Sort-A-Tool

[MackMan]

I was at Sears over the weekend, looking for Hansen socket trays and struck out.. but did find a Sort-A-Tool, which I'd read positive reviews of on here, and thought I'd give it a try. Got it loaded up last night, and along with a couple of other things gained a full drawer! Also I now know what sizes I need, and what sizes I have duplicates of (somehow I have two 1/4" wrenches... I know of exactly one thing I've ever used a 1/4" wrench for so I'm confused)

Duplicates may eventually be sold to gain some more space, but sometimes two is handy to have. Overall This seems like a great system. The "gauge" to see where your wrench goes seems a little off, but it's really not that hard to look at the decal and match it to the wrench.

Only thing I'm a little miffed about is I paid $12 for this at sears, but it's $8.50 on the website... I'd take it back, except the Sears I was at was 400 miles away (visiting friends out of town).

http://www.sears.com/sort-a-tool-in...00965223000P?sLevel=0&redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL

 

[theamcaddict]

These are great for most wrenches. I wish they would make additional styles.

Made in the USA also!

 

[MackMan]

Yep, additional sizes/styles would be good as well. I might eventually get a second one to sort ratcheting wrenches separate from fixed wrenches, but I so rarely use a fixed wrench if a ratcheting wrench is available that it just made sense to throw everything in here. Definitely seems like the most space efficient of the standard wrench sorting products out there.

Now I just need a better system for my sockets. I have the big plastic trays from Sears, which take up too much space, and don't adequately handle my acquisition of spark plug wrenches and duplicates (apparently I like to collect 5/8's sockets).

I'm debating between Hansen trays, and these.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPUJQC/?tag=atomicindus08-20
(Love the price, but generally not a huge fan of this type of organizer... but I already have some)

Sears also had a plastic tray with holes and different size dowels that looked nice, but $25, and no labeling system.

I like the Hansen because it has the labels to ID a socket easier and because it doesn't appear to "hold" the socket on. However the labels could also be the weakness as I mentioned I have several duplicates, but am also missing many. Of course as has been discussed elsewhere, it would give me a target to fill out the Hansen trays. $50+ for a set of Hansens seems expensive.

 

[mayday0017]

Hm... This makes me want one of these, I have my ratchet wrenches in roll up cloth pouch and have really loved it that way. But I have standard wrenches (I almost never use them these days) in a small metal tool box slid under my tool chest to keep them out of the way but still available when I need them.

Maybe this would be good for those then they would have a home in my toolbox and no digging looking for the 1 I want when i do need it. Or maybe this is just an excuse to buy another tool related item because I'm an addict... Who knows?

 

[mf44]

MackMan, have you looked at the Harbor Freight socket organizers? They are kinda the HF version of the Hansen, and are of course cheaper.

Metric:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-metric-socket-trayorganizer-68102.html

Also, what you can do, if you don't have or need all the socket sizes, you can use a label maker to make new labels and stick them over the originals. That's something you can't do with the Hansen. One other advantage over Hansen is the sockets stand with the socket end up, so you can quickly tell if it is a 6 or 12 point socket.

 

[MackMan]

Thanks,
I actually went by HF before going to Sears and couldn't find any tool organization stuff at all... I do like the look and the price of this though!

I can't tell from the picture, do these accept Deep+Standard, or would I need two sets?

 

[concealer404]

Thanks,
I actually went by HF before going to Sears and couldn't find any tool organization stuff at all... I do like the look and the price of this though!

I can't tell from the picture, do these accept Deep+Standard, or would I need two sets?

Deep and standard.

 

[MackMan]

Dumb question but... Do these come in SAE? I can only find the metric on the site?

Now I just have to find them in a store... $7 shipping for $8 order seems silly! I think this looks like the best solution though.

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP
Only thing I'm a little miffed about is I paid $12 for this at sears, but it's $8.50 on the website... I'd take it back, except the Sears I was at was 400 miles away (visiting friends out of town).

http://www.sears.com/sort-a-tool-in...00965223000P?sLevel=0&redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL

8.49 + "Ship Starts at $6.50" = 14.99?

And if you have a local Sears, you can return it there... It's all Sears....

 

[mf44]

Dumb question but... Do these come in SAE? I can only find the metric on the site?

Now I just have to find them in a store... $7 shipping for $8 order seems silly! I think this looks like the best solution though.

Yea, they come in both. Don't know why they don't show SAE on the website, though.

 

[MackMan]

8.49 + "Ship Starts at $6.50" = 14.99?

And if you have a local Sears, you can return it there... It's all Sears....

