DARN Hansen socket organizers!!!!

[djkeev]

There are a few threads on here about these socket organizers, one recently about how he finally filled them up.

Thought I....."my socket collection is fairly complete, these look like a great idea".
I was using a metal board from Lowes with various 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 organization pegs. This kept them neat but grabbing the right socket the first time was a game of Russian Roulete at best!

The Hansen has each peg sticking out of the socket storage rack labeled with the size, what a fantastic thing........organization PLUS identification!

I picked up a set of 1/4 drive racks and a set of 3/8 drive racks and started to fill them up........DANG it!!! I've got almost 40, yes FORTY missing sockets!!! I can't live with this! Four of the empty pegs I've no need for, who really needs 1" or 20mm 3/8 Sockets anyway? These pegs have gone instead to my 9/16", 5/8, 3/4 and 13/16 spark plug sockets, the 18mm spark plug socket will just have to reside elsewhere I guess. Now I'm down to only needing 36 sockets! I purchased about 9 yesterday while I was in Reading Pa., this brings me down to just 27 missing.

I know I don't need them all, I also know that there is a huge redundancy in the collection, for instance, does one REALLY need 5/8 deep and shallow sockets in both 1/4" and 3/8" drive? Short answer is NO! But will it be nice to have? Maybe? Someday? Yes.....I hope so at least though I've gone over half a century without them!

A picture of my socket drawer as it is this morning......

It's less painful to get them in small groups though the end $'s will be the same!

Just be aware, if you gets these, the follow up purchase will far outstrip the initial purchase price of the Hansen's!

Notice, I'm a fan of the Brother Labeling system as well. The drawer fronts have labels to ID the contents and then a few often used larger sockets to make selection quick and easy.

The two magnetic racks in the front are my 6 point 3/8 drive SAE and Metric, my "go to" sockets. They are on a magnetic Kobalt organizer stick with Brother labels next to each one on the stick for quick ID and selection.
The 3/8 Hansen's hold the deep and shallow 12 points, nice to have, used sometimes as needed but not every day.

Dave

 

[mikester]

Thats so funny ! I know that feeling. A few years ago I decided to finally straighten out my socket collection. I had a lot of mismatched brands and sizes. I decided to buy all 6 point Craftsman sockets. I went to the store but the sets always seemed to be a few sockets shy of a complete set. I went on ebay. There were guys selling complete sets, brand new, with every size that Craftsman had to offer for a lot less than the store price. So I bought all new sockets. 1/4" through 1/2" drives.
Now that I had all these new sockets I bought the Hansen sets. Metric and SAE. Youre right ! There were still a lot of missing sockets. Weird sizes that you couldnt get from most stores. I went to Mike Wren when he was still selling Toptul. He pretty much had all the missing sizes. I bought them in polished 6 point. It seems like the metric ones were the hardest to be found.

 

[gwunsch]

I did the same with HF socket trays. That purchase also led to toolbox overhaul to fit them (small box). Looks like you've filled them better than me, I'm still trying to complete the socket sets, but like you said I don't really need all of the duplicates so I'll take my time. Looks like a good set up you have there.

 

[richashley]

Same thing happened to me with the HF trays. I'm still filling in the blanks.

 

[brownbagg]

i just keep all my sockets in a five gallon bucket

 

[Boiler]

My sk 1/4 and 3/8 master sets filled about 80% of my Hansen trays. Then eventually OCD got the best of me and I filled out the ends buying individual sockets. Still missing one of the 1/4" drive 5/8" sockets and a couple of the tiniest metrics that they don't make. Balls....

 

[tonym]

too funny....I have about 12 Im missing and filling in as I go.....damn snap-on man always has buy this and get this free takin all the fun money every week...

 

[MoToys]

I have 4 more metric 1/2 drive then the Hansens will be filled.

 

[dmeadow]

Do they maKe an organizer for Whitworth? If not, it would only make me crazy.

 

[vartz04]

The problem is there is no better way to keep your sockets organized. I had them and then got short on cash in school and sold the set and went 2 years without them until I cracked and bought them again....gotta buy some more sockets now though.

