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DARN Hansen socket organizers!!!!

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djkeev

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Drawer with Lowes organizer
5 missing sockets still....

6edb79c0.jpg
 

4BT

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When I organized my 3/8 Hansen rack, I just filled all the missing bigger and smaller sizes with 1/2 drive and 1/4's.

Who really needs a 4mm socket in 3/8 :lol:
 
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djkeev

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That's homework for the weekend, getting them filled. :beer:

UPS just came, brought me a box from Graingers with a 6mm 3/8 drive and a very hard to find 1/8" open end / box wrench. :) (adjusting valves on a Kawasaki air cooled engine)

Down to four......hopefully Fastenal will come through for me! All 1/4" drive..... 4.5mm deep, 5/8" deep, 5/32" deep, 1/8" shallow, 1/8" deep....all Armstrong. They have them listed as special order items. :dunno:

Dave
 
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biscuit141

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UPS just came, brought me a box from Graingers with a 6mm 3/8 drive and a very hard to find 1/8" open end / box wrench. :) (adjusting valves on a Kawasaki air cooled engine)

Down to four......hopefully Fastenal will come through for me! They have them listed as special order items. :dunno:

Dave

I was just going to ask where you are picking up all the odd sizes you still needed. My problem is I like all my sets to match in brand as well, I think I should just NEVER buy socket organizers so I can avoid this problem, otherwise I will be in the same position as you.
 

richfinn

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The cynic in me thinks that Snap On ought to make a special version that are only compatible with Snap On Sockets with a few really odd ball sizes on them.

The dealers would then give them out as free gifts.... Then wait for the OCD boys to start spending.

after 18 months or so they could make a special edition run of the oddball sockets and secretly put them on ebay with a ridiculous reserve.

:) :)
 
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djkeev

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The cynic in me thinks that Snap On ought to make a special version that are only compatible with Snap On Sockets with a few really odd ball sizes on them.

The dealers would then give them out as free gifts.... Then wait for the OCD boys to start spending.

after 18 months or so they could make a special edition run of the oddball sockets and secretly put them on ebay with a ridiculous reserve.

:) :)

Too funny! I've wondered if Hansen is in cahoots and getting kickbacks from tool manufacturers!
I've dropped an easy $150 (probably more, but who really wants to know such things?) on sockets that I really DO NOT need! :beer:
I somehow feel better though. Love looking in that drawer, I wonder what will my kids do with my OCD collection after I'm gone?

Brand matching? Thats even beyond my OCD tendencies! I'm not sure what brand would have them all. Armstrong is the only one i found that goes down to the 1/8", I don't shop Snap On so I don't know what they carry.


Dave
 
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jamesc

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I wish they would make a hasen tray for e torx.

I just bought some 3/8 drive 7 mm sockets to fill my hasen tray. I have a hasen tray for semi deep metric but no one seems to make semi deep below 8 mm so I think I will be out of luck filling that tray. and I wish the 3/8 metric would go up to 22 mm, I often use the 21 mm socket and there is no peg for it.
 

Northstar

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Thanks, now I had to go out and look at mine. I have 7 Hansen racks, filled them up with what I have a few years ago and never thought about it. I did cut off the 3/8 one that housed my 12 point and extra deeps. I really should cut short 2 others since I don't have a need to use or buy a 3/8 drive 1/4" deepwell socket or the corresponding shallow socket. same goes for 5/16 ones. Same goes for the ttnie tiny 1/4" drive ones. Haven't needed them in a couple decades, I'll make due if I run into a need for one. I bet a pliers would still work.
 
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djkeev

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FYI, I did not know whose these organizers were until today. These are Harbor Freights, I was at their new store in East Brunswick today.

They have the size tag sticking up in the center between the shallow and deep sockets.

ef2624f4.jpg


Dave

(down to only four (4) missing sockets! Metric are complete! :)
 

vfr-rider

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You guys an'your fancy holders an'such....:bow:

In moving my toolbox to my new garage, I had to empty it to load it up. I hadn't used the box in years so I bucketed all the sockets up and cleaned/lubed/sorted them yesterday. I had read this post Sat night and thought about the Hansen holders all day while cleaning up. So I placed an order for every one of their holders, 1/4-3/8-1/2-shallow and deep, this morning. :shocking: Thanks!
 

vfr-rider

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100_6544.JPG

Got lots of work to do in the 1/2drive metric department. Next time we have GearWrench days in the ToolWeb, I'll pick up the 1/4drive set and fill it in.

