Socket Organization

[Muddy]

I've been futzing around with this service cart to try and get the sockets ordered the way I want. I tried several times and just wasn't happy (anyone that knows me decision making isn't my strong suit) I think I'm headed in the right direction now.

So I figured I would give my opinion on socket Organization I have used over the years.

First up are the "Hansen" style trays. To be fair I've only used the HF versions. The cheaper black ones I use at home and work. For the money I think they are great. The sizes are clearly marked and sockets go on and off easily.

The more expensive (green one) "Hansen" looking ones I just picked up for my cart. Only real difference with these are the sockets are stored "upside down". I'm used to having all my sockets drive end down so this is just odd looking to me. But I believe the Hansen's are the same?

The one down fall I can see of this style is the small size marked pegs breaking. I've had the black style for over 15 years and have only had one break where the socket mounts.

With both ofthese styles the spacing is a bit wide. So if space is a minimum these may not be the best for you.

[Muddy]

Next up are the multiple rail versions. Not much to be said about these. They do the jobs well. Very handy of you want to grab sockets and go. However I would recommend a version that has the locking feature of your going to grab and go alot.

[AbiggerGarage]

Picture 1, first post, mid way, right side.

I remember when Cummin's tools, had a store here local (the tent sale people).  Those metal socket holders were the one item, they had, that I wish they had more sizes of.

That is one of the reasons for my Craftsman colors thread, thinking of making some, as well as trying the magnetic bar trick I found via Youtube, and 3d printing some.

Interested to see where this thread is going!

[Muddy]

One of the best designs are good old socket rails. But not the metal ones with the round base. The ones with a flat base so they stand on their own.

I got these magnetic base ones at HF and on sale I think they're great. But for they're full price I think there is better options out there.

[Muddy]

Lastly my personal favorite. Just a plain old magnetic tool holder.

They fit any drive size so you can mix and match.

For $5 it's a great use for them. Only thing is they use a non magnetic piece to hold the magnet itself so the grip to the drawer or surface isn't that great. But once you have weight on them they really don't go anywhere.







In the end. I'd probably use a combination of all of them as can be seen on my work box. (Pic #1)

[Muddy]

Picture 1, first post, mid way, right side.

I remember when Cummin's tools, had a store here local (the tent sale people).  Those metal socket holders were the one item, they had, that I wish they had more sizes of.

That is one of the reasons for my Craftsman colors thread, thinking of making some, as well as trying the magnetic bar trick I found via Youtube, and 3d printing some.

Interested to see where this thread is going!

Those old socket trays with the handle just scream nostalgia and I love them.

If I remember Elroy actually made a one or two.

[Muddy]

Also Harbor Freight needs to stop having sale on things I've been thinking about and I need to be restrained from going to them.  (Can we get the old emojis we used to have lol)

[Elroy]

Those old socket trays with the handle just scream nostalgia and I love them.

If I remember Elroy actually made a one or two.

do you mean these:
https://garagehangout.net/index.php?msg=667

[Muddy]

Those old socket trays with the handle just scream nostalgia and I love them.

If I remember Elroy actually made a one or two.

do you mean these:
https://garagehangout.net/index.php?msg=667

Yes sir!

[Uncle Buck]

Always been a tray guy myself and have bought several from ebay. I will straighten the handles and repaint as needed.

My favorite of all can be a bit elusive. Sold by Snap-on. I doubt it is still offered, is a tray that has two rows and two handles, one over each row. I have two of them and need to restore both. Mine are 1/2" drive and I suspect it is the only drive size they were ever offered in as that is the only size I have ever found or seen. If I ever find that style in other drive sizes I will buy it.

I would say about 80% of my sockets are either in trays, or old steel boxes. I highly favor the old Snap-on boxes of the 40's/ 50's they once sold with 1/4" or 9/32" drive sets. They will hold a lot of extras, but not large enough for deep sockets. 15-20 years ago you could occasionally find them for reasonable prices, usually on the high side but doable. I think those days are long gone, those I have seen in the last few years are stupid high. Back then, I bought an entire 9/32' set of Snap-on complete and in the box for something like $40 or so. I doubt I could pull that off again.

