Hard Plastic Cases

[Mytoolsupply]

What is everyone’s opinion on plastic cases for socket sets or wrench sets?

Do you specially buy a socket set because of the case or do you immediately take them out of the case and put them in your toolbox in different holders?

I understand everyone has a different opinion but I’m just looking to see what everyone thinks. I’ve sourced a company that can make me nice plastic cases and cut the foam to hold everything I’m just trying to decide how much of a demand there would be.

Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts

Thanks
Jordan

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Personally with hand tool sets I'm throwing the cases in the trash as soon as they get home. I don't want to be storing them because they're space-inefficient compared to other toolbox holders. I can use other systems to organize everything densely in my boxes. Same story with most power tools. I can organize them better outside of those oversized plastic cases. It's just a pain to deal with them.

I don't even like using them for truck tools. I prefer a roll or soft bag.

With specialty tools (spring compressor, slide hammer, nail gun, etc) I keep them in the case as those live in a cabinet rather than my toolbox, and often there's a lot of pieces to them that I want to keep together.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I get rid of those things as soon as possible. They take up way too much space in my toolbox. If I were mobile I could see the use of them, but other than that I just don't see the use.

 

[Git]

I have two SK sets (3/8 and 1/4) that I leave in the case - I find it convenient for storage and it's easy to see at a glance if anything is missing

for my 1/2" set, I use Lisle socket holders and they hang on my peg board

 

[marak]

I have never bought a tool because of the case. When they come with a case, they almost all get tossed immediately as they typically don't work with the layout I prefer or because they take up too much space or they are flimsy rubbish.

 

[Dave455]

Depends on the plastic case!

I don’t generally like blow moulded cases but there are exceptions - the cases that Snap On and SK supply with their 1/4” drive sets are o.k. Not as good as a metal box with metal dividers, but U.S. manufacturers seem to struggle with those at the moment.

I like the hard plastic cases that a lot of manufacturers supply with their compact sets. Shows what intelligent design can do, and also how much space is wasted in the blow moulded cases. Here’s one I like. I’d buy this for the case.

Absolute worst option is a “one size fits all” plastic case with some sort of foam insert. Total space waster, and generally the result of lazy manufacturers who can’t be bothered to make a proper case! Here’s one - there are many offenders..!

Here are a comparable quantity of similar sized tools in a sensible box. Half the size, and more rugged too! This is the way to go.

 

[mrjaw14]

It does depend on the manufacturer. A lot of the all plastic latches and hinges will break with little use and then the case is trash. I prefer the cases with a mechanical latch with a hinge with a metal pin in it. Those are able to be used more.

If the sockets are going in a tool box I may keep the case around if it's a quality case, but the sockets get taken out and stored in a socket organizer. In my vehicle tool kits the cases are used until they break.

Nothing is worse than a special tool in a plastic case that breaks. I have a craftsman thread chaser set that has broken latches and have to be really careful, and store it laying flat, rather than my preferred storage on end.

 

[boom_bap]

If you throw away the case and then one day you decide to sell the tools, well you are SOL since most companies don't sell the cases separately. Even if you take everything out of the case, I'd keep it so you take it mobile or sell them later.

 

[SRSemenza]

It depends on the case layout and how I plan to store the tools. I kept my basic GW cases and use them opened in a drawer. I removed the lids. This type of usage always works better if the lids don't hold any tools. Lid held tools end up using more space due to them needing retention. The 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" sets plus some additional holders that I made to fill in space with added sockets. If these were standing up on peg style holders they would take a smaller foot print. But then would also require a deeper drawer. It's not just about area, volume matters too. By using the case everything is automatically labeled with sizes.



Seth

 

[bwringer]

if the tools are going into a toolbox or tool roll, the case goes in the trash. Ain't nobody got room for all that ****.

Of course, specialty tools with cases that get stored on a shelf (like sets of bearing drivers, pullers, etc.) stay in the case.

 

[bobg03]

I am a non-professional and as I'm not getting paid taking a moment to retrieve a tool is not an inconvenience.

Socket sets reside in their original BM cases, inside the long top drawer. A couple of misc sets had the top removed and just sit in their case. The SK sets are easy to open, I like seeing at a glance if something is missing. Everything else just resides neatly in drawers as I don't have lots of dupicates, this includes power tools.

Seeing some of the boxes here where y'all got a million screwdrivers or wrenches in a drawer, makes me wonder the thought process for which #2 phillips head or combination wrench one would grab today..lol

 

[m6z]

Personally, I'd never pay for custom foam inserts in a plastic case. The foam gets filthy if you actually work out of the case.

 

[mike93lx]

If you throw away the case and then one day you decide to sell the tools, well you are SOL since most companies don't sell the cases separately. Even if you take everything out of the case, I'd keep it so you take it mobile or sell them later.

You need a case to sell a tool?

Maybe it makes it a little easier to sell, but I bet for most tools, it doesn't get you much more money and for all the time you had the tool, you had to deal with storing the case.