I really like those Hansen holders, even did some of my wrenches ;)
100_6550.JPG

Anyone know why they don't give you a spot for 19mm wrenches? :dunno:
 
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djkeev

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Great start! Isn't it amazing how few sockets from a complete set you really find you are?

I didn't know they made wrench organizers!

I don't need them, For my purposes that type of organizer takes up too much real estate for my drawers. I've got these old Sears organizers that stand the wrench on edge. Not always so easy to locate the size but my labels have almost cured that problem.

97839795.jpg


Dave
 

Jmac00

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Dave, i was the same as you with these organizers....good deal at first, then more $$$ to fill the pegs..lol. I've still got a fair amount to go as with canada its harder to track down the odd sizes for a decent price, but i'll eventually get there. But for organization, i love them. :beer:
 

Bull

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What do you guys do for the larger sizes that there are no spaces for on the Hansens? My C-man gray plastic organizer sheets have spots for some pretty big sockets. Do you just use rails for the big, less-common stuff?
 
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djkeev

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Since my last socket drawer photo post, I've reorganized! I wasn't happy with the layout so I took them out and started over.

To answer your question, I use rails for the odd sockets. I'm quite partial to the Kobalt rails with the magnet on the bottom, it's quite strong and works well. They do cost about $20 each though. I've cut a few into sections to make them fit into my drawer. Look at my 1/2" drive shallows, that is a Kobalt rail cut in half.

6fea4dcc.jpg


Dave
 
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MoToys

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What do you guys do for the larger sizes that there are no spaces for on the Hansens? My C-man gray plastic organizer sheets have spots for some pretty big sockets. Do you just use rails for the big, less-common stuff?

They are all big enough to just sit neatly in the drawer without moving around. I just line them up.
 

Bull

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Dave, how wide is the drawer that has all that stuff in it?

I'll eyeball the Kobalts when I am next at Lowes.
 

lowbucktruck

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Great start! Isn't it amazing how few sockets from a complete set you really find you are?

I didn't know they made wrench organizers!

I don't need them, For my purposes that type of organizer takes up too much real estate for my drawers. I've got these old Sears organizers that stand the wrench on edge. Not always so easy to locate the size but my labels have almost cured that problem.

97839795.jpg


Dave

Those wrench organizers you have there look like the Sort-A-Tool wrench trays (you can get them at Sears still). Made in USA! I have those too, very handy.

Man, I am still working on filling up metric sockets for my Hansen trays!!! Darn those empty sockets pegs, they are mocking me... :willy_nil
 
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djkeev

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Nice, 3 months to get it all tidy :)


And a fair quantity of $$'s! :)

Actually, I've found that my socket use pattern has changed by having a full rack of sockets.
My 1/4" drive used to b a rarely used "specialty" size that I would occassionally pull out. I now use them daily. I also supplemented my 1/4" ratchet and extension selection as well.

Bottom line, I'm glad I filled the racks, I use them more than I ever thought I would.

Dave
 

Jmac00

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Congrats on finally filling them.....but those spark plug sockets being there would still bug me. I'm in the same boat, would probably never use the 1" and 20mm....but my OCD would make me switch em...LOL

I'm still plugging away on filling mine....have a list made up, sourced on where i can buy em new, just haven't ordered them...still holding out hope for a yard sale/pawn shop find.
 

IONH

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I've got two of the post trays in the top shelf of my HF 44" bottom box. They hold shallow and deep wall impact 1/2" sockets only. For the rest, I bought a 6 point only 280'ish (220'ish of which were sockets) socket set from Sears. This is the easiest for me I think.

