Socket organization question

[d_rock]

I'm in the process of developing some socket organizers. Wanted to get some input from everybody here. Do you prefer more "universal" organizers that you can put the sockets you want in it, (rails, tins, etc), or do you like ones that are already laid out (ernst, hf, etc). I'm not asking about the design of them, just if you like them built for specific sockets or not.

Thanks!

 

[jjjrmx5]

Hansen's can lick my taint.

My socket collection is ever growing and morphing. I don't need some CAD designer to tell me what sockets I need and then take up too much dwr. space doing it never ming the fact that some of teh posts do not even fit sockets.

That's like saying you only have 3 tea hooks hanging from your cabinet so I guess I can only have 3 tea cups and only have two guest over for any given social party.

Give me a break.

Expandability and flexibility is where it is at for me. If you have bad eyesight, do rail boards and label maker labels. Done.

 

[plinker]

I prefer rail's, to be specfic the one's from Gearwrench. Reason being, I can add or remove socket's. Or I can change around my set(s) any time I want. They are also more "portable" in the sense that you can take the entire rack to the job.

 

[Link-Belt]

I like the HF trays. I had bought some Cman Pro wrenches that came with some size sticker sheets so I can change the size markings on the trays if I need to.

 

[FordExplorer]

I use craftsman socket rails. Just load them up and then devote a drawer to the rails laid out in an organized way. It works great!

 

[joedodge]

mechanics time savers for me i can grab a whole set together and magnetize it to the car or lift or my cart

 

[bobcatdan]

In the main box I use mostly magnetic panels, for a total area of 24"x24". They are expensive, but I like them. If the socket came with a useful holder like the old school metal trays or matco's rail system, I keep those. In the road box I use hansen trays for 1/4" and 3/8". I don't use 1/2" a lot on the road and keep them in their plastic cases (sunnex). I think for 1/4", hansen works great, 3/8" is passiable and totally ***** for 1/2"

 

[crewchief888]

at home
i use a couple hansen trays, some SO metal rails, a few metal trays, lg 1/2" & 3/4"dr are loose in the drawer

at work, in my service truck
SO metal rails, metal trays, MTS magnetic organizers, flat lisle organizer, and a couple of metal & plastic socket boxes. 3/4"dr are in acro bins

most of my work sockets sets came in metal trays, or i bought them when they were still available. the ones that didnt, are in MTS or the lisle magnetics.

1st pic is my service truck nothing but 3/8" & 1/2" dr, 1/4" & 3/4" dr are in another compartment
2nd pic is home box, but it's been reorganized since the pic was taken..

 

[canuckian]

Universal rails for me. I use Ernst presently and have had good luck with them. I had some Hansen style organizers and the empty posts drove me mad.

 

[neonnblack]

bam! home made goodness.

 

[OEXL16B]

I had some Hansen style organizers and the empty posts drove me mad.

Hansen can't even fill up their own posts!!

 

[TSirotock]

I use both the Hansen trays and the Craftsman plastic rails. I also have a tray that is mixed SAE and Metric on the same tray and the Lisle magnetic trays. Why?

First, the Hansen trays make finding a socket quick and easy and if needed I can take the tray to the work. As mentioned they do "waste" space but the access and organization seem worth it. I appreciate being able to spot a stray socket instantly, but the gaps and mis-match sizing are annoying. I have similar good and bad feelings with the Lisle trays. Second, the rails seem better for torx, hex, flex and driver sockets.

Build us a better mouse-trap. From all the endless debate and opinion regarding how to organize a box generally and sockets in particular, the market is there! Also, please ponder the wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, punches, chisels, and ratchets, extensions, speeders, flex handles and all the other tools that rattle, roll or flop about in the big chests, little boxes, walls and benchtops in all the garages of this world.

 

[IONH]

I have a big Craftsman molded box with all 6 point sockets.

Then I have impact grade Craftsman 1/2" sockets which are separate. The impact sockets I have in the top drawer of my 44" HF box in HF posts. I don't particularly care what the posts have on them for numbers. I will know if a socket is missing because there is an empty peg and I will be on the hunt! They are removable which is nice, but I rarely do that.

If you insist on having the posts line up with the numbers and the sockets, then maybe a label maker will help.

I have a couple of the metal ones where you can slide the socket piece on and make them very dynamic. Unfortunately, unless you bolt them down, they don't stand up so that's less convenient for grabbing sockets out of a drawer quickly. Also, the sockets seemed to fall off once in a while when moving the rail.