Anyone reuse a old socket box for a new socket toolkit?

[Iowafox]

I have always been interested in the old school socket sets that came in these beautifully crafted tin boxes. I have thought about ordering a new one and making my own kit then I found this one a old SK box that had sat in the family's machine shed for who knows how long.
The corners where cracked so I used JB weld on the corners and then repainted it a navy blue. Then added some rubber on the bottom for the tools and sockets to sit on.
The sockets are mostly old Napa USA sockets. 2 Snap on 13 mm and 19 mm, a Mac 10 mm and a Stanley 16 mm as well as a 13 mm Proto deep socket.
This socket set is 7 mm-19 mm on a old Snapon rail. And a Napa Carlyle 3/8 ratchet.
A Proto universal joint finger pinch style, and a Performance Tools impact 3/8 universal joint my favorite style of these.
I have 2(one not shown) 2 inch, 1 6 inch and a 8 inch (not pictured) extensions. The wobble one pictured was replaced with the 8 inch one.
This is the little socket kit that sits in my tool bag. Kind of as a on the go K.I.S.S kit.
I have found this kit already to be much more space saving when going on trips places as I always like having my tools with me.

I wanted a small good quality USA made socket set that way I don't always need to carry my big socket set that has 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 in it. I can always throw the other ratchets in my bag if needed along with the step up and down adapters.
In all I have about $8 invested in this little toolkit! I wanted to really kind of go smaller and grab 1 bag vs my bag and my big socket kit all the time. The wife kind of gets sick of me always bringing my tools all over as I am the family Mr.fix it/mechanic on the weekends as I love this stuff.
It is still under development but I plan for this to be a mainstay for me. What do you think? Share yours!

 

[Shelbylex]

Got to love it, Iowafox!

 

[sayoda]

That is great!!!

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[Iowafox]

Thanks guys! Yeah it was a fun little project to redo this box into working order again. It was also kind of fun to figure out what sockets to incorporate into this set and work this all out to be both effective and give me the fizz every time I need to use it!

 

[bargainhuntingking]

It’s satisfying to put together an efficient, compact set like this out of good components and house it in an old case charmed with patina.

I too find it hard to resist buying old cases like that for eventual upcycling or re-use.

I applaud your custom kit in a cool box. Curious how the JB weld repair will hold up to the flexing over time.

 

[ThePostman]

I miss those boxes too. If you have a welder, you can always make your own trays, this took no time to do.

The longest part was waiting for the Rust-Oleum to dry. Materials simple angle iron from anywhere.

 

[lilredex]

That's the heavy duty version for sure. Mine are sheet metal, and no welding if need be.

 

[jgromada]

The blow molded cases of today (including the green SK one) add too much bulk to the entire case of tools. The metal ones were very minimalist

 

[Toolcrib]

Here is a 1\4 inch socket set i put together in an unused Pittsburgh swivel socket tin I had laying around. The sockets are mostly extra, Performance Tool, Tawain, Kobalt and Duralast. I keep this set in my vehicle and use it at work and for emergencies on the road. I use it at least 3 times a week do to the community tool situation at my work. If it gets lost or stolen at work no biggie!

 

[Gurp]

Love this thread!! I need to do up one of these for the motorcycle. I usually just throw tools in the smaller pocket of my backpack for long rides. This is much better

 

[mikebaker1129]

That's the heavy duty version for sure. Mine are sheet metal, and no welding if need be.

Details on these ?
This is the coolest socket rack I have seen in a long time!
Did you use a break to bend the sheetmetsl ?

 

[captain14]

The blow molded cases of today (including the green SK one) add too much bulk to the entire case of tools. The metal ones were very minimalist

I agree. Those blow mold cases take up way too much room in a bag or toolbox. I think it so the average consumer thinking they are getting more bang for the buck.

 

[lilredex]

Details on these ?
This is the coolest socket rack I have seen in a long time!
Did you use a break to bend the sheetmetsl ?

Details are here for anyone that wants to make some:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Tool-Box-Socket-Organizating/

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have an old Billings socket kit box but I don’t want to lose it or scratch it up so I don’t use it


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[Iowafox]

Love this thread!! I need to do up one of these for the motorcycle. I usually just throw tools in the smaller pocket of my backpack for long rides. This is much better

I suggest either looking at yard sales or estate sales or just go online look up small metal toolboxes. There are quite a few new versions for $30 or less! I love this set of mine that I made. I have actually thought about doing up more eventually for each car I have.

 

[Iowafox]

That's the heavy duty version for sure. Mine are sheet metal, and no welding if need be.

These are real cool! I might have to try my hand at making one of these fo rmy old Craftsman USA deep sockets!

 

[Iowafox]

I miss those boxes too. If you have a welder, you can always make your own trays, this took no time to do.

The longest part was waiting for the Rust-Oleum to dry. Materials simple angle iron from anywhere.

This one you made is so simple and effective! It makes me think of the old K.I.S.S saying! I know what I am doing on friday at work now making a few of these for my impacts!

 

[Iowafox]

The blow molded cases of today (including the green SK one) add too much bulk to the entire case of tools. The metal ones were very minimalist

I agree I can't stand the plastic blow mold stuff. But I get it this is the cheapest way to organize sockets from the factory with out adding in extra $$$$ for labor making the metal boxes. I still think these boxes should be offered extra but that is just me!

 

[Iowafox]

I have an old Billings socket kit box but I don’t want to lose it or scratch it up so I don’t use it


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I don't blame you there. I would still use the set just for light around the house stuff though!

