Why does no one put sockets here?

[ianguilly]

In the top spot of the toolbox? The few shops I see that have a top box with the flip top for what I assume is aimed for socket storage.



I always see this going one, all kinds of random **** in the top of the box:



Maybe its just my ocd, just seems like a waist of storage area.

 

[chipper]

That's exactly where i put my sockets

 

[jtrace]

Thats where mine are metric to the right and SAE to the left. I have a KRL1001/1201 with a side locker

John

 

[jjjrmx5]

In the top spot of the toolbox? The few shops I see that have a top box with the flip top for what I assume is aimed for socket storage.

Depends upon what you call a "most used tool."

If you fix cars. Then maybe.

Fix turbines for AF&PP or do fixes for actual power plants, then not so much.
I know both.

U assume too much.
Lots of other workers out there that use tools and don't fix cars for a living.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Top spot in my box is too high up, can't see everything easily so sockets would be hard to find. I have junk up top too like safety goggles, drill bits, measuring tapes, wire brushes, etc. A lot of them are awkwardly sized so the extra height is helpful.

 

[blackz26]

I prefer to have my most used tools at waist level. So all my sockets go in my top drawer of the 44" HF box. Seems easier to grab for me. Plus some lids won't close with deepwells in the top.

 

[amlv20]

I like to look down at my sockets, if I had a top box I wouldn't keep them up there.i wouldn't like to reach up and back to get to my 1/2 sockets.i personally would keep my specialty/diag tools up there, maybe batteries and chargers.

 

[E.Marquez]

Because i can not see well in my top box... im 5'6" So I use that spot for larger items I can get by feel.

1/4" drive impact, elec test meters, flashlights, Eyepro, hearing protection, ect ect ect.

EDIT: Ok so I just went and looked.... I actually do have sockets up there.... but not intended .. Thanks,, I just found a SO 22mm Deepwell 3/8 drive socket I've been looking for.....

 

[Johnny chaos]

Too high.....I wouldn't be able to see the sizes

 

[Link-Belt]

That's where I keep my sockets, then again I'm 6'3"

 

[86k10]

I keep paperwork and gloves/glasses on my 791. The one tool I keep up there is my long pry. When you give up your work bench by adding a top box you end up putting that **** to the top of the top chest, or at least I did.

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

I used to on my old box. Then I found them more accessible on my cart. With my new box its not an option so they live in a 56" drawer at the top of my roller. My cordless tools live on the top shelf of the chest.

It's not a waste of space, everything has to go somewhere. If it works for you go with it. I just found my sockets were were always collecting dust up there and on the cart. Now when I put them away clean, they stay clean.

 

[Kracin]

tops of boxes are generally reserved for paperwork/sensitive tools that you want to keep from being crushed by other items, or bent/crushed when closing drawers if they dont fit.

just my opinion, the top drawers have always been for things like that. everyone does it different

 

[KinzeMech]

Sockets are small, and fit quite nicely in drawers.

The box top is a large space, better used for large things that don't fit in drawers.

 

[chris142]

Count me in as being too short to see you up there Without a stepping stool or ladder

 

[Ratchet.]

Top spot in my box is too high up, can't see everything easily so sockets would be hard to find. I have junk up top too like safety goggles, drill bits, measuring tapes, wire brushes, etc. A lot of them are awkwardly sized so the extra height is helpful.

this is the main reason i don't, I'm not that tall so i wouldn't be able to reach sockets at the back

Instead i use the full length top drawer in my bottom cabinet for 3/8ths drive stuff ones, and a smaller drawer for 1/2 (i don't use 1/2 so often, nor own as much of it)

Instead the top of my box holds 'outsize' tools, like my long prybar and big torque wrench, stuff like safety goggles and drill index and some other small stuff that doesn't have another place in my box.

Its mainly empty though so i can drop whatever tools I have just finished using on a job, there before cleaning them/putting them away, saves them landing on the floor.

 

[R-C]

I know a couple guys that use it for sockets, as I think it's what it's meant for. But they don't use them that much. I had them up there on my Craftsman, not only was it to high to be comfortable, but there is far better solutions for in drawer organization.

I throw my safety's, cutting glasses, work and personal phone, bottle marker, duct tape, 3/8 7v impact, snacks, and coffee mug in there now. Like a desktop it works very well

 

[ianguilly]

You'd think that box manufactures would shorten the top box by a drawer or two since most people who use tools aren't 6.5'

 

[R-C]

You'd think that box manufactures would shorten the top box by a drawer or two since most people who use tools aren't 6.5'

Yeah 6'4''+ are automatically basketball players.

 

[Murphy4570]

You'd think that box manufactures would shorten the top box by a drawer or two since most people who use tools aren't 6.5'

I'm 6'2" and have no issues getting at stuff in my overhead storage bin above the hutch (don't like top toolchests, you lose the tabletop part of the bottom box).


Maybe put some 4x4 wood blocks in front of your box to stand on? Or take the wheels off and set toolbox on ground?

