Craftsman Socket Set - Replacement Cases?

[mindofone]

I've got a set of Craftsman SAE and Metric sockets - a 50-piece set sold new in about 1986 or 1987 - I can't recall which.

The grey (Made in Taiwan) blow-molded case has seen better days, and I'd love to find a replacement. Assuming for a moment that will be an impossible task, I'm curious what other people have done for replacements?

Blow-molded case in question is identical to this one:

 

[finn]

I see similar Craftsman cases, though usually black, at swap meets occasionally.

I suspect most have been discarded over the last thirty years.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I honestly wouldn't bother with the original case. I have 1/4 dr cases that hold way more stuff. Time to go buy some socket rails. Even cheap ones will do.

 

[jd_1138]

Yeah, I'd buy the new nice plastic socket rails at HF for like $5. Then just put the tools in a small toolbox or bag. You can get way more stuff in there too -- pliers, screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, etc. making it into a more usable small set of tools.

 

[Legion Prime]

Other than watching Ebay I'd personally buy a couple socket rails and either a tool bag, a roll or to be honest both. You could also fit a piece of plywood for the bottom of a tool bag/box and screw the rails down to that. The plastic tool boxes are really handy as well. I keep metric wrenches in a roll in one of my saddlebags but I snagged a 12" plastic toolbox off Amazon for like three or four bucks. That's got a little mini DMM, wire stripper, dyslexic tape, sockets and ratchets and other little things specifically for my bike and I just keep it out in the shed on a bench next to my bike. Also look around in walmart for pencil bags (or sew some up) and you can keep loose socket sets in them which are great for the tool bag in the back of the car to keep them together without having to deal with a rail.

 

[kctyphoon]

Buy a new socket set, keep what you have as spares..

Your only other real alternative is to repair the case. Sometimes making things easier on yourself is just worth it.

If the hinge is broken, you can replace it with a metal hinge. I have a metal piano hinge i screwed onto an old Husky set. The latches could probably be replaced with something from the hardware section to Home Depot.

Personally, I’d just get a new set. If what you have has sentimental value, throw some rubber bands around it and keep it in a drawer.