for retention.

 

[rick carpenter]

I use a cash box that I rigged for my 1/2" kit. I also have a metal SK box for my 3/8". I toss them in my Husky bag and they live nicely with the other loose tools in there.

 

[mr.lemons]

Twisty rails work very well. Also sold under Tekton brand. Find the sockets easier to remove with greasy hands than ball indent rails. Maybe too long for some bags but can be cut.

 

[PhysicsDude]

When I used to carry a set of 3/8 sockets in my toolbag I used one of these magnetic rails:

 

[mr.lemons]

^ Found every other tool in my bag also sticks to rails with magnets. Pull out the rail for a socket and you also get three screwdrivers, a hammer and a bunch of loose washers, nails and screws

 

[Balor]

Hi Zewnten

Check out Atlas 46, https://www.atlas46.com/products.html

rngr1

 

[cherrybomb]

In my suv,it has a compartment for tire changing tools.It is about 3 in.deep and 10in. wide and almost the width of the car.I have all my tools in the Klein Cordura Bags.They come in some colors and I keep my air inflation,tire sockets in the one camo one I have.The black ones can be marked with a paint marker if so desired.Works for me in my sitiuation and keeps tools quiet and out of sight for security.The breaker bar I wrap up in tool box liner to keep it quiet.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I’ve gone to the HF wrench rings for combination wrenches and sockets in my tractor tool box where everything gets bounced onto a pile. You can put a couple together if all the sockets won’t fit on one.

 

[LaneRover]

35 years ago when I was building my very first tool (and dirt *** poor) I took metal coat hangers and made a simple round/oblong "clip" (think large key chain) and then just ran it through each socket with a little paperclip bend on one end for the other end to nest inside of. Wasn't pretty. But worked easy-peasy and was budget friendly.

My dad did the same thing, also works well for box end wrenches.

 

[Zewnten]

I think I'm going to go with the Klien cordura zipper bags and the atlas socket panel holder. The socket roll has promise but isn't very modular and is rather expensive for what it offers.

 

[Fedwrench]

The zippered bags from Craftsman, Lowes and others work pretty good. However, visit wal mart, Target, or perhaps an office supply store. In the school supply section they often have somewhat round shaped zippered nylon pouches meant for pens and pencils but, also work great for bit sockets or smaller socket sets like 1/4 drive.

 

[306guy]

.



Did you have more than few on ? I found the same problem as you until I cut them down . Sometimes the end clip would slip off the rails so I just pinche the rail to prevent that . As cheap as they were I just replaced if it became a problem . Another bonus was they fit width wise instead o length wise

I had whatever they held on and its the bulkiness of them in my bag that made them an issue. That and you had to have several rails for all your sockets which just took up too much space. With Socket Roll I have a separate bag specifically for that and it fits inside my other tool bag (well, right across the top). Just make it easier for me as a mobile tech.


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[CTyankee]

I gave trying to corral all my sockets and went and bought that Gearwrench double socket set deal in the roto mold cases that's posted here on GJ. Probably the best time saving, mental health improving thing I've done when it comes to working on stuff. Wrenches I keep on those plastic wrench racks. The socket rolls look interesting though.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I cut down some Cman socket rails and then they go in to some zippered tool bag/pouches which are probably Cman too.

 

[Sloper0204]

Adventure Tool Company zippered tool pouches in my bags and hard cases.

 

[mrjaw14]

Hi Zewnten

Check out Atlas 46, https://www.atlas46.com/products.html

rngr1

I’ve been looking at atlas46. They are way too expensive. I really want a Yorktown tool roll, but I can’t justify the cost. $135 for a tool bag is insane. They are a niche specialty product at that price. They’d sell a lot more if they readjusted their pricing. Bucket boss has something more reasonable, but it’s kind of small.

 

[ransil]

I have tried steel rails, plastic rails and magnetic holders these always left me with sockets in the bottom of the bag.
These flexible ones work good, tough to get on & off but they keep the sockets on the rail.

https://weldtab.com/product-category/socket-holders/