Socket Storage. Can I see some ideas?

[pcgold]

I want to store my sockets in a drawer in a way they don't roll around. I've seen some pics on here of home made storage trays etc. Can I see some ideas/pics as to how you do it?

Thanx.

 

[mmhouse]

I like the plastic socket organizers with the pegs with the sizes noted on the top of each peg that you buy. You can fit a lot of sockets in a deep drawer.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933936000P?prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=G9

 

[lilredex]

This is about as simple as it gets. Layout the space you need then drill a relief hole where the corner will be, then bend up the sides. I have a shop built brake, so the two opposite sides were done on it and the ends were bent up against a block.



These larger trays were done similarly, except a strap was riveted across the ends. No reason you could not bend them up as above. Drilling the hole removes any obstruction in the corners, for a cleaner look.



The material was 18Ga steel, the side out of a stove or something.




Cost?? Not much, I am a really big re-cycler of everything.....I have the time now.

The pictures can also be found here...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Tool-Box-Socket-Organizating/

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

I use these grip trays that are similar to the HF ones except they are bigger to actually fit the sockets and dont skip common sizes. Here is a link to where you can get them plus some pics of them in my toolbox.

http://www.ruralking.com/tray-1-4-socket-sae.html

 

[zer01]

You could always use the search feature on this site, it works well when put to use. This topic has been covered many times and is easy to find what you are looking for if you look.

 

[ponchopower]

I like the plastic socket organizers with the pegs with the sizes noted on the top of each peg that you buy. You can fit a lot of sockets in a deep drawer.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933936000P?prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=G9

I use these, and can fit all my 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive deep, shallow, SAE and Metric sockets in one deep drawer. The size label on the top of each spike makes it very easy, and since starting to use these I have not lost a single socket in years. As opposed to many other solutions, grabbing a socket is easy and returning it is easy.

 

[99SVT]

I went with these:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00965172000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

now I just got to fill them all up.

 

[Kevin54]

Cheap socket rails, Poplar boards, and a couple of screws

 

[Mikf44]

Hansen Trays

 

[crewchief888]

This is about as simple as it gets. Layout the space you need then drill a relief hole where the corner will be, then bend up the sides. I have a shop built brake, so the two opposite sides were done on it and the ends were bent up against a block.



These larger trays were done similarly, except a strap was riveted across the ends. No reason you could not bend them up as above. Drilling the hole removes any obstruction in the corners, for a cleaner look.



The material was 18Ga steel, the side out of a stove or something.




Cost?? Not much, I am a really big re-cycler of everything.....I have the time now.

nice looking trays

 

[crewchief888]

at home i use a combination of hansen trays, socket rails, and OEM socket trays
in my service truck it's mostly the OEM socket trays, and a few rails, they take up less room than the hansen trays.

took a look around a flea mkt or swap meet, ive seen a few OEM socket trays mixed in with $0.25 "junk"

 

[PCO6]

I use the ones I show in posts #12 & #15 of this thread ...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55535

 

[NUTTSGT]

For my regular sockets, I use the Craftsman socket holders. My impact sockets are kept in the air tool drawer of my box, the shallow sockets stay in the case they came in, the deep wells, I made holders for.


I tried to post some attachments but it no worky.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

You could always use the search feature on this site, it works well when put to use. This topic has been covered many times and is easy to find what you are looking for if you look.

You could always contribute to the thread too. Maybe some people (like me) have something to add, but weren't really looking for the topic. Great post bud.

Anyways, I use the HF trays that are similar to the ones ThatsWhatSheSaid posted. I would advise against them. They skip sizes and don't fit a good amount of the sockets. I am going to make my own from plastic when I get moved into my new garage in a few weeks.

ThatsWhatSheSaid - You said they actually fit the sockets and don't skip sizes? Are there any sockets you have that don't have a spot or fit? I have every Craftsman socket size made, so I have quite a few just laying loose in my box right now. Thanks.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Ok, seems to be working now.

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

You could always contribute to the thread too. Maybe some people (like me) have something to add, but weren't really looking for the topic. Great post bud.

Anyways, I use the HF trays that are similar to the ones ThatsWhatSheSaid posted. I would advise against them. They skip sizes and don't fit a good amount of the sockets. I am going to make my own from plastic when I get moved into my new garage in a few weeks.