Can ship to store for free though... I bought it at one of the independent local Sears franchise (tool and appliance only) not the Dept. Store, but might be worth a try?

 

[Cameronl]

SAE: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-sae-socket-trayorganizer-68100.html

Sears online v. B&M prices:
My local Sears hardware routinely charges about 10% for most tools than the Sears Dept. store the next town over. I just go online to buy and choose "pick up at store" and THEN head to Sears Hardware.

 

[MackMan]

Thanks for the link. Apparently I wasn't picking the right search terms or something.

I've already got the Sort-A-Tool stickered and loaded so I'll probably just deal with the $4 loss, but frustrating!

 

[bluebolt]

I was at Sears over the weekend, looking for Hansen socket trays and struck out.. but did find a Sort-A-Tool, which I'd read positive reviews of on here, and thought I'd give it a try. Got it loaded up last night, and along with a couple of other things gained a full drawer! Also I now know what sizes I need, and what sizes I have duplicates of (somehow I have two 1/4" wrenches... I know of exactly one thing I've ever used a 1/4" wrench for so I'm confused)

Duplicates may eventually be sold to gain some more space, but sometimes two is handy to have. Overall This seems like a great system. The "gauge" to see where your wrench goes seems a little off, but it's really not that hard to look at the decal and match it to the wrench.

Only thing I'm a little miffed about is I paid $12 for this at sears, but it's $8.50 on the website... I'd take it back, except the Sears I was at was 400 miles away (visiting friends out of town).

http://www.sears.com/sort-a-tool-in...00965223000P?sLevel=0&redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL

I use the black one sold by Sears for my metric wrenches and the orignal red one for my standard wrenches. I have the Craftsman racks for my normal riased panel wrenches, the Sorta-A-Tool holds the six point combos, the Craftsman Quick Wrench open end ratcheting combos and my Gearwrench ratcheting box end combos.

 

[JASTECH]

It would be useful for except only go's up to 19mm or 3/4" so I would have left overs that won't get thrown out. Otherwise might order 2 or 3.

 

[Steevo]

I like the idea of holding wrenches on their side to maximize usable space. I bought some Earnst wrench racks, and pulled them from my drawers after a day or so, because they wasted so much space.

 

[ekuhn]

I have the wrench racks. I keep 12pt and a 6pt wrenches in there as a pair, then grab as needed. My only gripe was I couldnt fit the largest SAE wrenches in that and the drawer, they were too tall.

 

[pipsters]

Buy the new one online and return it with the old receipt, done...

 

[pipsters]

I like the idea of holding wrenches on their side to maximize usable space. I bought some Earnst wrench racks, and pulled them from my drawers after a day or so, because they wasted so much space.

This is how I store my wrenches now, I've considered making foam racks but honestly this has worked out fine for me, and you get to stuff a ton in there.

I have 10mm-32mm with 10mm-18mm duplicated in 6 point, and 3/8"-1-5/16" with 3/8"-3/4" duplicated in 6 point. The 12 piece double box wrench set, two Bondhus allen key sets, Flare nut crows and standard crows foot sets up to 1" and 19mm, a couple adjustables, and a small Gearwrench set 8-15mm with a couple skips.

 

[jetmech09]

Matco sells pretty decent trays for wrenches along the same lines as the way pipsters has his set up. Expensive, but they save a lot of room.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MAGWRNCHS/14-PIECE-SAE-MAGNETIC-WRENCH-ORGANIZER/

They also have an organizer like that that has a knob that locks all the wrenches in place...good for road bags.

 

[unslow1]

Menard's stocks Hansen's. They also have their own version. Lowe's has a version as well.

 

[Dave.R]

We have a new line of USA socket holders, They aren't quite live yet, hopefully within the month. We have them loaded on Amazon, but the pictures haven't made it up yet. They are adjustable as far as the gap, you can mix and match 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. And part of our USA items we are rolling out this year, Here are the Amazon links, and a Sneak-Peek picture.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008TM15SM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008TM15LY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008TM15LE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[fflintstone]

I use several sort a wrenches for up to ¾”/19MM, I use springs for larger wrenches and I recommend these for sockets, larger ones are available but are heavy when loaded.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z21B3I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Steevo]

Matco sells pretty decent trays for wrenches along the same lines as the way pipsters has his set up. Expensive, but they save a lot of room.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MAGWRNCHS/14-PIECE-SAE-MAGNETIC-WRENCH-ORGANIZER/

They also have an organizer like that that has a knob that locks all the wrenches in place...good for road bags.

