Socket and wrench organizers

[Codyyy]

I just recently bought a new Craftsman 11 drawer 41" tool box. I'm trying to organize it. I bought their plastic socket trays, the black ones with the snap in pegs. There isn't enough room to put nearly all the sockets in my Craftsman 263 piece tool kit. What do you guys use normally for socket and wrench organizers? I was thinking Ernst 40 wrench magnetic rails, but am lost on what socket organizers to buy and don't want to waste money. I have the means to fabricate a metal tray to put the sockets in but that takes time. I've seen some people just use the red plastic drawers out of the kit but there isn't enough room for all three. Pictures welcome. Thanks.

 

[jobo1004]

Here are some options for sockets. On the Hansen trays shop around for the best price.

Harbor Freight (these are what I use personally):
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-pc-sae-socket-trayorganizer-68100.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-pc-metric-socket-trayorganizer-68102.html

Hansen trays:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VSDKS0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Westling:
http://westlingmachine.com/ToolHolders.html

These are three of the most popular options. There are other popular ones as well, but can't think of them this morning.

 

[70Swinger440]

My dad has a 40" Craftsman full width drawer. He cut a piece of pegboard to fit the drawer, and used the Craftsman black plastic pegs popped into the peg holes. Works pretty nice. I have the Hanson trays in the full width 44" HF cabinet. I like them, but the size of the trays make it hard to arrange in the drawer.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I have the harbor freight organizers for both wrenches and sockets. I'm quite happy with the socket organizers, less so with the wrench holders. I will probably can the wrench organizers and get the Hansen organizers for my wrenches because they just give you much more flexibility in how you arrange things in your tool box. I have a 26" tool chest so I have one drawer for 2 sets of metric wrenches and one drawer for 2 sets of SAE. With the HF wrench racks I can really only get one rack in each drawer. So one set of wrenches go in the rack and one lays in the drawer. I'd like to get the Hansen so I can get both sets on racks.

 

[dodge610]

Yesterday Noticed HD has new style socket rails. Look like a knock off of the twist and lock ones ernst carries. Check your local HD.

 

[mingus2112]

I like plastic rails at harbor freight. The metal ones (i've tried a few different brands) seem to fit too tight. With the rails (vs other organizers) I like that I can grab the whole rail and go work - my tools are in the basement - far from the driveway where i work on my cars.

For wrenches, i'm still looking. I hated all of the wrench storage I found at harbor freight. Right now i'm trying the plastic rails they have at Lowes - they seem the best suited for my needs.

 

[dodge610]

How much were they per rail, and how long were the rails?

The rails were normal length rail was red and the socket holder itself was yellow. Didnt pick it up. I have all i need may go back check it a little closer and get rid of the last 4 metal ones. Never been a big fan of the metal ones but these are my sockets that I dont use very often.

 

[DocRock]

I've got the socket trays from Northern Tool (Hansen)- 1/2, 3/8 & 1/4 SAE & Metric- They work great.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&ipp=24&Ntt=socket+tray

For wrenches I have the drawer insert from HF.

http://www.harborfreight.com/76-piece-wrench-organizer-46884.html

 

[Browning1]

I had the drawer insert for the sockets and ratchets in my craftsman box. Bought it from northern tools. Now that I have a much bigger box I went with the metal socket rails from craftsmen and wrench holders from Ernst. Now I am upgrading from the socket rails to the socket trays. I have been looking at Hansen trays to start with. Then getting the HF ones to finish out the socket sizes since those can be relabeled with different sizes. I really like the westing machine ones but don't think I would like not being able to see the socket sizes on the plate.

 

[K-Dog]

Second on the westling socket racks.

 

[logical]

That's your answer?... put $100 worth of Craftsman sockets in $99 worth of trays?

 

[Codyyy]

I have one H-F wrench organizer in my machinist box and did not like it. I have about 9 or 10 sets of wrenches, most of which sit on pegs on my wall. I'm thinking the Ernst 40 wrench magnetic rack might be my best bet. As far as sockets I have 6 and 12 point as well as shallow and deep sockets so I'd need two sets to organize this. I'm trying to put most if not all my wrenches and sockets in one place instead of three different places.

 

[mingus2112]

We are in a similar boat, Codyyy. I've got several sets of wrenches - and they're not all "complete." My most complete set is my 12 point craftsman set that I bought in a mechanics tool kit about a decade ago, but I also have a 20 piece Gearwrench set, some loose gearwrenches with flex heads and 10 craftsman 6 point wrenches that I like to use on certain things. Not being a professional, the only thing pushing me to "complete" the incomplete sets is the collector in me - it wouldn't be filling a need. So i've got all of these different numbered "sets." I'm hoping those plastic Lowes wrench rails will work out. They're cheap enough that I can cut them to size for my different "sets."

-J

 

[Vigo]

That's your answer?... put $100 worth of Craftsman sockets in $99 worth of trays?

Why not? I have a few pieces even cheaper than Cman sitting on MTS twist-lock rails.

 

[fuddinator]

Personally I am a fan of Mechanics Time Savers. Picked up a blue point labeled one for my sockets and it works really well. The magnetic base keeps it secure in my box. I have a dog house box that gets thrown around and they stay put. Plus I can grab it and have both my standard and deep sockets on hand.

 

[Codyyy]

That's your answer?... put $100 worth of Craftsman sockets in $99 worth of trays?

