What tools, etc., do, or would, you add to your socket set case, when space is provided?

[joseywales]

This spins off the 1/4” thread and this discussion turned to why companies don’t give space in the case for expansion. Thinking about socket set cases. Adding your own torx bits, security bit, flex head ratchet, small light, hand sanitizer, etc. Or specific task items: Hardware for the project, etc.

I switched to a backpack for house chores and whole I rarely have the “correct” tool at hand, I can get most jobs done, without running downstairs to the garage. So, in a socket set, you can’t carry everything, but what’s your choice?

 

[four.cycle]

It all depends upon your needs and purposes.
Most of my "wrenching" is on lawnmower engines.
I always have two #00 crochet hooks in my 1/4" set - I use them to remove the seats from carburetors and pulling tiny O-rings off.
Some 1/4" drive boxes are so tight you can barely fit all the pieces inside and get the lid closed.
On the flip side, Duro-Chrome was peddling 1/4" drive sets in the 1940s that came in boxes big enough to swim in.
There is always the option of using a larger box.

 

[Ton ton]

A 15/16" socket 3/4" drive.

 

[Al Borland]

I would rather the case was tightly packed, minimal sized. Leaves more room in the toolbag for other stuff.
The 1/4" stuff in my day-to-day bag is in cough drop tins, one for deep, one for shallow, rubber-banded together with a little bit/1/4" driver. The current blow-mold cases waste a huge amount of space. I've seen Tekton kits that are fairly dense, with a well for extras.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I don’t have a lot of those socket cases but I’ve got a few. I don’t think I’d add anything really cause it would make me irritated that something that didn’t originally come in there was in there lol. I typically carry my Napa tool tote with me that I got for Christmas last year if I’m traveling anywhere with tools. And it carries a lot I pretty much load up everything in there except my socket trays. At home I’ve got a dedicated home box I found at a storage sale that has the lowest quality tools in it and home specific tools so that way my parents will stop using my mechanics tools at home though sometimes it doesn’t stop them and I come home and have to go off . So I don’t have to worry about carrying stuff up from the basement. I tell them if it’s not in that box I don’t have it.

 

[bbrins]

I don't care for blow molded cases for socket sets. One good bump and you've got sockets everywhere. I use a large zipper pouch for my mobile 1/4 set, sockets and small extensions go on rails inside. This leaves room for pretty much whatever extras I might want to toss in there for a job; screwdriver, pliers, extra fasteners, etc. Wrenches have their own slightly smaller pouch with room for extra. I have a lot of my mobile tools in pouches like this, it allows me to just grab one or two pouches and go, without dragging my entire tool bag with me.

 

[bob from indiana]

I would add extensions and torx bits. Tekton has extra room in their kit.