DIY Socket Board

[cool_as_crap]

I recently acquired a cman toolbox and tried using HF socket trays for organization, but I decided to return them because they took up too much space.

I've seen a lot of threads here about socket organization but not many home made (other than the rails) so I thought, how better to organize than custom?
And save a ton of money buy not buying expensive trays.

Tools:
Small caliper
Drill
Something to cut dowels
Coreldraw software

Materials:
Flat board to fit in drawer (I used 1/2" MDF I had laying around)
Dowels of the appropriate size (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", etc)

So I found a how-to on designing a socket tray that used Coreldraw. Using a spare piece of MDF laying around, I cut to fit in one of the shallow drawers of my tool box

and layed out my sockets in a way that would fit all of them in a somewhat organized way, and I can also add to if needed

 

[cool_as_crap]

Now measure each socket

and keep track of the sizes

Then downloaded Coreldraw and made this layout using sizes of each socket. You can space them all evenly, move/flip/copy a row, etc...
First time using this app, i couldn't figure out how to mark the center of each circle for drilling so i just made pies. Good enough

(I had to go to fedex to print the sheet out as it was 22" x 10 1/2" ish)

 

[cool_as_crap]

The rest is pretty easy. Lay the sheet over the mdf, drill a hole at the center for each socket (1/4, 3/8, 1/2)

Cut up a dowel rod of the appropriate size to make pegs, shove through the holes, and voilà

*Dowel length will vary on how thick your board is. I measured by drilling the hole, sticking the dowel rod through, putting a socket on, and measuring where to cut based on how far I want the dowel to stick out the top, but remain flush on the bottom. Size will vary between 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2*

Not quite finished as I ran out of dowels, but I'll post a pic when its in the tool box.

And sorry for the huge pics, i'll have them re-sized in a min

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

OK ... you're apparently back from FedEx with the printed sheet, now what?

edit:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh ... I should have been more patient!

I'll bet you used 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" dowels! All the dowels are the same length too, aren't they.

Did you glue the dowels in place?

How thick is the MDF?

 

[Tronyadorable]

You rock amigo !!!

 

[raiderhillbilly]

I like it.

 

[cool_as_crap]

OK ... you're apparently back from FedEx with the printed sheet, now what?

edit:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh ... I should have been more patient!

I'll bet you used 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" dowels! All the dowels are the same length too, aren't they.

Did you glue the dowels in place?

How thick is the MDF?

Yep, 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 dowels, each 36" long from blowes.
Dowels not glued, I may in the future, but the fit is pretty good without it.
1/2" MDF

 

[PelicanPines]

Nifty !! I have been considering something like this on a smaller scale using metal.

 

[Leaky88]

Very nice. Leaky

 

[Thumper68]

I like it and may steal it.

How are you planning on marking the sizes?

I wonder if you could do something similar to the hanson trays and use longer dowels with the sizes marked on the top of the dowel?

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I like it and may steal it.

How are you planning on marking the sizes?

I wonder if you could do something similar to the hanson trays and use longer dowels with the sizes marked on the top of the dowel?

Using Brother labeling tape you could put the sizes under the socket (only see the label when the socket is out of the holder) or in front of the socket (which uses valuable floor space in the tool box. Having them very closely spaced should make replacing them easy based on size.

Ques for OP: Did you consider arranging the sockets in a zig-zag pattern and/or having the rows close together to conserve on space?

I can't wait to see your solutions for screwdrivers, box/open end/gear wrenches, pliers/cutters, and other stuff in the tool box.

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[404]

Wow you have a lot of energy. Nice result.

 

[ChrisPace]

Nice work!

 

[Zeke]

"Cut up a dowel rod of the appropriate size to make pegs, shove through the holes, and walah..."
???

Maybe "voilà" ?

 

[DanInVA]

I had though about doing something similar before this post, now I think I'm sold. Awesome job so far O.P. Where would you ordinarily get mdf from? Is that something that they might have at a home improvement store?

 

[Givl Reggin]

Maybe "voilà" ?

Maybe "TADA!" ?

 

[cool_as_crap]

I like it and may steal it.

How are you planning on marking the sizes?

I wonder if you could do something similar to the hanson trays and use longer dowels with the sizes marked on the top of the dowel?

I haven't really thought of marking it yet.

Using Brother labeling tape you could put the sizes under the socket (only see the label when the socket is out of the holder) or in front of the socket (which uses valuable floor space in the tool box. Having them very closely spaced should make replacing them easy based on size.

Ques for OP: Did you consider arranging the sockets in a zig-zag pattern and/or having the rows close together to conserve on space?

I can't wait to see your solutions for screwdrivers, box/open end/gear wrenches, pliers/cutters, and other stuff in the tool box.

Keep the ideas coming!

I'll probably label under the socket, as it would be clean and simple.

I didn't think about zig zag that would probably cut down on space more. But the area I had to work with was more than enough for the sockets i have. I can add to my setup when I buy more, but If I get too many and have to re-design, i'll keep the zig zag in mind.

"Cut up a dowel rod of the appropriate size to make pegs, shove through the holes, and walah..."
???

Maybe "voilà" ?

Fixed, thanks

I had though about doing something similar before this post, now I think I'm sold. Awesome job so far O.P. Where would you ordinarily get mdf from? Is that something that they might have at a home improvement store?

Home Depot. I bought a few squares of it from the remnants pile, turned out to be the perfect width, just needed to cut down the depth.

 

[taumac]

I did something like that. I used a piece of 1/4 pylywood and nails.

 

[AWH]

Now measure each socket
and keep track of the sizes

Too bad could have saved you some time, the Snap-On catalog has the sizes listed --

-- the "B" column gives the size you want, even if you're sockets are a different brand the overall size isn't going to vary much.

 

[mdbeck1]

I built some of these a while back. 1 X 4 with 1/2" aluminum rod, glued in place with gorilla glue.
View media item 27667
Then I measured out the 1/4" drive, 3/8" drive, and 1/2" drive SAE and Metric. I made templates so that I can make more later.

They are the right width to fit in my drawers, painted them green (for metric) and red (for SAE) and then made a set for my impact sockets.

I'll take pics tomorrow if anyone is interested.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I'll take pics tomorrow if anyone is interested.

How did you do the ends of the aluminum rod? Lathe? Bench grinder?

Very nice. Keep the pictures coming!

 

[mdbeck1]

How did you do the ends of the aluminum rod? Lathe? Bench grinder?

Very nice. Keep the pictures coming!

I put the pegs in the drill, started the bench grinder, and ran them against the wire wheel in the grinder.

Let's see... I think I have some pics...

Layout:
View media item 46615
Rounding the ends of the pins:
View media item 46617
Drilling the holes. Luckily these are equally spaced:
View media item 46619
Dry fit:
View media item 46620
A little paint. A little glue. ...and
View media item 46621

 

[Hojin101]

Like the aluminum pegs I built a wrench rack similar style as these using wood pegs but with use/abuse a peg broke.