I guess if you have a lift and a roller cart, you can get away with having all your sockets in a box on the side. For me, not having a lift, I need my Craftsman box hanging out nearby so I don't have to get up and go all the way to the toolbox to find the next socket.

i just keep all my sockets in a five gallon bucket

That reminds me of a pawn shop I was at once where I asked if they had any sets of 3/4" sockets, specifically 32 and 36mm but I'd buy a whole set if they had it. They didn't have a whole set and pointed me to a 5 gallon bucket of "misc" saying I was welcome to search for it.
 

skyking

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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.

IMG_3474.jpg

That just aint right , 6 speed!!!!!! Mine are all over the shop , I have to use a metal detector to find the damed things.:bounce:
 
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djkeev

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I'm not going to worry about my impacts much. My 3/8" & 1/4" drives are complete enough!

I am gathering 3/8" drive flex head in metric and in SAE, there have been times recently that having some would have been wonderful! I also want to get the the Torx Plus, as much as it bugs me to have to! Leave well enough alone already! We've go more than enough fastener types already!

I've recently beefed up my sockets to 1 7/8", I've got wrenches to 2" and figure why not? There have been times working on backhoes and similar that I Wished I had large sockets!

Dave
 

Jawn

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Any of you guys have problems with some sockets fitting over the peg? I have a 9/16" Wright impact that is too small inside to fit over the peg.
 

brownbagg

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all that stuff sure does look nice, really does, not fibbing. But it sure does take up alot of real estate.
 
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djkeev

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Sometimes you need some space to enhance accessibility. It's worth it.

I did have a few tight sockets, the smaller socket were the worst. I just ran a properly sized drill bit through the center. It was only a few 1000ths and they drill out easily.
Not sure how different the steel is in an impact socket from a chromed alloy.

Dave
 

BigGMC

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Wow, you can almost see the OCD dripping down the walls in here..... :D

Sometimes wish I could force myself to organize to that level. Hats off to you all.

But now, with all them sockets neat and tidy in there, do you grab a single socket that you need (assuming you KNOW the size required) or, take the whole tray with you to the work? I get tired making trips to the toolbox, so now, whatever the job, I grab the whole rail.
 

Jmac00

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But now, with all them sockets neat and tidy in there, do you grab a single socket that you need (assuming you KNOW the size required) or, take the whole tray with you to the work? I get tired making trips to the toolbox, so now, whatever the job, I grab the whole rail.

For me, i mainly just leave the trays in the box. If i know the size, i just grab the ones i need off the tray. But if i'm gonna be back and forth figuring out different size bolts, i haul the socket set i keep in the trunk of my car and use that for quick reference......then if i need a deep or more of the same size socket, just grab from the tray in the box.

i find the plastic trays are really not great to hold up to abuse....but with my above system, i basically never need to keep hauling out the trays. If didn't have a second smaller set in my trunk, and found myself taking rails all the time, then i would of stuck with the rails for the harsher abuse.

here's a pic of the set i carry around at all times in my trunk to give you an idea...
 

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lilscorpion

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Wow, you can almost see the OCD dripping down the walls in here..... :D

Sometimes wish I could force myself to organize to that level. Hats off to you all.

A handful of years ago I would have agreed completely. I'm not typically an organized guy but at some point organization became an need. I had three sets of wrenches an could never find the 1/2"...sometimes I'd walk between messes for an hour looking for one. I know why I wasn't organized back then. It was because it took to long to clean up and put the tools away. More importantly, many of the tools I ha didn't have a home so away was in a pile of other tools. Two years ago I decided to go "OCD". Every tool got a home. I organized to the level where grabbing a given tool never took more than two motions (one being opening the drawer or cabinet). The result ended up being an extremely efficient working environment that was easy to clean up. So easy, I enjoy keeping it that way.
 

lilscorpion

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I had three sets of wrenches an could never find the 1/2"...sometimes I'd walk between messes for an hour looking for one...

In hindsight, I spent more time back then looking for tools than I do now cleaning up. Guess my father was right after all. :)
 

brownbagg

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xmas, dad would ask "what you want" tools, 1/2 9/16 etc

'dont you have them' yes and now I have two. thirty years later 'now I have 21"

so if i cant find it, there more
 
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