 

[akdiesel]

I just got these after a long drawn out thought process of what is better.
I am pleased with them. I felt they would work better then the flat organizer that had the correct size hole for the sockets or the foam holders.
I like the fact of the size indicators being easily read.

 

[Steevo]

I can relate. My Hansen socket trays are making me look for sockets to fill in the blanks. I haven't become obsessive about it . . . . yet.
But, I would never have searched for those sockets if I didn't have these darned empty posts . . . .

 

[rvr6000]

You just described the exact same problem and conversations I had last year. Got everything all organized and looking good.....low and behold I need to put in a socket order. I think there are just a couple left.

 

[M. Blue 240]

My Dad came over today, pulled open my socket drawer, and asked "why are there so many holes in collection." I had to remind him that I only have what came in the CM kit I purchased and the fact that I have more than him anyway.

I hate having empty posts though. I actually need a set of 6 point metric deep sockets in 3/8 drive, but other than that I'll be buying just to fill all the spots.

 

[djkeev]

Out wandering today, picked up 6 more sockets......only 21 pegs yet to fill!

Dave

 

[richfinn]

Why dont you just cut the unused socket posts off the trays with a zip wheel and quit worrying about it?

 

[djkeev]

Why dont you just cut the unused socket posts off the trays with a zip wheel and quit worrying about it?

Pray tell! why would one do such a barbaric thing?

Worry? There's no worrying going on here, this is simply a quest, a challenge if you will, for some of these posts are NOT easy to fill. The cheap thrill of the hunt!

Have you ever shopped for a 1/4" drive 1/8" deep socket? They aren't on every jobbers shelf waiting to be purchased.

Then again, once purchased will they ever be used?!?!

Dave

 

[purplezr2]

What about the sockets that hansen's don't hold, what does every one do with them?

 

[6-Speed]

Don't forget the impact sockets. I just bought four more Hansen trays to start building up my 3/8" and 1/2" 12pt socket collection.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Once those Hansen trays are full, you might need a bigger box. . . . better start looking now.


where does it end ?

 

[chrommagman]

Don't forget the impact sockets. I just bought four more Hansen trays to start building up my 3/8" and 1/2" 12pt socket collection.

Those are some clean sockets, looks like they are just eye candy

 

[mgilde13]

My biggest beef with the Hanson and HF trays is the amount of drawer space that they actually waste. If they had the back row going from smallest to biggest then move the two rows closer together, like the Mechanics Time Savers, they'd be killer.

 

[ckadams00]

Same issues many have already covered, but mine goes like this:
1. Time to organize sockets! After tons of back and forth finally pick up HF sets in SAE and metric on sale for $7 each. I can't stand the rail-type organizers.
2. Hey these don't fit in my toolbox.
3. >Purchase CMan rolling tool chest<
4. Much better, these are gonna be . . .wait the drawers are only 24" wide, can't get all the sets in here together. >Sigh< gonna have to use more than one drawer . . .
5. Wow I am so glad to have finally organi . . .hey how come I have so many spaces (I thought I had a lot of sockets before I bought organizers) . . .
6. Arrrgghghghg gotta buy more sockets!

 

[djkeev]

Same issues many have already covered, but mine goes like this:
1. Time to organize sockets! After tons of back and forth finally pick up HF sets in SAE and metric on sale for $7 each. I can't stand the rail-type organizers.
2. Hey these don't fit in my toolbox.
3. >Purchase CMan rolling tool chest<
4. Much better, these are gonna be . . .wait the drawers are only 24" wide, can't get all the sets in here together. >Sigh< gonna have to use more than one drawer . . .
5. Wow I am so glad to have finally organi . . .hey how come I have so many spaces (I thought I had a lot of sockets before I bought organizers) . . .
6. Arrrgghghghg gotta buy more sockets!

Yep, you've nailed it! All in the name of organization.

I'm down to 15 empty pegs, some of these will take some time to find!

Dave

 

[unslow1]

I made a list of what I was missing and hit a couple of local Pawn Shops. Most sell loose sockets cheap. I also found a 1/2 Mac ratchet for $15 while I was looking.

 

[Catamount]

Damn you guys. I've still using the blow-molded Craftsman trays that come with some of the larger sets. But they take a LOT of room in the toolbox. I know as soon as I get the Hansen trays I'm going to have to go on a spending spree to fill them up!

