I scatter them randomly on several workbenches and in the shop floor. Occasionally they end up in the floorboard of my truck. This system has worked flawlessly for years.
Westling socket trays are top of the line!! I liked them so much i just ordered the black universal set in 1/4 3/8 1/2 for 50$. I discovered them here so thank you for sharing
I like the universal metal socket bars. Grab and go. If I set them on the floor and accidently kick the bar the sockets don't go flying across the floor in all directions. Recently I used 3/4" boards and traced the shadow of each drive tool(ratchets, extensions etc.) on them and then routed out the shadow so the tool sets down into it's own recess. I made 3 boards, one for each drive size.
I use that expanding foam in a can to keep those plastic sockets trays like your original snap on one that you duct taped from cracking and bending, I sprayed a whole wack of them with a $6 can of spray foam and it makes them a lot more durable ir your moving them around a lot.
I really like those metal clip strip style holders for specialty sockets like Allen and Torx keys. I don't use them enough to wear the strips out and they're compact enough to toss in a drawer or case somewhat unobtrusively. But for the main hex and 12 point sockets, definitely some kind of case with labels is a HUGE plus. I worked enough with my brother as a teenager (his idea of a socket organizer was a 5 gallon pail and a younger brother to hunt through the two gallons of mismatched sockets, boxwrenches, old nuts and bolts and whatever other tetanus inducing mess was dumped in it) to be left with a bit of an OCD about tools. I can stand a messy work area but I can't stand messy tools.
magnetic rails ,you can line them front , top, and rear and being a heavy truck tech I can load all my 1/2" ,shallow and deep,and 3/4",shallow and deep and secure them in a relatively compact area
For the plastic trays, you could always fill the underside with cheap hardware store foam insulator in a can. Weighs nothing but still gives rigidity to even the weakest plastic trays. Snap on trays don't usually have that problem as they're very thick and well built. But I would do it to your 3/8 tray just cause.
Just bought the master craft maximum set regular 449$ got it for 119$ got all torx ,ratchet wrenches all the bells and whistles the ratchet teeth feel pretty solid gonna take super good care of them :) just started an auto body apprentice at Carstar !
I just got some socket holders from CORNWELL.. love how they work specially they are magnetic on the buttom. one color for metric and other color for standards.. GREAT VIDEO..
Thank you for making this video. The 72" masterforce box finally went on sale Friday and I ordered it. Next is finding good organizers like what you have in this video
I would say that the important thing is that it is easy to retrieve, and it has to be labelled somehow, and personally I prefer vertical storage, for its smaller footprint (if you have a tall drawer, but that is purely my preference
I use that last style simply because i dont have a lift an when i get under a car i like to have all of the sockets that i might need close at hand. I can just grab it and they all stay in place. Really nice to have them organized under the car as well as in the toolbox. When working with lift i really like to have them on foam or plastic holders just because they are easier to get to that way
I am a traveling mechanic. On the road 200 to 300 miles a day and about 5 customers avg per day. The best socket holder I have ever seen or had is upper and lower (dual rail) magnetic bar mounted horizontally on my rear van doors. Grab and go. Not just sockets I got a bunch of other extensions, spark plug sockets, etc from 1/4" wrenches to 3/4" sockets. MAGNETIC BARS. Simple cheap and organize how you want. They are about 5/8 x 22.
I had a buddy, he had a real nice socket rail. I'm guessing bigger brand, but you have to twist the socket to release it and pull off the rail. thought they were awesome.
VIM Magrail TLs!! Far from cheap but, they have a strong magnetic rail. I've had sets attached to the lid of my tool cart for more than a few years without any failure of falling. You can mix & match to store your custom designed set on a given rail. three different rail sizes add to their versatility. Foam and trays are nice but, there's a lot of wasted space.
I enjoy using the harbor freight socket holders since they do warranty them WHEN they break. Also I place my sockets upside down when I store them so I don't have to fuss with lining them up with the square base.
Mecanic in Scotland for 34 years the best way to store parts you are yousing at the time is two 10 tubes with side cut out and pore cap on .All in one place and not in the oil grease and dropping in to hard to get plases. Are have a magnet handy to get anything dropped .
I prefer my sockets standing up, so I used to only use the Hansen plastic trays....until I discovered the westling machine aluminum socket trays. Fantastic. I will never go back to the plastic. I also have a few mechanics time saver holders for my 1/4" drive and my allen sockets. Those are nice too, but not as nice as the westling machine trays.
