Socket boxes, strips, or others?

[exophyusical]

I've been keeping my sockets on strips for a long time now. Its not that I'm overly fond of them, they just seem be the option that best fits my needs. I need to be able to quickly grab the socket set I desire and toss it in a tool bag and the strips have worked. For deep sockets, especily 1/2" they don't work so well, its just too much weight for the flimsy things. I'm just wondering if theres anywhere you can get boxes, like the ones some socket sets come in, but I just need the empty boxes and not the sockets. Does anyone sell such a thing? Is there a better option for me? Thanks

 

[lilredex]

Elroy's creation would suit your needs for the portability factor. But you would probably have to make them, in order to fit what you have...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145673

 

[zkling]

Don't quote me on this. But I'm pretty sure you can purchase empty craftsman blow molded socket cases. I don't recall where, but I remember people talking about it numerous times.

SK makes a bunch of different size metal socket boxes, but I think they might add up fast unless you happen to luck into some. They are really nice though. Maybe 1-2 months ago someone was selling proto socket cases on ebay pretty cheap. So cheap that the shipping was ~2x of the price of the box. . They looked nice though.

Plastic pencil/crayon/etc cases are good cheap storage for things like this. All different sizes and really cheap at the beginning of the school year. Not the most durable, but you don't have to worry about rust or the metal scratching something. Again cheap.

 

[jmm]

For deep sockets, especily 1/2" they don't work so well, its just too much weight for the flimsy things.

I really like the old SK socket boxes for 1/2" drive deeps. I have a couple I use. They're definitely sturdy enough, and very convenient. The one downside is that impact sockets don't fit as well -- you have to cram the larger sizes (15/16 and up) in, or else lay them sideways. Might have an extra or two if you're interested (PM me).

 

[crewchief888]

i have several metal socket trays that i purchased from SO many years ago.

socket sets used to come in them "back in the day"

instead of the flimsy throw away plastic ones now-a-days.

i've seen a few at flea mkts, usually for a $1 or $2.

my work sockets are mainly in metal trays, or MTS magnetic holders, and a few smaller sets on SO metal rails.

home sockets are in a variety of metal trays, SO rails, MTS magnetic, and hansen trays.

 

[exophyusical]

I really like the old SK socket boxes for 1/2" drive deeps. I have a couple I use. They're definitely sturdy enough, and very convenient. The one downside is that impact sockets don't fit as well -- you have to cram the larger sizes (15/16 and up) in, or else lay them sideways. Might have an extra or two if you're interested (PM me).

I have one of these, it was for short sockets and had a metal fin running down the center. It hurt but since I didn't need it for my short sockets I pounded that fin flat with a hammer and I have my SAE long set and some 12pt shorts in it. I've been keeping my eyes open for another one to use for my metric longs but no luck so far.

I've made sure to buy impact sockets that come with a nice box, no way do those work on strips!

 

[CWP1616L]

I'm just wondering if theres anywhere you can get boxes, like the ones some socket sets come in, but I just need the empty boxes and not the sockets. Does anyone sell such a thing? Is there a better option for me? Thanks

In order for the metal tray to work, your sockets would have to be the same sizes and individual dimensions as the sockets the metal tray was intended for. Sockets vary slightly in diameter and hight from one brand to the next.

 

[bonneyman]

I've tried boxes, trays, rails, magnetic strip, cable carriers, you name it. Some are better than others. Strange as it might sound, I always marveled at the way the old Indestro hex-drive sockets came in a try/holder that integrated the hex wrench, too. Smart idea. like things like that.

As soon as I get a break in my to-do list, I need to fabricate a holder design that's been floating around in my head.

 

[crewchief888]

kinda hard to see, but this is in my service truck.

CM top box
3/8" dr & 1/2" dr in the top compartment, packed in tight enough they dont move.

1/4"dr & 3/4" dr are stashed elsewhere in the service body.

i dont take "complete sets" to the work, only the sockets i need.

 

[silentpoet]

I use the plastic trays with the numbers on the uprights like the purple ones in this thread. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86581
I use those for my 3/8 and 1/2 deep and shallow SAE sockets. I try to put 6 points on those because I detest 12 point sockets. But since most of my stuff is mix and match it is what I can find to put up there. I try to also put the better ones on the trays, like snap on, mac, thorsen, etc. The rest I dump in my tool drawers roughly according to size. I know I need to better organize my stuff. Metric gets a drawer to itself pretty much. Most of my work is on my 68 caddy so I don't use metric all that much.