Socket - Tool Set Organizer

[Silver Ranger]

For Christmas last year my wife and son gave me a Craftsman 334 pc Mechanic’s tool set. Very thoughtful gift considering I keep many of my tools in tool bag and not in my tool chest so I have them handy for use in the garage, basement or away from home. So I loaded the set into my tool chest and ended up with a major problem trying to find what I wanted and making sure I did not misplace anything.

I set out to find a product that would organize my tools and assist me in making sure nothing disapears. I looked at the cheep plastic insert Sears sells and was not impressed. I wanted something sturdy and a custom fit to the set of tools. I had purchased foam inserts for Snap-On tools at several of the power plants I manage and the were what I was looking for. However Snap-One inserts would be 10 times more expensive then the tools themselves. I found a company in Green Bay that makes foam tool chest inserts for Craftsman tools. https://www.foamfittools.com I sent Pete an e-mail asking if they could put a set of inserts together for this tools set. It took about 2 months for them to lay out the design and send me a set of 4 inserts for $181. Now I have no issues finding any of the tools.

1/4 Inch Drive Sockets.

3/8 Inch Drive Sockets.

1/2 Inch Drive Sockets.

Wrenches.

 

[Full House]

Very nice, looks "professional"

 

[C&C]

Nice, and I like it a lot, but it sure wastes space. I used corrugated cardboard cut in strips; I've been called chea......I mean frugal, but it seems to work for me.

 

[majicmaker]

That's the only way to go. The other way will make you crazy!

 

[rbentnail]

https://www.mcmaster.com/#magnetic-sheets/=wltl93

Stick it in the drawer, ferrous things stick to it.

 

[Geezer]

I like the foam cutout sheets. I think a pro would really benefit from them because time is money. I also like the other solutions shown. I have used metal dividers which are held in by tension springs on the ends, but they eventually come loose and let the tools mix.

For sockets, I have a different drawer for the three different drive sizes that I use, and each drawer is divided in half to separate metric from standard. Other than that I let them mix and fish for the right one when I need it.

Those magnetic sheets look like they are inexpensive and worth a try.

 

[Pterodactyl]

I use the cheap plastic trays that you can get at Lowe's and Sears; I also have some magnetic socket holders. Not the best solution, but I can lift them out and put them on a cart and move them to a work site in the shop that is away from my normal work space on the lift. Easier to me than either rolling around a big chest or making multiple trips back and forth to get tools.

 

[dcarver]

I have a hammer.

 

[Twigg]

I have a hammer.

... and the handle is a great place to store the duct tape

The WD40 has to fend for itself.

 

[Pterodactyl]

I have a hammer.

I didn't know we were talking electrical work.

 

[pista]

That looks like a great solution SR, albeit still a bit pricey for me.

However, nothing is worse than spending more time looking for the correct tool than it takes to do the job itself.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Carver, did you ever hammer out freedom? Just wondering.

 

[bluesdog]

Carver, did you ever hammer out freedom? Just wondering.

That's the bell's job. The hammer's is justice.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Carver, did you ever hammer out freedom? Just wondering.

That's the bell's job. The hammer's is justice. unk:

What about the song of love between your brothers and sisters? Without that, a hammer is just a hammer beating a bell to death.

 

[Fred W]

At the risk of offending the Pete Seeger Adoration Society, those foam inserts in the OP look awesome. But there is one little problem. There is a place for everything, and everything in its place. But that leaves no room for new tools. And as we all know, anything that discourages buying new tools is a problem.

 

[rbentnail]

I thought it was Peter, Paul and Mary....

 

[Fred W]

Pete wrote it, performed and recorded it first as half of The Weavers. PP&M made more money on it.

 

[Pterodactyl]

And as we all know, anything that discourages buying new tools is a problem.

New tool = New toolbox

 

[HotRodZilla]

And Pete has said, flat out, it wasn't a very good song until PP&M sang it. Lol...

I really need a new tool box, but I need a new garage to keep a big roller in. Then I'll buy some cool organizers.