Socket Case Idea

[SocketLover]

Hey Everybody,

I'm new to this forum and joined because I think I have a good idea and am looking for validation from other tool users. A common problem that I see with people who use sockets (including myself) is the manageability and clearness of their respective cases. A lot cases have issues including unclear labeling, disorganized rows, as well as it being generally difficult to remove the sockets from their holders. My idea (I am currently in a 3D printing class and an Entrepreneurship class) is to create a case with clear labeling and an easy organization system. I have attached pictures of my initial mockup for this idea. Basically, it would be a two part case that can be easily stowed in a larger toolbox, but also attached to one another. On top of the block would be a rail on which you would be able to slide hexagonal socket holders onto (each one clearly labeled with the size of the socket in the middle). Tell me what you guys think and I am here to answer any clarifying questions.

EDIT: Please also post any suggestions or problems that you see with current socket cases or my own idea!

 

[Strouty]

You should have the drive size square instead of the hex size. It would be more versatile. I am still trying to figure out how the design would save any space?

 

[SocketLover]

My current goal is not necessarily to save space, rather to create a better organization method, but if you think space is currently a big issue it's something I'm totally willing to address. Thanks for you input on the drive size square!

 

[kctyphoon]

im having trouble understanding exactly what you are trying to improve, because there are currrently some good things out there.. take a look at this tekton rail system - maybe it will help with ideas.

 

[SocketLover]

Hey Kctyphoon,

From watching the video I can tell that this rail is a certainly a great design. I guess what I am trying to do as a high school student is design one that has perhaps an easier labeling system than the stickers that are used here (I could forsee them as being kind of a hassle to set up). Also, say you wanted your sockets organized in a larger toolbox, this type of rail would simply not fit into a toolbox drawer, so for organization sake I split the rail into two systems that can be conjoined to better fit a toolbox drawer. Finally, I forsee my design mostly going into the licencing realm, so that companies that are already making sockets and socket wrenches have a better case than the ones that they are currently providing (assuming that most people don't want to go out and have to buy a secondary case like the tekton rail system).

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hey Everybody,

I'm new to this forum and joined because I think I have a good idea and am looking for validation from other tool users. A common problem that I see with people who use sockets (including myself) is the manageability and clearness of their respective cases. A lot cases have issues including unclear labeling, disorganized rows, as well as it being generally difficult to remove the sockets from their holders. My idea (I am currently in a 3D printing class and an Entrepreneurship class) is to create a case with clear labeling and an easy organization system. I have attached pictures of my initial mockup for this idea. Basically, it would be a two part case that can be easily stowed in a larger toolbox, but also attached to one another. On top of the block would be a rail on which you would be able to slide hexagonal socket holders onto (each one clearly labeled with the size of the socket in the middle). Tell me what you guys think and I am here to answer any clarifying questions.

EDIT: Please also post any suggestions or problems that you see with current socket cases or my own idea!

For whatever reason I can't see pics on here but to address your premise with rails in a bag or box is that they often come off the rails (but I usually use cheap stuff). A case type rail would not be a bad idea. It would require more machining but it might be better for the rails to be interlocking (kind of like a dovetail joint) you know one for smaller sizes, one for mid sized, and one for larger sizes.

I haven't really visualized it though and this is probably why most guys carry wrenches in cars (EVEN ME!) a lot less space and throw them on some rope like a keychain. Oh no, did I reveal another of my secrets?

 

[Danglerb]

I haven't seen anything I like better than Mechanics Timersaver stuff.

 

[Adam.C]

You're going about this wrong. You dont begin the product design cycle with a good idea. That's not how it works. You start with a set of requirements. You have a 3d printer so you want to design something that is manufacturable by that process. What about cost? Is that a requirement? Ask for user requirements here, not validation of your idea. Here are some of mine to help generate discussion and serve as examples:
1) compact storage to save space
2) I like to see the business end of the socket because sometimes I can find a 13mm just by looking at it. Also, I've got 6 pts, 12pts and etorx which all look the same from the back end. Quick identification is the requirement. There are many ways to achieve this.
3) I like the feel of the MTS storage. I like putting sockets in a hole closely sized to the socket. I also like the magnet. But I don't like the fact that the sockets are staggered and the MTS can't be easily labeled.
4) Color coding rack for SAE and metric can be nice, but I'd like my choice of colors.
5) Removing a full rack or a portion of a rack of sockets can be advantageous, especially when the rack is magnetic. But I generally know I want 6pt shallow. I don't want my whole socket stuck to the fender.

In the examples above, you need to come up with design requirements. The list above are "user requirements" and include some "solutioneering". The reqt should be just that. When you read the user reqts just ask the question "Why is that required?" That will help you arrive at what the real system requirement is.

When you decide what requirements you are attempting to achieve, design what you want to design, then show how you met each requirement. The key to being a great designer is having the ability to manage many requirements along with the creativity to conceptualize multiple good designs that meet the requirements. People who dream up products then attempt to shoe-horn those ideas into the marketplace are statisically unsuccessful. But people focus on the exceptions - ipod, etc. But as a student that's not helpful.

Hope this helps

 

[SocketLover]

Thanks so much for your suggestions, I will start a new post just asking people what problems they are having so I can research and address them.

 

[Danglerb]

Don't forget that the primary requirement is to turn in the project on time. A poor design with good methodology behind it might get an A.

Here is a design I would like to see. An extended L with the top leg scalloped to fit the varying arc of a socket set, and bottom leg matching diameter. Include an interior channel so that small magnets can be positioned where the top and bottom of the L join.

 

[gungatim]

Thanks so much for your suggestions, I will start a new post just asking people what problems they are having so I can research and address them.

here are my problems. I like to see the open end of the socket. helps to id what size I want w/o having to read the size.

I like the tray organizers that use the rods on the base for the socket to easily come on and off, not the drive size that can be a pain. BUT, also don't want the sockets to fall out of the tray when taking out of the box and carrying somewhere. maybe small magnet under the post would solve that.

Also don't like the trays with fixed sizes. sometimes they skip, sometimes you don't have a size they molded in, sometimes you want 2 10mm's and not a 9mm, etc. so make those hanson style trays out of plastic, use the post to hold the sockets with a magnet, but make them so each individual post slides out of the tray in a dovetail type system so you can add or remove sizes as needed. you could sell the base seperate, a bag of common assorted socket sizes, and spacers to fit where you want large sockets vs. small...make the bases interlockable as well...

and make it really cheap!

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

3D printing is very cool, but be advised that the results are very rough and expensive. No the plastic isn't too expensive (about $30 per one pound roll of filament), but TIME on the machine. Once you've got your design ready, find out how long it will take to print one of those racks. From the size you're using, I'm going to say around 16 hours. For one. And if it gets a defect any time during that process, it's scrap.

You have to account for all of these factors in your pricing. Realistically, I think you'd have to charge $25 per rack to even break even, and that's assuming you were running this 24/7.

I just don't see this as being feasible for production. One off custom work, maybe, but that would be even higher priced.

3D printing is great for making prototypes. From there the 3D model is refined into a plan that can be CNC milled into dies for injection molding later with styrene or ABS for the final product.

Not to be a downer, but 3D printing is *not* meant for production use. It's great for one off items and that's about it.

 

[TEXACMAN]

I usually have issue with carrying sockets and the wrench at work in a compact way and locked in place. There was a good idea that a guy was trying to get to production (SOCKET MATE) that was featured here but it never took off, wished I could have tried it out. At home the issue I have is my toolbox drawers are never deep enough to keep sockets stood up in racks , they take up a lot of space and you cannot i.d. them.

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

In the Tekton video, there is a blue plastic paper towel dispenser that looks line it can be used several ways.
Anyone know where it is available?

 

[thundermug]

I have seen socket storage solutions like that, but more compact.