DARN Hansen socket organizers!!!!

[saabman]

In my big box, I have a Hanson organizers for most of my smaller sockets; impacts, metrics, sae, 6 and 12 point. Pretty well fills out a 54 inch wide drawer. I have a couple of projects underway, so most of the "missing" sockets are not really missing.

Every so often Craftsman puts their complete collections of laser etched sockets on sale. Most of my non impacts are Craftsman. IR 1/2 inch impacts and Armstrong 3/4 inch impacts.

 

[unslow1]

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

I got tired of running into the same problem. I started buying stuff I knew I had because I didn't want to spend half the day looking for it. Then maybe you find it maybe you don't. I bought three new toolboxes and a bunch of socket trays and black plastic drawer organizers. Going through the cardboard boxes I found tools I haven't seen in years. I only wish I had done this years ago.

 

[djkeev]

Organization begets better and more efficient work habits. If you train yourself to put it back in its spot, it is never missing!

Part of what motivated me to hyper organize was my daughter and Son In Law moving in. He's a great guy, a little messy, a little impulsive and a little ADD. Easily distracted by the present situation that arises during a given task.

By being organized I can glance in a drawer or at a rack of screw drivers and I can ask "do you know where the 1/4" flex head ratchet is and the 8mm deep socket?"

Its been over a year with them here, Thus far all tools are still together in the box! No stress at all over lost tools!

Dave

 

[csargents1546]

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

This is exactly what I did, I don't have a need for a 4 mm 1/4 socket. Does craftsman even make that size?

 

[softailgarage]

I've got the same problem, however, a bigger problem is the cost of those Hansen trays...$18.00 - $21.00 per tray on the trucks, $12.00 - $15.00 at Sears. Are you friggin kidding me, its a piece of friggin plastic, probably cost less than a buck apiece to make.

 

[slamin81]

x2.............................

 

[saabman]

They are cheaper than Sears when purchased from Amazon.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

If you make them with a block of wood and a dowel, then you can have or not have both the spacing and arrangement you want.

Or, get some metal and practice welding some up.

 

[unslow1]

Harbor Freight has a cheaper version. I paid $7 for three a couple of days ago. They are black and just like the ones from Lowe's.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-metric-socket-trayorganizer-68102.html

Also in SAE

 

[TwoInch]

This is exactly what I did, I don't have a need for a 4 mm 1/4 socket. Does craftsman even make that size?

of course they do. duh

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4mm-socket-6pt/p-00943505000P

 

[Jmac00]

I've got the same problem, however, a bigger problem is the cost of those Hansen trays...$18.00 - $21.00 per tray on the trucks, $12.00 - $15.00 at Sears. Are you friggin kidding me, its a piece of friggin plastic, probably cost less than a buck apiece to make.

At Princess Auto here in canada (similar to your Harbour Freight) they have the 3 piece sets of these for $12. That's one offset for the high prices here in canada i guess for all the wicked deals you guys get in the US along with your cheap shipping


http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8354730/Socket-&-Wrench-Holders/3-pc-SAE-Socket-Holder-Set

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/pro...-Wrench-Holders/3-pc-Metric-Socket-Holder-Set

 

[unslow1]

At Princess Auto here in canada (similar to your Harbour Freight) they have the 3 piece sets of these for $12. That's one offset for the high prices here in canada i guess for all the wicked deals you guys get in the US along with your cheap shipping


http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8354730/Socket-&-Wrench-Holders/3-pc-SAE-Socket-Holder-Set

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/pro...-Wrench-Holders/3-pc-Metric-Socket-Holder-Set

What is with the instore only? If I hadn't already bought some I would buy those. The wrench racks look pretty good for the price also. Please let us in the US know if they ever do free shipping again.

 

[Jmac00]

What is with the instore only? If I hadn't already bought some I would buy those. The wrench racks look pretty good for the price also. Please let us in the US know if they ever do free shipping again.

Yeah, its annoying with the in-store thing. They do "special buys" from time to time...and these are one of the things that come up for them...about twice a year. So once they're sold out at each individual store, they're gone til next time. As far as i know, you can't even special order these from the stores.....probably sit in a wharehouse til the "special buy" event...

