Mgnu
Well-known member
Tag for more pics of the foam in action shots! 
Craftsman 299-piece Ultimate Easy Read Socket Set
- Thread starter nahudson
- Start date
There are other options as well. You could always buy fastcap foam which is layered specifically for tool control and lay your own out. Time consuming, but you'll get what you want in the end. Fastcap foam is dirt cheap.
http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/Kaizen-Foam-p13435.htm
Another thing to think about is, will you be moving these sockets to your mobile cart? I don't want to move all 300 sockets each time. I use a lot more 3/8's than 1/2. Foam is cool, but i might make my custom setup out of cutting board plastic so i can drop it in my cart. There's just too many options for what might work best.
I do not have a mobile cart I work on my bikes in my garage right next to my large tool box and have a small Northern socket set that stays in the house for jobs in there.
That foam looks great, but I don't know that I have the patience to carve out 176 openings for my sockets.
Send me the art file and the foam and I will cut it on my laser for you.
Ah good call. I have the parts list and was looking at the missing 20mm but I neglected to notice that it wasn't a deep socket in the link.
Maybe Craftsman doesn't make a deep 20mm 1/2" drive socket?
Nor any 1/4" drive 12-pt metric sockets at all (deep or std)?? Seems hard to believe, but maybe so.
tldavis
Member
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Agreed. Hence my annoyance that the 299-pc set had more large metric 12-pt sockets than 6-pt sockets.
I've run into 12-point bolt heads on rare occasions, but those have just have engine head bolts IIRC.
It puzzles me why people say that. A 12 point socket can do everything, a 6 point socket can only do most things.
I routinely use 12 point sockets on 4 point (square) and 12 point bolt heads. Both situations that would result in a delay if I were only equipped with 6 point sockets.
n8n
Well-known member
Having done a lot of work on 50+ year old vehicles, I would not use a 12 point socket on most hex bolt heads or nuts. Corrosion is an ugly thing...
This becomes less important in 1/2" drive sizes but for typical body fasteners 6 point is the way to go. I think I finally broke down and bought a set of 12 point sockets when I bought a set of ARP rod bolts for a VW Corrado engine and realized I couldn't torque the nuts
(common for these engines to eat rod bearings but be otherwise 100% fine; I know I should have had the rods resized when I replaced the bolts but I didn't and there were no apparent negative consequences. My understanding is the stock bolts were TTY so reusing them was not an option.)Probably because they rarely encounter anything but 6 point bolts.
I bought this set a while ago as a backup. I use my preferred sockets primarily and have this set to cover the infrequently needed sockets, so I am glad to have the 12 points also.
PeterT
Well-known member
I refuse to use 12 point sockets, if I encounter a 12 point bolt I get the torch out
87FoRunner
Well-known member
Don't work on big trucks much eh?
OutsideMachinist
Well-known member
I dont really understand a 6 pt vs 12 point argument. You need both. I will use a 6 point whenever possible. Sometimes there is a clearance issue and a 6pt wont work. Sometimes there are 12 pt bolts. Same reason I would never buy 6 pt wrenches despite if people like them. A 6 pt wrench is useless in tight spaces. 12 pt sockets seem to do just fine once you get in larger sizes like over 1'' as well.
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af9210
Active member
Took about a week to 10 days. I'm sure they are sending out replacements for those that got in on the deal
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SQ is the SQUAD
Well-known member
the foam looks awesome, i just wish it was labeled with sizes
DJ_Schmo
Well-known member
My set came today. I have 3 missing. I called the customer service line and was told by 3 different reps I had to box it and return it to the local store for any replacements. Is there something I'm missing here?? I told them if I have to box up 299 sockets to drive to a store where they MIGHT take care of me then and there and with possible Chinese piece in an otherwise all USA set they will be giving me a refund.
af9210
Active member
Call the apex # and give the cat number for the missing and they will ship them out
DJ_Schmo
Well-known member
Oops...I apparently didn't listen well to the recording. The 800-832-7494 gives out another number for tools NOT included in the ones they mentioned. I am an idiot it seems lol. They are closed now so I will call in the morning.
I got my missing sockets last night, so I was at 10 or 11 days to get them in my hands, but no questions or problems in getting them.
Also just ordered the foam fit tray for this, I got tired of trying to figure out a layout that was cost effective. The foam fit works, they all fit, and they seem well organized.
Thanks for the pics!
Also just ordered the foam fit tray for this, I got tired of trying to figure out a layout that was cost effective. The foam fit works, they all fit, and they seem well organized.
Thanks for the pics!
The foam is tempting, but I'd really like a layout for these that puts the sockets flat so I can read the "easy read laser etching" on the sides. The vertical configuration hides all markings...
Plus, standing up the deep 1/2" sockets in the foam necessitates a 4" deep drawer.
Yes, but...
I have a 4" drawer, so that works for me. Knowing that one side is Metric, and one is SAE, I can get pretty close to grabbing what I need, or at least getting to the right spot. But seeing them would make things easier.
Also, laying these down would require more area, which would probably mean one drawer for 1/2, one for 3/8, and a small one for 1/4.
They also have a 3 piece option for the set, with many laying down, but it would come out to $120.
I might have gotten these if I were putting these in a top box.
Main page for the organizers: http://foamfittools.com/Csocketorganizers.php#sockets
3 piece set:
http://foamfittools.com/details00181.php
http://foamfittools.com/details00182.php
http://foamfittools.com/details00183.php
flying eyeball
Well-known member
Good call! I didn't see those. Those are a good fit for what I want. My setup uses chests of drawers that are generally 26" W x 18.25" D x 3.2" H (the Saber drawer sets), so the 22.25" x 16.25" pieces will fit with a few inches of clearance for ratchets and things.
sponfit
Well-known member
Did anyone hear back about getting a custom foam setup cut out?
They never got back to me about a custom piece.
Im showing $25 in surprise points for anything over $200 right now as well. Couple that with the ebates cash back of 6% (post 182 or ebates.com), and its a heck of a deal! Almost covers the FoamFit tray above with the savings.
af9210
Active member
It Is a hot buy item. Maybe sears.com all messed up again it seems
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Not on my screen. Just sales Internet only and sale
af9210
Active member
Damn, just missed the 14-day cutoff on ther price protection policy. Ordered it at $299 on the 6th.
$279 is a great price for this set, especially if you've got surprise points you can use.
Yes you're right, but they just trimmed one of the existing designs to fit his drawer I was asking about a whole new layout.
peaceonesxwai
Active member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2014
- Messages
- 35
Damn why did you guys post that awesome foam organizer right when theres a hot buy + SYW surprise points on these sockets!!