Wrench/Socket Storage Frustration

[pop pop]

OK, need help. What kind of drawer organization do you guys use. I've just made another attempt to buy organizers and all they do is look good in the catalog or online. If you want 10 sockets, or 5 wrenches per drawer, they may work, but I need a more dense system. Help.

 

[Pho20]

I have been using the plastic trays from harbor freight they work pretty good

 

[texasprd]

I use Ernst wrench-rails - that allows me to get two sets of wrenches in a 26" wide drawer as each pair of rails can be positioned to make a "line" down the side of the drawer parallel to the edge. short-to-long wrenches on one side, long-to-short on the other side of the drawer. And maybe some space in the middle.

I like VIM mag rails for socket storage, as I can alternate narrow-to-wide sockets and wide-to-narrow to maximize my usage of space. You cant do that with those Hansen trays and knock-offs.

 

[lazer50]

I use hansen socket trays.my top drawer is five ft wide three deep all sockets very neat.all my wrenches are snap on/mac/armstrong they came with organizers and looked good but took up too much room.i have alot of wrenches,the cure for thAt is top of the line drawer liner.lay wrenches tight in order they dont move.same way with pliers hammers etc.i probably have quite a bit in special wrench organizers and dont use cause all they do is take up room.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have Tekton wrench rails, basically same as Ernst and they work well when you need to grab the whole set and go, but if you really want compact storage, the Snap On wrench rails cannot be beat. They pack a lot of wrenches in a tight space. Not sure if there are any rails that are the same, but I ponied up the cash for the Snappy's and sure am glad I did. The Ernst rails increase in size as the wrenches go up, but the Snap On rails are all the same. I keep my Knucklesaver combo's on the Tekton rails and my ratchet wrenches on the Snap On's. If you don't have drawer liners, you can use magnetic strips with adhesive on the backs to keep the rails secure in your drawers. For sockets I use good old fashioned socket rails from Sears, but the best method I've found is to buy complete socket sets and keep them in their original molded plastic cases. Everything is nice and neat, marked with sizes, and is easily taken under the vehicle, the hood, in the back yard or on the road.

Here are the Ernst rails http://mobiledistributorsupply.com/...Rfk-_MGn-XIUkLmIZgPNDfm3uHulzbZG8aAh8B8P8HAQ#

Here are the Snap On's https://store.snapon.com/Wrench-Organizers-Wrench-Organizer-Red-For-smaller-wrenches--P646905.aspx

 

[regguy1]

I put a piece of MDF in the drawer and screwed HF ($1.00 ea.) socket rails to it.
added a piece of aluminum angle to separate the extensions. Painted everything gray to give a finished look. I think it is a low cost nice looking and functional solution that you can set up to fit your needs. The MDF ends at the right side where the ratchets are

See it here in my tool box organization video:

 

[KPSquared]

I keep my sockets on the top shelf of my tool box on Westling Machine billet socket trays. They are awesome.

Wrenches are all on Ernst Wrench Rails that I hot glued down to the box.

 

[GTO]

My top drawer in my KRL1022,is where all my ratchets,sockets and extentions are stored.All of the sockets are in Hansen racks.

 

[pop pop]

Great ideas and thanks. Much better that the stack of useless ones I've bought that don't work. I need to get where you guy already are!

 

[doubleot]

I put a piece of MDF in the drawer and screwed HF ($1.00 ea.) socket rails to it.
added a piece of aluminum angle to separate the extensions. Painted everything gray to give a finished look. I think it is a low cost nice looking and functional solution that you can set up to fit your needs. The MDF ends at the right side where the ratchets are

See it here in my tool box organization video:

Great idea!

 

[crewchief888]

in my service truck i use MTS magnetic socket holders, stamped sheet metal trays ( like sockets used to come in), and a few socket rails for 3/8" & 1/2" dr

1/4" dr in a flat lisle tray & metal socket rails

3/4" dr packed tight in a drawer

in the garage a combo of hansen trays, sheet metal trays, socket rails, (both metal and plastic) 3/4" dr and axle nut sockets are loose in the drawer, 1/4" dr in it's blow molded case.


my sockets are packed in tight enough that nothing moves...

 

[4 FN 27]

I made my own. PIA measuring every socket and wrench but in the end I know where everything is and know what is missing after a project. Haven't lost a tool since doing this.

Big box in the Shop:

Smaller set the machine shop:

 

[Derek420]

Nice hand built holders my hats off to you that was pure genius

 

[555]

I found these at my local WalMart. They are Hyper Tough which is the Wally World brand, but are listed Patent Pending on the aluminum rails and are not on the website. 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 they are $5.94 each. I've had all the rest and these work best for my application.

 

[DSLTRK]

I use westling billet trays for my sockets and wire for my wrenches.

IMHO, you cant beat wire coils for storing wrenches. Most compact, easy to make, easy to customize, and best part of all, IT'S CHEAP...

I use 10 AWG solid, and use a cut off baseball bat, so I can taper the coil.

Here is a sample pic to see how effective:

 

[Youngguns]

I use 10 AWG solid, and use a cut off baseball bat, so I can taper the coil.

That's the first time I've heard that, and it's a pretty damn good idea!

 

[370]

I use the Hansen stuff. Socket racks are awesome clearly marked and not much bigfer than 2 pain in the *** socket rails. Plus they don't skip sizes like most do (except the 1/2" SAE) it's skips from 1 1/4 right to 1 1/2.). They are on sale at Menard's right now far WAY cheaper than you'll find them.anywhere else.
For wrenches I use the hansen racks also.

 

[BlackLS2]

I found these at my local WalMart. They are Hyper Tough which is the Wally World brand, but are listed Patent Pending on the aluminum rails and are not on the website. 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 they are $5.94 each. I've had all the rest and these work best for my application.

I saw those last night...they look great.

 

[Hagatronics]

I'm OCD but shadow foam is great once you have the tools you need and aren't planning on adding to it

 

[username2]

For sockets, I really like those old Craftsman trays with the flip up handle/cover thing. Somewhat denser than push on gizmos, easy to carry, no fiddling to get them out. I wish that there were a cheap source for various lengths and widths of that. I do see the problem of how socket trays are of different angles depending on the OD of the sockets.

 

[racinfarmer]

For my wrenches up to 3/4" and 19mm, I bought a Sort-A-Wrench tray and love it. I think it was around $10 at my local Sears. Do I wish they would have made it for up to 1" or 1 1/4"? Sure, but it is really good for what it is and a rarely use wrenches larger then that in my garage anyway.

http://www.sears.com/sort-a-tool-inc-wrench-sorting-tray/p-00965223000P