Wrench Organization???

[thaghost87]

I need some ideas and input on good wrench organizers. The magnetic holder caught my attention but are a bit pricey... what do you guys use and find to work best?

$25 hmmmm are they worth it?

 

[sdguy55]

Ernst manufacturing is the best i have found for tool organizing. I have their regular grippy wrench rack and it is very good. Doesnt hold them in to tight so you can pop it out with slight backpressure from your thumb.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16555&highlight=Wrench+Organization

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63440&highlight=Wrench+Organization

 

[GRX]

Not sure what kind of work you do, I learned a long time ago not to have magnets in a metal working environment. Tools become lightly magnetized. Attracts particles.

 

[BHH]

Not sure what kind of work you do, I learned a long time ago not to have magnets in a metal working environment. Tools become lightly magnetized. Attracts particles.

+1

There is lots of sensitive computer equipment now days in everything. This equipment does not play nicely with magnets.

 

[Hootbro]

Also, that holder does not look like efficient use of space and is bulky.

 

[wreckerman5357]

Hootbro said exactly what I was thinking. That thing wastes a lot of space. I would just get one of the plastic racks like Crafstman has. They are cheap and use space fairly well.

 

[pipsters]

I have no need for a wrench rack of any sort. I just lay them in. Works fine for me, and saves a ton of space and $$.

 

[Scout Driver]

Ernst gripper racks are what I use too. Easy enough to get the wrenches in and out, but secure enough that you can grab the entire rack out of the toolbox without spilling wrenches. They make it possible to stack a set of wrenches on top of another set too. Great space savers.

Scott

 

[Catamount]

I have no need for a wrench rack of any sort. I just lay them in. Works fine for me, and saves a ton of space and $$.

How can that possibly work well? Every time you take one out, the rest must fall onto themselves? Nevermind closing the drawers.

OP, I am using the KRA22A & KRA15A from Snap-On. Order from their site and get free shipping.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=3225&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...d=3225&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

They hold a TON of wrenches, and can be cut to length. I searched far and wide before realizing that these are the best use of my space.

 

[pipsters]

How can that possibly work well? Every time you take one out, the rest must fall onto themselves? Nevermind closing the drawers.

You'd be surprised, the only time the wrenches fall on themselves is when quite a few are taken out at once, but small price to pay.

Believe it or not they stay put, and no issues at all opening/closing, although the detent on that door is worn a bit. I've done it this way for a little over a year now.

 

[Knurled Grip]

FYI.

Modern integrated circuits are solid state devices and should not be the least bit disturbed by powerful magnets muchless magnetized screwdrivers or wrenches. Take apart a hard drive and you will find some powerful rare earth magnets in it which don't affect the control circuits on the drive. There is a new type of non volatile memory called Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), but I don't think that it is susceptable to external magnetic fields either. About the only thing computer related affected by magnets are old CRT monitors (extremely powerful and not very common degausing magnets are needed to affect a hard drive). The electronic components under the hood of a car are much more likely to be damaged by the vibration and temperature environments than any magnetic field you or I might cause.

That's a lot of words to just say it is OK to use magnetized tools around computer components. It makes life a good bit easier some of the time, especially if you have big fat fingers.

 

[Outlawmws]

The only really magnetic sensitive stuff on computers are the different floppy and tape medias. CD's DVDs, Blue ray, etc are not sensitive.

Old audio tape media, (including all forms of reel to reel, cassette and 8 track) and VCR/Betamax are also mag sensitive.

Most of this is not longer in the average home or business.

ps: most of my sockets have been sitting on top of fairly strong conveyor belt magnets for at least 30 years, and won't pick up even the smallest machine screws or nuts...

 

[thaghost87]

Thanks guys. Im going to look into the ernest and,i like those plastic snap on ones that catamount posted

 

[thedeatons]

I now use wrench rolls and they are great. The most efficient use of space in my opinion. I unroll them when I need wrenches, and roll them up to put other tools up and close the drawer. I can also take my entire set of wrenches with me in one easy to carry roll, while keeping them protected.

