Storage Ideas for Sockets / Wrenches

[cls89]

I have a 243pc mechanics tool set. The set includes various sockets, ratchets, wrenches, etc. The tools have their own plastic trays. The trays are nice in the sense that it helps me keep everything organized. Problem is the trays are wide. They require wide drawers. I have a mechanics tool box that they currently sit in. The problem with the mechanics tool box that I'm currently using is that it only has 3 drawers so I don't have a drawer for the 4th tray. I would prefer to have one of those 9 drawer mobile tool cabinets with the hardwood top, but I don't have the money for that type of purchase. What are some good affordable ways for storing these tool trays?

 

[Benw455]

Its either that or the holders that stand them vertically. I actually like what you have.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Deal with it the best you can and save those pennies!
Eventually you’ll have your mobile cabinet!

 

[Ralf11]

how about you break it up by drive size or by SAE/metric - I can't read the digits on 'em

 

[aallison28]

i think that is a great storage solution. You can look of Facebook marketplace and find a used box for much less than a new one.

 

[TJMtl]

Yeah standing them up would gain you some efficiency provided the drawer is deep enough.

 

[dar24601]

Is the drawer deep enough to stack two trays on top each other? Or just buy a basic plastic toolbox and store them in that

 

[bassJAM]

If there's a harbor freight near you head in and look at their tool organization wall. They seem to have way more options than the big box stores, and some of them work equally as well. You can go as cheap as their $.99 socket rails, which work but that's as much praise as I'll give them. I like the magnetic rails since you can stand them up in the box but still take the whole rail with you if you're working on a project, but they're pricey. Then there's just peg and cutout holders similar to what you have, but they stand the sockets up saving space.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[NUTTSGT]

Tell us more about yourself, what you are using them for and a possible budget.

Guys will suggest spending more than buying again later.

Can you work overtime to pay for something bigger ? Side work or hustle ? Collect scrap for cash ? Big box store credit card and spread the payments out for 6 months ?

 

[Matt M PA]

I have the plastic HF socket rails. Agreed, they're not the highest quality, but for my home use, they've been great.

I buy a couple sets to have extra clips. I mix n match so that I have a rail (for example) for 3/8" metric sockets. No extra unused clips so its easy to see if any are missing.

I have also found that mixing and matching the different drive sizes on one rail is helpful for sets like torx bits that may have different drive sizes in a set.

 

[PelicanPines]

I agree with standing them up... takes up far less space. That said... I love what the OP has right there... those trays are NICE. I have something similar in my cart. I could store so much more if I stood mine up.

Buy a 3D printer and print your own trays...

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’d find a way to stand them up. I know that maybe difficult in your box but maybe you could find a way outside of the box on a table or something. I use the peg style trays from Rural King they are the old style that the socket sits upright which is how I like.

 

[boostin1004]

There are usually great deals for used tool chests on fb marketplace. Check your local area

 

[tyyost]

Reading the op’s post I think living with what you have makes sense. I don’t know what your skill set is but I’d suggest making a tool till in one of the drawers with some lumber and 1/4 plywood and stacking the trays.

I tried to Google fu what I was thinking and this is the best I could come up with - https://literaryworkshop.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/tool-chest-sliding-trays/ but for you I’m thinking a full bottom tray may like a false bottom my be best, especially if you integrate a drawer handle or two to lift the top tray out to expose the bottom tray.

In the end you’d end up with a drawer in a drawer and the ability to pull out the tray/s needed.

 

[m6z]

I'm a bit envious of that tray you've got. Very efficient use of space. Without seeing what else you're trying to put in the space it's had to give advice.

Would it be possible to split or modify a couple of the other trays to so they fit in the space you're working with?