Socket Organization in a Systainer

[RobNJ]

I was curious to see if anyone had any good examples of socket organization in a systainer.  I recently upgraded my ratchets and sockets and don't feel like carrying around 3 separate blow molded cases.  The goal would be to get all the 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" plus ratchets into a single systainer (not sure what size but would probably build multiple levels to maximize space).  Bonus would be getting the ratcheting wrenches and hex keys in as well

I was considering using the Ernst organizers sold on Lee Valley and Amazon:http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=75462&cat=1,43326

Would be great if anyone had any pictures for inspiration.
Thanks in advance!

 

[semenza]

Are they large sets?  Pictures of the sets in the cases might help with ideas on space needed.

Seth

 

[RobNJ]

Are they large sets?  Pictures of the sets in the cases might help with ideas on space needed.

Seth

Thanks Seth.  I was working with an old Craftsman mechanic's set but the ratchets were terrible.  I got these Gearwrench 120xp and I'm likning them so far
https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-8...TF8&qid=1497285666&sr=8-1&keywords=gearwrench+120xp

These are the matching sockets:
https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-8...TF8&qid=1497285638&sr=1-4&keywords=gearwrench+socket+set

There is so much wasted space in the blow molded case.  I couldn't imagine anyone lugging around 3 of those!
The 3/8 is 44 pieces.  The 1/2 and 1/4 are fewer pieces.
I feel like I should be able to get everything crammed into a SYS 3 in some organized manner but haven't gone through the spacial trial and error yet.

 

[semenza]

I just bought the Gearwrench 120xp sets a few months ago.  I went with the 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drives sets in chrome. I think the ratchets are very nice and the sockets too.  Mine are the regular length fixed ratchets. But I have that 120xp flex head set on order.  [smile]

The regular chrome sets are actually quite compact and the cases they come in a refilled well. Very little wasted space. And the lids come off so the case can become a tray in a tool chest drawer.

Can you get the 1/2" in without going diagonal ? I think it 17+" long. Maybe short enough with the head at 90 degrees.

How long is the longest socket?  Maybe  they can stand on end in a sortainer drawer but I doubt it once you have a holder of some type adding to the height. But then again maybe in the old type large drawer. And use the shallow drawers for the wrenches?

Which wrenches do you have?

Seth

 

[Peter_C]

Any socket holders that don't LOCK the sockets into place will leave you playing socket pickup often. There are socket racks made where the socket goes onto the rack, then turns to lock it into place.
https://www.amazon.com/Torin-LAS38PMT-Magnetic-Locking-Socket/dp/B0096725GA

These work okay, but one bump and socket is rolling around loose.https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-40200-Magnetic-Socket-Holder/dp/B0002STSTY

You may also make a Systainer way to heavy. (I think my socket drawer weighs over 300 lbs.)

 

[semenza]

The Gearwrench socket rails are a decent plastic type with ball bearing latching holders, like the drive on a ratchet. They seem to be decent and the plastic would save some weight.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

These rails and clips are made by Snap-On. The sockets need to be pulled off of the rail clips, you'll never have loose sockets with these. The rails can be cut to length and all sizes of the rail clips can used together on the same rail...mix & match. Shown are 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 sockets.

 

[ben_r_]

These have caught my eye. Havent ordered them yet but they are well liked on Amazon and look very nicely made: LINK

EDIT: just placed an order for two of their three piece kits in black. We'll see how it goes. It was free shipping and no tax.

 

[semenza]

Those Olsa rails look really nice. Both the rails and the holders are similar to the Gearwrench. But the Gearwrench rails are plastic.

Generally speaking  you will find many tool manufacturers and organizers that use red for SAE and blue for metric. Or red and gray for trays.

Now will they fit that way into a Sortainer or Systainer?

Seth

 

[rljatl]

I recently bought variations on what has already been posted:

1/4", 3/8", 1/2" set of nine.  Three each.  Just like the ones MAC Tools sells.
Mechanics Time Saver

I like the locking heads on these, but they only have 84 teeth.GearWrench Locking Head

 

[semenza]

I recently bought a variation on what has already been posted:

1/4", 3/8", 1/2" set of nine.  Three each.  Just like the ones MAC Tools sells.
Mechanics Time Saver

I like the locking heads on these, but they only have 84 teeth.GearWrench Locking Head

Those 84 tooth are really pretty close to the 120 when it comes right down to it on the degree of rotation. I wanted some long handles as well as regular length and got the 84 tooth GW long. They are quite nice. And have one advantage ..... depending on drive size  the head is 1/16" - 1/8" thinner then the 120xp.

[member=33086]RobNJ[/member]  Sorry for the somewhat OT on the ratchets.

Seth

 

[RobNJ]

I just bought the Gearwrench 120xp sets a few months ago.  I went with the 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drives sets in chrome. I think the ratchets are very nice and the sockets too.  Mine are the regular length fixed ratchets. But I have that 120xp flex head set on order.  [smile]

The regular chrome sets are actually quite compact and the cases they come in a refilled well. Very little wasted space. And the lids come off so the case can become a tray in a tool chest drawer.

Can you get the 1/2" in without going diagonal ? I think it 17+" long. Maybe short enough with the head at 90 degrees.

How long is the longest socket?  Maybe  they can stand on end in a sortainer drawer but I doubt it once you have a holder of some type adding to the height. But then again maybe in the old type large drawer. And use the shallow drawers for the wrenches?

Which wrenches do you have?

