Comprehensive Socket Set and Wrenches storage?

[kjkcjk]

I inherited from a relative quite a bit of chrome Sockets and Wrenches that 'kind of' fit on the top portion of a heavy steel toolbox, but there are really more sockets than space and I'm sure there are duplicates and there are hex and star and whatever else exists it seems.....be they 1/4", 1/2" etc... other stuff is metric it seems

I don't move them around much - just keep in garage - but trying to find the right size when I do need them is a pain rooting around all the excess. Is there not like a comprehensive organizer people would recommend to tidy things up? He also seemed to have an endless amount of actual socket wrenches - probably have 8 or 9 of similar size..haha.. probably didn't know he had them already or couldn't find so replaced with the same...

 

[gunguy]

Below are just a couple of examples of organizers that may help you out. Many more types and styles are available. Wrench organizers are available as well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...zers/sae-socket-trayorganizer-3-pc-68100.html

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

Hope this is helpfu.

Jim

 

[PFSard]

I have a lot of extra sockets from acquisitions over the years Before finding an appropriate storage solution, I would first sort out the sockets. By drive, size type, etc. I would then store the duplicates in containers (not in my primary toolbox). If you so desire, you could create an inventory of these duplicates on an index card while you have them separated. The good-to-have (but hardly used) would also not be stored in an easily accessible location (not in my primary toolbox).

There are a lot of threads on this forum that have solutions to organization of sockets et al.

Good luck.

 

[tez929rr]

Lots of threads here as someone said. I personally prefer the Hansen style socket tray - more compact than some others and the size in on the peg that sticks up so easier to see. Amazon sells a 6 piece set that look like copies of the Hansen trays for $32.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FMY5V62/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FireBros.]

Lots of threads here as someone said. I personally prefer the Hansen style socket tray - more compact than some others and the size in on the peg that sticks up so easier to see. Amazon sells a 6 piece set that look like copies of the Hansen trays for $32.

I second these, or any of the rebranded Hansen ones.

 

[ecotec]

I eventually upgraded to the 3 row Hanson trays, but I started with the two row Harbor Freight trays. They are both, what I would consider, reasonably priced for the organization that they provide.

I think I have an old picture from when I used the Harbor Freight two row trays.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I like the Hansen ones with the pegs. I also really like the ones from Rural King so the sockets can sit upright instead of upside down. I have multiple of each one and they work fine I’m a professional mechanic and use them at work and home some of both and they are fine and strong too.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[ecotec]

Here is my drawer, as it is today. I have replaced the Harbor Freight 1/4” and 3/8” trays with Hanson 3 row. The 1/2” trays remain Harbor Freight.

The trays make everything much easier to organize, really nicely, for a reasonable price.

 

[kjkcjk]

Went with the Harbor Freight ones, didn't see the Hansen you all recommended until I got back from Harbor Freight - the Hansen ones look better/more useful... and unfortunately our local Harbor Freight only had stock of Metric, but not the SAE Standard stuff - so I ordered that online probably at a premium. Thanks for the suggestion(s) - Harbor Freight may be my new favorite local store now!...

While doing this I noticed I have it seems like 3 makers of sockets kind of duplicating things - one from Japan, one from Taiwan both have to be 30 or 40 years old that I inherited and one set is certainly newer Craftsman that I probably bought 10 or 15 years ago. Since I have duplicate sockets, I wonder is there any historical reference to know what might be cheapo sets vs. more than likely nice sets? (aside from use) - just trying to decide which to put to the side that are duplicates. I figure it's like anything these days the newer stuff might be ****, but is there really any way to tell what is quality vs. not quality?

 

[Fedwrench]

I wonder is there any historical reference to know what might be cheapo sets vs. more than likely nice sets? (aside from use) - just trying to decide which to put to the side that are duplicates. I figure it's like anything these days the newer stuff might be ****, but is there really any way to tell what is quality vs. not quality?

Posting Pictures here of said sockets would be the best way to separate the wheat from the chaff. The comments are bound to be at least entertaining if not informative.

I am in the minority here but, I absolutely loathe the Hansen style trays. They take up too much space and don't provide for customizing or tailoring your set to your needs. I prefer rails for wrenches and sockets.

 

[kjkcjk]

First three are the Japanese, the last three are the Taiwan.. the Taiwan has like a crease around the bottom, whereas the Japanese is smooth...

Enjoy!

 

[ssdave]

First three are the Japanese, the last three are the Taiwan.. the Taiwan has like a crease around the bottom, whereas the Japanese is smooth...

Enjoy!

