Mechanic's Time Save Socket trays

[clutch93]

I know there's already a few different threads about socket trays and rails and which one's are best. I've looked through those and have searched the interwebs for pricing and whatnot. I think I've decided I like the Mechanic's Time Saver trays the best but I'm curious if anyone has had any luck labeling them? Also, has anyone had trouble fitting impact sockets in them?

Here's a link for a sample of what trays I'm referring to.
http://www.timesavershop.com/

I'm specifically looking at the 776, 720 and 380 series.

 

[454ragtop]

In this thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236801 I showed a couple knockoff's for 1/4 drive, really like them, my favorites, but have only been able to find them in 1/4" drive, and only at that one particular swap meet. Strange.
Jim

 

[MLB0611]

Impact sockets will not fit BTDT

 

[Wamsutta]

What is BTDT ?

 

[unslow1]

What is BTDT ?

Been there done that?

 

[ChevyEFI]

What is BTDT ?

Bigger Than Dimples in Tray.

 

[tank4114]

yep i love those magnet ones shame there so dam expensive i dont know why you need to label them you should be able to tell the size just by looking at them and the position in the tray

 

[JonnyMac]

Tank, I got some delivered for a good price from JB tools in the US. They have a very good website which gives you the shipping immediately. They are excellent bits of kit.

 

[Adam.C]

Which models specifically are you interested in? I have a love hate relationship with these things. I really want to love them, because they have a really satisfying heft to them and just the right fit and magnetic grab. But they have some really unneccessarily annoying features.

Have a look at my comments here about the new 24 hole models.

I have since purchased the staggered style blocky holders MTS 710 series amd 776 (deep). These have the fit I like, but they force the sockets into an almost random configuration. If just one or two holes were slighly larger, I could order them the way I wanted to.

And there is no easy way to label them neatly. I investigated clear stick on labels, if even just for a few sizes like 10, 13, and 15mm.

I really do like the 380 series, which are 8 hole 3/8" "universal" socket holders. These fit my swivels, torx, allens very nicely. I recommend these.

 

[ssdave]

I have them, and the only detriment to them is that they pick up bits of metal, and then the sockets don't fit right. Nearly impossible to pick the bits out. I had to use tweezers on the set I got used that were clogged with debris. The sets I have hold regular and deep in 1/4 inch, and fit my Snap-on sets 100% perfectly.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Wrong! Easy way to label how ever you want to is get a Brother P Touch label maker like this one or similar:

http://www.staples.com/Brother-P-to..._-9H3ILu3WtddAWZRFVP7ovAvMxaxhXNfuhoC1fnw_wcB

These are often on sale for like $10 around black friday. Labels stick really well. Best label makers ever. I also have and like the Mechanics Time Saver products. Recently, these were on deep sales at Sears actually online. Search on "mechanics time saver" for them to show up. If you have points or such, can be had cheapest that way actually. Ebay also has them sometimes cheap.

Also they are just plastic so holes could easily be made bigger with something called a Forstner bit! Piece of cake on that. - Paul

 

[clutch93]

Thanks for the input guys, I guess with most types of socket organizer there are pros and cons. I think I gravitated towards these because I like the look of them and the color options. Probably a stupid reason to want to use them, but it's my garage and I want it my way.

As far as wanting to label them, no, it's not necessary and yes I can USUALLY grab the right socket the first time, but I have two blue point/snap on trays that are basically the rebranded version of the hansen and I guess I've been spoiled by those being labeled. I guess I can always order 1 and see if I can figure out a clean way to affix labels without it looking jumbled or messy. I was mostly concerned with them sticking to the material but it sounds like that's not really an issue.

I'm thinking about selling my Costco stainless tool box and going with 2 HF 44inch boxes built into a work bench like a few members here have done. This is why I'm planning a new socket layout. I would like to have one box hold strictly metric and specialty sockets while the other box holds SAE. Two boxes will give me more room for my wrenches as well and make things a lot more tidy, plus I might end up with some more space so I can buy MORE TOOLS!

 

[clutch93]

"Have a look at my comments here about the new 24 hole models."

Thanks for the link to your review Adam.C, I missed that one. Those do have quite a bit of slop in them but I'm not sure that would bother me all that much. Plus with a gap like that it seems like you could easily fit impact sockets in there.

With what you said about the sockets not quite fitting in the mts 710, do you think those could be reemed out slightly to better fit the configuration you wanted or is the design just too far off?

 

[Jagmandave]

I'm thinking about selling my Costco stainless tool box and going with 2 HF 44inch boxes built into a work bench like a few members here have done. Two boxes will give me more room for my wrenches as well and make things a lot more tidy, plus I might end up with some more space so I can buy MORE TOOLS!

Haw, it won't be enough room.....see my garage pic for details......

View media item 34315
All three of mine are now full and I still don't have enough room!

 

[DynoDale]

Impacts fit in some of them:

 

[Adam.C]

"Have a look at my comments here about the new 24 hole models."

Thanks for the link to your review Adam.C, I missed that one. Those do have quite a bit of slop in them but I'm not sure that would bother me all that much. Plus with a gap like that it seems like you could easily fit impact sockets in there.

With what you said about the sockets not quite fitting in the mts 710, do you think those could be reemed out slightly to better fit the configuration you wanted or is the design just too far off?

The slop only exists in the larger sizes and probably only for metric sockets. I think inch sizes fit better, thus the design. So, no I don't think impacts would fit. They make racks for impacts specifically so if that is what you are storing, get the right part.

Reaming or drilling up the hole sizes could proove tricky. Forstner bits have centers that would drill into or possibly thru the magnetic sheet at the bottom of the holes. But don't let this be the deciding factor for you. Lots of mechanics have and use these things and are perfectly happy with them. I just think its weird how they sized the holes.

 

[clutch93]

JagmanDave:
Maybe I'll have to buy 3 of them!

Adam.C:
I definitely want to buy the correct holders for the sockets I have I just wasn't sure if they'd have everything I wanted. I tried to look them up on their actual website but I think it's down because several of the links weren't working. I need to call them to see if their holders will fit my needs and if they have the colors and sizing combo's I'm after.

DynoDale:
Nice looking collection you have there, those impact sockets look right at home in those trays.