Due to the limiting factor of shallow drawers I have always kept all of my 1/2" drive stuff in the top till of my boxes. I don't like different drive sizes in the same drawers, and don't like to mix SAE and metric in the same storage. I keep all of my metric, sockets, wrenches, the whole shebang in a separate box from my main box. Same thing with body tools, and everything specialty in the way of hand tools like brake tools, etc. in their own separate top boxes. One for body tools, another for specialty stuff. 

Trays for me every time. Elroys  made me very envious! 😄

[Hickory n Steel]

I bought a couple sets of the green Hansen trays and have been happy enough with them but kind of want to try the Ernst socket boss.

I had thought about buying the HF plastic socket trays before realizing that they were a knockoff and decided to pass.
I'm not judging anybody who buys them, I just didn't like the fact that they are an imported knockoff of an American made product and the Hansen Global trays are not very expensive at all. You can order a 6pc set for $45 from Lowe's while the 3pc US general set from HF is $25.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hansen-Global-Drive-Tool-And-Socket-Accessories/5013803209?user=shopping&feed=yes&srsltid=AfmBOooZ1t_1pEgI8e_6ijNxvAb-pAYwGGjXNq7KznmRbnN9aXglZeKP74g&gQT=1

[fatfillup]

I have made my own boards with metal socket rails screwed to them, works ok. Like the Hansens but you need the height in a drawer for them to work. 1/2 inch deep don't always fit. At home I have 2 single bay triple stacks so no vertical socket storage. I use the magnetic trays where the sockets lay down with the shallow on one side and the deep on the other. They work just fine in shallow drawers

[fatfillup]

My favorite of all can be a bit elusive. Sold by Snap-on. I doubt it is still offered, is a tray that has two rows and two handles, one over each row. I have two of them and need to restore both. Mine are 1/2" drive and I suspect it is the only drive size they were ever offered in as that is the only size I have ever found or seen.

I have seen the double handled trays in Snap on, Mac and Matco. Certainly not common. And I have only seen them in 1/2 also

[bmwrd0]

I had a Snap-on double handled tray, but in 3/4". Moved it along some time ago.

I have a couple old socket sets, 1/4" and 3/8" sets by Armstrong, still in the metal box with all the accessories. I also like the socket trays for other stuff. Keeps it all organized.

[wilbilt]

I've been futzing around with this service cart to try and get the sockets ordered the way I want. I tried several times and just wasn't happy (anyone that knows me decision making isn't my strong suit) I think I'm headed in the right direction now.

So I figured I would give my opinion on socket Organization I have used over the years.

First up are the "Hansen" style trays. To be fair I've only used the HF versions. The cheaper black ones I use at home and work. For the money I think they are great. The sizes are clearly marked and sockets go on and off easily.

The more expensive (green one) "Hansen" looking ones I just picked up for my cart. Only real difference with these are the sockets are stored "upside down". I'm used to having all my sockets drive end down so this is just odd looking to me. But I believe the Hansen's are the same?

The one down fall I can see of this style is the small size marked pegs breaking. I've had the black style for over 15 years and have only had one break where the socket mounts.

With both ofthese styles the spacing is a bit wide. So if space is a minimum these may not be the best for you.

I have said many times in the past I am not a fan of the Hansen style trays because of how much space they waste. I generally used the clip rails and handle-type trays.

That being said, I did break down and buy some of the Hansen style trays/racks. I can say they do make things easier to access and there are no stubborn clips that won't let go.

However, your photo above displays another problem I have with them. Who decided on the size markings on these?

20mm??? That rack should go from 19mm to 21mm and skip 20mm altogether.

I have never used a 20mm socket in my life. I do have ONE, but it has never been used. The 20mm spot in my trays have 21mm sockets on them. And that is fine with me. In my experience, 21mm is 1000x more likely to be used than 20mm.