Socket Organization

[Sloper0204]

My sockets are on Hansen socket holder`s..the pegs are marked.so your kids can help..hand me that 5/8`s...

When it comes time for kids to help me, I'll have them learn the same way I learned. Sit down with a socket set for a day going over drive sizes first, then socket sizes. If after a week or two of helping they can't get close on the first guess it would by my fault. That and I wouldn't mind waiting a little extra time for them to learn the right sizes by trial and error. I won't always have a tray with the sizes labeled on it and I don't want to teach anyone to be dependent on something that won't always be there.

 

[Elroy]

Here you can see my socket holder thing-a-ma-bobs. Homemade (sorta).

Would you be kind enough to give us some more details on these.

 

[mooman]

Yes, yes, more info on these. Those are slick!

 

[t100]

I think you will need a finger brake, a sheet metal shear, whitney punch and couple pairs of tin snips.

 

[steven083008]

Would you be kind enough to give us some more details on these.

Something like this w/ the thin magnetic strip in the bottom would be great. Then no risk of them falling over or sliding around.

 

[crasher]

Would you be kind enough to give us some more details on these.

I remember when Craftsman used to sell the commercial version of these alone thru the catalogue or with sockets on the shelf. That was back in the late 70's/early 80's when they were still selling the stainless steel ratchets and sockets.

The good old days.

Elroy:
Remember when junk tools were made in Japan, and real junk was made in Formosa?

 

[scottybaccus]

I previously posted this in the thread below, but it is my solution. I have used the metal rails, plastic rails magnetic rails, metal rails screwed down (cleco'd down actually), plastic organizer full of holes, metal trays, you name it. The metal rails always seem to wear out, get hard to clip on or off, stop holding. The other stuff is never tailored to my tool set. Modular stuff of any quality doesn't exist.

I finally decided noone makes what I need, so I designed my own.
"3/4" slab of particle board and a bunch of spade bits. Total cost: $45 including all the drill bits."

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39367

 

[Rte66Charlie]

I use some trays from Snap-On. SAE in the front, metric in the back, and they lift out and the edges will fit over a roll around work cart.

 

[rick danger]

I just went through the socket holder thing. I wound up getting a piece of melamine that fit the top of my toolbox and used a variety of sheetrock screws ,finish nails to set them on. I havent found out how to post pics yet. I like to be able to just lift off the socket and not fight with the type holders that the socket snaps into like the metal rails

 

[truckdriver]

I really like the homemade socket trays.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Mine

 

[Elroy]

After seeing the custom built trays above, Elroy started to Jones for some real socket trays. Took some measurements and sketched up a tray. Ran it out of 20 Ga. stainless on a Vipros 357 CNC during a production run at work.

These didn't come off the truck. They came off the Cincinnati Form Master.

 

[dps]

real nice! will you put a finish on them; brushed, polished?

 

[wreckercologist]

Nice job, Elroy!

 

[t100]

I scavenged at the sheet metal room at school on Monday only found 3 pieces of scrap aluminum, so I have to deal what I have, will weld the seams once I got a hold on the AC tig welder.

 

[scottguehne]

HAHAHA! It's been awhile since I checked this thread. Nice to see Elroy copied my ideas. Elroy that **** is trademarked, and you are infringing upon it, ya jackass. HAaha. Just kiddin. But seriously, you're infringing. Elroy, mine were done old school, shear, layout, notch, and brake. No CNC nonsense here. With that said, you people may soon be seeing some pretty cool **** comin outta my department. New equipment arrived a couple weeks ago, including a laser and cnc brake. We'll see what I can cook up here in a few weeks hopefully.

 

[fordcragar]

I been using the socket organizers from china freight, they seem to be working fine. I used to use the rails, and would actually anchor them down to the drawer; but I like the new ones even better. I'll carry the whole organizer over to the job and then place it back in the drawer when done. The rails would always tip over and didn't seem to be as neat. For the most part the the plastic trays seem to be holding up fine, I have about 9 of them and have only broke on socket post off. I've even cut some of these things down to hold special sockets or to place them in available positions in the drawer.

 

[Cameronl]

I been using the socket organizers from china freight, they seem to be working fine.

They work just fine for me, too, but why is there no spot for 12mm sockets? My set has 'em. I had to relabel all the trays.

 

[mkdive]

I use trays & rails

My most used sockets (3/8 & 1/2) get stored in a tray that does waste space, but makes reading and grabbing the right size super fast and easy for me....

same for 1/4 drive....

Deep, duplicate & impact goes in the top on rails.....

Flex on rails.....

