Organizing sockets

[Catadj78]

What's everyone doing? I just realized the standard grab handle thing *****. Never organized before now, just threw em in a drawer and searched every time which also *****

 

[555]

I got these at WalMart and really like them. They are $5 and some change each.
Regards,
John

 

[Sawdustmaker]

Thanks 555. I'm hitting Walmart tomorrow as i agree with Catadj78. Obviously found in the tool section (Walmart is so dang big!)

 

[Mr_B]

I use stainless clip rails with sockets in groups of about 12 max . I like this as slim package and can take small rail out and got all likely sizes on that rail for job . Some of the plastic ones with twist lock are good and hold sockets firm, especially bigger or deep sockets.

 

[vettex2]

I use stainless clip rails with sockets in groups of about 12 max . I like this as slim package and can take small rail out and got all likely sizes on that rail for job . Some of the plastic ones with twist lock are good and hold sockets firm, especially bigger or deep sockets.

I do the same but longer and I rivet the rails down.
Plastic ones are junk.

 

[Mr_B]

Some of the expensive plastic ones are quite good but I more than happy with the stainless rails, costs quite a lot to buy full set of decent rails .

 

[vettex2]

I use to pay a buck a rail for the good metal ones. I can't imagine the price going up too much.

HF has some for under a buck.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-pc-steel-socket-rail-set-68103.html

 

[mjoekingz28]

I just line mine up in marching order. I have one drawer for my 1/4 and 3/8. The 1/2 stays in the plastic tool chest the set came in.

But for the 1/4 and 3/8 I put metric on the right side and SAE on the left. I laye out the deep sockets. Then I stagger some in a W configuration to save space.

 

[gdocktor3]

Here ya go... https://www.google.com/webhp?source...=2&ie=UTF-8#q=socket organizer garage journal

 

[Richard Cranium]

I use the metal rails, I have both kind, I have 30 inch long ones that came from snap on, that I purchased from a member on here. I also have the handle ones from Sears. You can get the cheaper ones from H.F. but I feel that they are the ones that leave most people frustrated. You could get the rails from H.F. and then get the replacement bags of clips from Sears and you might be a little cheaper. But when Sears has them on sale they are hard to beat.

 

[gdocktor3]

I use the metal rails, I have both kind, I have 30 inch long ones that came from snap on, that I purchased from a member on here. I also have the handle ones from Sears. You can get the cheaper ones from H.F. but I feel that they are the ones that leave most people frustrated. You could get the rails from H.F. and then get the replacement bags of clips from Sears and you might be a little cheaper. But when Sears has them on sale they are hard to beat.

The Sears 2 rails for $3 deals are pretty awesome. I have quite a few of those myself. However, I assumed the "standard grab handle things" the OP mentioned in his first post were those..

 

[Excelerater]

I have a ser of Gearwrench Passthrough sockets,dang nothing for these
as far as a rail...! WTH..

 

[betcd]

what kind of socket rails do everyone use for sockets that you take on the road for junk yard runs

 

[CTyankee]

I can only comment from a DIY/HO point of view. All my tool boxes are "portable" ones. I have an older fairly large Craftsman socket set that didn't come with a case. I've tried lots of different socket rails, and never been happy with any of them.

It got so frustrating, I decided last year to change over to a couple of Gearwrench sets that come with molded cases. Much easier to keep organized. An added plus is with these sockets I can actually read the sizes. Not sure how long they will hold up, but so far so good.

 

[FigureItOut]

what kind of socket rails do everyone use for sockets that you take on the road for junk yard runs

Ernst/Tekton twist lock. I had a rail fall off my bumper at 35 MPH that didn't break or let go of a socket.

 

[gdocktor3]

what kind of socket rails do everyone use for sockets that you take on the road for junk yard runs

The best decisions I've made was to buy complete sets and keep everything in the molded cases. Gearwrench for 1/4" SK for 3/8" and Sunex impact for 1/2". Everything stays in cases in my tool box until I need to bring them on the road. I grab the entire set, snap the lids closed and go.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bcradio]

I'm doing the same thing I mentioned in the other 500 threads on this subject.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I always used standard clip rails except one organizer and what came in cases, works fine for me...