On a side note though, when the individual trays go on sale for half price...the prices are still decent as well compared to sears and the like...works out to about $16 when you buy all 3 separate as apposed to the $12 as a set of 3 for the special buy.

Individual trays when on sale are usually like this:
1/2 tray- reg.13.99 sale for 6.99
3/8 tray- reg 11.99 sale for 4.99
1/4 tray- reg 9.99 sale for 3.99

 

[somedumbname]

Harbor Freight has a cheaper version. I paid $7 for three a couple of days ago. They are black and just like the ones from Lowe's.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-metric-socket-trayorganizer-68102.html

Also in SAE

How do you like them? Durability concerns? Did you use a coupon or is that the normal price?
They look pretty good, I actually kind of like the larger print numbers as long as the sockets sit on them properly.

Also, at $14-15 for a set as opposed to $60+, it's more reasonable for pieces of molded plastic. I may have to pick these up if they're not going to break down.

 

[unslow1]

How do you like them? Durability concerns? Did you use a coupon or is that the normal price?
They look pretty good, I actually kind of like the larger print numbers as long as the sockets sit on them properly.

Also, at $14-15 for a set as opposed to $60+, it's more reasonable for pieces of molded plastic. I may have to pick these up if they're not going to break down.

The sockets actually sit better. They sit on squares and short thick spikes. I like the thin spikes better but they make them fragile. I would say they are stronger than the Hansens. I did use a 20% coupon on one. They were on sale last week. At that price I was impressed. If they had been available at the time I wouldn't have bought my Hansens.

 

[unslow1]

Anybody ever seen a socket tray for 3/4? I think I'm going to have to make it. All I can find is a rail.

 

[concealer404]

I like the HF ones better, actually. Been using them for a year or two. I find the bigger numbers easier to read at a glance.

 

[Jmac00]

Anybody ever seen a socket tray for 3/4? I think I'm going to have to make it. All I can find is a rail.

After having my 1/2" tray full, and recently having to move my toolbox(partially empty it to move)....i removed the trays and with the weight of the sockets, the tray was a bit flimsy and bowing in the centre from the weight if held at each end.

For the bigger and heavier 3/4" sockets, i'd recommend building your own out of wood or metal with dowels for the extra strength...just my 0.02 worth.

 

[unslow1]

After having my 1/2" tray full, and recently having to move my toolbox(partially empty it to move)....i removed the trays and with the weight of the sockets, the tray was a bit flimsy and bowing in the centre from the weight if held at each end.

For the bigger and heavier 3/4" sockets, i'd recommend building your own out of wood or metal with dowels for the extra strength...just my 0.02 worth.

I was thinking wood also. I have a friend who is laid off that does a lot of woodworking. I think I'll ask him about it.

edit- I found some 3/4 square dowel at Lowe's.

 

[SnowHill11]

I've built one for my 3/4" SAE and I'm working on one for the MM. I styled it to match the hansen's, just have to paint it up. Let me know by PM if you're interested in more info.

 

[twincam00]

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.

Some Matco 1/2" drive impact sockets dont fit over the pegs either

 

[Jmac00]

I've built one for my 3/4" SAE and I'm working on one for the MM. I styled it to match the hansen's, just have to paint it up. Let me know by PM if you're interested in more info.

post pics in here? sounds interesting...

 

[Jawn]

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

I actually had 3 that wouldn't fit... 1/2, 9/16, and 5/8. The 1/2 and 5/8 were close enough I was able to drill/file 'em out... but the 9/16 is one hard ******* and is still a bit too small. Bugs the **** out of me... I like the Hansen trays because of the easily readable sizes on the tops of the pegs.

 

[tjsr19]

I like the ones at lowes the best they let the socket sit right side up as it should. The harbor freight are ok and my number 2 pick and the Hansons are left in a drawer for overflow.

 

[IONH]

I have the 1/2" HF ones and don't look at the numbers on the posts. My Craftsman impact sockets didn't fit in each slot anyway and I ended up having to skip one around the 19mm size area.

As some of the vehicles I work on have rust on their bolts/nuts, I can usually eyeball the size based on the frequency of use. e.g. 17mm is rusty while 16 and 18 are prestine.

 

[SnowHill11]

Here is just a quick in progress pic of the SAE racks. I'm waiting for paint to dry and labels to be printed before they are finished. Just starting assembly of a set for my new MM. Let me know if you are interested in a set and I can work something out.

