Socket Storage ideas

[Sask dude]

I'm trying to come up with a good idea, not too pricy to store and organize all the random sockets I've acquired. I have a few ideas with wood and a few with steel.
Curious to see what you folks have come up with

 

[1950mercury]

Do a search you will find enuff ideas to drive you mad

 

[jobo1004]

These are inexpensive and get the job done. Available in metric and SAE. Also you can use a 20% of coupon when you buy them.
http://m.harborfreight.com/3-pc-metric-socket-trayorganizer-68102.html

 

[devoncoolman]

i use the hanson tray's its been my favorite way for the last 10 years. Its very efficient time wise. Its really easy to find the socket your looking for and easy to return it when finished.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Gotta admit, those HF trays look damn good. I can't really tell from the pic, but are they set up for standard sockets on one side and deep sockets on the other side??????

-

 

[1950mercury]

 

[stikman56]

These are inexpensive and get the job done. Available in metric and SAE. Also you can use a 20% of coupon when you buy them.
http://m.harborfreight.com/3-pc-metric-socket-trayorganizer-68102.html

I have those, they work well, BUT I was disappointed when someone showed me the ones they sell at lowe's and they're even cheaper.

 

[jobo1004]

Gotta admit, those HF trays look damn good. I can't really tell from the pic, but are they set up for standard sockets on one side and deep sockets on the other side??????

-

Two different sets. They make one set in metric for regular and deep in 1/4" 3/8" & 1/2" drive and another set for SAE. The benefit of the harbor freight over the Kobalt version at Lowe's is that the spacing is closer together and the trays don't take up as much drawer space. Also on their website the Lowe's trays are double the cost.

 

[oldldh]

If you get Gearwrench socket sets...

They come in these blow molded trays...

I'm too lazy, and cheap, to do it any other way...

They even gave me a foam tray for my 120 tooth flex ratchet set...

 

[Coach James]

I picked up the Lowes trays on sale for about the same as HF cost.

I had a few problems with sockets that wouldn't fit on the HF trays due to the posts being out of square.

Coach

 

[stage20]

All the lowes trays have been clearanced so the hf is the best deal though I don't like my lowes ones. Size is on the bottom. Hf is on top where you can see

 

[sberry]

I don't care for trays.

 

[awdblazer]

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=71906&cat=51&ap=1

 

[Ramper]

I like this idea:

 

[hickfied]

I have the kobalt and hf trays. Both work great in the shop.


I've been looking at the 4 Row metal socket organizer by kobalt. With a few added clips It should be able to hold shallow and deep 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 along with shallow and deep swivel sockets. The perfext setup for my impacts

 

[ibedayank]

this is mine

 

[Strouty]

this is mine

I see a lot of empty spots, my OCD senses are kicking in.

 

[lilredex]

My solution to all those loose sockets.....



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

 

[Sask dude]

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=71906&cat=51&ap=1

Really like this seems cheap too

Thanks

 

[Angry welder]

I made these because I got tired of going back and forth with trays and strips and trying to find something that fit my box like i wanted. I am still not happy with them but, I don't think anyone is ever really happy with there socket organization.

 

[ADSR]

Ernst socket boss

 

[rasman57]

Those wood ones are cool. Nice patient work there!

 

[ibedayank]

I see a lot of empty spots, my OCD senses are kicking in.

working on it....
finding older usa made to fill the spots is getting harder

 

[pauls_workshop]

Check out the Mechanics Time Savers trays. You can even get them through Sears if you have points. Just plastic but with magnet at the bottom to hold the sockets. Much easier to pull them out vs. a snap in type plug in each socket that is harder to free up each socket with. As quick to get sockets on or off as a Hansen type tray, but the magnet keeps them from coming out by chance if turned upside down. I just got a couple and like them. I might make my own version too out of wood and magnets too. - Paul

 

[Not Bob]

Protoco rails and pegs adhered to 1/8" sheet of mdf.
View media item 45045View media item 45066

 

[K-Dog]

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=71906&cat=51&ap=1

Does anyone have this kit?
The price is tough to beat.
I have 250 sockets I need to store, I really like this system.
My concerns are them tipping over ( like my heavy 1/2 inch drive axle sockets )
and pulling the tab up with the socket.