 

[MikeF2316]

In the top spot of the toolbox? The few shops I see that have a top box with the flip top for what I assume is aimed for socket storage.

pic

I always see this going one, all kinds of random **** in the top of the box:

pic

Maybe its just my ocd, just seems like a waist of storage area.

I'm one of those people who a horizontal surface always seems to be a place to put stuff, and the top of my toolbox is no exception. While it looks like the top of my box may be designed for socket and ratchet storage, I end up with several layers of "stuff" on top of whatever is up there. Because it's just a home box in my garage, I don't need to be able to close the lid or lock it.

So generally, if my sockets were up there, they'd be covered and not so accessable.

 

[Kev442]

My sockets are in the drawer even with my chest. Seeing how I now need to peer closely to see the sizes, that works best. My lid is above eye level and I'm 6' 1".

 

[zkling]

Eh.. I don't know, to each their own. I keep my sockets and ratchets up there (top of a KRA59) as they are my most used tools next to a screw driver. Plus they add up to quite a bit of weight which for a friction box gets pretty tiresome to open a large drawer to get new sockets. Also saves on wear and tear on my vintage boxes.

I can see arguments for different ways though. I like them up there and that is where they will stay.

Count me in for another vertically challenged fellow (5' 8"), the top edge of my box is at 56", which is about neck level IIRC for me. I feel this is the practical limit between arm strain and neck strain to see / grab items in the top box.

I know some of those box boxes can get pretty tall.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have my 1/2" drive stuff in the top of the box, but I don't use it much. It used to be easy to see them but after I added an additional full width drawer, it's not as easy.

 

[Andersonfarms]

I agree with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it really almost kinda pisses me off when sockets arent in the top of the box. luckily im 6'1'' and my dad and hired man are like 5'9'' so they can't see into the top of my box and therefore cant steal my sockets!

 

[maddawg1952]

I keep the metal trays with my impact sockets sets up in the top, along with some odd ball plastic trays of wobble extentions and socket adapters, I'm 6'2" and with a mid chest on the stack I can just see over the edge well enough to grab what I need. The only downside is my box is in my garage so the top hardly ever gets closed, mainly cause I hook stuff over the lip like my blow gun and the work light, a few 3' crowbars for leverage. So lots of dust and an occasional jacket gets in there too. Sockets that get used often are at my chest height so I can see what the hell size I'm looking for, Really ***** getting old wearing glasses to see small writing or sizes in lower lighting situiations.

 

[Thumper]

I keep all my sockets and ratchets up there...always have. My 3/4 stuff is in a drawer in the bottom chest.

 

[CWP1616L]

Some of you guys are either too short, or your toolboxes are too tall.

 

[JeremyManning]

Some of you guys are either too short, or your toolboxes are too tall.

I agree I wouldn't buy a box that is too tall that I couldn't use the top for sockets.

 

[1967lemans]

Because I got tired of using a step stool to get sockets. I'm 5'4"

 

[E.Marquez]

I agree I wouldn't buy a box that is too tall that I couldn't use the top for sockets.

Right,, because the top is not a safe, valid secure place to store anything other than sockets..


Must be tough to go though life limited to what you read in an owners manual and product advertisement

For the rest of few hundred million folks that can think for themselves, . simply organize your box, as it works best for you

 

[R-C]

Right,, because the top is not a safe, valid secure place to store anything other than sockets..


Must be tough to go though life limited to what you read in an owners manual and product advertisement

For the rest of few hundred million folks that can think for themselves, . simply organize your box, as it works best for you

Use your box as a tool, and don't let your head be a tool box

 

[Gotmayhem]

I don't have a top box yet is the main reason. I like to expand horizontally if possible and enjoy having the top of the roller as a bench/computer/put stuff here area. My sockets all go in my top long drawer instead.

 

[cgv69]

That's exactly where i put my sockets

Ditto and I'm 6' 2"

 

[crewchief888]

all depends on the box, and how tall it is.
i'm 6'
3 sets of my boxes it's not a problem to see in the top compartment, 2 others are at or above (comfortable) eye level.

 

[Leadberry]

I feel like that area is so tall and wide I just find it much better suited to oddball stuff, like my 24" pry bar...it won't fit in any of the 22" drawers. Loading the top shelf up with sockets would be a waste of space. Of course, I only have a 26" wide roller. Plus, I like to keep metric and SAE separated.

 

[David W]

Personally, I'm afraid to put heavy tools of any kind in the upper drawers of any top box. I try to shoot for a lower center of gravity to prevent tipping. I roll my box everywhere I possibly can for most jobs.

Since coming here I see most guys have just the lower box with the sockets in the long top drawers and I have followed suit on my home box. My garage is so tiny that moving the box just isnt really worth it.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I use the top of my craftsman box for all my aerosol spray cans. I don't have too many sockets so it would not be a good use for me.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I have 3000 impact sockets up there

 

[kiatech]

I do