What is your perfect socket organizer wish list.

[shawhite]

I’m in the process of reorganizing my sockets. Right now I have them in several different variations of socket rails to Hanson trays to just laid in the top of my cart. So I got to thinking what would be the absolute perfect setup. For me I think socket organizers in the exact size to fit my socket sets would maximize the little space I have. So before I buy an organizer I wanted to break down what I actually need.

Here is what my current sets include. any other sizes I should include. I am a weekend warrior for the most part but I do keep busy with a lot of odd projects from machinery to lawn equipment so sae and mm is a must.

1/4 dr sae 3/16-9/16 shallow deep one tray
1/4 dr mm 5-15 inc 5.5 shallow deep one tray
3/8 dr sae 1/4-7/8 shallow deep one tray
3/8 dr mm 8-19 shallow deep one tray
1/2 dr 3/8-1 1/8 shallow deep one tray
1/2 dr 12-24mm shallow deep one tray

My impacts will still reside in its plastic case for now.

 

[71goldss]

I love my HF socket trays! They're inexpensive, and look and work great. I trimmed the ends on mine to accept only the useful (to me) size sockets, saving space in my socket drawer. They're cheap enough that I didn't mind cutting them up. I also like how they are designed for the open end of the socket to face upward rather than upside down.

 

[Ray916MN]

Ernst Socket Boss. The best I've found.

 

[Ben1967]

I really like the kobalt socket trays. I've had them for years and never had a problem, and you can't beat the price!

 

[shawhite]

But what if you could have someone make exactly what you are looking for what would it be and what sizes would it include. For me it’s the Westling tray engraved with the above listed sizes .

 

[-OSIS-]

I’m a fan of time savers for my 1/4” stuff as well as all my bits. I think they’d work for you. Love the mag base, bright colours and super easy to see when you’re missing something. Or you could make your own they’re pretty easy. Little bit of sheet steel, cut a rectangle. Knip the corners and fold it in a brake. Then you can make one for shallows, deeps etc to whatever size you need.

 

[mrjaw14]

Im wanting the westing machine organizers with laser engraved size markings
http://westlingmachine.com/ToolHolders.html

 

[kythri]

I've found that the near-perfect combination for me are the red and blue Kobalt trays that Lowe's was selling a few years ago, supplemented with Carlyle blue/red/green rails.

 

[Super Sport]

I've lusted after a nice set of Westing trays - but I just don't think that I'll like trays nearly as much as individual rails. Just this weekend I was laying underneath a Toyota replacing the transaxle and had the rail of metric sockets right there with me to cover any fastener I could come across. What would I do with a tray?

 

[dsimatt]

I've got 4 of the snap on twist lock removable trays and really like them and are surprisingly strong.

 

[bcradio]

Custom of course

 

[Tenex]

I'm a big fan of the Ernst Socket Boss because it allows me to customize the way I organize my sockets. The trays don't have space for sockets larger than 27mm or 1-1/4 and it bothers me to have them loose in the drawer.

 

[Snakebyt]

I really like the kobalt socket trays. I've had them for years and never had a problem, and you can't beat the price!

Been using the same ones for 3 years, they are great, i cracked my 3/8 one by dropping something on it, but still works great

 

[lis2323]

This is the best socket organizer I'VE seen. It's what Tim Taylor uses.......

 

[ca90ss]

Another vote for the Kobalt trays.

 

[rharman]

How about suggestions for horizontal socket storage/organization? I'm keeping mine in a rather shallow drawer with wrenches. SAE in one drawer and metric in another.

For now, I'm using a ribbed drawer liner that sort of keeps them from rolling but always on the lookout for a better solution.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

I've been trying to decide how I want to build one.

 

[Unruh]

These are kinda cool. If you bought that 299 piece Craftsman set, they make a foam organizer for it. I don't like how some of the organizers seem to waste space, and on some, my OCD would kick in and make me wanna make sure every hole was used.

https://www.foamfittools.com/Csocketorganizers.php#C299

 

[ThatSickRip]

Another vote for the Kobalt trays.

