Large socket orgnaization ideas?

[bnichols04]

I recently purchased some snap on magnetic socket trays. I had the plastic ones with the pegs and i kept breaking off the pegs. My problem is that they trays are only made for 1/4 and 3/8 drive sockets. I have a bunch of 1/2, 3/4 and 1" drive sockets. I need some ideas from you guies on what would be the best way to organize them. I am sick of them rolling all over the place when i open and close the drawers. Pics of your setup would greatly help. Thanks for your help

 

[lilredex]

Made these up to solve precisely the problem you stated..


print screen windows xp

 

[crewchief888]

Made these up to solve precisely the problem you stated..


print screen windows xp

nice work

call me old school, but i prefer the old metal trays for socket storage.

 

[bnichols04]

i have a smaller toolbox and standing them up saves space any ideas they are just falling over and i can't find anything

 

[CNGsaves]

Vertical metal tray !!!

 

[tshetter]

i have a smaller toolbox and standing them up saves space any ideas they are just falling over and i can't find anything

Lowes sells sets of three socket trays in 1/4 3/8 and 1/2. Maybe cut off every other peg or what ever pattern would fit them.

For $8 you can get a metric and standard set.

Or make your own out of a plate of aluminum and some bolts or rivets. There is a company that makes them for 1/4 to 1/2 but they are expensive.

 

[crewchief888]

you just have to have enough sockets so there's no room for them to fall over


pic is from my service truck, 3/8" & 1/2" dr only, most of them in the original metal trays, some in magnetic MTS socket holders, some on SO metal rails/clips

i keep all my 1/4" dr stuff ina repurposed blow molded case, 3/4" dr are in ackro bins, in a seperate compartment in the truck

 

[Shopmaster]

I don't have a picture but I made two socket racks for standard and deep well 3/4" sockets. I used 11 gauge or 1/8" flat plate for the base. I sat my sockets on the plate where I wanted them, outlined them with a silver pencil so I could see them and center punched each socket location. Next I drilled a 1/2 hole and welded some 3/4" solid rod (from the bottom of the plate) for each socket to slide down over. Works great.

 

[lilredex]

nice work

call me old school, but i prefer the old metal trays for socket storage.

Thank-you! For anybody else having a similar problem, more info. was offered here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85974

 

[zkling]

Magnet or welded or even riveted fences is what I use. IMHO socket racks and rails are a waste of space in a smaller tool box. Keep the deep sockets on their end to save space. And a good sticky drawer liner helps to prevent sliding.

pic is from my service truck, 3/8" & 1/2" dr only, most of them in the original metal trays, some in magnetic MTS socket holders, some on SO metal rails/clips

I always enjoy that picture of your service truck Crew

 

[bnichols04]

the wood dowel is a good idea…….maybe a metal upright tray like Elroy made

 

[radrush]

Ernst Manufacturing now has socket rails for 3/4" drive sockets.

http://www.ernstmfg.com/tool-organi...rail-twist-lock-socket-tray-red-3-4-inch.html

 

[sberry]

Personally wouldn't opemn drawers with those heavy suckers in it, would toss them in a box, spray with penetrating spray and put them on a shelf. The outside chance I needed one would walk over and get it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I made these for my impact sockets. Nothing but bolts, washers and some steel.






I also made a small metal tray to put the impact extensions in.

 

[taumac]

I did something easy and simple. Board and nails.


The 5 Stitches Garage part 1 http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142100

The 5 Stitches Garage part2 http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[JSwaff19]

I love the board and nail idea, I was just looking today and wanting to do something with all of the sockets I have in a drawer!

 

[Steevo]

My big sockets are just lined up acros the back of the socket drawers. I don't have any cool rails or other ideas yet.

I am looking forward to seeing what other GJ members do to organize large sockets.

 

[sdguy55]

There is a guy on here who I made Ernst style socket holder for 3/4 sockets. Its just a wood board with pegs and numbers. Awesome stuff though

 

[darwyn]

I used this idea in my box: shadow tool box using styrofoam insulation. I used a dremel to do mine.
Just line up the sockets the way you want, trace them out, and cut. Makes a heck of a mess, but they fit great!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Instead of board and nails, why not just a board and 3/8 dial rod. They are cheap and a little safer!

 

[Playwme]

__________________
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Your Mustang Sig needs a wheel alignment.

 

[taumac]

Instead of board and nails, why not just a board and 3/8 dial rod. They are cheap and a little safer!

Oops I just redid that one havnt clip or grind tips off yet.

The 5 Stitches Garage part 1 http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142100

The 5 Stitches Garage part2 http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[Lil Toe]

Personally wouldn't opemn drawers with those heavy suckers in it, would toss them in a box, spray with penetrating spray and put them on a shelf. The outside chance I needed one would walk over and get it.

Guess you wouldn't like my drawer then :





The dowel setup came with the little red Montgomery Ward tool box I got with the SAE sockets when I bought them off ebay. The blow molded case for the metric is the HF setup with the lid cut off.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ That's a nice BIG tool drawer setup !!
Appropriate that it's your bottom drawer.

Only thing that might not belong are the 2 Cresent wrenches.

 

[boro_boy70]

Armstong makes 3/4 drive clips that go on standard metal socket rails. You can buy the cheap metal rails at HF and these clips slide right on them.

http://www.armstrongtools.com/tool-...ong-16-847d-3-4-drive-socket-clips-steel.html

My metric 3/4 sockets are on these rails, and my 3/4 SAE stuff is in the Proto 3/4 kit box, that sits on a shelf under my bench. I don't use it often enough to justify it taking up space in the main box.

 

[Lil Toe]

^ ^ ^ That's a nice BIG tool drawer setup !!
Appropriate that it's your bottom drawer.

Only thing that might not belong are the 2 Cresent wrenches.

It's not the size that counts

Actually those are 10 & 12", they just look small next to a 2 1/2" wrench

 

[PCO6]

I use this type of socket organizer and get them from Princess Auto for about $20 each.

View media item 36700

 

[bnichols04]

great ideas i think i am gonna go with the wood dowl or bolt welded to plate idea that looks pretty slick