socket organizers

[cookiemonster]

What type of socket organizer do you recommend? I currently own craftsman and they are in the red trays that came in the 200pc set. I want to get things more organized and was wondering about the plastic trays with posts.

 

[Airframer]

I often have reason to transport tools on the road in a bag. They are expensive, but I love the mechanics time savers that are magnetic. Stick'em upside down to a frame rail while under the vehicle. Awesome.

 

[gsmornot]

If I were to complain about my Hansen socket trays it would be that all the sockets sit facing down. The posts display the size fine but most of the time I work based on looking at the physical size instead of knowing what measured size I need. Since having the trays I have spent more time "reading" the size of the fastener and going to get what I need so overall a good experience with them.

 

[unslow1]

I use the socket trays. I have Hansen, Tractor Supply, Harbor Freight and Lowe's. My preference is for Hansen's. The post makes the size easier to read. The others are much cheaper but function fine. I have kits in the cars so I don't have to worry about transporting them.

 

[larryq]

I can attest to the quality of these (as can a number of GJ members). Not cheap but oh so nice:

westlingmachine.com

 

[Nephronracing]

I used the Hansen ones for a while. The big downfall to them is they have a limited set of sizes. I like the westling machine ones but again slightly limiting. i.e. in 3/8 I have 6mm - 24mm

I switched to the Kobalt (Lowes) aluminum magnetic socket rails. They are somewhat expensive at ~$20 and they don't display the size but they keep my sockets organized and all together.

Lowes also accepts competitor's coupons so I bring the 20% off coupon for HF and buy them one at a time.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a little of everything,
hansen trays,
lisle flat trays,
MTS magnetic holders
SO, mac & matco steel trays
SO metal rails and clips

my most used "work" sockets are in MTS magnetic holders, steel trays, seldom used sets on metal clips/rails
at home i use whatever i had leftover from previous use, 1/4" dr SK set is still in it's blow molded box.

i least like are the hansens, they take up much more room...