blow molded cases vs socket trays

[scale]

The first craftman set of sockets i got as a kid 25 years ago came in one of those blow molded cases with a spot for everything. I have kept this in my tool box as such. I am debating switching over to either socket trays or rails as case has warped and if i tried to carry it around as intended without leaving it horizontal all the sockets fall out all over the place.

I have a set of the harbor freight socket trays which appear to work quite well. i have also used the Kobalt single sided socket rails which i really like.

What is the general thought on the blow molded cases? I have a full set of MIT (cheap) standard and metric sockets as well as the deep well version of each. They each have a small blow molded case they came in. These are great for portability and with my new 18v cordless impact probably makes sense to leave them this way as i can just grab a set or 2 and go (rotating tires in the drive way etc).

ON the same topic.....i have a few 9pc craftsman wrench sets that each come in their own carrier. This is nice to be portable but was thinking about doing wrench trays (harbor freight).

I guess i could always go trays and keep the cases/carriers around be mobile. I can count on both hands the times ive had to bring tools someplace to help a friend out who just isnt handy. I am undecided on which is best. I think the socket trays will work out better that the blow molded case that is starting to fail/warp but as for the rest of it, does anyone have recommendations on what they do? Kind of dumb question i guess but you dont know if you dont ask.

 

[gdocktor3]

I keep my complete 3/8" SK socket set in the blow molded case as well as my 1/4" Gearwrench in the blow molded case. This way, everything is neat and organized and I can grab the entire set and take it with me wherever I need to take it. I also keep my 1/2" Sunex impact sockets in the blow molded cases for the same reason. All of my 1/2" chrome stuff are on socket rails and in general its just a pain in the ***. I vote keep them in blow molded cases.

With all that said, if I had deeper drawers, there is a pretty good chance I'd have everything on Hansen socket trays or VIM magrails.

 

[toolenthusiast]

Losing sockets out of a worn-out case is no good. Portability is key. How about individual socket rails in a small toolbox that you can grab any time you need to go out to a vehicle?

If you like the specific look, feel, or size of the blow molded cases, Craftsman makes rectangular cases that are designed to toss under the seat of a truck. They're about $10.

 

[scale]

Thats quite the nice setup. A bit of both i see. After removing all the sockets from the case and placing them in a socket tray.....it appears like a lot less sockets. i guess that means i have saved a lot of space. That is good thing. That is a lot of impact sockets you have there.

This set has a row of 9 or 10 1/4 inch deep well 12 point sockets. I dont think i have ever used one these in 20 years. They are kind of pointless. I have micro travel rachets. I dont see the point (no pun intended) in 12 point sockets.

 

[scale]

I will probably drain the case and put things on the socket trays. I will keep a few of each sizes of socket rails around in case i need to go somewhere with a set or 2. That seems the most logical.

Ill keep the blow molded cases around for the impact sockets. They are coated in a slight oil to keep the rust down and they are small enough to grab and go or throw in a box quick.

I do almost all my work in the backyard or driveway in the summer months to get teh most out of the weather while it lasts. Even the trays i can carry out out of the box to accomplish this. I was just curious on what others do. I have seen some great box setups here on garage journal. This site is great.

 

[cheechi]

blow molded cases are only useful to me if it's a kit I plan to grab and go. I pick up socket trays from my box, put them on my cart and wheel it to where I'm working if needed. If I go to the junk yard, or to help out family, I have a few sets that I keep in boxes for that purpose. Helps keep my nicer things from going someplace they could go missing or destroyed, and frees up space in the purpose.

 

[gdocktor3]

That is a lot of impact sockets you have there.

I know. The red molded cases are Sunex and really only get used when I have to take them on the road with me. The deep's on the rail and 2 red/gray shallow sets are Snap On and get used the most. The Pit Pros in front I bought on a whim just to see if they were any good because Sunex makes them and then the set on bottom right is Craftsman USA. Then I have a few Proto, Wright and Blackhawk impacts mixed in.

 

[T45]

I'd say don't switch over just to keep up with the joneses. Switch over when you're current system is driving you crazy and you're need is met better by an alternative system.

Drop-in foam/organizers/mag rails are the most user friendly. Rails are the most space conscious. Blow mold has a combination of portability w/tool control. Usually bulkier and non-customizeble. Different strokes for different folks.

If you need new blow mold cases, snap on sell some for $15-17 that let you use rails for the sockets but controls the ratchet and extension area and it all packs up...nice option if that suits you for a hybrid approach as well.