That's my problem. I'm almost thinking of leaving everything in the plastic toolbox that comes with that set and putting it more near the box I just bought. I have like 150+ sockets in this set so I would need two $99 sets to accurately put all my 6 point, 12 point, deep well, shallow well, and specialty sockets in one drawer.
If I could afford Snap-On, Mac or the like, I could justify that as "cheap" insurance to keep the tools looking nice and organized. However I've gotten to the point where if I break or lose sockets I just make a list, then go on eBay and buy a bunch for a dollar or two.
I've noticed hardly anyone has 12 point sockets in their drawers. I can understand the redundancy, especially when real estate counts.

 

[Codyyy]

We are in a similar boat, Codyyy. I've got several sets of wrenches - and they're not all "complete." My most complete set is my 12 point craftsman set that I bought in a mechanics tool kit about a decade ago, but I also have a 20 piece Gearwrench set, some loose gearwrenches with flex heads and 10 craftsman 6 point wrenches that I like to use on certain things. Not being a professional, the only thing pushing me to "complete" the incomplete sets is the collector in me - it wouldn't be filling a need. So i've got all of these different numbered "sets." I'm hoping those plastic Lowes wrench rails will work out. They're cheap enough that I can cut them to size for my different "sets."

-J

It has taken me to buy this box to seriously evaluate my hoarding I guess. A lot of the wrenches and sockets I have bought were from different projects because I try to wrench on everything. That and I'm always afraid of spending 30 minutes trying to find that one tool I knew I had in that one drawer somewhere in my garage or house.

 

[dledmo]

Socket trays where the size is visible on the top are a very good way to go. I **** at judging the size of a fastener so having the size printed makes it easier for me to go up or down in the fewest steps possible. I went to all trays at home and work.

 

[rice rocket]

Socket trays where the size is visible on the top are a very good way to go. I **** at judging the size of a fastener so having the size printed makes it easier for me to go up or down in the fewest steps possible. I went to all trays at home and work.

Meh, I could care less for them.

Cars usually have 4-5 bolt sizes, if you don't know where they are on the pegs or what they are on your car, you need to use your tools more or work on your car more.

I got the unlabelled Westling ones because my OCD would go insane seeing the open spots, and I have no desire to collect unusable sockets. 20mm? Who the eff has ever used a 20mm. I'm sure as hell not buying it in both 3/8 and 1/2" deeps and shallows!

 

[JohnK007]

Before you go any further you need to ask yourself, "How/where do I work on my projects?" If you have an adequate sized garage where the vehicle you're working on is close to your box then by all means get a tray system like the Hansen, HF or Westling. If, on the other hand, you often have to work on your projects out in the driveway or otherwise away from your box, then a clip rail or the Lisle magnetic socket holder may suit your conditions better. I have Hansen trays but there have been many times I wished I bought the Lisle magnetic instead. I'll be working out in the driveway thinking I brought along the right sockets only to find myself walking back and forth several times because I guessed wrong.

 

[one9gt]

have you looked at foamfittools.com???

 

[cliftonbros89]

I use Hanson trays for the sockets. Although my Grey Pneumatic impacts are almost too long for the pegs, they still work. Larger impacts and 3/4" drive I just stand up for now. I keep my snap on sockets in the magnetic trays they come in. I use the old craftsman metal rails for stuff like torx, hex and special sockets like clutch drive or 8 point. I use Ernst Manufacturing for my wrenches. Wrenches all fit great. Plus made in the U.S., made from recycled material and have a lifetime warranty. I have them for full combination, and stubby wrenches. Work good with all the brands I have too.

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

Second on the westling socket racks.

Those are sweet!

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

Meh, I could care less for them.

Cars usually have 4-5 bolt sizes, if you don't know where they are on the pegs or what they are on your car, you need to use your tools more or work on your car more.

I got the unlabelled Westling ones because my OCD would go insane seeing the open spots, and I have no desire to collect unusable sockets. 20mm? Who the eff has ever used a 20mm. I'm sure as hell not buying it in both 3/8 and 1/2" deeps and shallows!

YEllow paint pen works great on the snap on magnetic black ones for quick size ID

 

[arielnh56]

My org skills are lacking and I have only one set of drawers for all tools, so the best I can hope for is to separate spanners by type: metric, AF (standard as they call it over here), and Whitworth, and adjustables/ratchets, screwdrivers, files in one drawer. The one innovation I did do, which is sturdy and cheap, was to by some thin aluminium angle stock the height of the drawer (2-1/2"?) cut to length the depth of the drawer and lay it on rubber mat.

These act as adjustable dividers, essentially unbreakable. The weight of the tools and the rubber keeps them where they are put.

Once sorted by type it's pretty quick to pull out the right size. With 3 different standards to deal with it was a serious PITA to find the right one before.

The drawer below has sockets, taps and dies similarly split but in a crappy plastic tray, squeezed in with allen keys, drills, and mills.

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

My issue with most of the commercially available solutions is the fact that they're labeled and I'd have gaps that look like I'm missing sockets.

I used 2 1/4" tongue and grove oak flooring and the $0.99 socket rails from Harbor Freight with a groove cut for the rail to sit in (not necessary). This could be made more compact and cheaply by using narrower boards without labels or mounting to a sheet of plywood:

 

[OxJaw]

I have a mix if Ernst wrench rails and racks for my wrenches. They work pretty well and keep everything organized.



For my sockets it a combinations of magnetic rails from VIM and Harbor freight trays cut to fit where I wanted them. Overall I'm happy with both setups.

 

[EricBigNally]

I prefer the Lisle magnetic trays that can hold both shallow and deep sockets. I can grab that and go whenever I may need multiple sizes for a job and I can instantly tell that everything has been away when I'm finished.

 

[K-Dog]

Those are sweet!

Thank you very indeed.