Question to the OP: Are there any differences between the Lowes trays and the Hansen trays?

 

[djkeev]

Damn you guys. I've still using the blow-molded Craftsman trays that come with some of the larger sets. But they take a LOT of room in the toolbox. I know as soon as I get the Hansen trays I'm going to have to go on a spending spree to fill them up!

Question to the OP: Are there any differences between the Lowes trays and the Hansen trays?

I didn't really look at the Lowes trays except to notice they had some when I picked up my magnetic organizers. (these are really nice! Beefy, strong magnet, holds sockets well). I wasn't planning on getting the Hansens but I saw them at my local commercial tool supply house and impulsively purchased them.

I'll take a look on my next trip to Lowes and see how they compare.

Dave

 

[NUTTSGT]

LOL, if you make your own, you won't have any empty spaces.

 

[NFT5]

Feel ya pain.

The blanks drive me nuts!

 

[vartz04]

I took pics on my cell of the empty spaces, that way when I go to the store and see a sale, or clearance I can just browse through it and pick some up.

 

[Arachnotron]

Question to the OP: Are there any differences between the Lowes trays and the Hansen trays?

I just bought the Kobalt trays. The smaller posts on the Kobalt trays will hold a socket with the contact side up.

There are comparison pictures in this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1600016&postcount=19

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Don't forget the impact sockets. I just bought four more Hansen trays to start building up my 3/8" and 1/2" 12pt socket collection.

So just to make sure those are Hansen socket tray organizers?

I really like how they look.

Do you have a link on where to get them or I should say best place/price to get them from?

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[unslow1]

So just to make sure those are Hansen socket tray organizers?

I really like how they look.

Do you have a link on where to get them or I should say best place/price to get them from?

Thanks,
-Nigel

You can order them from Advance Auto but Sears stocks them. They were on sale a few days ago at Sears. I don't know if they still are. They are Hansen.

 

[gatchel]

I feel better now. I have the same Hansen organizers and have 1/2" drive sockets that are in between the labeled sizes. Better to have more than needed I guess.

 

[Big Gus]

i just keep all my sockets in a five gallon bucket

Yep, me too. I just dump the bucket out on the bench when I need to find a socket.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yep, me too. I just dump the bucket out on the bench when I need to find a socket.

Heresy, HERESY I tell you! Burn him, burn him!

 

[6-Speed]

So just to make sure those are Hansen socket tray organizers?

I really like how they look.

Do you have a link on where to get them or I should say best place/price to get them from?

Thanks,
-Nigel

Yes ... genuine Hansens from Sears. I have another set in my other tool chest for 12 pts.

 

[M. Blue 240]

Only thing I've added to the collection is a set of 1/2" drive deep impact sockets in Metric and SAE. The only other thing I really want/need to get now is a set of 3/4" drive 6 point deep sockets from cm. Every other empty spot will need to be filled as I find my self with unused money(never going to happen).

 

[djkeev]

Progress!
Just Five (5) more sockets to go! As noted, I chose not to get the 3/8 drive 1" and 20mm sockets using their pegs instead for my Spark Plug sockets.

Dave

 

[djkeev]

Ok, now I've got a serious problem! I'm hooked, maybe obsessed with getting my socket drawer organized!
I was in Lowes today and they had their socket organizers. I thought that I really am not pleased with the magnetic bars holding my 6 point "go to" sockets. I thought, if I pick up the Metric organizer I'll put both the SAE and the Metric on the same rack in between the full sets of 12 points.

Well, guess what? SAE sockets will NOT fit on a metric organizer! So, back to Lowes, 45 minute round trip, (yeah I've got a job but it gives me a lot of freedom to waste a day) to get the SAE organizer..... Metric fits just fine on the SAE rack!

So, a little reorganization and I was able to fit the rack in between the Metric and the SAE with no problem. I cut up one of the 3/8 magnetic rails and put my Allen's on it and my ETorx on the left over piece.

I used my Brother Label Maker to label the tall posts for my standard depth metrics and labeled each rack as well.

I'm still down five sockets but am overall very pleased with how the drawer is now.

Dave