Those are pricey, but nice.
It's too bad they don't provide any size information, such as "how long are they?"

 

[Mickey O]

Picked up a Sort-A-Tool wrench organizer last evening, I thought they would be great for putting my 6 point sae and metric wrenches in but they are not so good for longer thinner wrenches (Bonney full polish).

If you're going to a Sears store (or any store in person) it might not be a bad idea to bring your wrenches along to be sure it'll work for you and save yourself a trip returning it.


Pic of the Matco wrench holder:

 

[zjrog]

I bought three of them. One for wrenches of course, all Craftsman USA made. The second I bought after getting the 20 piece Gearwrench set I bought last month. On the downside, that set doesn't have a 7, 9, 11 and 19mm wrenches. I need to add those 4, and they will cost almost as much as the 20 piece set did. And 20mm/15/16" and bigger would be nice too...

The third isn't in use yet. I'm sure I can fill it too. And somehow need to organize my jumbo, long pattern, flare nut, and stubby wrenches...

 

[usdemt]

We have a new line of USA socket holders, They aren't quite live yet, hopefully within the month. We have them loaded on Amazon, but the pictures haven't made it up yet. They are adjustable as far as the gap, you can mix and match 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. And part of our USA items we are rolling out this year, Here are the Amazon links, and a Sneak-Peek picture.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008TM15SM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008TM15LY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008TM15LE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You mean you are rebranding ERNST under Tekton name right?

 

[Dave.R]

You mean you are rebranding ERNST under Tekton name right?

We have been looking to expand not only our tool storage line, but also our USA made tools. These socket holders allowed us to be able to provide both.

We will be able to offer our customers a proven high quality USA made line-up of tool storage. Our supplier will benefit from increased production, and wider retail distribution.

More is to come, but the announcement will be much more official. This was the first image of the TEKTON line of tool storage that was let loose, and I was excited to share it with you guys.

 

[HarleyArley]

Love the Sortawrench... I've got four in use right now. Two for metric and two for standard.

I keep two sets of regular wrenches on the left side of the drawer and two sets of ratcheting wrenches and my stubbies inthe right half. There is enough room in between for a modular silverware drawer organizer section which holds open ends. If I count correctly, I have 70 standard wrenches and 60 metrics between two drawers in my HF 44 inch box.

All organized and a bit of room left over in the front and back to slip a couple big boys that don't fit the racks.

 

[cbracer]

We have been looking to expand not only our tool storage line, but also our USA made tools. These socket holders allowed us to be able to provide both.

We will be able to offer our customers a proven high quality USA made line-up of tool storage. Our supplier will benefit from increased production, and wider retail distribution.

More is to come, but the announcement will be much more official. This was the first image of the TEKTON line of tool storage that was let loose, and I was excited to share it with you guys.

Nice, you didn't answer the question just made another plug for your company!

 

[Dave.R]

Nice, you didn't answer the question just made another plug for your company!

We have started to partner with different companies to produce products that work well for our customers and us. Part of that is confidential things that aren't normally shared on a day to day chat.

I enjoy talking tools, and trying to answer questions, but somethings just can't be disclosed as part of regular business. Not trying to dodge questions, just answering what I can.

 

[MackMan]

Well I found the Harbor Freight socket organizers in stock yesterday... Now I can fit all my sockets in one drawer! Now I have two big drawers that are empty, and here I was thinking I needed a bigger toolbox. I'm sure it won't take long though.

 

[sk farmer]

We have started to partner with different companies to produce products that work well for our customers and us. Part of that is confidential things that aren't normally shared on a day to day chat.

I enjoy talking tools, and trying to answer questions, but somethings just can't be disclosed as part of regular business. Not trying to dodge questions, just answering what I can.

anybody who has hung out on any tool sight knows that there is a large variety of things labeled under differant names. i don't have any issues with you or your company but you dodged the question and the members saw right through it. if you can't answer a question, then say so up front as you just lost a whole bunch of credibility by blowing off the question. anyonecan accept and understand an honest answer of not being able to reveal cetain info even if we all know who made it.

by the way, i applaud you for offering u.s. made alternatives and wish you well in that part of your business.

 

[Catamount]

Well I found the Harbor Freight socket organizers in stock yesterday... Now I can fit all my sockets in one drawer! Now I have two big drawers that are empty, and here I was thinking I needed a bigger toolbox. I'm sure it won't take long though.

I am loving mine! This picture was before I packed my impact sockets, hex, torx and flex sockets into this drawer.

I was planning on fastening the rails down to a piece of sheet metal but found that if you have enough sockets, you don't need to secure them.