Tool Rolls and Organization.

[shoggoth80]

So, I don't really like socket rails that much. They are always too few spaces, or too many. I hate unsightly gaps. I've also busted the HF ones. The ones that GearWrench sends with their sets seem to be pretty good. I currently don't have anywhere for the Hansen style pegs to live.

What about socket rolls? I saw a couple on Amazon and am debating their merits. Of course, I could always buy more GW rails, since they seem alright?

Thoughts? Trying to get a handle on my messy socket situation. Lol.

Also, there are wrench rolls on there too. Not the vinyl/plastic types, but nylong weave. Thoughts on these?

 

[hautpot]

I like the plastic magnetic socket holders that come with Snap-On sets, unfortunately they are not sold individually and not durable. There hasn't been a viable mobile socket system for me that really electrified me.

Spanner rolls are also something I prefer against spanner racks for mobile. Trays are superior to rolls for stationary storage. I would have one set of spanners in a tray and a second (spare/emergency) set in a roll to save space.

 

[Adam.C]

Don't love tool rolls. I never have a place to unroll my rolls. Mechanics Time Savers are a good idea. I have some, but I just don't love the way they organize my tools. They have weird staggered rows that force sockets into some strange order.

I'm impressed by Teng Tools' sets. They make some really nice packaging/kits. I think you could easily make your own. Here's my idea:
Find some black plastic desk trays/organizers. Cut them up into individual trays as you wish. Glue a magnetic sheet to the bottom to keep them in place in a metal tool box or on a fender. Doesn't need to be strong. Then fit the tray with foam, cut out for your tools. You could customize these as you wish, and move them from job site to box as a set (like the Teng kits)

 

[honcho]

I have mixed feelings about tool rolls. I have several but the one I use most is in my portable bag with a set of metric ratcheting combination wrenches along with a 6" adjustable wrench in the roll. Using this tool roll always starts off well since the wrenches are easy to find. Problem is, the pouches on this canvas tool roll are a bit tight and putting the wrenches back in place takes some effort. On the positive side, the wrenches don't fall out of the pouches.

For sockets, I use several different zipper pouches. A total of four with one each for standard and deep, SAE and metric. I end up fumbling around to find the right socket but at least I'm in the right neighborhood. A socket roll might make finding the individual sockets easier, but I just envision a big lumpy roll.

I try not to get in a hurry after each use of my tools to make sure everything gets wiped down and put back in the right pouch or roll.

 

[hoston23]

Ernst socket rails and wrench racks. you can buy them almost anywhere

 

[hangfirew8]

Tool rolls are useful for reducing noise and improving organization in small portable tool sets, like what I keep in my car for emergencies. I don't have any use for them in my tool cabinet. I've gone with Ernst Grippers for wrenches (SK wrenches comes with these by default now). I can grab a wrench one-handed or the whole set and it won't fall apart.

Sockets... I'm still working on that. HF makes good/cheap socket organizers, they work well for Chrome sockets but they always have a high or low range beyond my socket sets. Also my larger 3/8 drive impacts don't fit on them. Kobalt socket organizers are too high, deep sockets interfere with drawer closure and they take up needless amount of space. If you have a really big tool cabinet they might be great.

Whatever you get, don't be afraid to customize it to your needs. I cut the hang handles off the hard plastic HF socket organizers, in a drawer they just take up space. Sometimes for a large or small enough wrench holder, I have to buy a larger count Ernst Gripper and cut off the excess.

 

[CalleC]

If you have a sewing machine, it's quite easy ta make a tool roll. Here is my beginner's project (text only in Swedish, sorry!). Works great for wrenches. I also made a "tool roll" with smaller pockets for sockets, but they tend to fall out. However, it keeps them from rattling in the toolbox in the trunk of my car.

 

[cgv69]

I like the plastic magnetic socket holders that come with Snap-On sets, unfortunately they are not sold individually and not durable. There hasn't been a viable mobile socket system for me that really electrified me.

It would be fairly easy to make your own version of the Snap On magnetic trays with wood and a magnet. A drill press would make it a bit easier/nicer but it would be done with hand tools and a hand drill. The hardest/most expensive part would be getting the right size bit for each socket.

 

[shoggoth80]

The Ernst rails look fairly good. I need to rip out all my sockets and take a count. Lol.
That way I know how many a given rail has to hold for a certain set size.

I was thinking a wrench roll would be good for my Armstrongs. They are loose right now. My wrenches go from like 6 or 8mm, up to 25mm. The original roll has long since died.

 

[arbormatt]

Not trying to hijack a thread or anything but, does anyone know a roll for ball or hex drivers? I bought a nice wera ball end metric set but they just came in some cheap *** flimsy plastic bag. I keep my Bondhus drivers in their bag because it is manageable but these are ridiculous. I can barely fit my hand in the flimsy bag to pull one out.

 

[hautpot]

I reused the spanner bag for my Hex keys.

Yeah tool bags do take up alot of space. For small lightweight tool bags we use magnets and hang them on the side of a CNC or toolbox.

 

[AV tinker er]

I love the Stahlwille wrench rolls. Well made and durable. Will post pictures later.

 

[avgjoeracing]

Check out Socket Roll if you're still looking. I just got one to put in the trailer and it seems well constructed. So far I like it but all I've done with it is fill it up and put it in the tool box.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I bought a couple rolls from HJE. One canvas roll that I use for screwdrivers and files in my work toolbag, and another for chisels.

 

[takai]

Anyone using the ones from Atlas46? I was looking at their Yorktown the other day:
https://www.atlas46.com/products.html#!/Yorktown-KOH-Mechanics-Roll/p/103690252/category=12502135

Also, is it just me, or is this just a blatant copy of the Atlas46 gear?
http://www.bucketboss.com/74004.html

 

[Fedwrench]

Anyone using the ones from Atlas46? I was looking at their Yorktown the other day:[/url]

Also, is it just me, or is this just a blatant copy of the Atlas46 gear?

Yes, i have a yorktown roll. It's well built, crazy expensive, has a fairly complex but, multipurpose strap assembly, and it's only really made for standard length wrenches. It's kind of like a tactical tool roll.

I don't think the Bucket boss version is a rip off since it doesn't have the slots on the back side for wrench storage, nor the complex strap system. I mean the contact of roll up pouches isn't exactly new.

My favorite tool roll of all time is one i got from Griot's Garage many years ago and sadly, it no longer made today,