Socket holders
 

Getting some new (old Craftsman) sockets and been using little plastic take out boxes for years for specialty hex, torx etc. I've been using 35 year old Craftsman steel strips with a love hate relationship for the same time. Sturdy strips with secure horseshoe hoops that grip but sometimes too well.

What do you like for mostly 3/8" drive sockets that are taken out of the box and moved around a lot, securely holds sockets but easy on and off.

I recently bought a socket set with these...love 'em. Think they are made by Ernst. Video shows 'em in use..still have lots of sockets on those love/hate craftsman steel clips, the ones with the upturned grip handle. Understand what you mean, but I'm too cheap to make the total switch.
If I were a pro, wrenching every day? Yep, the Ernst or Tekton would be for me since they make taking an entire rail with you so easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zeZV047DMM&ab_channel=RealToolReviews

(edit) Here's a longer video, showing and explaining various organizers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oSZGHSYw1w&ab_channel=TonyTheTechnician

(later edit) Screwed up on the first link...fixed now.

I have two methods. For the rolling tool chest I like these:

https://www.amazon.com/TOOL-SORTER-ORGANIZER-Frustration-Professional/dp/B013CX1MGM/ref=asc_df_B013CX1MGM?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80608063550927&hvnetw=s&hvq mt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid =pla-4584207590206276&psc=1

I have three different work and storage areas with equipment in them. The rollers stays in the big shop so when I go remote, I use this method:

https://www.amazon.com/TOOL-SORTER-ORGANIZER-Frustration-Professional/dp/B013CX1MGM/ref=asc_df_B013CX1MGM?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80608063550927&hvnetw=s&hvq mt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid =pla-4584207590206276&psc=1



I have done if for almost 30 years. Tools, sockets, little parts, washers, other fiddly bits, etc.

That system works for me: There is enough room in the bucket, I have two, to two hand whatever I need remotely then return to the roller.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717272816.jpg

^Links don't work for me...

Out with the dog I’ll fix.

I have some of these. Work great and have super strong magnets so you can just toss the sockets in and they stay just fine.

Rubber-coated, Magnetic Steel Magnetic Accessory One Medium Socket Organizer 12-inch https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Medium-Socket-Organizer-Tray-12-in/5001994735

https://toolsorter.net/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/282068622351?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=282068622351&targetid=45809777743 32560&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid= 603678871&mkgroupid=1238051137002508&rlsatarget=pl a-4580977774332560&abcId=9375682&merchantid=51291&ms clkid=313ba920a78d16b7a880cf7b328f6be8

So many great ideas out there.

I'll second the vote for Ernst brand, with one caveat. They make two versions, one that you just clip the socket on with a straight up or down push or pull, it sort of clips onto the rails snugly but not too snugly. The second you have to sort of push and twist (or pull and twist) the socket to get it on and off the rails.

I HATE the second kind. They're fussy and aggravating.

I'd say we sure gave some options! oberst, I guess that's why they make both...I love the 1/4 twist to lock & unlock feature. Assures they stay on the rail if I drop the rail. A lot depends on whether or not you work with the cart near to the job...

Lot of good stuff, thank you. At first I think I would like the twist lock but probably wouldn't while deep into a job with greasy/oily gloves.

One thing that l like about my old Craftsman metal strip is that it has a handle. That makes working with a holder easier with greasy gloves I think. Otherwise I'll be grabbing a section with sockets getting everything greasy.

Any thoughts on that?

Yeah, I do like the grab handle on my Craftsman clip style rails. I used sharpies in colors to label 'em. Like "mid lngth, SAE", etc. With the twist lock Tekton? I just use a locked in socket as a grab handle...it's not going anywhere. For me, no problem twisting if hand is greasy...but I don't use gloves. Never liked 'em.

(edit) Every system has good & not so good points. A lot depends on cost as well as how you work with them.

(another edit) Here's a link to the Tekton site. Clicking on a rail or tray will give you meaurements of each, a help in determining space taken up in a toolbox or a work surface. If you go with them, I'd suggest at least two rails with a tray..keeps everything upright in a box.

https://www.tekton.com/tool-storage/build-your-own-socket-organization?drive-size=3-8-in

A lot of wisdom here.

Thanks Gents! I too, need this!

I got this from Lowe’s and it seems to work well.