 

[vettex2]

All my sockets are in the top of the box so I use rails and trays.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I'd personally recommend the Ernst socket boss setup. Best of both worlds as far as rails vs trays.
http://www.ernstmfg.com/Socket-Organizer-Trays-Socket-Boss.aspx

Another idea is to check on eBay for a replacement Craftsman socket case, plenty of them listed from the folks that break up the sets and sell sockets individually.

 

[pstemari]

I had the Hansen trays, but replaced them with the VIM rails which saved a lot of space. The Hansen trays leave a lot of open space between sockets.

Unfortunately that was about a $300 upgrade. The Ernst rails are a bit harder to keep upright, and afaict their tray solution is as oversized as the Hansen trays.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[chrisnazzy]

I am a big fan of well laid out blow molded cases. I've even been known to sell a set and upgrade to a different set because of finding a more complete or better organized case.

That being said though my socket drawer had gotten too full to continue using my Sunex blow molded boxes.(1st pic is my previous layout) I have now organized all my 6pt and 12pt chrome and impact sockets more traditionally in the drawer. Right now they are laid out in both Hansen trays, Mechanics Time Savers and also loose rows while I wait for my Westling order to come in. Had to mock everything up to ensure it would all fit with the Westling (2nd pic).

I don't plan on ditching the remaining blow molded cases because I really like the storage solutions they provide.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Tenex]

I use the Ernst rails with twist-lock clips for the best of both worlds. I'm never lucky enough to have my work come to the tools.

 

[Moparman390]

Let me stop you right here before you make HF wrench rack mistake if you have Craftsman RP wrenches. The HF metal and plastic racks run at poor angles (length) and their notches are ill fitted for Craftsman RP wrenches, I know, I tried and returned both. The perfect choice is Hansen Global wrench racks, they fit Craftsman RPs like a glove, both length and notch wise. They must have designed them with Craftsman RPs in mind. Amazon or HD (online only) has them. Here's mine:

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&k...7y0GwZdcS1iaxya24baPUNF6GQPPDzTO8MaAoZR8P8HAQ

The blue ones come with SAE & Metric size stickers, the other colors are printed on one or the other.

 

[md21722]

Once you have a lot of sockets or socket drivers, vertical storage is king. The bigger impacts I stand up along the left and right edges of my box. The rest is on MATCO plastic rails. A lot of folks use Hanson trays. For my 1/4" chromies and stuff like that, the plastic rails are perfect. You can grab a whole set if you want. For heavy stuff, rails can be clumsy. A lot depends on what you work on and if you purely work out of a roll cab/roll cart, or take stuff with you. You can google Socket organization for a lot more ideas.

 

[Farrell]

IMO SK makes the best grab and go cases. I have the 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 master socket sets with the green molded cases and they are excellent. I also have my craftsman sockets organized in my box in the red molded trays they came in. I am a home user not a professional users so I stack my sk boxes on top of the red molded craftsman boxes and it works well for me.

 

[Mr_B]

a bit of both works best probably, I have 1/4 in a metal box that lays open in socket drawer but easy fold up and go portable. 3/8 and 1/2 are all on stanless rails in 8 to 12pcs pending on size and easy go portable by putting them in tote tray or small barn style carry box.
Exception is impact sockets where I have some in supplied metal case and a big set in nice blow molded case. Battery impact gun boxed with common impacts is great example of easy use portable storage solution keeping tools safe and easy carry into yard or chuck in the truck and way better than having individual, I can pick up impact gun case and impact socket case and have just about everything would want for most impact jobs plus it easy pack up without leaving tools behind .

 

[crewchief888]

the only blow molded case i currently use is an SK 1/4" drive set, it's in the garage the set came in the case when i got it.
i use some hansen trays, plastic/steel rails, and a few stamped steel trays.

my service truck is set up differently, combination of stamped trays, MTS magnetic holders, an occasional steel rail.

i dont care for the hansen type trays, they take up too much room, even in the garage boxes.





added pics, SK 1/4" drive set in the garage, 1/4" drives in a repurposed blow molded box in my service truck

 

[thatguysb]

Blow mold case it is for me, i bought rails for my stuff but recently i decided that the blow mold case makes the most sense, mainly because i dont have a properly build shop as yet and i usually grab what i need and go straight to work.

 

[Al Borland]

In my home boxes, sockets are on rails, lying sideways with sizes facing up in shallow drawers.
My work tools have sockets in blow-molded cases. I can grab the set I want/need and go, everything is in order and I can see at a glance that everything is put away.
Works for me, and has for years.