I am trying to find a good way to store my 3/8" swivel socket set in my toolbox. At the moment I have them on rails and they just lay down in the drawer, but I would like to find some other way such as a mechanics time saver tray etc. Just looking for any input and pics of how you guys store yours.
Swivel socket storage ideas
- Thread starter m_hatcher
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lennoxlennox
Banned
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- Dec 15, 2008
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i have them on a vim tools mag rail, their first iteration of the mag rail which they are clearing out at $5 ea. The weight of the base keeps them up fine - i.e. they don't fall over
scroll 2/3's down and you'll see them
http://www.vimtools.com/store/page7.html
scroll 2/3's down and you'll see them
http://www.vimtools.com/store/page7.html
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I have several sets, and so far, the best storage is the SK set that came in a metal box.
Another option I'm considering is to drill a wood block with exact (loose) fits for the others so they are held dead vertical instead of flopping like they do on the ones I store on rails. You can actually drill the holes slightly overlapped so the "holes" connect somewhat and have a scalloped look.
Another option I'm considering is to drill a wood block with exact (loose) fits for the others so they are held dead vertical instead of flopping like they do on the ones I store on rails. You can actually drill the holes slightly overlapped so the "holes" connect somewhat and have a scalloped look.
Link-Belt
Well-known member
I just took the harbor freight Hanson knock off tray and cut the stubs off were the plastic square is left and put them on that. My box is stationary though I don't know how it will work if I was mining my box.
Another vote for the VIM mag rail TL (newer one). Only issue is if you like to pick it up and take the whole rack with you...you'll need two hands and possibly a screwdriver to pry that magnetic rail off the floor of your drawer! So no, the rails aren't going to tip over! I just leave the rails in place and grab the size(s) I need.
concealer404
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- Mar 13, 2012
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Oh my. How did i not know this site existed?!?!
I'm a mechanic by trade, and found that with all the comercial socket rails, they take up too much room and are quite often a pain to use. I solved this by taking a scrap sheet of 5/8" plywood, placing all my sockets on it and used a pencil to mark where I wanted them to be ... Ie: from from to rear, 1/4" then 3/8" then 1/2" shallow, then repeated for deep sockets. Aster I had them layed out, I drilled the appropriate holes to accommodate dowel that I tapped into the holes. I did not still all the way through, and did not glue the dowel incase I wanted to change the dowel out if it got oil soaked and swollen. The dowel was cut off to extend about 1/2" above the board, and I used a sander to put a chamfer on the top of the dowel to make dropping the socket on easier. The result is a socket board that holds all my sockets, takes up half the room that the commercial rails did, and the sockets take zero effort to remove and drop on, but even the tallest of sockets will not tip even if you shake the drawer!
beelsr
Well-known member
1. welcome to the board, you sound like a good addition.
2. even with that excellent description, you are going to get bombarded for pictures!
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
1. welcome to the board, you sound like a good addition.
2. even with that excellent description, you are going to get bombarded for pictures!
In my area , we call those Amish Hansen racks.
LOL.
And socket rails take up too much room? I think you need to go back and do the math on that one because you are sadly incorrect. And I bet your HS math teacher will agree.
If not in their vac-formed tray, swivels are best on a rail I have found.
Flop or not, it's their nature.
And specifically the swivels...
Grate idea!
gsmornot
Well-known member
Mine are currently sitting on top of the shallow socket pegs in the Hansen trays. The shallow socket sits under the swivel socket.
heres how I did mine
I used a piece of the fake wood used for decking. I found a 16' piece clearanced out at Home Depot for $16. IIRC normal price for this particular brand was around $48. 1 side is smooth and the other has wood grain. The cheaper stuff has deep grooves cut on one side, not good for socket holders.It was pretty quick and easl also because all of the swivel sockets have the same diameter base compared to the Torx sockets
On my first one I spaced them out, but didnt like how much room it took up so I redid it and got a bunch of other sockets on it also.
Last edited:
beelsr
Well-known member
I like using wood because you can mark it all up to make the cuts/holes and then just run it through the planer at the end to clean it all up.
lines, what lines? i did it all freehand, baby!
what's tedious though, is drilling 100+ 1/4"-ish holes for bit drivers into a block of wood. had to stop a few times and do something else for a while...
mn700vforce
Well-known member
I use the mechanics time savers 380 Series for my 3/8 drive ones. It will hold 8. http://www.mechanicstimesavers.com/shop/product.asp?catID=1
I bought mine from here http://www.mechanicstoolsupply.com/...older-38-In-Neon-Yellow-Standard_p_18961.html
I bought mine from here http://www.mechanicstoolsupply.com/...older-38-In-Neon-Yellow-Standard_p_18961.html
jimnickol1986
Well-known member
i have this one i bought from MAC..
.http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-in-Driv..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item2c653aab04&vxp=mtr
.http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-in-Driv..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item2c653aab04&vxp=mtr