ThatsWhatSheSaid - You said they actually fit the sockets and don't skip sizes? Are there any sockets you have that don't have a spot or fit? I have every Craftsman socket size made, so I have quite a few just laying loose in my box right now. Thanks.

yeah they work great and I even have impact sockets on them. here are some dimensions of the actual trays along with what sockets they have a spot for. I would recommend them. they are still sturdy even loaded so if you want to take a tray out to work with it doesnt feel like it will break. The 1/4 ones are usually 1.99-2.99, 3/8 are usually 2.99-3.99 and, the 1/2 are usually 2.99-4.99. It just depend where you order them from.

Here are the labeled sizes on each size tray.

[1/4 sae] 3/16,7/32,1/4,9/32,5/16,11/32,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8.
[1/4 mm] 4,4.5,5,5.5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15.
[3/8 sae] 1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16,3/4,13/16,7/8,15/16,1.
[3/8 mm] 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20.
[1/2 sae] 3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16,3/4,13/16,7/8,15/16,1,1-1/16,1-1/8,1-1/4
[1/2 mm] 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,27 .

and here is the measurement of each tray (not including the hanger tab)

[1/4 sae] 7" x 2-1/4"
[1/4 mm] 9" x 2-1/4"
[3/8 sae] 13-1/4" x 3-1/2"
[3/8 mm] 13-1/4" x 3-1/4"
[1/2 sae] 18-1/2" x 4"
[1/2 mm] 20-1/4" x 3-3/4"

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

yeah they work great and I even have impact sockets on them. here are some dimensions of the actual trays along with what sockets they have a spot for. I would recommend them. they are still sturdy even loaded so if you want to take a tray out to work with it doesnt feel like it will break. The 1/4 ones are usually 1.99-2.99, 3/8 are usually 2.99-3.99 and, the 1/2 are usually 2.99-4.99. It just depend where you order them from.

Here are the labeled sizes on each size tray.

[1/4 sae] 3/16,7/32,1/4,9/32,5/16,11/32,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8.
[1/4 mm] 4,4.5,5,5.5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15.
[3/8 sae] 1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16,3/4,13/16,7/8,15/16,1.
[3/8 mm] 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20.
[1/2 sae] 3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16,3/4,13/16,7/8,15/16,1,1-1/16,1-1/8,1-1/4
[1/2 mm] 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,27 .

and here is the measurement of each tray (not including the hanger tab)

[1/4 sae] 7" x 2-1/4"
[1/4 mm] 9" x 2-1/4"
[3/8 sae] 13-1/4" x 3-1/2"
[3/8 mm] 13-1/4" x 3-1/4"
[1/2 sae] 18-1/2" x 4"
[1/2 mm] 20-1/4" x 3-3/4"

Hmm, looks like those are missing some of the larger sizes I have as well, although not quite as many. Also nice that the sockets they do have sizes for actually fit too.

 

[jmauld]

Hansen Trays

I've tried just about all of the solutions, and these are by far my favorite. When I purchased mine, they were still made in the USA.

 

[NOTABLAZER]

I went with these:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00965172000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

now I just got to fill them all up.

x2 works great!

 

[ponchopower]

Cheap socket rails, Poplar boards, and a couple of screws

I used to have those socket rails. I hate them. I tried giving them away and nobody would take them so I threw them out finally. The clips sometimes just didn't hold the socket in, they were always out of order, nothing to remind me that I had not returned a specific socket.....

You're the first person I've bumped into that actually still used them.

 

[Fixxer]

I use those socket rails to..
have had them in about 5 years, and no problem so far..
got:
2 long ½"
1 long 3/8"
1 long 1/4"
2 short ½"
2 short 3/8"
1 short 1/4"

in the middle of the board

(the 300/200/100 on the ziptie holder is the length on the tie, in mm. Im swedish )

 

[Kevin54]

I have got to make me some zip tie holders. I have them scattered all over the place. I think every toolbox, garage and shed has some in them. Are those PVC and what or how is the bottom fastened on?

 

[Fixxer]

Picture was to show the socket holder

yes, 50mm (2") pvc pipe.
to cover the bottom, there is a 3mm sheet metal that I made to the shape of a L 30x50mm.
and the PVC pipe is fasened to the board with a screw in the top, thats why there is a hole on top of the first number.
so the PVC and the steel in the bottom is not mounted togheter in any way.

