New box, my homemade socket organizers

[mrpizza]

So my wife pretty much "forced" me to buy the 44" roller cab from a HF. I filled it up completely with all the stuff I have. So my wife, in her great wisdom, decided I needed a new top chest to go with it so I could actually organize the tools and not just have every drawer crammed full.


Now that I had my new boxes, I set out to find a way to organize my sockets. Socket rails proved to be more expensive than I wanted to mess with, so I devised my own.



I used tool shop brand rails from menards. They were on sale for a buck a pack for one rail of each size. I bought all they had for the extra clips. I then got some thin aluminum flat bar from Home Depot and cut it in to appropriate lengths to mount the rails. I used a riveter to attach the rails to the aluminum.


I was able to group my 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4" together on separate "trays" if you will. The 1/4" and 1/2" each took 3 rails, while my 3/8" took 4. I made them separate so I can pull them out easier in the future. And here is the finished shot of all of them. Still need to make a set for impacts. Total cost was around 20 bucks because I had to spend 5 bucks on a box of rivets. Saved me a ton of room.

 

[oldldh]

My son, you get Monday's---

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

 

[mrjaw14]

I did something real similar, except that I used some spare sheet metal instead of AL strips. I put some enamal on the sheet metal, then rivited the socket rails to it. Made a nice finished look. I did one big set of rails, like 8 or so. Its heavey when loaded, and I can't take out a rail. It's all or nothing. I wish I could have done it where I could remove a rail and take it with me, but I hate when they fall over or move around in the box...so I made one large one. Nice job, looks good

 

[mrpizza]

That's why I did them in sets, so I could easily pull a set out if needed. Now I just need to make a 4 rail one for my impacts and I'll be set.

 

[7th Kahuna]

Nice!

 

[Wangstang]

For what it's worth Lowes has some pretty decent socket trays on clearance for under $4 a set right now...check out the hot deals section.

I do like your solution and make sure you tell your wife how great she is for making you buy tool box gear.

Wes

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Nice job! I had similar once when I had a smaller box. Direct rivet to the top.

 

[mrpizza]

I considered the trays from lowes and other retailers but I liked the flexibility of having only the spaces I need for the sockets. The trays would take up more room and leave me searching for sockets to take up the empty spots. I've never encountered a socket need that I didn't have.

 

[regguy1]

I put down a 1/2" MDF piece, painted it gray and screwed the socket rails to it. Lots of flexibility on positioning everything. Also used a Aluminum angle to create partition for extensions.