Steel Socket Storage One Multiple Drive Steel Socket Storage Tray https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Steel-Multiple-Drive-Socket-Storage/3381278

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717294435.jpg

This is an old picture. Now the sockets run all the way from the front to the back side to side.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717294457.jpg

These are cool. I use a double tray heavy duty tote to bring things back to my main box. I like that it can handle a very old school half inch gun (I really need to get that Harbor Freight battery stubby that has tested extremely well), O2 and MAPP canisters and a large variety of big tools.

Sid, do you have a pic of these look with sockets in them?

PWD was, as you penned, right on the money. The bucket thing works for me because most, ok all, of my mechanical wrenching is on farm equipment spread out in the barns.

I have a dedicated bucket for all the care and feeding they need that is not tool related.

I hope you find what you need, it makes a differance.

Please.

Some pics. I like these because the magnet is strong. I can take the whole tray out and it will magnet to something in the engine bay and stay securely while I work. My truck wont fit in the garage so I end up spinning wrenches in the driveway a lot.

Yes my toolbox is a mess, I don’t wanna hear it. 😖http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717352152.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717352152.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717352152.jpg

I like those, thanks for taking pics, I'm going to get one and see how I like it.

The Kobalt magnetics look good...Messy Sid? Hoot! You should see my hodgepodge...one thing you'll never hear a guy say is "wish I'd bought a smaller toolbox." Hell, I've got stuff scattered about the garage...I figure that's okay, as long as I remember where most of it is.

One thing I love about the Tekton website...you can click on any item, and it's description includes a line drawing giving dimensions...so you know exactly the space it takes up.

Oh for sure you can never have too much tool storage. My dad had packed a 50x100 shop with tool storage, and now we are trying to figure out how to sort through them all. ��. Wish I had more space to keep some of that stuff.

I am at that point in the arch of a life where I am giving away or selling multiples of tools, equipment, power equipment, generators, etc. 30 years of farm living means you accumulate a lot, and I mean a lot, of very important stuff!

Daughter and fiance, who both know what they are doing, and my son got first pick.

Next up friends of theirs I built at least three carry tool boxes for those that wanted them and, as importantly, appreciated the "stuff".

At the Old Truck meet a few weeks ago on the farm I gave away a lot of automotive stuff I have had for 50 years, no kidding...I have done my last tune-up:cool:

And so it goes.

Your kids will thank you for doing all this now. Dad’s passing was unexpected, and now mom is basically working full time just sorting through what she wants to keep before calling in an auctioneer. You just don’t realize how much you can accumulate in 40 years.

Sorry to hear this Sid...feel sorry for your mom and the sorting. One of the reasons I sold the '72S was to prevent the vulture assault Cindy was certain to experience. All the rest of my stuff is pretty much run of the mill. It's cash value isn't much.

Sorry about your loss, Sid.

You're right about accumulation. It's cumulative.

Sure hope Sid held on to some of his dad's stuff that has good memories attached. I'm as sure as I can be that he did.

^"Those won't blow!" "Hey, do I smell smoke?"

I bought a 1/4" socket holder recently, the kind that has individual labeled holes for the sockets with a magnetic base.

Great if you only have ONE of each size but I have about 6 13mm and 6-8 10mm plus at least 2-3 of all the others. :(

It's OK as I keep the "A Team" Sockets in it. Those that I like the most. ;)

Those Kobalt organizers look great. My tool organization is a disaster, a problem I will start tackling this summer. These will help.

^ Very nice, but no sockets or rails in that thread...

uh hello any of those ladies can hold the socket until you need it!

$39 for a six piece set of magnetic
socket holders from amazon,
works great.
I just need to finish putting the rest
of the sockets in their places.
One of these days.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1718437968.jpg

I'm too obsessive/compulsive for those already labeled ones. I'd feel a desperate need to fill any empty holes, despite knowing I'd never use a socket that size. ;)

Have not been able to get to Lowes, maybe this weekend.

I have a few of these in different sizes. They work pretty well. The magnets are just strong enough to hold them vertically.... if you jostle them the sockets can come off.
https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/3-8-magnetic-socket-holder-black

The main problem with vertical storage is the amount of drawer space taken. Back to wishing for a larger tool box..

The quest for the perfect socket storage/organization seems to be a never ending one, without a holy grail.

I started last year to re-organize my tools, I bought a bigger cabinet and have been going through it with a grid system. Expensive but I am aggregating 2 tool chests into 1 so I wanted to make sure it’s organized.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1718736743.jpg