I typically toss cases unless they add value to me, like protecting something very expensive or really awkwardly shaped. For basic tools, they get tossed

 

[marak]

If you throw away the case and then one day you decide to sell the tools, well you are SOL since most companies don't sell the cases separately. Even if you take everything out of the case, I'd keep it so you take it mobile or sell them later.

I kept them for years then wisened up one day and threw them all away. Gained tons of storage space, and now one less thing on the 'you are a hoarder' list. I have never once sold a tool. For me, it is not worth the risk, hassle, or time. I also don't work mobile and I have too many tools/not enough space to store tools in bulky cases. Also, when I need a tool, I want to pick it up and use it, not find a space on a workbench to unpack tool, etc.

For some, the cases would make a lot of sense. Depends on the individual, situation, and which tool.

 

[Al Borland]

Truck toolset, leave in case.
Home box, on rails. (except extra sets "on deck", those stay in the case)
Work tools, rails in tool bags/boxes.
"Tools for Fools" box, blow mold cases for inventory control.
And what is this "Sell your Tools" heresy of which you speak???
The Precious is MINE!!!

 

[Mytoolsupply]

Personally, I'd never pay for custom foam inserts in a plastic case. The foam gets filthy if you actually work out of the case.

I must be the odd one out, I love having stuff in cases I have picked out sets before just because of the case but most of my tools are kept in a job box so the cases are nice to keep everything somewhat organized.

m6z that's a really good point about the inserts getting dirty when there being used everyday I'm sure spraying the foam with brake clean like the hard plastic cases wouldn't work very well

 

[WWheeler]

I mostly get rid of the case BUT I have kept the same old USA made ~150pc Craftsman 1/4 & 3/8 socket/ratchet/wrench set in its original blow-molded case in the trunk of whatever our current car is for around 30 years now. The tools inside have been used many many many times and only once or twice did anything come up missing which I've quickly replaced. It's been a nice bit of kit so far and the case has more than served its purpose just as I believe it will continue to.

 

[m6z]

The factory cases can certainly be useful. My first good socket set was a Craftsman in a three drawer plastic case. Served me well for years. It didn't have hinges though. Friction fit.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Really depends. If you've got a tool box..... any case/organizer for wrenches and sockets is a giant waste, as it'll be incompatible with your system. Most cases do not utilize space well. I really like that Tekton offers racks, tool rolls, or no organizer as an option when buying tools.

On the other hand, I do like cases and tool rolls for away missions to the salvage yard. Great way to not leave any tools behind. Again, Tekton comes up with some pretty good kits. Funny... I have loads of all the snobby brands, but I gotta admit that Tekton does some things very right.

-Ryan

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I empty the hard case and store the tools into a drawer of my tool cabinet. The cases are saved (stored in the attic), for if I sell the tools. The cases take too muck room for my storage capacity. There are some exceptions. What works for me may not work for others.

 

[Rinspeed]

I have a boatload of socket sets but my goto set will always be the first Craftsman set I bought in the late 70's. The plastic case sits open on the same shelf that all my solvents and lubricants are on. I've long since quit using the ratchets but most of the original sockets are still in there. Most of the Craftsman ratchets I've owned over the years were given away to someone who needed them and replaced with SO and SK.

 

[captain14]

I still like the old compact metal boxes the socket sets used to come in. All the BM cases seem to be twice the size needed and don’t have as many pieces as needed. I think they are just trying to sell it based in the bigger BM case and contents must be the best deal.

I wish all my socket sets were still sized appropriately for the set like this one.

Thanks to Dave455 for the photo.

 

[boom_bap]

I've actually never sold a tool, but I have thrown away a case and wish I had it still. I bought more socket set and then wished I had the case to store the older sockets in to throw in the car. Ended up buying a tekton/ernst rail to store them, so I made another purchase.. I agree if you plan to throw them in your box, its really up to you at that point.

 

[NUTTSGT]

BM socket cases, not sure if I ever bought a set that way. I do have some 1/2" drive deep well in the plastic organizer they came in.

Wrenches, a set of GW that came in a nice organizer. They stayed in there.

Speciality tools always stay in their BM cases.

 

[MushCreek]

So far (3 years) I really like the cases that my Gearwrench socket sets came in. I bought a 1/4" set and a 3/8" set, and they are great. I like being able to carry a set to the job, rather than running back and forth for sockets. With a long gravel driveway, rolling a tool box to a disabled truck/mower/tractor isn't practical.

 

[MarkH]

It depends on where they are used. In the shops no. On the service trucks no. They waste space. In places like a set to have in pickups great. They have a place for each tool and sign painted on the top. "Make Sure All Tool Slots are FILLED after Use". It really does help prevent tool loss. Less pulling out a set from the pickup you are driving and missing a piece.

 

[jimy]

The only molded “cases” I have in my box are three SK plastic socket trays. They aren’t very rugged so they stay in the drawers. They are a pleasure to use with easy to read markings. Came with the SK tools I bought in the early 80’s.