Organizing Overlapping Socket Sizes?

[oldschoolcraft]

For overlapping socket sizes, would it ever make sense to organize them together such as intermixing 1/4 with 3/8 sockets on the same rail (and 3/8 with 1/2 for those intermixed sizes)?

Or do you always organize them so that all of the 1/4 is together and all of the 3/8 is together and all of the 1/2 is together. I think I've most people keep together by drive size, but if you think about what you're doing, it might make sense to keep by socket size.

You're working on a 7/16" fastener and have the 3/8 ratchet in your hand with a 3/8" socket but it's too big. So you decide to try a 1/4" drive size 7/16" socket.

You have to put the 3/8" socket away on the 3/8" rail and now start looking around the 1/4" rail for the 1/4" socket in the same size.

But if you organized so all of the drive sizes intermixed, then when you put the 3/8" socket away, you'd save time because the 1/4" drive 7/16" is right next to the empty spot where you put the 3/8" socket away just now.

Similar question, but suppose you have both shallow and deep and 6 and 12 of a size. If you intermixed them by fastener size, then when you're working on a 7/16" fastener, you know "okay here are my 6 options for sockets all together" so if one doesn't work, the other 5 are right next to it.

I suspect intermixing EVERYTHING is a bad idea because you probably have a favorite go-to socket type (3/8" regular or mid for most folks I think). And having to sort through all of the rarely used ones to find the right size of 3/8" regular would be maddening.

I'm looking at the magrail organizers that are very customizable so you could do that with them. Probably crazy talk but just wondering if anyone does it.

 

[ezover]

Yep crazy talk. You could try it and let us know how it works out for you

 

[Nineeightyone]

I keep my 3/8" in a separate drawer from my 1/2", and both separate from my 1/4". Call me crazy, but it makes it dead simple to find the correct ratchet and socket for an application, and if something doesn't fit in one instance, I'll put anything unnecessary away and get out what I think will get the job done.

I'm big on organization and even though it may not be the most efficient use of space, keeping organized saves me time and makes it easy to spot a tool that isn't in its' place. I know there are plenty of guys with a drawer full of tools layered on top of one another, but it would drive me absolutely nuts.

The issue with this plan is with dual-drive items, for example my 3/8-1/4" drive extendable ratchet -- I typically put these items in the place where they're most likely to be used (in my case, the aforementioned ratchet goes in the 3/8" drawer).

 

[seber]

I don't remember a time when I have had to change drive sizes while working on a single socket size. In any case it is not a problem to find the proper socket on a rail if you know what you need.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

I am trying that with my "clean" socket set.

 

[Nineeightyone]

I don't remember a time when I have had to change drive sizes while working on a single socket size. In any case it is not a problem to find the proper socket on a rail if you know what you need.

I've had it a few times, where access becomes an issue (bellhousing bolts where I start loosening in a counterclockwise fashion come to mind, I always forget that the last two need a weird setup with ratchet/extension of an unusual size/configuration).

My methods are weird though, and I've generally had more space than tools. Still get a lot done with relatively little, though.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

It would drive me crazy organizing my sockets this way. Since I have most of my sockets on Hansen trays, I can find the right size quickly. I have on occasion needed to change drive sizes for a certain socket size. I could be I needed to go smaller because of space or larger due to requiring more torque. Far more often though, I need a different socket size in the same drive size for a given project. In that case I just take the whole tray with me at or load it into my cart. I can place extensions and drive tools in the middle of the tray and carry it where needed.

 

[619DioFan]

All my sockets are on the metal spring clip type rails. makes it easy for me to take the whole rail to the work. I don't mix drive sizes. I do however have my 1/4 inch drive deep and shallows on the same rail. ( obviously seperate rails for sae and metric ) this allows me to have both at the work. I also have my 3/8 inch drive shallows as well as the 3/8 chrome swivel sockets on the same rail for the same reason.

 

[Heap64]

I like the magrails, but keep it simple.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[plinker]

On my torx socket rails I have both a 1/4 & 3/8 T30 next to each other, mainly as there are times it's handy that way. T55 same deal except 3/8 & 1/2 drive. Most of the smaller torx are 1/4 drive anyway. That's about the extent of my mixing drive sizes on rails though.

I also keep some odd/extra sockets that I use often enough on a single rail, short extensions, universal, spare T30, #3ph, 9/16, ete...

I also tend to keep my sockets sets separate by drive size, easier to find stuff by drive size when you're looking for something. All the common stuff is on the cart, but the box has the less used socket sets & ratchets.

 

[johninct]

I saw on line a guy put all of his same size bolt stuff in individual bins on one of those rotating storage lazy Susans used for bolts in a hardware store. Example: all of his 19 mm stuff (including wrenches) in one bin, 7/16" stuff in another. It worked for him and it may work for you. I actually don't think that it is that bad of an idea but I am stuck in tradition, but his system does have merit.

 

[Wyoming09]

My OCD would never allow me to do that.

 

[kythri]

I've got all my stuff organized on peg trays (Hansen knock-offs).

1/4, 3/8, 1/2 - 6pt and 12pt of each.

I'd go insane if it was sorted any differently.

 

[cherrybomb]

Its an interesting idea,if a guy used socket rails from Ernst,the plastic clips are easily removed or exchanged for a different size.If a guy used Hanson,your kind of limited.I have Ernst,I have a situation that it might be work.I'm going to try it.I have more time than money!

 

[VinceG]

All my sockets are on Rails and clip type holders standing up in one drawer it is easy to switch if necessary and that includes when you need to switch to swivel sockets. I am a diesel tech though and really after doing it for over 25 years you no longer look at the size on the socket or the holder you just know what size it is by looking at it and where it is in the box. example if you ask me to borrow my 9/16 shallow I would say top drawer 12th rail over 6th socket.

 

[kythri]

Yeah, finding the right drive size and fastener size isn't difficult at all in my setup. The size of the trays makes it clear what drive size I'm going after, so I've never found any kind of issue finding what I'm looking for.