What do you do with all your sockets?

[Crash Cash]

OK, I've got an assload of sockets & hex bits now, after years of working on my bikes. So what does everyone do to organize theirs? I had my laser-etched ones in the racks that they came in, but those just fell off the lift and got crunched while I was working on the SV. :angry2:

I've tried those trays with the stobs sticking up. They're so-so. I've tried the magnetic racks, they suck, and magnetize my tools. I've tried a couple variations on the square pieces that slide on a rail, and they suck too. I've tried the trays in the tool chest, but I've got so many sockets it fills up a whole drawer, and I've still got to dig through looking for what I want. My current emergency option of bowls full of sockets REALLY sucks. And I've never seen anything useful for hex bits at all.

I have to go buy something, and I'd like to not have it be just another waste of money. Any suggestions?

 

[drjfjr]

I bought this one for the same reason. It has worked for me and I have had it for 3 years. Wrenchs are a little tougher though.

sears box

 

[markjenn]

I just put them on these metal "strips" (organized by drive type, metric vs. SAE, long vs. short, 12pt vs. 6pt, etc.) and put the strips in a drawer of my toolbox. No big issues - I grab the metric 6mm-19mm strip whenever I do much of anything.

One thing that I should do is color code them by size. I spend way too much time trying to see the barely legible sizes engraved on the sides. The new socket sets have laser-etched which is very nice.

- Mark

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I just put them on these metal "strips" (organized by drive type, metric vs. SAE, long vs. short, 12pt vs. 6pt, etc.) and put the strips in a drawer of my toolbox. No big issues - I grab the metric 6mm-19mm strip whenever I do much of anything.
One thing that I should do is color code them by size. I spend way too much time trying to see the barely legible sizes engraved on the sides. The new socket sets have laser-etched which is very nice.

- Mark

I did a similar setup, but I used black for SAE and gray plastic strips for metric sockets (from SEARS), and hung them on pegboard. I want a 3/8 metric set I pull one down.... the drives are in holes on the back of my bench, so I can grab the one I need and go.

 

[Silent]

Mine just run loose in the drawer. More fun that way when you're tring to find a specific size and your SAE and Metric are mixxed.

 

[David Morrow]

I left mine in the box until I used them. When I finished with them, I put them on a small shelf. After doing all of the usual work on the bike, I found that I only needed about 5 sockets. I put the rest away up on a high shelf. Now, the regularly used sockets, including the big one to take the rear axle off, take up very little space and are easier to find the one that I need. I bought another set of those 5 sockets to put in my tool kit for long rides.

 

[FJamR]

At home on my top box, I riveted the metal strips that hold the sockets. Then when I open the top lid, there are all my 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive tools in order. I have rows of metric on the right and SAE on the left. It's faster for me to complete something when I know exactly where to get it. And when I'm finished, I know I didn't leave a socket somewhere because there aren't any empty spaces. I did the same thing @ work except I used heavy magnetic strips.

 

[vabrzn]

I left mine in the box until I used them. When I finished with them, I put them on a small shelf. After doing all of the usual work on the bike, I found that I only needed about 5 sockets. I put the rest away up on a high shelf. Now, the regularly used sockets, including the big one to take the rear axle off, take up very little space and are easier to find the one that I need. I bought another set of those 5 sockets to put in my tool kit for long rides.

+1 , seperating the most often used from the rest uncomplicates finding the one I need quickly; do the the same thing with wrenchs.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

I've tried a couple variations on the square pieces that slide on a rail, and they suck too.

Did you try these?

Their kinda cheesy but they work fine for me.

OK, I've got an assload of sockets & hex bits now, ...

Be careful with them. I would think the edges are a little sharp for your storage method. :huh:

 

[FJRBluesman]

+1 Joe, I have a bunch of these in the different socket drive sizes, works just fine.

 

[7xray]

I make mine from coat hangers (how do you spell cheap!)

The metric sockets have a dab of red paint from a paint pencil.

Cheers,

 

[Constant Mesh]

I string them up. I thread a long shoelace through each set, putting them in sequential order. Then I can just toss the shapeless mass of sockets into any container I choose. The hex bits are stored on a press-on holder.

 

[timk]

For the garage, i have a 8x16 inch board with long srywall screws for the sockets and ratchets. I just grab the board and the extensions I need. for the bike a roll up bag with all tools in a jumbled mess.