 

[Iowafox]

It’s satisfying to put together an efficient, compact set like this out of good components and house it in an old case charmed with patina.

I too find it hard to resist buying old cases like that for eventual upcycling or re-use.

I applaud your custom kit in a cool box. Curious how the JB weld repair will hold up to the flexing over time.

I to wonder about how long it will last. If I have to I could always replace this box tho. I don't want to but I could.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I don't blame you there. I would still use the set just for light around the house stuff though!

Yeah I think it may have a couple extra fittings for my air tools in it but I don’t remember it is in good shape for a Billings box so I don’t often take it off the shelf


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[Iowafox]

Yeah I think it may have a couple extra fittings for my air tools in it but I don’t remember it is in good shape for a Billings box so I don’t often take it off the shelf


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No judgement here! I have a nice old box that is full of old car badges and emblems and the last time I moved it I scratched the paint. I haven't touched it in 2 years or so now as I believe it is a rare box from MAC tools way back when in amazing shape.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

No judgement here! I have a nice old box that is full of old car badges and emblems and the last time I moved it I scratched the paint. I haven't touched it in 2 years or so now as I believe it is a rare box from MAC tools way back when in amazing shape.

Very cool if I can get too it later I will take a picture and post the top is a little rough but the rest of box is nice


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[Iowafox]

Very cool if I can get too it later I will take a picture and post the top is a little rough but the rest of box is nice


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Cool! Sounds great!

 

[Ralf11]

has anybody made a magnetic socket tray out of wood?

 

[ex-x-fire]

An old metal 1st aid box makes a good small tool box. I can usually find one at a flea market for $5 or less.

 

[damon18]

Sorry, I recently cornered the market on metal socket and tool storage boxes. ;-) Estate sale auction from a former tractor service shop.

I've always liked these metal boxes, blow molded plastic just doesn't have the same character.

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[Iowafox]

has anybody made a magnetic socket tray out of wood?

I actually have wanted to try this. I figure use some Harbor Freight magnet rails to do the first round of testing. Then once I figure out all the tweeks order some nickle sized rare earth magnets enough for what ever socket set you have then be done. But I am afraid it would be a little bulky and wouldn't fit in a toolbox very well. At least the design I have in my head.

 

[Iowafox]

Sorry, I recently cornered the market on metal socket and tool storage boxes. ;-) Estate sale auction from a former tractor service shop.

I've always liked these metal boxes, blow molded plastic just doesn't have the same character.

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I don't blame you lol. that Makita box would be awesome to make into a 1/2 drive socket set!!

 

[damon18]

I don't blame you lol. that Makita box would be awesome to make into a 1/2 drive socket set!!

The Makita is the only box that wasn't originally a socket or ratchet set box. It must have had some kind of power tool, maybe a drill?


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[Iowafox]

The Makita is the only box that wasn't originally a socket or ratchet set box. It must have had some kind of power tool, maybe a drill?


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Knowing Makita odds are a drill, impact driver something along those lines is a good chance yeah. Still cool!!

 

[Tostal]

Here's a couple of vintage Britool (British) socket boxes I got recently that I plan on refurbing and then filling with original tools as and when I can.

Snap-On (and many others) used to supply various sizes of socket boxes for their socket sets (back in the good ol' days).

T~

 

[klassenl]

How about an old insert in a new box

 

[Iowafox]

How about an old insert in a new box

I love this!!! This is beautiful work you did! If I where to do this on my big socket set which is all the common drive sizes in a stanely 200 piece blowmold case I would have a HUGE chunk of wood way to big for me lol. But what you did here is amazing work!!:hitit:

 

[Tostal]

How about an old insert in a new box

Excellent workmanship.

Only problem is, if I had a box as nice as the above, I'd be afraid to use it....

T~

 

[captain14]

Has anyone successfully cut a portion out of a blow molded tool box so you can additional extensions, etc to it? I’ll add this case as an example since there seems to be more “dead” area near the latch side.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-11pc-1-4inch-drive-6-pt-inch-socket/p-005W092736311313P?rrec=true



I’ll be using a multi tool for the surgery. I have successfully removed all of the plastic dividers in an old Porter-Cable box to repurpose it.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

I grab the old metal boxes whenever I see them at garage sales or flea markets. I generally clean and repaint them, and install drawer liner material, I then fill them with task-specific tools from the pawnshop or tag sales for "grab and go" home maintenance projects. I have one with all mateials and tools needed for tuning up my standby generator, and others for doing household electrical and plumbing jobs. Saves a lot of time running back and forth to the toolbox when everything you need is right next to you in that box.

 

[SeisMec]

I to wonder about how long it will last. If I have to I could always replace this box tho. I don't want to but I could.

Similar gauge sheet metal - bent into an L and soldered to the insides of the corners would hold up if the JB doesn't.

 

[dubdoc]

Socket set box converted to work as bit-box.

 

[Steiger9]

Has anyone successfully cut a portion out of a blow molded tool box so you can additional extensions, etc to it? I’ll add this case as an example since there seems to be more “dead” area near the latch side.

I’ll be using a multi tool for the surgery. I have successfully removed all of the plastic dividers in an old Porter-Cable box to repurpose it.

I've taken a heat gun to a CaseIH (Williams make) 1/4" socket set to reform the ratchet slot to fit a roto ratchet.

Also drilled holes in a Chapman bit case so I could fit a full set of torx in there.

The worst offender for excessive case "dead space" is Proto. As much as I love their tools, their case layout is ridiculous.