The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Socket Storage

I haven't seen one like that and its a neat idea. However, I still like to have the cheap strips that I carry out to where I am working. That way I have one of everything and it shows up when one is missing. As for larger socket storing like 1" drive sockets that go up to 4", I bought a heavy cart with 6 3'x4' shelves and wheels like 50 year old hand trucks used. It was something the military used at Kelly AFB. I welded a bunch of bolts to the shelves. The idea is similar to yours. Big sockets are just too heavy for any kind of drawers.

I made my own,with a piece of scrap oak,and dowels,works just fine

I use socket rails from Sears. Like it was said above, when you use rails you can easily know when something is missing. Also nice so you can easily grab the specific set your looking for. I have mine separated SAE & Metric, by 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 and by deep well or short.

I also like the simple rails and the little metal clips to slip the sockets on.
Have a stick for each flavor of sockets and one extra for all the odd sockets and adapters.
For 3/4" drive I have a steel box/kit (sold for that) that holds the ratchet and extension too.

The rail with clips takes up very little room, easy to carry to the job, easy to spot a missing one, easy to add more sockets, and cheap... I'm not sure there is a better system out there.

When I buy a new set of sockets from the tool dealer he'll even throw in the rail and clips, can't beat that.

Grigg

I have had good luck with the socket rails. Like others have said, it is handy to take to the job with you and you can tell if any are missing.
This works for me, but everyone has their own system.
You need to just figure out what works for you.
Jim

I keep the ones I don't use often on the socket rails, since they are hard to get on and off and read the size. The ones I use all the time are just loose in my toolbox drawers or on the end of extensions. One drawer for 3/8"
metric, one for American. Another drawer for 1/4" drive and another for 1/2"

I like the stands with labels because my wife could maybe find one faster when she's helping, but the price and lack of space for those in the tool box has made me skip so far.

Bruce here is the 1 that i started using has the size on the top only draw back is that they are plastic

i like those hanson ones too. i like them standing up too. i have one mechanic's time saver magnetic one for shallow 3/8 if i need a carry around one 1" down to 1/4"- that one is good for 75% stuff outside of the shop. then i have the hanson ones for sae and metric, deep and shallow, thin wall and impact. the only drawback on the hanson is you need a pretty deep drawer for the 1/2" ones. you could trim off the plastic centers preempivly so they wouldn't break if thats a concern.

use this 1 in the drawer to hold some lose socket

I found this custom tool drawer insert at garagejournal.com
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39367
Chris

Just in case money is no object, check out the system and video on Jay Leno's website. It's a magnetic tray affair, pretty neat but again pretty costly, I'm sticking with the strips like everyone else.

I have the Hanson socket organizers and love em!...I dedicated my long 4" tall drawer to my 3/8 & 1/2 sockets ...the organizers fit in there happy and knowin when onna the boys has had there fingers in there is priceless!...lol
Tim

I keep my sockets in a heavy duty zip loc plastic bag, not too organized but they are all there when I need one.

I use the Hansen organizers as well....like em alot.....dave

I also use Hansen. The thing I like about them if a socket is missing you know right away. They also take less space than some of the other ones. Even if I am working on a project I always put all my tools away at night or when I'am through for the day. I hate to start with dirty tools the next day so every day I clean them up! Just me.
62Blue
Don

Just dump them in an old 5 gallon bucket with the rest of your small tools. All sizes metric and SAE, wrenches, and pliers too. Add some old nuts, screws, nails, and bits of junk. It's a lot of fun trying to find that 5/16 socket in that mess.

Just joking, I use Hansen

I always had the rails-n-clips for everything except the quarter inch stuff which has a huge molded plastic case it came with off the snapon truck. Gotta' say that the Hansen set up with the posts looks interesting. Nothing like dropping a rail and having to play socket pick up as one always rolls under the middle of the car you are working on.