Socket/tool storage

[Welderpaul]

I have loads of tools and recently picked up a set of second hand Halfords Industrial boxes in really good condition - this doubles the storage I have so a can have a bit of a sort out.
Stuff goes in certain drawers so I know where things are but sockets get messed up - I have loads, metric, imperial, long series, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 etc so could do with organising these a bit better. I have a few on the rails but they are a bit junk, the little clips ping off then get lost.

I'm not sure foam infills are the way to go, but is there anything more suitable that people use or can recommend? the racks where the sockets stand up look ok but would need to use the deeper drawers for long series sockets which I want to use for other things.

Some sort of removable dividers would be quite a good idea to save things sliding round the drawers.

Am I trying to find something that doesn't exist?

 

[cheb]

I use take away food trays for things like this. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

 

[Hitch]

What about the little rails with pegs, rather than the spring clips?

All mine up to 30mm are on spring clips rails, must depend on the make. Clips have been fine for years.

 

[James1979]

If you have the deep drawers stand up pins are best. There are several flavours. Snap on do a good one that has loads of sizes printed on it.

if not then the magnetic racks work well. I’ll take a pic in a bit

 

[keithski122]

I used to be a mechanic and always used the metal rails with metal spring clips, might need to go for good quality ones.Nice and easy, one size drive per rail, metric/imperial on seperate rails, if you don't know what size you need just take the rail to the job.
Never really needed 1/2 inch on a rail though as car mechanics use 3/8 mainly.

 

[Shox Dr]

Snap off do/did blown plastic angled trays, problem is they are just too tall to go in the shallowest of my drawers.

 

[Kayos]

I have the big rails, with 4 rows on each. 3 big ones variously organised by most used and a 1/4 drive one that is really a bit rubbish

 

[rtcosic]

I can't get on with the clip type as it takes too long to remove/replace.

I bought many of the 'stick' type for No 1 son's extensive collection and he approved.

Sealey ones - but I bought cheaper orange ones from either Ebay or Amazon (sorry can't now recall)

Edit - the size markings on the plastic moulding are also much easy to read than the engravings on the sockets so that helps those of us of more mature years.

 

[Melvyn Best]

I have a few of these and a couple of larger ones , find them very useful

 

[8ob]

I can't get on with the clip type as it takes too long to remove/replace.

I bought many of the 'stick' type for No 1 son's extensive collection and he approved.

Sealey ones - but I bought cheaper orange ones from either Ebay or Amazon (sorry can't now recall)

Edit - the size markings on the plastic moulding are also much easy to read than the engravings on the sockets so that helps those of us of more mature years.

I use the same, only gripe is the missing sizes.

 

[ukracer]

I use the same, only gripe is the missing sizes.

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Are they steel or plastic?

 

[rtcosic]

Ours are plastic

 

[8ob]

Are they steel or plastic?

Plastic, I have a few different makes in imperial and metric, quality does vary and the cheap ones tend to snap off on a cold day if you are not careful with them. They are hollow so they could be tipped upside down and resin filled/beefed up if you could be bothered.

Bob

 

[gaz1]

I use the same, only gripe is the missing sizes.

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id prefer them smaller in height

however id make my own up as well easy enough to do with metal and wood

 

[8ob]

id prefer them smaller in height

however id make my own up as well easy enough to do with metal and wood

I have rattled @Brad93 `s cage and will be getting him to knock me up a steel wall hung system using the same basic principle with a few extra ideas thrown in as a good measure.

Bob

 

[atomant48]

I’ve got several of these from the ”tool truck“ and brought a couple back from the states as well. Twist the socket on/off. Pretty good but as you say you need a deep drawer. But I think they could hang on the side of your tool cart pretty happily too - the sockets are very secure. I do have a bunch of spare locking posts too in various sizes if you ended up with one and needed to swap some out (I took all the 1/4” out of mine and swapped for 3/8). Also got one of those plastic post thingies from above that came with a ratchet or something similar in 1/4” but from memory it’s imperial. Yours if it’s of any use.

 

[Arc Tourist]

When I was young and money was tight I got a scrap piece of one inch thick plywood, made a grid pattern and drilled holes at every intersection to glue 1/4" dowel's in. Had all my sockets in one place. That was a long time ago, but now I use the clip bars and recently purchased some of these at Lidl.

 

[ian f]

these work ok for the price https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-2...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[Munkul]

I have a couple of the sealey spring clip type ones, they're cheap, slimline, and easy to organise everything on

Best thing is, they're cheap enough to chop up to make fit into certain spaces Never have any issue with the spring clips

One cousin has Snap-on organisers, the other has Mac... both really expensive ways of doing exactly the same thing, and the only real practical difference is you have a twist lock on theirs. You can't fit as many sockets on the same board either.

If none of this tickles your fancy, then perhaps CNC cut foam/plastic/wood?

 

[Barlidge]

I use the same, only gripe is the missing sizes.

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Project for your 3d printer Bob