Ive had my eye on those, thanks for the photo

 

[redvalkyrie]

Im wanting the westing machine organizers with laser engraved size markings
http://westlingmachine.com/ToolHolders.html

I have these for my very large sockets and they rock.

 

[zbullock]

I've used both the black harbor freight socket trays and the red Kobalt Socket Trays and like them both. I feel like with the Kobalt red trays I can use space more efficiently and they are more customizable (for example putting bit sockets with 3/8" sockets cause they are all the same drive. Also you can always write down on the tray the size of the socket if that helps. With the black harbor freight trays I like that they are inexpensive and are already marked. I'll snap a picture of my Kobalt ones later.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I'm a big fan of the Ernst Socket Boss because it allows me to customize the way I organize my sockets. The trays don't have space for sockets larger than 27mm or 1-1/4 and it bothers me to have them loose in the drawer.

Depending on how many large sockets you have, you can offset them the way their 3/4" socket boss is designed to be used, or use a 3 rail tray with the middle rail taken out.
http://www.ernstmfg.com/store/p/178-8458-2-Rail-Twist-Lock-Socket-Boss-18-Red-3/4.aspx

 

[Tenex]

Depending on how many large sockets you have, you can offset them the way their 3/4" socket boss is designed to be used, or use a 3 rail tray with the middle rail taken out.
http://www.ernstmfg.com/store/p/178-8458-2-Rail-Twist-Lock-Socket-Boss-18-Red-3/4.aspx

I was referring to the Hansen socket trays that stop at 1-1/4" or 27mm.

 

[Swingpress]

This is the best socket organizer I'VE seen. It's what Tim Taylor uses.......

 

[16again]

westling machine.

 

[lilredex]

I have used this set up for many years, works for both H. and V. storage, as needed.

 

[MarkCollette]

Those are very nice, did you make those yourself?

 

[lilredex]

Yes, shop made.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Tool-Box-Socket-Organizating/


Elroy also had some good ideas on here, but he is gone and so are his photobucket images. You might find them with a search.

 

[apollo11]

If she was available to hand me tools, I wouldn't care about how they were organized

This is the best socket organizer I'VE seen. It's what Tim Taylor uses.......

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Ernst and Westling Machine are my favorite but are not exactly cost effective for most homeowner use. I currently use Mechanic Time Saver socket holders and the metal holders some sets come in with the flip handle. My only complaint is the folded edge and handle becomes a problem if you are not hanging them, the MTS holders are also problematic depending on what brand and style socket you are trying to hold and are limiting when you have master size sets.

 

[mfewtrail]

I attempted to perfect my own a few years ago. Started out with a piece of about 1/2'' thick wood that I painstakingly drilled out recesses for sockets using various hole-saws. After drilling holes for about three full sets of impact sockets, I gave up on that idea and just screwed rails down to the board for the rest of the sets I placed in that box, lol.

 

[crewchief888]

Ernst and Westling Machine are my favorite but are not exactly cost effective for most homeowner use. I currently use Mechanic Time Saver socket holders and the metal holders some sets come in with the flip handle. My only complaint is the folded edge and handle becomes a problem if you are not hanging them,

i use mostly MTS magnetic holders, and quite a few metal tray holders like socket sets used to come in "back in the day" smaller "sets" are on cut down SO metal rails.

any plastic rail doesnt last long in my service truck.

i have a couple hansen trays in the garage, IMHO, they are a huge waste of space.

 

[joseph.a.owens.9]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...o6uIc3mjSQJ6Lf79bka5HEYabdcDQgIRoCkCMQAvD_BwE

These are handy for hanging on the side of your box. I don't have any but the last shop I worked in did.

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

 

[1badbird]

I picked up some from northern tool that were by Ironton, 6pc. set on sale for 14.99, seem pretty nice so far.

 

[speed bump]

I would love a set that would nicely fill up an ammo can with common sizes in shallow and deep 1/4-1/2" drive.

 

[Mastermind]

I have my torx,allen etc. On snap on rails, with a couple of the hf magnetic strips perpendicular to set them on.