Seth

Thanks Seth - Weight is definitely an issue.  I don't think i want to go bigger than a SYS 3 for that reason, so I'll probably nix the wrenches (they are basic Craftsman ratcheting) and put them separately in a SYS 1.  Good point about the 1/2" drive!  I think it may fit with the head at 90 like you said, but I may have a smaller 1/2" in my future!  Though I don't usually use my 1/2" in tight spots so I can probably throw my old made in USA Craftsman in for now. 

At this point, i'm thinking of going as modular as possible.  I'm hoping I can mount some of those strips (thanks everyone for the various suggestions) onto ply with some nesting handles/trays.  Worst case scenario, if I have the 1/4" and 3/8" in one place, I think I can get away with most jobs. 

Yeah - i was surprised that there was that much wasted space with the impact sockets.  I was a little disappointed with the bulk when i got them.  I opted for them partially not to double up buying ratchets. 

I don't own any sortainers, but I think having the sockets in drawers wouldn't work.  I'm going to try vertically and see how much I can cram in.

Incidentally -- are their weight ratings for Systainers anywhere?

 

[RobNJ]

These rails and clips are made by Snap-On. The sockets need to be pulled off of the rail clips, you'll never have loose sockets with these. The rails can be cut to length and all sizes of the rail clips can used together on the same rail...mix & match. Shown are 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 sockets.

That's a great setup.  Sort of what I had in mind but wanting to make that mobile. 
Would it be a problem if my socket rails are higher quality than my actual sockets?  [big grin]

 

[RobNJ]

These have caught my eye. Havent ordered them yet but they are well liked on Amazon and look very nicely made: LINK

EDIT: just placed an order for two of their three piece kits in black. We'll see how it goes. It was free shipping and no tax.

Wow!  I really like those.  Had never heard of Olsa before.  thanks!. The screwdriver setup is pretty slick too.  And you seldom see stuff on Amazon with ratings like those.
There should be an "add whole website to cart" on the Olsa site!

 

[RobNJ]

Any socket holders that don't LOCK the sockets into place will leave you playing socket pickup often. There are socket racks made where the socket goes onto the rack, then turns to lock it into place.
https://www.amazon.com/Torin-LAS38PMT-Magnetic-Locking-Socket/dp/B0096725GA

These work okay, but one bump and socket is rolling around loose.https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-40200-Magnetic-Socket-Holder/dp/B0002STSTY

You may also make a Systainer way to heavy. (I think my socket drawer weighs over 300 lbs.)

Thanks much - yeah, I've learned the hard way that the locking ones are necessary.  The Ernst ones lock pretty well.  That's what I've been using.  Have to see if they hold up over time or if the plastic will round off and the sockets will come loose.

 

[Cheese]

That's a great setup.  Sort of what I had in mind but wanting to make that mobile. 

That's the reason the rails are not fastened to the tool box. If I'm working on something that needs multiple socket sizes, I just grab a "stick" of sockets and bring it to the project. Easier than traveling back & forth...

 

[southrider]

Over the years my preferred method for sockets has changed.

In the 70's when I was an actual mechanic I liked the steel rails bolted to the toolbox bottom because I "knew" which socket I needed and could pull it off the rail one handed.

Later as a casual user around the house the rails became unscrewed so I could bring the whole rack to the job at hand. That led me to hating the rail system because it takes two hands to remove a socket, so I bought the little trays where the sockets are dropped over pins. Of course now they are loose in the tray and if you throw the tray in a carry bag you have a mess, and the tray doesn't even carry easily one handed.

The Ernst system looks interesting because it appears to be removable one handed, yet secure for bringing them all with you easily.

The last thing to consider is whether you want them vertical in the top of the box, or flat in a shallow drawer. I'm also curious about the flat magnetic trays, which might be the best of all worlds.

 

[RobNJ]

That's a great setup.  Sort of what I had in mind but wanting to make that mobile. 

That's the reason the rails are not fastened to the tool box. If I'm working on something that needs multiple socket sizes, I just grab a "stick" of sockets and bring it to the project. Easier than traveling back & forth...

ah - gotcha! didn't notice that at first.  Thanks again

 

[ben_r_]

Those Olsa rails look really nice. Both the rails and the holders are similar to the Gearwrench. But the Gearwrench rails are plastic.

Generally speaking  you will find many tool manufacturers and organizers that use red for SAE and blue for metric. Or red and gray for trays.

Now will they fit that way into a Sortainer or Systainer?

Seth

Per the FAQ (LINK) Olsa says the rails can be cut down. From the Amazon Q/A it looks like they are 17" long.

Looks like there is already a knock-off: LINK

And wow, I feel dumb for having spent $60 for two 3 piece Olsa sets: LINK
I wonder if those are the same quality as Olsa.

 

[RobNJ]

Those Olsa rails look really nice. Both the rails and the holders are similar to the Gearwrench. But the Gearwrench rails are plastic.

Generally speaking  you will find many tool manufacturers and organizers that use red for SAE and blue for metric. Or red and gray for trays.

Now will they fit that way into a Sortainer or Systainer?

Seth

Per the FAQ (LINK) Olsa says the rails can be cut down. From the Amazon Q/A it looks like they are 17" long.

Looks like there is already a knock-off: LINK

And wow, I feel dumb for having spent $60 for two 3 piece Olsa sets: LINK
I wonder if those are the same quality as Olsa.

Wow!  Those are cheaper than the plastic ones!
Looks like it's a sale that ends today, right?
Have you ever used Snagshout before?