Your best bet would be your Craftsman sockets. I'm not a big fan of the Craftsman but they're light years ahead of the single use disposable variety you show in your photos. The metal of those are so soft, they usually strip out on first use. What I particularly loathed about them is the rebated turning on the drive end, that made the first 1/16" to 1/8" of the socket absolutely useless. That decreased the surface area of the socket, and made them even more likely to strip.

Those sockets are what gave Japan and Taiwan tools a bad name 30 to 50 years ago.

 

[kjkcjk]

That's the background I'm looking for!

The inherited Taiwan and Japanese came from a relative that I think did a lot of carpentry work, but probably did some car stuff himself.

I'm not actually one presently that does a lot of that myself to date mostly minor around the house stuff, but I might as I get older (and at mid 40's I'm probably already there!) - just haven't had the cycles to care with work and I've got enough excess money to pay others at the moment to not have to build up some tool arsenal, but could see being converted over to the 'darkside' as the kids leave the house and I want to pick up more hobbies or stuff to do myself. I get more frustration out of projects than feelings of achievement - probably due to lack of proper tools! Just bought an impact driver after watching a contractor blow through something I would have tried by hand and would have been stopped 3/4 the way in... haha... game changer.

I just didn't know if what I inherited might be quality stuff you can't find any more so would like to respect my elders past, or if it might be junk or not ...or if it would always be a life long mystery I'll never be able to determine.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Went with the Harbor Freight ones, didn't see the Hansen you all recommended until I got back from Harbor Freight - the Hansen ones look better/more useful... and unfortunately our local Harbor Freight only had stock of Metric, but not the SAE Standard stuff - so I ordered that online probably at a premium. Thanks for the suggestion(s) - Harbor Freight may be my new favorite local store now!...

While doing this I noticed I have it seems like 3 makers of sockets kind of duplicating things - one from Japan, one from Taiwan both have to be 30 or 40 years old that I inherited and one set is certainly newer Craftsman that I probably bought 10 or 15 years ago. Since I have duplicate sockets, I wonder is there any historical reference to know what might be cheapo sets vs. more than likely nice sets? (aside from use) - just trying to decide which to put to the side that are duplicates. I figure it's like anything these days the newer stuff might be ****, but is there really any way to tell what is quality vs. not quality?

I’d put the cheaper ones too the side. I have a couple sockets that just say Japan or Taiwan and they are real knuckle busters. Unless they have a brand name on them most likely they are knuckle busters.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[spazzyfry123]

Lots of threads here as someone said. I personally prefer the Hansen style socket tray - more compact than some others and the size in on the peg that sticks up so easier to see. Amazon sells a 6 piece set that look like copies of the Hansen trays for $32.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FMY5V62/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is anyone aware of a tray like this for 1/2 sockets that would start at 9mm? I cannot for the life of me find a tray with the "pegs" that goes down to 9mm. They all start at 10mm. I've got 12 point standard depth and deep socket 9mm that I just can't seem to find a home for unless I go with rails - which I don't care for the rails.

Thanks!

 

[Ralf11]

Hansen pegs for sockets you use frequently

Ernst rails in a drawer for one you don't use much

wrench organizers in a drawer for ones you don't use much

hang box ends from pegs for freq. use

dupls. go in another spot or worst ones get sold, donated or melted into slag

 

[Al Borland]

I tried the Hansen style racks...
Hated them. Don't like or need the sizes on the pegs. Pegs are too long.
Ended up taking sidejaw nippers to shorten the pegs,

Set up a complete set for yourself, and a "best of the worst" set as backups, potential Modification/abuse tools.
Save the absolute WORST for "Loaners".

 

[p00p]

Lots of threads here as someone said. I personally prefer the Hansen style socket tray - more compact than some others and the size in on the peg that sticks up so easier to see. Amazon sells a 6 piece set that look like copies of the Hansen trays for $32.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FMY5V62/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those are nice if you have deep drawers. Most boxes have 1 or 2 deep drawers & the rest are shallow.... might hold a 19mm socket on its side, as it rolls towards the back with all the 10mm sockets.

 

[tez929rr]

Those are nice if you have deep drawers. Most boxes have 1 or 2 deep drawers & the rest are shallow.... might hold a 19mm socket on its side, as it rolls towards the back with all the 10mm sockets.

I have three sets - all in top of rolling chests (one partial set in a HF tool cart), plenty of room

 

[ChevyEFI]

trying to find the right size when I do need them is a pain rooting around all the excess.

Think about that. Instead of clearing the excess and bringing up the pieces you use to the easy access drawer, you are using storage in an attempt to put every size in every drive all at hand.

Instead, you should move everything to farther to reach storage. Then only move tools you actually use to the easy-access drawer.

 

[p00p]

I have three sets - all in top of rolling chests (one partial set in a HF tool cart), plenty of room

nice deep drawers are good to have. Glad you enjoy it.