Storage ideas for a tool BAG

[jacupsladder]

I was referred here from a car forum (jzxproject.com). I've looked through some of the popular threads on storage, but it's all for refrigerator sized tool boxes. I'm new to the endless projects/fabrication/money pit scene so I don't have more than 30lbs worth of tools. I pretty much rock a tool bag for the one car that I am building.

for Wrenches I came up with the above clip thing. It works well, like flipping thru key on a keyring. I posted this pic in a popular thread so it'd be somewhere easy for other to find. But I post this here to give an idea of how I'd like to store stuff. I like things collapsible, nonrigid in form, and very very ergonomic.

I need some good ideas for the most annoying tool in existence to organize... the sockets. I had a couple of ideas that I haven't tried yet: some kinda clear tube with a screw on cap or a cable/wire with something to keep the sockets from fall out on each end. Both these ideas have the same drawback... they don't make it easy to pull just one out and keep the rest in one place/secure.

 

[charlie_nj]

The easiest and most inexpensive choice would be the 89 cent Harbor Freight socket rails. Other than that, there are numerous rails, magnetic holders, trays, etc available. But most are geared towards tool boxes, for a tool bag, I would think the socket rails are ideal.

 

[ItBurnsWhenIPee]

Just haaaaad to fit that Garrett in the picture didn't you.

I like your thinking on the cable idea...Could probably just use a short cable instead of a D-Ring and use a quick-connect fitting (like some keychains have) to keep it looped.

 

[Thedroid]

If your focusing mainly on vehicles get yourself a Veto Pro Pac. I have one, but for my job it was just too heavy fully loaded to lug around a huge plant. As far as organization it was top notch, with plenty of loops and pockets for everything. The other thing I like to do, is to put my tools in the Klein canvas zipper bags. I carry my basic tools in my CLC bag, and then I have a ratchet/socket/extension bag. a ratcheting wrench bag, and a specialty bag, that I grab as needed.

I think this one would be perfect, especially with a couple of canvas zipper bags for the small stuff. It shown with more of a handyman selection of tools, but trust me those pockets are perfect for mechanics tools.

http://www.vetopropac.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=306

 

[GTO]

If your focusing mainly on vehicles get yourself a Veto Pro Pac. I have one, but for my job it was just too heavy fully loaded to lug around a huge plant. As far as organization it was top notch, with plenty of loops and pockets for everything. The other thing I like to do, is to put my tools in the Klein canvas zipper bags. I carry my basic tools in my CLC bag, and then I have a ratchet/socket/extension bag. a ratcheting wrench bag, and a specialty bag, that I grab as needed.

I think this one would be perfect, especially with a couple of canvas zipper bags for the small stuff. It shown with more of a handyman selection of tools, but trust me those pockets are perfect for mechanics tools.

http://www.vetopropac.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=306

Wow!
A bit on the expensive side,but looks sturdy.Great looking product.

 

[-B-]

Get your self a riggers bag plenty of pockets for pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches, I'd put the sockets on a rail and stuff them in a pocket.

http://www.cspoutdoors.com/canrigbag.html (just the first one I found that had a good picture)

 

[72chevy]

The cheap chrome spring clip socket rails seem to fail on the socket retention too soon.
I would think the rails that lock the sockets after a 1/4 turn would work best in this situation.
At least the newer rails with the spring loaded ball-bearing as the retainer work OK.

 

[r6_cannibal]

I keep a bag of tools in my trunk because friends are always calling me up when their cars break down. The rails were too bulky for the bag so what i did is i took a ring (large bearing race) and I cut several 1 foot strips of medical tubing. tied them in a knot at the middle onto the ring and then epoxied. I took the holders off of the plastic harbor freight socket rails and attached them to the other ends of the medical tubing with a little set screw and washer, then epoxied that too. I attached all my sockets to that. My friends call it the "squid ball".
The nice thing about it, is you can size up a bolt without removing the socket until you find the right one. I keep a little wrench looking tool on there too to help pull the sockets off when they're being stubborn. I would take pictures of the setup but i'm at work. I'll take some if it's too hard to understand what i mean.

