wrench and socket organization

[zilla68]

I've seen the stuff from snap on, from that machine place that sells the socket magnetic holders, but is there anything else out there? seems like options are pretty slim.
I have the Hansen holders now for sockets, they are ok I guess.

Just hoping there's something out there I haven't seen.

I sold my toolbox and am buying the one from strictly with double end lockers, so I'd like to do some nice organizing.

thanks in advance

 

[Tech89]

I use Ernst Manufacturing twist lock organizers for all of my metric sockets. They make a great product. I keep them unlocked when they are in my roller and cart and lock them if I should need to take them out for some reason.

There's more information on their website. Just Google 'Ernst Manufacturing'. There's also multiple threads on GJ about different methods for socket organization. Hope this helps.

-Pat

 

[Not Bob]

Mine are a little different, in my box I use Protoco rails adhered to a sheet of 1/8" MDF.
View media item 45045View media item 45066And in my cart I use a set of Craftsman organizers. These don't work well in a drawer, but for the top compartment of an upper box, or in my case a cart that never gets moved, they do alright.
View media item 45071

 

[rburke65]

Wow....those are some pretty boxes!

 

[AndrewV]

Magnet trays are amazing.
Hate that damn mts twist lock tray. Moves around way to damn often.

Really wish i could find an organizer that lays them vertical, and i wouldn't have to cut up to fit 8mm-28mm, and 7/16-1 1/2inch.

 

[crewchief888]

IMHO
"hansen style" socket holders are the biggest waste of space.
i have a few of them in my home boxes, at the time they were a reasonable solution, but they take up too much space.
i have a complete set of std/MM shallow/deep in it's fitted blow molded case

that being said

in my service truck i use a combination of storage
MTS magnetic holders,
metal SO rails, a couple short plastic rails, and a couple kobalt 2 sided rails
flat lisle socket trays
and metal socket trays, (like socket sets used to come in "back in the day")

most of my 3/8" & 1/2" dr sets are in metal socket trays.
crowsfeet on the double sided kobalt rails
1/4" dr is in a seperate repurposed blowmolded case
3/4" drive are all loose ( but packed) in a lower drawer

 

[astroracer]

Hansen SAE and Metric organizers and a HF wrench tray.

 

[Tech89]

Wow....those are some pretty boxes!

I'm sure they all get disorganized, messy, and greasy when the work starts.

-Pat

 

[Colin Len]

I'm using Harbor Freight socket organizers (similar to Hansen but cheaper) and Ernst wrench racks. Pics are from when I first organized this box a couple years ago. I'm currently in the process of expanding into another box as I've outgrown this one. Now that I have more room I plan on getting more of the HF organizers and Ernst racks so I can organize the additional sockets and wrenches you see (plus others).

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I use the plastic Sears socket organizers, too, but I cut some in half to fit the top of my box better. I like the removable peg style because I have both 6 and 12 points in some of my sets and also I can reorganize easier if I ad stuff.

Tommy

 

[boiler7904]

I've got a set of Westling Machine socket organizers. My biggest complaint is that each rack is a different physical size making it hard to align them in a box - only a problem if you've got a case of OCD.

 

[hotdogstand]

I use the Kobalt socket rails from Lowes. They are similar to the ones you can get from Northern or online anywhere. I have metric on the left, SAE on the right, and just position the rails to display the correct sizes.

 

[Jd34]

I am so jealous! I need that kind of organizing!!!

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[canuckian]

I use Ernst rails and have not found a better solution to be honest. Tried the Hansen type ones for about a week and tossed them. Empty pegs Took up a lot of space and drove my ocd off the charts. I tried to jump on the Westling band wagon and got sae and metric in each drive size. The 1/4 and 3/8 were useable (again, empty pegs )but the 1/2 ones were no good above 22mm or so. You had to skip a peg to get the sockets to fit. They may have fixed that by now I haven't checked as I've gone back to using Ernst. I use the twist lock pegs for Chrome and the dura clips for impact sockets as they seem to be heavier duty. I also have a couple of their socket boss trays on order. They seem like they'll work well. For wrenches I use the ones Snap On sells. They're fairly cheap and you can trim them to fit. I do have one Ernst wrench rail set that I keep my big metric set on. The largest of the set (36mm) will fit on the snap on rails but not well. The Slots on the Ernst get bigger from end to end to accommodate the larger sizes. Thinking about ordering the low profile Ernst set to see if they'll do the trick.

 

[rockinacummins]

I just bought the HF socket organizers and I absolutely love them. Wish I had gotten them a lot sooner!

 

[jlh92]

I'm currently working on a MDF/dowel rod deal for my sockets. I'll try to post a picture of my progress this evening.

 

[maddawg1952]

sockets in metal trays in top of the top box, you can take the whole tray to the bench or vehicle.

 

[OxJaw]

I use the Hanson style ones from HF. Recently I got a couple magnetic peg type rails from VIM tools and I really like. I've been think about switching over to the rails. You can see them in the pic below, the blue and red ones with the metal strips on top.

 

[vertguy]

I really like those Mag-Rails from VIM!! Looks like it is the best of both worlds with the magnetic base/track. I have a mix of Mechanic Savers and metal rails... but I may have found my next investment!

 

[regguy1]

I put down a piece of 1/2" MDF (painted gray) and screwed Harbor Freight $1.00 each socket rails to it. lots of flexibility and very low cost.

 

[OxJaw]

I really like those Mag-Rails from VIM!! Looks like it is the best of both worlds with the magnetic base/track. I have a mix of Mechanic Savers and metal rails... but I may have found my next investment!

They have the old style in their hot deals section for $5 a piece, not a bad deal at all.

http://www.vimtools.com/store/page7.html

 

[vertguy]

Hmm... I might just have give those a try for that price.

 

[jnkpile]

Holy 12 points Batman!!

Sweet selection of chrome! Are the sockets all Proto as well ?

 

[Not Bob]

Holy 12 points Batman!!

Sweet selection of chrome! Are the sockets all Proto as well ?

No Proto sockets in this box, Protoco is an outfit in Washington state that makes tool organizers, several are rebranded and sold on the tool trucks.

 

[espyking83]

Westling machine makes the best socket trays, IMO. Nothing else comes close.