 

[ADSR]

Does anyone have this kit?
The price is tough to beat.
I have 250 sockets I need to store, I really like this system.
My concerns are them tipping over ( like my heavy 1/2 inch drive axle sockets )
and pulling the tab up with the socket.

I should give those a go in my cart. They look pretty good.

 

[crbnfbr]

I personally use these for my sockets:http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=338551-22328-85923&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3381278&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

I like that it has a handle so I can take all my 3/8" sockets for example with me. They could come with more clips, but I believe Sears sells some that fit.

 

[brandonmoore223]

This is my roll around cart, my toolbox is similar. 99¢ harbor freight socket rails screwed to a piece of wood, I have tried the twist rails and socket trays but I can build these how I want them and put different sizes on the same rails for odd sets (tap and die sockets, etc)

 

[Sask dude]

I'm just trying to find a way to organize mis match incomplete sets that have accumulated over the years. So that's why I was looking for custom sets. Really like that lee valley one

 

[timmyisme22]

I like this idea:

I copied his design but for a hell of a lot cheaper:

Finishing wood from Restore (Habitat for Humanity): Around $3-4 for a strip (Cuts to 5-6 of these. Perfect size and felt good for this)
Handle with screws: $0.60 per (Also from Restore)
Socket rails: Around $1.2 per (Harbor Freight)
Mineral Oil to coat it after drilling (Cheap and easy to reapply as needed): Around $1 for 24oz
*EDIT*
Forgot the damn screws for the rails. About 100 1/4 (I believe, it's in the garage and it's 1am) flush screws for $1 or .50 or something like that.
Around 3 bucks per and some time is worth it. Easy chop saw and sanding of the wood makes it fast.

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/QEJOAq3.jpg"; height=500>
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/ohovjNK.jpg"; height=500>
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/xgVEqiC.jpg"; height=500>


I do need to finish building the rest though. I'm lazy and what not. Little bit of messing with the clips does help the larger 1/2 deeps. Could use the same wood with better clips though when you upgrade. The handle is solid as all hell though.

I'll show the bottom when I get a picture of it up. Did a counter sink to pull the bottom flush for the screws. Sanded the corners and what not by hand. It's fun and passes the time ^^

 

[K-Dog]

Okay I got the Westlings.

http://www.westlingmachine.com/

Really great prices for what you get. The quality is WAY impressive. The customer service is outstanding.
250 some sockets needed a home, I spend a buck forty on these very nice plates.
My only issue is with all sizes, ( 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 ) spacing is a bit tight for some bigger sockets and swivels and stuff. I am not sure there is much that can be done about that.

 

[timmyisme22]

Nice mate. Looks sleek with blue on blue.

 

[Schurkey]

Protoco rails and pegs adhered to 1/8" sheet of mdf.
View media item 45045

View media item 45066

(Most of) My sockets are currently on Protoco plastic rails.
1. They changed the design, they use plastic clips now instead of the older plastic pegs. I liked the pegs MUCH better. The clips stay in the socket, pulling the socket off the rail pulls the clip out of the rail, too. Then I've gotta dig the clip out of the socket. And do it all over again the next time I need that socket.

2. They're too fragile. Over half of my Protoco rails are broken. They crack through the molded holes for the pegs/clips.

3. They're too friggin' expensive for cheap plastic. This would be excusable if they had a warranty against breakage. I e-mailed the company and got no support. Flimsy AND expensive AND no warranty = I'm done with them.

4. The concept is good, though. Lots of closely-spaced holes, so the sockets can be packed reasonably close together, but by skipping holes, bigger sockets get more clearance from their neighbors. The 1/4 rails have the closest spacing as a person would expect.

Okay I got the Westlings.

http://www.westlingmachine.com/

Really great prices for what you get. The quality is WAY impressive. The customer service is outstanding.
250 some sockets needed a home, I spend a buck forty on these very nice plates.
My only issue is with all sizes, ( 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 ) spacing is a bit tight for some bigger sockets and swivels and stuff. I am not sure there is much that can be done about that.

I like the concept of metal racks and metal pegs--but--these are less flexible/user-friendly than the Protoco system of many holes, put the pegs where you need them.

I'm scared to death I'm gonna have to buy an aluminum plate and drill a bazillion of my own friggin' holes, then try to re-use the Protoco pegs.