I use Wright wrenches, their sets come with the rolls. You can order the rolls individually, or build your own from instructions on the internet.

 

[thaghost87]

Ard this is a tuff decision. I like the Ernst set but their shipping charges are crazy!! $13!! Thank God fo ebay... I found the set I wanted on there for abshipped. I think I'm also gonna try the snap on plastic stion on set for my longer wrenches.

 

[pipsters]

I now use wrench rolls and they are great. The most efficient use of space in my opinion. I unroll them when I need wrenches, and roll them up to put other tools up and close the drawer. I can also take my entire set of wrenches with me in one easy to carry roll, while keeping them protected.

I use Wright wrenches, their sets come with the rolls. You can order the rolls individually, or build your own from instructions on the internet.

My flare nut wrenches are in a roll for that reason. Way less space. But I don't need quick access to them, they are rarely used. Having all your wrenches in a roll isn't a solution IMO.

 

[hickmlg09]

My ex had something like these (picture below) in his toolbox, didn't seem to take up much room.

 

[GRX]

My flare nut wrenches are in a roll for that reason. Way less space. But I don't need quick access to them, they are rarely used. Having all your wrenches in a roll isn't a solution IMO.

Never been a fan of wrench rolls either. My flare wrenches don't get that much use either. I keep them in rolled up tube sock - one for standard, one for metric.

 

[powertrip]

Ard this is a tuff decision. I like the Ernst set but their shipping charges are crazy!! $13!! Thank God fo ebay... I found the set I wanted on there for abshipped. I think I'm also gonna try the snap on plastic stion on set for my longer wrenches.

Try summit racing. Cheap prices and shipped from ohio

 

[chickenfarmer]

I have no need for a wrench rack of any sort. I just lay them in. Works fine for me, and saves a ton of space and $$.

I agree, I think having wrenches laying out in a drool is much faster and easier to get at as well

 

[richfinn]

I like the Hansen racks best, although I dont like the socket racks they make. If you want vertical storage the mechanics time saver mag rack is good or the magnetic strips

 

[Todd.Brock]

Im in for the Hansen Socket trays. for Wrenches I found that there is a magnetic version of the plastic rails posted earlier. I have more than the number of wrenches that fit on a pre defined rack so i have to make my own. I am still debating on whether to get the pliers rack.. I dont have any more drawers that are tall enough.

 

[richfinn]

Im in for the Hansen Socket trays. for Wrenches I found that there is a magnetic version of the plastic rails posted earlier. I have more than the number of wrenches that fit on a pre defined rack so i have to make my own. I am still debating on whether to get the pliers rack.. I dont have any more drawers that are tall enough.

I think the hansen trays and wrench racks are nice quality and I like the white size markings but the socket posts dont fit all brands of socket and I like my old fashioned metal rail trays as they are more compact.

I like MTS stuff too.

We can,t get Ernst stuff that I know of over here

 

[Outlawmws]

Old fashioned angled metal racks. (not sure they even sell these anymore. Too busy "improving" simplicity...)

Almost as compact as stacking on edge, every wrench is available and visible for size, they nearly fill a shallow drawer in depth, and use a fraction of the space laying them out flat does. The odd wrench in between is just that, an 11/32

The small sets you see stacked have a stack of 2-3 Conveyor magnets (1X2X5/16) to keep them from sliding around.

 

[zer01]

Here is what I did. Simple and saves a lot of space. Keeps wrenches upright and organized. Get 25' solid core 12 gauge coated wire. Get a round or square tube, (angle works great for triangular shaped coil) sized for height desired and wrap the wire around it making a coil. The weight of the wrenches keep it in place when you remove a few for work. Easy cheap and space efficient. Can be used for pliers as well. Looks good and doesn't break the bank.