Hope you understand me.

my entire garage makeover is all your fault here on GJ... haha maybe I should make a thread of my own...

 

[keduner]

Hi Fixxer. Why don't you make a thread about your garage? We'd like to see it.

 

[pcgold]

Thanx for all the ideas guys. Gives me lots to think about for my winter projects. Great storage for zip ties too.

Right now I'm leaning towards one of three:

Hansen trays (can't get them where I live so it would have to be evilbay)
Plywood and dowels
Socket rails

(And I did do a search but there was one particular solution I couldn't find - it was a board with size specific holes drilled in, I think made out of melamine, but I could be wrong).

 

[NUTTSGT]

I used to have those socket rails. I hate them. I tried giving them away and nobody would take them so I threw them out finally. The clips sometimes just didn't hold the socket in, they were always out of order, nothing to remind me that I had not returned a specific socket.....

You're the first person I've bumped into that actually still used them.

I use the Craftsman socket rails, no problems. Now the cheaper ones, I have tried are junk, sockets do fall off them.

 

[Fixxer]

Hi Fixxer. Why don't you make a thread about your garage? We'd like to see it.

and so I did
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81976

 

[lilredex]

nice looking trays

Thanks, always looking to maximize the available space.

 

[chopper1]

I went with these:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00965172000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

now I just got to fill them all up.

I had those and gave them away. Depending on the age, all Cman sokets don't fit and many, and I mean many, of the other manufacturer's sockets won't fit either.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

You could always contribute to the thread too. Maybe some people (like me) have something to add, but weren't really looking for the topic. Great post bud.

+1

 

[Franksdesign]

Go to www.socketsleeves.com or visit You Tube and type in socket sleeves

 

[wdwrkr1]

Googled my way to this thread last week. I had tried most of the methods, but with a lifetime collection of different brands of sockets I found that fitted storage relying on outside size was unsuitable. I had about 6 socket rails in three different drawers, and was losing track of socket sets.
Thought I'd share my El Cheapo solution.
A 12" square of painted 1/4" pegboard, some hammer fit 1/4" dowels and after drilling out, some 5/16 dowels (only an inch long, but so far the sockets seem to be stable. So, in a 6 X 12 space, I have three metric sets and three SAE sets.
Plus a couple inch thick pieces of maple drilled for 1/4" drive and for drive bits.
I do not demand "pretty" (or crossing the T's)
Ran out of 5/16 dowels and had to spend $2, total outlay.

 

[Grimpala]

I got a couple of these a few years ago and absolutely love them.

http://socketlogic.com/

I've drilled holes in the free space to hold my 3" extensions, adapters, and swivels. I need to get another set so I can start separating my 6 points from my 12 points.

 

[Outlander]

http://socketlogic.com/

Nice idea, but it would drive me nuts to see the empty spaces. My estate would be selling a complete set, mostly untouched!

 

[darwyn]

Rigid insulation with holes cut for sockets using a dremel. Painted it black, got the stickers from Ebay. Drawers for ratchets, screwdrivers, etc are similar. Some day I will cut that extra 30mm socket in

 

[bshusted]

Here's mine. I used HD foam floor tiles and cut them to fit the sockets. Cheap and easy to modify as the number of sockets changes.

 

[Balor]

Here is my solution to socket storage, keep in mind I'm just an old HD tech, I used span-on rails & clips and riveted them onto aluminum where I wanted them

 

[afmrick]

I use these grip trays that are similar to the HF ones except they are bigger to actually fit the sockets and dont skip common sizes. Here is a link to where you can get them plus some pics of them in my toolbox.

For similar reasons, I'm using the Harbor Freight ones because they were cheap and I easy to relabel to fit the sizes I wanted. I also happily cut them up to connect them together or whatever else I needed.

Click for bigger:

 

[dfndr]

I have Craftsman's "complete set" of all the sockets they make. Use Hansen trays. Like them very much.

 

[fredtech]

I have Craftsman's "complete set" of all the sockets they make. Use Hansen trays. Like them very much.

Please post a picture!
I have the same set and would like to see how it looks and how much space it takes. Thanks!