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1/4 inch socket set storage

clark_nicholas

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Joined
Feb 18, 2011
Messages
107
Location
BFE Michigan
I have a 1/4 inch drive set deep and standard.... mm and sae need something to store the set in. It needs to be portable i work at a college where i work in mulit buildings and carry tools on a golf cart between buildings any thoughts?
 
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2mJps

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Joined
Feb 20, 2012
Messages
1,797
Location
north central Mo
I have been thinking about this because new cars have smaller bolts and I use 1/4 alot more.But I dont know. I dont like socket racks. I wish you could get a metal box like they came in back in the go old days.
 

capnrob97

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Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
127
Location
FL
I have a zipper bag I bought at Walmart for a couple bucks to keep a cheap set of wrenches in under the seat of my Ranger.

Works well enough.

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Outlawmws

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Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,110
Location
The Badlands
I use spring clip rails for all the 1/4" sockets and these sit on strong conveyor magnets, to keep them in one place in the tool box drawer. This makes it easy to carry whichever sockets I need to a job or project. A small bag like was previously mentioned, or a smaller carry box would work for transport to other buildings.

Another option might be one of the Plano fishing box clam-shells with movable/removable dividers.
 

Jim_No_Garage

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Joined
Jan 15, 2011
Messages
3,301
Location
Millington NJ
I use what appears to be a Military Surplus repair parts box. It's 8" W x 4" D x 4" H. The lid clicks shut but doesn't "latch" and it's heavy steel.

I keep the sockets on rails and it works for me.

Cheers

Jim
 

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jtfc

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Joined
Jul 3, 2011
Messages
148
Location
way out west somewhere
Cornwell sells a couple of smaller metal boxes that might work for you. Also snapon and cornwell both sell blow molded cases for their 1/4 master sockets sets. These are a few alternatives to socket rails. When I had other sockets I had hansen socket rails but I broke a few of the pegs. Now that I bought the snap on set I just pop the lid off and it holds the sockets just fine in my cart. The snap on blow molded case is pb99a I believe the cornwell metal boxes are bx04 and bx21 but unless you have a cornwell dealer good luck ...
 

fordbroncodave

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Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
4,555
I like the First Aid Kit I may look at yard sales for something like that

yah mine was in the trash. it is thick steel from the 1970's. perfect size and very rigid.

i see them in auction bulk lots and grab bag lots that don't sell. usually tossed in the misc pile of stuff nobody wants
 

jtfc

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Jul 3, 2011
Messages
148
Location
way out west somewhere
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Outlawmws

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Joined
Aug 9, 2011
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39,110
Location
The Badlands
Another option is to find an old vintage 1/4 box that was for 1/4 drive sets. here is a SO box I have, that I forgot about earlier, and I have a Duro but it lacks the cool factor of the SO...

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frostys

Active member
Joined
Jan 23, 2012
Messages
28
Location
New Freedom PA
You can still get a Proto 4795 metal box (7"x3 1/2" x 1 1/8") at a few of the online tool sites. It's designed for a 1/4" socket set. I used it for a 3/8" set, using some 3/4" aluminum strip to create some dividers.
 

frostys

Active member
Joined
Jan 23, 2012
Messages
28
Location
New Freedom PA
Outlaw's box comes up on eBay fairly often, usually in the $15 to $30 range. I paid ~$20 (box + shipping) for the Proto 4795.
 
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bob08

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Joined
Aug 10, 2011
Messages
64
McMaster Carr has old style steel storage boxes (like current Proto Set Boxes) in various sizes for not allot of money ($10-$28 depending on size). I recently bought a larger one for storing some 1/2" sockets, and they're great folks to deal with.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#tackle-boxes/=glzoo9

Since you need your sockets to stay organized while moving them, you could either put them on a rail and find an appropriately sized box, or customize a box with cut closed cell foam; that might be a good option as well, and a fun project (they'd be less likely to rattle, etc.).

I'm not sure who manufactures these boxes; mine doesn't have any identifying marks. It's steel, painted red, and is plenty burly; everything I've gotten from McMaster Carr has been US made and of very high quality.
 

Oldndirty

Active member
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
41
Location
north jersey
I use an old first aid box too and it works great. Looking now for a cash box or money box about the same size. I want something that locks and has a handle on top
 

PowerGenGuy

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Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
299
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Made this box with poplar and router. Bx lid is 1/4 ply, slides on like old pencil box. Sockets are secure on magnetic organizer. Been using this in my road box for 6 yrs. Snappy TF72, 2 extensions and TM4CSA square driver.
 

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jeffmoss26

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May 25, 2011
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12,851
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
One of the metal boxes Klein Tools, Lawson, and other industrial suppliers sell would work well if it has movable dividers. The latches are sturdy!
 

TonyCH

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Joined
Dec 12, 2011
Messages
302
Location
Finland
Another option is to find an old vintage 1/4 box that was for 1/4 drive sets. here is a SO box I have, that I forgot about earlier, and I have a Duro but it lacks the cool factor of the SO...

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When was this type of box made? Bought one and interested about its vintage.

Mine is a bit different inside though. It has 3 full width compartments inside so there is no slot for T-wrench. I went through the 1923-1941 catalogues in Collecting SO site but its not there. Looks like a Midget Wrench Set boxes from 20's-30's but internal configuration is different.

EDIT: ok, now I found one with the same configuration in 1945 and 1946 catalogues. Midget Wrench Set TM-120 with No.55-BA metal case. The lid is not visible though but first occurance with this configuration in '45. It was a 1/4" drive tool set when new.
 
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dledinger

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Joined
Apr 14, 2009
Messages
345
I use plastic rails, cut to length, I use metal rails for all my other sockets. They just don't seem to work worth a **** with 1/4".
 
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