Craftsman tool set storage

[doublearon98]

Couldn't really find anything relevant so figured I'd ask.

So I bought a craftsman 309 piece set at lowes today and I need a way to organize it to put in my truck. I wish it had the cheap case that comes with other sets.

I figured I could put sockets on rails and go from there.

If anyone has any ideas please let me know. Links or model numbers would be very helpful.

This is the set:
https://low.es/2J3Q9sr

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[doublearon98]

Thinking about this

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[icthruu74]

I had the 3 drawer model years ago and wish I had kept it. It does get pretty heavy once you load it up so if you plan to carry it around be careful of the handle. I had planned to put chest handles on the sides but never did. Lowes also has a Cobalt brand 3-drawer clearanced out that is pretty similar to the craftsman. My local Lowes had 2 left today, and it took a great deal of willpower to not buy both. No idea what I’d use them for but at $29, they seemed like a fair deal. I have to go back tomorrow so all I need to do is find a reason to buy them....

 

[WWheeler]

30 in. 4 Drawer Black Tech Cart - $99 w/ current coupon
https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in...iOTkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk IjoiMTI1NjcifQ==

Even better wait for their black/red/blue 5 drawer carts to go on sale for $179 again, which they will every few weeks, or they're well worth the full $195 price. A lot bigger and more heavy-duty than the 4 drawer.
https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-5-Drawer-Blue-Mechanics-Cart-64031.html

Either way they are great little carts. Arguably one of the best value products HF sells. Really hard to beat for the price.

There's a very popular long-running thread here from owners of the HF carts and the modifications they have made to them, filled with images of them in use so you can get some idea what they can hold...

Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137365

Late Edit:
Ugh: I can't read. My bad. Just noticed this:

Couldn't really find anything relevant so figured I'd ask.

So I bought a craftsman 309 piece set at lowes today and I need a way to organize it to put in my truck. I wish it had the cheap case that comes with other sets.

I figured I could put sockets on rails and go from there.

If anyone has any ideas please let me know. Links or model numbers would be very helpful.

This is the set:
https://low.es/2J3Q9sr

Easiest thing I know you could do is return it and get a Craftsman set from Sears that comes in a case like you want. Probably be able to get a bigger/better set for the same price or less that way (even more so if you are a Sears 'Shop Your Way' member and get their freecash bonus discounts).

Craftsman 450-Piece Mechanic's Tool Set
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-450-piece-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-A010318153

 

[bobcatdan]

Six drawer top chest. By the time you add everything to the kit to fix something, it will be full.

 

[doublearon98]

Please keep in mind I do have to put this in my truck

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[Two Door]

Since that is a combined metric and SAE set, I would start by removing the tools which don't apply to the vehicle.

It would be helpful to know some of the governing parameters. Does this box, or boxes, need to fit in a truck box, within a topper, under the seats, etc?

 

[Mr_B]

I would go with plastic tool box for truck (less noise, less rust), that what I use for basic mobile kit we use for small mobile jobs and salvage yard work .

 

[doublearon98]

Since that is a combined metric and SAE set, I would start by removing the tools which don't apply to the vehicle.

It would be helpful to know some of the governing parameters. Does this box, or boxes, need to fit in a truck box, within a topper, under the seats, etc?

Keeping all the tools as more never hurts. I have about a foot by 3' of space behind my seat I plan to put it

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[AceofSpad3s]

hit up HF and buy a fist full of socket rails for each size for $1 each.
I'd prefer a toolbag in a vehicle since you can stuff it places you can't do with boxes.

 

[doublearon98]

True. This will be my 6th tool bag if I get one [emoji38]. Still undecided on what I want to do

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[WWheeler]

hit up HF and buy a fist full of socket rails for each size for $1 each.
I'd prefer a toolbag in a vehicle since you can stuff it places you can't do with boxes.

I also prefer a toolbag for the truck. A couple wrench rolls for the wrenches and I MUCH prefer flexible urethane socket rails. They don't cost a lot more than HF's rails are waaaay more toolbag friendly. They also last forever AFAICT. Here's a post of mine about them from another thread:

I use flexible urethane socket holders from weldtab and just toss a set or two into a toolbag along with the rest of my roadside toolkit. Because they are flexible you can put them in a bucket or whatever tool storage container fits best for you. I love these things. They really hold onto sockets quite well and can take all sorts of abuse. Best of all they're relatively inexpensive compared to many other options.

I've been using holders like these for my on-the-go sockets for 20 years now. 1st ones I bought back in the 90s at Northern were orange (IIRC they were 'Great Neck' branded) and I'm still using them in the worktruck. They've been through hell and back, used almost daily, but still hold the sockets just like when they were new. The metal-clip style rails I bought around the same time for my garage tool-chest socket set, cost more, were used half as often, yet lasted less than half as long before they gave up. None of them are still around.