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Infinia]

What's everyone doing? I just realized the standard grab handle thing *****. Never organized before now, just threw em in a drawer and searched every time which also *****

What is the standard grab handle, and why have you decided it ***** if you never used them? AFAIK they have many pluses if you do it right, the above responses reinforce my claim, what's yours?

 

[Tim37]

Mechanics time saver

 

[Mr_B]

what kind of socket rails do everyone use for sockets that you take on the road for junk yard runs

that why I keep my metal rails short as easy pack in portable toolbox, easy handle when on job and easy see if something missing when pack up .
Good stainless or plated rails are quite cheap, go too cheap and they junk, good twist lock are not cheap and would be fair chunk of money to do all my sockets with them .

 

[Sean Rupp]

I cut the handles off the old chrome racks and bolt them down in the box in nice rows. then i started buying the Hansen socket organizers at Menards and a bunch more off ebay last week. well marked and removable if you want to take them closer to a project. Im liking the hansen units the best right now, tells you what is missing by size with just a glance.

the secret to not loosing stuff for me is knowing when its missing, as my eyes have gotten worse the big numbers on the hansen trays are a real time saver finding the right socket as well.

 

[regguy1]

Cut a piece if 1/2" MDF for drawer bottom / painted it gray / screwed $1.00 HF socket rails to it. Low cost / can be set up to your needs. See the full video here:

 

[cliftonbros89]

In the other socket organizing threads I always recommend the Ernst rails. I've gradually switched from the Hanson trays to the Ernst rails. Takes a lot less space in my box. Plus the sockets don't fall off the clips. They're a good USA made product. Available in 3 sizes, and 3 colors. You can get them with magnets as well. They work really well. Plus you can use them for hex, torx, extensions, adaptors, and swivel sockets unlike the Hanson trays. Unless you buy certain sets they're usually cheaper buying them directly from Ernst. Otherwise it's cheaper to buy from Summit if you're getting the sets.

 

[nick_coons]

What's the best option for the clip on metal rails? I'm doing something similar but I'm getting a thin sheet of stainless cut to lay in the bottom of my drawer to rivet the rails to. Just couldn't bring myself to turn my snapon krl drawer into Swiss cheese lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a set of those gray plastic trays from Sears, bought them years ago. They work as advertised, but take too much space.

I'll find time, soon, to reorganize with Ernst Racks

 

[Al Borland]

n my house box, sockets are on rails in the shallow drawers, lying on their side with sizes facing up. My work sets are typically in the blow-molded cases so I can keep track/stay organized. The sets in the car/truck toolboxes are in metal toolboxes on magnetic trays.
I've tried the Hansen type racks, and they annoy me. Really annoy me.
Maybe if they didn't put sizes on the posts, I wouldn't feel like I have to get more (weird sized) sockets....

 

[Mhyde52]

I have started to convert to the Hansen racks in my box at work. Very handy to have the size on top of each peg. The odd sizes...I guess I can live with for now. On the 1/2 and 3/8 drive racks, I put some odd sizes on the pegs I don't use: spark plug sockets, 8 points, etc. once I get a new box, I will see how they fit and possibly cut off certain trays so some of the dumb sizes just aren't there anymore.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I have started to convert to the Hansen racks in my box at work. Very handy to have the size on top of each peg. The odd sizes...I guess I can live with for now. On the 1/2 and 3/8 drive racks, I put some odd sizes on the pegs I don't use: spark plug sockets, 8 points, etc. once I get a new box, I will see how they fit and possibly cut off certain trays so some of the dumb sizes just aren't there anymore.

I do the same thing. Use the empty spots for spark plug socket, 3/8 drive 1/2 socket (I don't keep sae on my service cart), flip sockets for tires... My 3/8 impacts are too big for those trays and the set goes to 22mm so I have them, 1/2 that are over 27mm and some other random stuff on a 4 row tray from lowes. I think both methods are good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk