Socket Extension Organization

[Alpine4x4]

Looking for some ideas on how to organize socket extensions and adapters. Currently have them set up in the HF trays as shown, but they're big and take up a lot of room, some of that can be consolidated down. I thought about putting all the adapters and universals on a rail, but still leaves me with a need for a 3 tray storage option to fit the extensions and it need to be long to fit the longer ones. I am leaving the wobbles in their trays to keep them separate. Pretty much I need something like the top left tray, just with 3 slots. Also something with 3 long slots for the extensions then 3 small compartments across the width of the tray for the adapters would work and eliminate the need for me to get a rail. Need to make room for more ratchets

 

[DSLTRK]

Looking for some ideas on how to organize socket extensions and adapters. Currently have them set up in the HF trays as shown, but they're big and take up a lot of room, some of that can be consolidated down. I thought about putting all the adapters and universals on a rail, but still leaves me with a need for a 3 tray storage option to fit the extensions and it need to be long to fit the longer ones. I am leaving the wobbles in their trays to keep them separate. Pretty much I need something like the top left tray, just with 3 slots. Also something with 3 long slots for the extensions then 3 small compartments across the width of the tray for the adapters would work and eliminate the need for me to get a rail. Need to make room for more ratchets

Silverware organizers are excellent for extensions. The plastic type often have 4 slots and can be easily cut down/apart with a dremel.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Gotta find a picture, but I use a tray form an old tool box and a cardboard box. It’s not pretty but it works.

Edit: Found it



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[66HertzClone]

I used socket rails from HF, laid them on their side and snapped the extensions, drive adapters, and the u joints to them, then cut the rails to length. For the 3/8 of which I have the largest assortment, I used two, these face each other in the drawer and the shorter ones from one side line up against the longer on the other. I hope that description is clear, I'll take a picture when I get home and add it to here.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Silverware/utensils holder has what you’re looking for, they come in different styles

 

[SteveCh]

I took a stick of wood, probably 1" by 3/4 and as long as would do the job, cut dados in it and lay extensions in those slots. Keeps them from rolling around but separated neatly.

 

[Dookie2122]

Ernst has a 3 compartment tray, 10.5" X 10.5", I use it for extensions and some smaller ratchets...multiple colors, about $7 each at Summit Racing.

 

[Dozerhand]

How about making some boxes out of thin plywood that your gray boxes holding extensions could fit on boosting them to the same height as the top of your drawer and keep your extra extensions in there.

 

[PartsGuy]

Looking for some ideas on how to organize socket extensions and adapters. Currently have them set up in the HF trays as shown, but they're big and take up a lot of room, some of that can be consolidated down. I thought about putting all the adapters and universals on a rail, but still leaves me with a need for a 3 tray storage option to fit the extensions and it need to be long to fit the longer ones. I am leaving the wobbles in their trays to keep them separate. Pretty much I need something like the top left tray, just with 3 slots. Also something with 3 long slots for the extensions then 3 small compartments across the width of the tray for the adapters would work and eliminate the need for me to get a rail. Need to make room for more ratchets

Those Ernst trays waste a lot of space, IMHO. Slip the blue and red rails out of the black trays, and set them up "vertically" like you have with the gray rails. The adapters, swivels, and short extensions in the four-hole HF tray can go upright on another rail. You also have a lot of open space on most of those Ernst rails.... get some extra pegs and pack them in tight! Also, OEMTools offers an aluminum rail setup with sliding neon green pegs that will match your box nicely......
Lots of room to buy more green ratchets that way!

 

[PartsGuy]

This is what I've done with mine, although this layout is in a 48x22 shallow drawer with my ratchets on the other side, so I have a little room to spread out

 

[Wyoming09]

The shorter ones I put on a socket peg standing up. The longer ones I lay down in between the sockets rows. Looks you guys have a LOT more than I do though.

 

[Wamsutta]

They should all come in plastic trays like Snap-on has. It's the same kind of plastic that TV dinners come in. It wouldn't cost manufacturers very much to do it.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Those Ernst trays waste a lot of space, IMHO. Slip the blue and red rails out of the black trays, and set them up "vertically" like you have with the gray rails. The adapters, swivels, and short extensions in the four-hole HF tray can go upright on another rail. You also have a lot of open space on most of those Ernst rails.... get some extra pegs and pack them in tight! Also, OEMTools offers an aluminum rail setup with sliding neon green pegs that will match your box nicely......
Lots of room to buy more green ratchets that way!

Yeah I've toyed with pulling the rails out of the trays already to make some room, we shall see. Trying to avoid it if I can. I definitely think the adapters are going to go on a rail to eliminate that 4 hole tray, just need a solution for the 1/4" longer extensions which I may just lay in the 1/4" Ernst tray. The rails are slowly being filled as the need arises, they're more packed now than in that picture. I'm too OCD to combine non like sockets on the same rail though. I'll look into the OEM rail...

 

[Alpine4x4]

Ernst has a 3 compartment tray, 10.5" X 10.5", I use it for extensions and some smaller ratchets...multiple colors, about $7 each at Summit Racing.

This might be the tray I use for all the extensions if I put adapters on rails

 

[oldwino]

Gotta find a picture, but I use a tray form an old tool box and a cardboard box. It’s not pretty but it works.

Edit: Found it



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do about the same...only difference is I use a couple of Rubbermaid trays. Like he said, not pretty but does the job without taking up too much room

 

[4 FN 27]

I have never seen anything made for that specific purpose.

Great ideas above.

I ended up fabbing mine in Stainless Steel. Only catch is they are not expandable without remaking them.

Still need to do something about the longer Extensions.

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[Mr_B]

https://www.schallercorporation.com/plastic-boxes/?sort=featured&page=2

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Those stainless steel trays are great looking! I really like the socket trays.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Louie]

I have never seen anything made for that specific purpose.

Great ideas above.

I ended up fabbing mine in Stainless Steel. Only catch is they are not expandable without remaking them.

Still need to do something about the longer Extensions.

View media item 86083
View media item 86214What’s

 

[Ed_Hazard]

I use the old magnetic tool holders from Craftsman. The more square ones with the red backing plate. Only "drawback" is the extensions and such do get some slight magnetism, but it has not hampered me in my use of them. Don't know if it might be an issue for you.

I also used the el cheapo loaf pans from Wally world along with the Dollar tray utensil trays. These were plastic and at the time had a slightly rubberized bottom that kept em from sliding around.

https://www.dollartree.com/essentials-large-rectangular-drawer-organizer-13frac12/219336

 

[JradM]

Metal socket rail riveted to the drawer wall.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Well here we are two years later and I still have the same setup. I did pull all the Ernst rails out of their trays except the 1/2" stuff and made room for more ratchets.

 

[designer485]

How big are those HF trays?

I use the Ernst trays for a bunch of organizing in my box and they work great for extensions. Measures 10.5"x10.5" There are also a few Schaller Corp. bins in there as well.

 

[Alpine4x4]

They are 16" x 7". I've thought about the Ernst trays to save room, but I have some extensions that are quite long and wouldnt fit in them. I'll probably end up taking those extra long ones out of the tray and just laying them in the drawer, we'll see. They have an 11 x 16 that has my eye.

Ten Compartment Organizer Tray-Green

Ten Compartment Organizer Tray-Green

www.ernstmfg.com