FWIW Here's a youtube video of a guy, who I take it used to sell them on ebay or something, showing how well flexible urethane socket holders work. lol. He's nuts to swing them around like that but does give a pretty good description of how they work and what to expect using them.

Here's a set of sockets that have been kept in the work-truck on the same set of urethane flexible socket rails for ~25 yrs or more now.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Cheap plastic food storage makes nice tool holders for storing in a car.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-PRO-26-in-Red-Plastic-Lockable-Tool-Box/1000390953

And some of these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COK3FD8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I did this all through college and until I bought a house with a garage (and new cars to put in the garage).

1. Waterproof.
2. Easy to label the lids

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Yeah I remember seeing those.
If I was doing a lot of work seriously I'd probably look into it. But in my case I just use socket rails for storing stuff, so doesn't really matter much.
My trunk bag is untouched most of the time, prefer it that way opposed to breaking down

 

[DPkiller]

This is how I have my 309 piece, granted I don't have everything out on top as looking back at it its a complete waste of money to buy the 309 piece.

 

[doublearon98]

Well I looked at the socket list and I'll need 14 rails to store the sockets [emoji52]

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[doublearon98]

I also prefer a toolbag for the truck. A couple wrench rolls for the wrenches and I MUCH prefer flexible urethane socket rails. They don't cost a lot more than HF's rails are waaaay more toolbag friendly. They also last forever AFAICT. Here's a post of mine about them from another thread:



Here's a set of sockets that have been kept in the work-truck on the same set of urethane flexible socket rails for ~25 yrs or more now.

I really like the idea of those. Will probably be the route I take. What kind of wrench rolls do you recommend

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[Rickster]

If you're going to put it in your truck I would recommend getting a box with side handles so you can pick it up.

 

[icthruu74]

Just another idea, as I was cruising Craigslist today I saw someone selling some of the old CM blowmolded cases for socket sets. If you could find one that held the most used sockets you could put the rest on rails in a bag or box.

 

[WWheeler]

I really like the idea of those. Will probably be the route I take. What kind of wrench rolls do you recommend

I'm probably the wrong one to ask about wrench rolls. I've used some Craftsman branded that work, but I'm not a fan of. I've been looking for something better, maybe even something custom-made for the sets I want.

As far as the urethane holders go, it should be noted that some people hate the things. Definitely watch that vid I linked in the quoted post above. You just have to get in the habit of twisting the sockets on and off because they won't go on or come off just pushing and pulling, especially at first they can be a beast, but that's also why they don't just fall off accidentally, and once broke in and you're used to them they work really well. I've never seen anything else so easy to just grab the whole set and drag them around with me under the truck or wherever.

 

[AmishFury]

I had the 3 drawer model years ago and wish I had kept it. It does get pretty heavy once you load it up so if you plan to carry it around be careful of the handle. I had planned to put chest handles on the sides but never did. Lowes also has a Cobalt brand 3-drawer clearanced out that is pretty similar to the craftsman. My local Lowes had 2 left today, and it took a great deal of willpower to not buy both. No idea what I’d use them for but at $29, they seemed like a fair deal. I have to go back tomorrow so all I need to do is find a reason to buy them....

the biggest issue i've heard of with the kobalt is the handle breaks very easily... of course it wouldn't be hard to replace the handle with something more sturdy

 

[skulldrinker]

I have the 3 drawer fits real nice in my Ranger extended cab behind the passenger seat. 4 drawer would prob fit also. My 3 drawer is pretty heavy all filled up I hate sometimes to have to pull it out. I suppose the 4 drawer would be even heavier but the added drawer would be nice.

 

[Sloper0204]

I'm probably the wrong one to ask about wrench rolls. I've used some Craftsman branded that work, but I'm not a fan of. I've been looking for something better, maybe even something custom-made for the sets I want.

https://adventuretoolcompany.com/product/wrenchroll

They do custom projects as well, I'm going to be talking to them about a two roll set for the 44 piece Gearwrench combo wrench set once I receive them.

 

[bigjeff94]

Get the 4 or 3 drawer rally box. I work out of one at work and keep one in the truck. Keep the sockets on rails and use carabeeners or hitch pins to keep the wrenches together and take up less space. My 3 drawer box holds: a
250 pc cm socket set with wrenches,
a 4 pc pliers set a a
6, 10, 12 adjustable wrench.
A hammer,
punches,
chisels
Screwdrivers
2 striking pry bars
And a pair of channellock 440's.
I keep the long pry bar, a 15 inch adjustable and channellock 460s in the trick box.

Old picture and it's set up a little bit different now as I added more stuff, but you get the point.

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[doublearon98]

I went with the urethane socket holders and love them. Also got the craftsman 4 drawer tool box on Ebay for $40, it will be in later today.

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[sberry]

Depends on where else a guy works, I don't carry everything they ever invented either.