socket storage

[goldie lox]

just picked up a new set of sk sockets that come in a plastic case, personally i like all my sockets on those socket trays, like hansens, just wondered how many of you leave the sockets in the case they come in. i can understand if you use them for carrying around where you need a case but just for use in a garage i like them in tray.

 

[logical]

I have SK sets in the three basic drive sizes. I popped the lids off my cases and use all 3 of them. Perfect in my shallow drawers. I know most people seem to have one great big deep drawer where all sockets of any size, color and shape live on Hanson pegs like 200 obedient soldiers, but I like my basic stuff grouped by drive size. Here are my 1/2 and 1/4 drawers.

 

[Tim37]

I like those racks with the pegs that have the size on top. They make staying organized nice and easy. That said at work I use rails because I never know where I will be at on minute I'm working by my box the next I could be headed to the roof. In my truck I have a nice set with a case

 

[rapid robert]

I just put a brand new set of SK 1/4 drive on socket rails...will keep the plastic case...although I am not sure why...

 

[1950mercury]

The plastic cases waist. Space. I prefer Hanson trays

 

[Askme42]

The plastic cases waist. Space. I prefer Hanson trays

Or waste .


I too still have all of my SK plastic trays and I'm not really sure why. Same with my milwaukee impact case.

 

[Palmer812]

I use the Harbor Freight trays. The drawer is 3" deep. I am looking for 1/2" drive deep impact sockets that are only 3" long now.

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[ihateminimumwage]

I just put a brand new set of SK 1/4 drive on socket rails...will keep the plastic case...although I am not sure why...

Let me know if you want to get rid of it. Been looking for a compact 1/4" box to throw my sockets into for road service.

 

[stage20]

I wish I could afford the hansen trays. I bought a bunch of kobalt on clearance, and they waste space too. The hansens really are nice and compact.

 

[General Geoff]

I keep the SK sets in the green blow molded cases, keeps them very well organized and mobile in case I need to take them with me somewhere.

It also keeps the sockets separate by brand. I have Cman, Harbor Freight, SK, Grey Pneumatic, and Koken sockets, all in sets, so I prefer to keep them in their original sets.

 

[STANIMAL]

I wish I could afford the hansen trays. I bought a bunch of kobalt on clearance, and they waste space too. The hansens really are nice and compact.

I have both , they're the same , unless I am missing something ?

 

[oldldh]

GearWrench gives you real nice blow molded cases for their sockets, and a nice foam holder for the Flex Handle Ratchet set...

All the drive sizes...SAE and Metric...no skips in the sizes...what's not to like...

Yes, they take up more room, but they're easier to locate...

Since my Wife upgraded me to a 56" HF Roller cabinet, space is not an issue...

 

[jmlcolorado]

I use the Harbor Freight trays. The drawer is 3" deep. I am looking for 1/2" drive deep impact sockets that are only 3" long now.

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Lowes Kobalt 1/2" impacts are 3 1/8" for the largest. Just picked up a full set the other day.

 

[1950mercury]

Or waste .


I too still have all of my SK plastic trays and I'm not really sure why. Same with my milwaukee impact case.

I fixed it read my signature and kiss my ***

 

[225]

Where can I buy SK stuff at? Didn't see a place on their website.

 

[stage20]

I have both , they're the same , unless I am missing something ?

The hansens will stack closer together. They also have the size on top of the peg, not the base. If I had an unlimited budget, id have them

 

[fm2176]

Most of mine are on rails. Easy to grab a rail and a ratchet if I don't know what sizes I'll need. Also keeps things nice and compact after cutting rails to length.

 

[Askme42]

Where can I buy SK stuff at? Didn't see a place on their website.

Amazon tooltopia Harry J Epstein to name a few

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Where can I buy SK stuff at? Didn't see a place on their website.

Like he said, Harry J Epstein. Or Advance Auto Parts is good with the $40 off promo.

 

[n8n]

I wish I could afford the hansen trays. I bought a bunch of kobalt on clearance, and they waste space too. The hansens really are nice and compact.

For only a little more than Hansen trays I'd go for Westling Machine.

Also, after having seen the socket organizers that twertsy is working on in person, I'd recommend those as well

the advantage to both of those is that if you have deep sockets in the back of a drawer you can still get them out; the pegs on the Hansen or HF trays will prevent that.

 

[Syntax_Error]

I like these. With extra clips on them they hold a lot of sockets.