 

[Mike83]

Not all socket rails are created equal! I tried the Menards variety only to return them right away. The Craftsman ones work very well for me - only slight problems with 1/4" drive being too loose sometimes but nothing you can't tweak with pliers. Otherwise they hold tight and hold a lot of sockets (depending on the size of course). And...Made in USA!

If I need to store just a few sockets and space is tight I have cut off half of the rail and filed the sharp edges.

 

[hguerrero]

i keep all my sockets in my pockets.

 

[Thedroid]

I keep mine on a rail and I put them inside a Klein zippered pouch

 

[Chili]

I went from a collapsible bag to a rigid bag from husky. I think 25 bucks on sale; I am very happy. I just carry 3/8 sockets around. To carry sockets I took a 1/16th inch cable. Make a small loop at both ends, and crimp the loop(make sure the loop and crimp can slid through the sockets you are using. I just slip the sockets down the cable and the clip both ends to a D-ring. The sockets can then hang from one of the loops on the bag.

 

[jacupsladder]

I keep a bag of tools in my trunk because friends are always calling me up when their cars break down. The rails were too bulky for the bag so what i did is i took a ring (large bearing race) and I cut several 1 foot strips of medical tubing. tied them in a knot at the middle onto the ring and then epoxied. I took the holders off of the plastic harbor freight socket rails and attached them to the other ends of the medical tubing with a little set screw and washer, then epoxied that too. I attached all my sockets to that. My friends call it the "squid ball".
The nice thing about it, is you can size up a bolt without removing the socket until you find the right one. I keep a little wrench looking tool on there too to help pull the sockets off when they're being stubborn. I would take pictures of the setup but i'm at work. I'll take some if it's too hard to understand what i mean.

^^^I get the gist of this, but I'd love to see this so I can understand how the tubes look/stuff.

I just carry 3/8 sockets around. To carry sockets I took a 1/16th inch cable. Make a small loop at both ends, and crimp the loop(make sure the loop and crimp can slid through the sockets you are using. I just slip the sockets down the cable and the clip both ends to a D-ring. The sockets can then hang from one of the loops on the bag.

I like this and understand it.

Thanks to ya both. Thanks but no thanks to the 6 or 7 socket rail things... socket rails (esp. magnetic) don't fly in the collapsible bag.

Jacob

 

[Joe Mamma]

I keep a bag of tools in my trunk because friends are always calling me up when their cars break down. The rails were too bulky for the bag so what i did is i took a ring (large bearing race) and I cut several 1 foot strips of medical tubing. tied them in a knot at the middle onto the ring and then epoxied. I took the holders off of the plastic harbor freight socket rails and attached them to the other ends of the medical tubing with a little set screw and washer, then epoxied that too. I attached all my sockets to that. My friends call it the "squid ball".
The nice thing about it, is you can size up a bolt without removing the socket until you find the right one. I keep a little wrench looking tool on there too to help pull the sockets off when they're being stubborn. I would take pictures of the setup but i'm at work. I'll take some if it's too hard to understand what i mean.

I would love to see pictures.

Joe Mamma

 

[nate379]

For wrenches I just took a welding rod and bent it to make a loop. Pretty much free.

 

[airdale]

Gotta love the 2JZ-GTE, is it still in a Supra?

 

[jacupsladder]

nope, it be Project: NeverFinished... 91 Toyota Cressida driftcar. I started it with almost zero experience and a little head knowledge from the Internet and car magizines. here's my build thread.... http://jzxproject.com/bbs/index.php?showtopic=2017&st=80&start=80

BTW... hey guys where's those pics?

 

[volvo420coupe]

you could take some socket rails and attach them to a heavy piece of cloth and make sort of a wrench roll but for sockets instead.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a large tool roll, and I can fit a socket rail filled with sockets in the largest slot of the roll. If I'm carrying tools in the car, I'll fill the tool roll with sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. and then put it in a gatemouth tool bag along with bigger tools and supplies that won't fit in the roll. My bag and roll came from Bucket Boss (my sister in law was a designer there before the company was sold and production was moved offshore so I got a lot of stuff for free ) but there are similar products from other companies.

Here's a link to Amazon's selection of Bucket Boss products: http://www.amazon.com/b/qid=1246318299/ref=sr_tc_2_1?ie=UTF8&node=3066811