 

[mkdive]

I scavenged at the sheet metal room at school on Monday only found 3 pieces of scrap aluminum, so I have to deal what I have, will weld the seams once I got a hold on the AC tig welder.

Those look nice! I did the same & built a tray for my larger wrenches a while back.

 

[Elroy]

Nice to see Elroy copied my ideas.

Elroy got tired of waiting on you for some detail shots so he simply made a tray based on an example already in inventory. Just changed the dimensions a little here and there. There's nothing magic about a simple tray

Elroy, mine were done old school, shear, layout, notch, and brake. No CNC nonsense here. With that said, you people may soon be seeing some pretty cool **** comin outta my department. New equipment arrived a couple weeks ago, including a laser and cnc brake. We'll see what I can cook up here in a few weeks hopefully.

Good for you. Rest assured that Elroy is fully capable of making the layout and doing the fab work manually. Glad to hear your shop is growing and adding additional capabilities. We also laser cut (Mazak) but it was running G90 at the time. A production interruption to change over to stainless for these simple parts simply wasn't warranted besides that Elroy didn't want a galvanized tray.

Ordered a stick of 1/8 x 1/2 stainless flat bar this afternoon to build the bails. Wasn't about to use some curled up sheared ****. Elroy wanted BAR STOCK

Still waiting on those detail shots and we understand that Elroy has your infringement hangin.

ya jackass. HAaha. Just kiddin.

 

[superautobacs]

Hahaha, to Elroy!

 

[Sloper0204]

Ordered a stick of 1/8 x 1/2 stainless flat bar this afternoon to build the bails. Wasn't about to use some curled up sheared ****. Elroy wanted BAR STOCK

Two questions:

• How Much?
• When can I expect delivery?

Those things are nice, nice enough to make a person that doesn't have access to that kind of equipment envious...

 

[Elroy]

Flat bar delivered today. Elroy refined the design by adding some corner relief which helps the bottom of the tray lay a little flatter.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

you should have made one side wall taller than other side, for putting size number.

if you are going to custom make some. i will buy some.

 

[tonydanzah]

I saw these on ebay the other day from cal-con.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260494911007&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Not sure if the $115 shipped price is worth it.

 

[Elroy]

you should have made one side wall taller than other side, for putting size number.

Not a bad idea. Maybe on the next run.

For now Elroy is going to concentrate on fabricating the bails.

 

[Ryan]

Yes, Elroy should make me a set.

 

[VegasBruce]

Here is mine, kinda like organized mayhem

 

[crewchief888]

i use a combination of hansen type holders, metal trays, socket rails and magnetic holders. sets that i bought over the years in metal trays stay in the trays. my frequently used stuff goes in magnetic trays, sockets rails for extra stuff and things i dont need too often.. the only sockets i dont have rails for are a few 3/4 drive stuff i have in my service truck, and i toss them in a plastic akro bin along with the ratchet head and breaker bar head.
it's funny with all the tools i have, most of my work is done with 3 or 4 sockets and a couple wrenches.

 

[byrd]

2.99 ea for set of 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive at harbor freight. they will break but F it they are cheap and portable.

 

[expatriated]

Elroy, I'd like to have some of those trays if you're taking orders. Personally, I find rails completely useless.

 

[toolmutt]

I'd be in on some of Elroy's trays. Those are nice. Maybe in blue?

 

[OldToolMan]

+1 for the C-Mans

are you still looking for the sockets if so i will check.i think i have them. Larry [email protected]

 

[Elroy]

I'd be in on some of Elroy's trays. Those are nice. Maybe in blue?

That's why they are stainless. So you don't have to paint them.

 

[6530]

2.99 ea for set of 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive at harbor freight. they will break but F it they are cheap and portable.

They're $4.99 here - how do you get for $2.99?

 

[byrd]

they were on sale so i bought every single set they had in stock. they will and do break so i have plenty of spares. overall they are fairly decent.

 

[trythis]

Elroy, I have some old steel trays like yours that have an extra fold on one of the long sides. It folds away like so

|<code>   </code>|\
|<code>   </code>|
|___|

Makes it easy to hang on the outside or inside of a tool box wall.

You could put that on yours and use the little dog ear for labeling.

 

[Elroy]

Elroy tells me that if he ever makes more of these trays he'll incorporate this feature. I understand he wants to finish the ones he has first. It appears that Christmas has gotten in the way and I understand that Elroy takes care of his family before taking care of himself.

Imagine that. Will wonder never cease

 

[usmc_noma]

one thing that may be an option too is to make the same tray but with some type of retention system inside. maybe a set of clips or magnetic rail.