 

[Squankum]

After having my 1/2" tray full, and recently having to move my toolbox(partially empty it to move)....i removed the trays and with the weight of the sockets, the tray was a bit flimsy and bowing in the centre from the weight if held at each end.

I've not done it to my 1/2" rack yet, but I've pondered bolting in a long strip of square aluminum stock, maybe from the hobby shop, down the gap between deep sockets and regular, on top of the bottom plastic tray.

I also would like to add a post at the center of gravity with a knob, sticking up from between the two rows, for easy grabbing. Once you've got some stiffener (heck, a thin layer of panelling on the bottom would work fine, too), you could ****** that organizer up with no concerns about flexing.

I've got mostly Kobalt trays, and wish the numbers were on top of the posts. Otherwise, I'm very satisfied with them, and the price is right.

 

[Squankum]

I was thinking wood also. I have a friend who is laid off that does a lot of woodworking. I think I'll ask him about it.

edit- I found some 3/4 square dowel at Lowe's.

As the recent pics/posts show, no need for square dowel. Round 3/4" will be 3/4" wide at four points of contact, and will organize your socket's drive end just fine.

I like how everybody's split on the "right" way to put the socket on there. Maybe it depends on the stamping of the number by the socketmaker? Or what you're used to?

Or does it depend on how your toilet paper is mounted and whether you have an outie bellybutton?

Oh, if you have sockets that are getting crammed up for spacing (impacts with thicker walls, for example), putting one or two upside down* might help. I've pondered sawing off a stalk and redrilling and putting a new one a few mm offset to make room, but bigger projects await right now.


* What I consider upside down. You weirdo.

 

[lilscorpion]

Here is just a quick in progress pic of the SAE racks. I'm waiting for paint to dry and labels to be printed before they are finished. Just starting assembly of a set for my new MM. Let me know if you are interested in a set and I can work something out.

Neat idea ad clean implementation. A slight adjustment to use Aluminum dowl and some kind of easily machinable plastic for the bases and those would be the ticket.

 

[Jmac00]

Here is just a quick in progress pic of the SAE racks. I'm waiting for paint to dry and labels to be printed before they are finished. Just starting assembly of a set for my new MM. Let me know if you are interested in a set and I can work something out.

Very nice work

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I am having a hell of a time filling my Hansen trays!

 

[gsmornot]

On the pegs that were too large for the bore in the socket I just cut the peg off. I didn't start with that answer I came to it after spending time drilling and filing and saying a few words. The last attempt to fit one on a tight peg broke it off. It then came to me that now the socket sits in the slot just fine and with the cup at the bottom that matches the socket size it worked. I then proceeded to remove 3-4 other pegs. The short sockets that sit in front of the missing deep socket pegs still have their numbers so its easy to read the size. Not ideal but its what it all came to and works.

 

[twincam00]

That is very slick Snowhill11, think im going to do that for my 3/4 drive sockets

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Good thread

I have some of the lowes version of socket organizers

I'm missing the 5/8 on the quarter inch drive

I wonder who actually makes this size socket and how smart is it to try to break loose a 5/8 head bolt with a quarter inch drive ratchet?

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I ordered a 25mm 1/2 drive deep today. thats one more socket I can scratch off my list.

 

[M. Blue 240]

I have a few being shipped my way! I'll finally have some 3/8 metric deep 6pt, the only sockets I feel I need. The 20mm will complete my shallow metrics and the 12pt 19mm will likely never be used, but one less peg to fill now.

3/8 metric deep 6pt
• 18mm
• 15mm
• 14mm
• 13mm
• 12mm
• 11mm
• 10mm

3/8 metric 6 pt
• 20mm

3/8 metric 12 pt
• 19mm

 

[Bull]

Which are the Lowes brand of organizers that people are talking about? Can someone link me or post an image?

 

[unslow1]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J3A7Y4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They look like these.

 

[concealer404]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J3A7Y4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They look like these.

Same exact thing as the HF organizers for twice the price and different colors.

 

[1967marti]

lowes sells a box set of hanson trays 4 in total 2 metric (3/8 and 1/4) and 2x SAE.. was 20 bucks if i remember right.... Kobalt brand...