Socket setups/organizing

[sizzler90]

Yesterday I was doing my yearly toolbox reorganizing. I have 35 + years worth of assorted sockets. I'm sure I am like many others here that have lost a socket or 2 or in my case 6. I found that I have 6 3/8x3/8 drive sockets, 4 7/16x3/8, and the list goes on and on and..... Of course these are deep and shallow and one that is in between that I wish I could find more of. So my question is how does every one organize sockets they have multiples of? I put 3 sets of almost complete sets together. And the rest I just put on the end of the socket holder. I put the c-man, snap-ons (and a few Taiwan) together according to the vintage best I could. Separated the by 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch deep and shallow.

I also have some of the smallest 1/4 drive sockets I have ever seen and have never used. I think I inherited them from my dad years ago.

How do you organize you sockets?

 

[Stick Figure]

I put the sets together, and put the rest up for sale in the classifieds to hopefully finish buying/trading for the pieces i am missing out of my sets. Right now however i have a kitchen table full of random american made sockets, and a bag full of of the cheap stuff.

 

[lilredex]

My solution, bent up 18Ga. boxes. Any duplicates go in a cut off 1 Qt. (liter) oil bottle at the back of the drawer. These boxes fit in shallow drawers or the top tool tray, taking up minimal space.

 

[9GUY9]

In 1/2 and 3/8 drive I have 2 Hansen trays for metric and SAE 1 for impacts and 1 for chromes. I stack the short chromes with the 12 points under the 6 points. The extras go in a container in the bottom drawer. Between my home and work box's I have a lot of the hansen trays. But I love how easy they are to use. I just modified one to fit my 3/8 impacts.

 

[mkdive]

This thread might give you some ideas.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47412

 

[Aberdale]

I use Hansen trays. But I also have several magnetic strips with small nibs that the drive end of the socket slips over. These are my favorites. I bought them about three years ago at the local TSC, and haven't seen them anywhere since. The magnetic strips "stick" well to the drawers, and the sockets stay put but pull off easily even with oily hands.

Wish I could find some more of these strips. They came in 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4". Mine are red, and are about 16" long, but can be cut to length for shorter strips, or **** end to end to make a longer strip.

Oh yeah, the extras go in a spare drawer in one of the lesser boxes.

Dale

 

[halfxspaid]

redex.. very very cool!