 

[GRX]

Here is what I did. Simple and saves a lot of space. Keeps wrenches upright and organized. Get 25' solid core 12 gauge coated wire. Get a round or square tube, (angle works great for triangular shaped coil) sized for height desired and wrap the wire around it making a coil. The weight of the wrenches keep it in place when you remove a few for work. Easy cheap and space efficient. Can be used for pliers as well. Looks good and doesn't break the bank.

Great idea.

 

[kippieland]

Here is what I did. Simple and saves a lot of space. Keeps wrenches upright and organized. Get 25' solid core 12 gauge coated wire. Get a round or square tube, (angle works great for triangular shaped coil) sized for height desired and wrap the wire around it making a coil. The weight of the wrenches keep it in place when you remove a few for work. Easy cheap and space efficient. Can be used for pliers as well. Looks good and doesn't break the bank.

I was going to say.."wheres the wire idea?!" I did that myself after seeing hear....works great and cheap if you have spare wire as well.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

ya , I worry about money ..still using 25 year old wrench racks and caught quiet a few missing because of missing spaces in the wrench rack at the end of the day ..saves you money

 

[Catamount]

Just received my SO KRA15A (smaller wrenches) and SO KRA22A (larger wrenches) so I thought I'd post them.

I bought 2 sets of each. In retrospect, most wrenches up to 18mm / 3/4" fit great in the KRA15A, and you can fit more of them. I probably did not need any of the KRA22A racks.

I cut about 1" off of each rack to get them to fit inside my drawers. So they come about 1" longer than you see here.

KRA15A on the left. It holds more wrenches. KRA22A on the right.

Metric drawer:

SAE drawer:

KRA15A. $13.00 with free shipping.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=3225&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

KRA22A. $13.40 with free shipping.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=3225&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[JMToolCo]

 

[1967lemans]

I use tool control foam

 

[thaghost87]

Which company rack is that??

 

[Catamount]

It's the KRA15A that I also just posted a few posts up.

 

[bibman]

I have a few of these...no complaints and no waste of space..only wish it held the larger wrenches.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1334&pictureid=16336

 

[thedeatons]

I think you bruised my ego when you said rolls were not a solution... How could that be? I store 11-15 wrenches in a 3" tall by 3" wide roll, that is as long as the longest wrench. How can that not be a storage solution?

The best part is they are easily mobile. When I need wrenches I pull the rolll and I can lay it over the fender, valve cover, ground, bench, etc. Super easy to use, and always organized inside the roll from biggest to smallest.

I "displayed" all my wrenches for 7 years and it took up way too much space. Not to mention it was difficult to transport multiple wrenches (or every wrench for that matter). Having them "on display" is just vanity in my opinion. Having them in a roll allows me to store way more wrenches in my box than before, in a much smaller area. Once again, how does that not define a "storage solution"?

James

 

[GRX]

It's the KRA15A that I also just posted a few posts up.

"Country Of Origin = China" ... Oh my gosh!

 

[dodge610]

Try the HF item #46884 76pc. wrench organizer just bought one to try for $9.00 I am going to give a try made by Wrench It To ME.

 

[steelespeed]

i have one of the sort-a-tool wrench trays and like it a lot. as mentioned, you're kinda out of luck when it comes to the larger sizes but right now i am only using it for ratcheting wrenches.

 

[dledinger]

I think you bruised my ego when you said rolls were not a solution... How could that be? I store 11-15 wrenches in a 3" tall by 3" wide roll, that is as long as the longest wrench. How can that not be a storage solution?

The best part is they are easily mobile. When I need wrenches I pull the rolll and I can lay it over the fender, valve cover, ground, bench, etc. Super easy to use, and always organized inside the roll from biggest to smallest.

I "displayed" all my wrenches for 7 years and it took up way too much space. Not to mention it was difficult to transport multiple wrenches (or every wrench for that matter). Having them "on display" is just vanity in my opinion. Having them in a roll allows me to store way more wrenches in my box than before, in a much smaller area. Once again, how does that not define a "storage solution"?

James

I prefer rolls too.