 

[n8n]

yes, for rails I like the plastic ones. I'd been buying Craftsman ones but I don't like that they are all so long when that length is not really needed for anything but 1/2" drive, and it's impossible to find the extra clips that are really needed for them. I'm told that Wright ones available from HJE are the same and are available in 3 lengths so that may be my next purchase; I'm pretty mobile so rails work better for me than racks, but if I did have a big stationary toolbox I'd probably get Westling.

 

[shockwave]

I like the vim magrails here is a picture of the top of my toolccart

 

[stage20]

Are the vim what gearwrench come with?

 

[shockwave]

No they come with individual socket sets from vim instead of blow molded case with interchangeable studs to accommodate you needs on the rail itself

 

[Unmarked Bill]

Do the Magrails spill deep sockets when you slam the drawer? If they hold the sockets, they seem great!

 

[shockwave]

No they go spill at all they stay in place do to mag rail has magnet thru length of rail which holds them pretty snug it can be tough on smaller sockets sometimes

 

[rednotch]

Most of my sockets at home that came in cases stay in cases, I have the craftsman trays for shallow sockets and two sets of kobalt peg style for deeps, impacts and some spares until I can fill the sets in the tool box.

Only one I really don't like is the craftsman set, its only because they have holes for sockets they don't even sell lol.... 5/32" 12pt why not, 1/2" 6pt drill them all to make the customer crazy even though we don't sell them. I also needed to cut the depth down a hair to fit it in the HF 44 shallow drawers. one drawer for sae one for metric. I've never seen anyone fill one of these trays. I figure I'll pick up sk for the ones craftsman doesn't make over time just to fill them for the 1/2"

Had a few walk off and borrowed that I need to replace next time I make a trip to the flea market.

 

[2oolhound]

the advantage to both of those is that if you have deep sockets in the back of a drawer you can still get them out; the pegs on the Hansen or HF trays will prevent that.

This is only a problem if your toolbox drawers don't come out all the way.

 

[n8n]

This is only a problem if your toolbox drawers don't come out all the way.

Well, seeing as I noticed it happening on a late model Snap-On cabinet, that isn't an insignificant issue.

 

[GTO]

Hanson Socket Trays in my top drawer of my KRL 1022

 

[onlycodered]

Is anyone storing their sockets in a tool bag? I'm sort of a mobile mechanic and I just bought a 24" Husky tool bag to store all my tools in. Right now I have sockets on rails but I'm finding I don't really like having a bunch of socket rails in my toolbag. Anyone have any recommendations? I'd prefer some type of organizer that holds sockets firmly in place via magnets or clips.

 

[shockwave]

For tool bags the lock a socket rails seem to work quite well
Next to those the Matco rails hold onto sockets pretty tight I believe same as apex rails

 

[stage20]

Is anyone storing their sockets in a tool bag? I'm sort of a mobile mechanic and I just bought a 24" Husky tool bag to store all my tools in. Right now I have sockets on rails but I'm finding I don't really like having a bunch of socket rails in my toolbag. Anyone have any recommendations? I'd prefer some type of organizer that holds sockets firmly in place via magnets or clips.

Old metal boxes work good but can leave marks over years of service if it matters.

 

[STANIMAL]

I recall someone on the board making nice aluminum socket trays. Anybody know who it is ?

 

[rednotch]

Is anyone storing their sockets in a tool bag? I'm sort of a mobile mechanic and I just bought a 24" Husky tool bag to store all my tools in. Right now I have sockets on rails but I'm finding I don't really like having a bunch of socket rails in my toolbag. Anyone have any recommendations? I'd prefer some type of organizer that holds sockets firmly in place via magnets or clips.

see if you can find the old craftsman accessory trays from the early 90's when you bought the accessory sets, they had nice little trays with a snap in bar to keep them in place. I have a few of them that I keep in my portable tool box that I take to the track for my car. they look like these The new one's they come in now ****.

 

[DirtyWeRX]

My vote goes to the Ernst Socket rails. They are very customizable and if you use a tool bag, they have the twist-lock feature and won't come off when stored in a bag

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[SASORacing]

I like these, can be pricey but 16g powdercoated steel and lock / no pressure slip on black clips make it all worth it.

 

[lilcraigford]

...I don't like that (Craftsman rails) are all so long when that length is not really needed for anything but 1/2" drive, and it's impossible to find the extra clips that are really needed for them. I'm told that Wright ones available from HJE are the same and are available in 3 lengths so that may be my next purchase...

This post in another thread might be of interest to you. In summary, VIM Tools is the parent MFG of the Craftsman, Wright, Matco, and SK plastic socket rails and clips.

 

[ChrisPace]

I have the foam and it has kept me extremely organized and efficient for several years. I also like the product from Westling machine that someone else has mentioned

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