I think first and foremost you need to decide if you work from a bench or around vehicles, bench mounted socket rails are really great, but if you need to take your rails or racks to where you are working around a vehicle or on a tool cart, it will change the way you should store sockets- if you are under a vehicle without a lft and your sockets are in a nice drawer organizer in a cart that is just out of reach, it will get old quick.
I have the kobalt organizer and the harbor freight.. I like the harbor freight better. fit better and holds more odd sizes. I just paint the top of the towers that don't have sockets, allows for quick inventory. Hf wrench holder works well to.
I like buying Gray Pneumatic sockets. I have owned them and have kept buying them since about 2006. They are priced well I have not broken them any. That's impressive since I used to work on rusty fleet tractor trailer equipment. Plus all of their socket sets come in nice blow molded cases. The bigger sets 1/2", 3/4", & 1" drive socket sets come in steel boxes. Makes it all portable and very easy to keep organized. Just close the lid and chuck them in a drawer. I make it easier by painting the cases for SAE and metric sets and stenciling the contents 12pt, 6pt, wobbles, splines, & so on. The only problem I have with the company is they only make impact sockets. No chromies. People find it odd that I have to borrow thin walled chrome sockets because my impacts are to fat. Lol, I guess I will have to buy a cheap craftsman set for those situations, I hate borrowing tools.
+Joe Lopez I buy grey pneumatic as well. For an impact socket, they're as close to thin as a chrome socket, best of both worlds. And to add to this video, I use the Hansen tray's for all of my sockets.
I also like the label ones way faster to grabb.the person that knows the size by feel really. I feel my tool I don't know the size you must be good at it
I am a fellow Volkswagen mechanic but only work on the old air-cooled engines and I got tired of my sockets rolling around in my box so I made a mat that is magnetic to hold the tools in place work great and I am now starting to sell them to other shops let me know if you have any interest in buying any
Just buy about 10 times more than you think you will need for your tools, because you will be making everything foam lined in your house. Never been easier to find your forks :D If only it washed the objects too.
I've been wrenching professionally for 20 yrs, 10 with VW and 10 with the federal govt. I have used the plastic universal trays, Hansen brand, for nearly the entire 20 yrs. I think I have broken 2 pins at work. I can buy them at Sears, Northern Tool, even Harbor Freight in a pinch and they cost $5-10 per tray, way more affordable than the aluminum. I also use plastic rails with the ball detent for sockets that do not have a pass through. I have always dedicated the top drawer for my sockets - it is the most open space so I can easily see the numbered pegs, a tall enough drawer for even the 1/2" drive, and they are the most used tools.I did use a tool box with complete foam cutouts for every tool, which I thought was a HUGE waste of space. Two plus drawers dedicated to sockets that I could have fit into one with the Hansen trays. On the plus side it was really easy to make sure you had every tool after the job was done. Pull the drawers open and look for empty spots.
Can sure see which sockets you use the most in that Snap On plastic tray. Those plastic style socket holders at 4:47 look like they came out of an Iron Maiden from the middle ages.
I'm not a pro but I need to carry as many tools as possible in a small tool bag. For me, the best way to carry sockets is to thread them on a string. If you sort them out so they nest together they will take up far less room. Tie a washer or nut on one end so the sockets won't fall off and thread the loose end back through the nut. Then, all you have to do is grab the string and you have all the sockets together. Jack
You can also kidnap a 3D printer owner and make him make you a stand to your specs. Oh and there's also that variant you can put on the wall. It's basically a piece of rod with branches sticking out of it, you put your sockets over those branches and there's a small tab welded on at the base where you can put size stickers (comes with metric and imperial stickers). No idea who makes it, it's shop blue and 1 meter in length, the base looks very similar to a din rail. And on that plastic tray of yours, the one that has pegs and you say they break, just cut them off, drill the holes and install bolts. That's what i did. Works really well.
So I’m a backyard mechanic and all of these systems just take up to much space when I’m throwing tools in the car to work on a buddy’s car. I’ve actually been using a tool box that has a screw organizer in the top. I labeled all the bins and throw all the sockets, regular and deep, in the top tray Works great and is very fast but the only downside is I don’t know if a socket is missing.
If you are working on a buddy's car, grab one of the mobile sets- the HF Pittsburgh Pro 277 I think it is, is about $180. It packs tight with just about anything you could need for a mobile repair and you'd spend that much on higher end storage solutions for organizing your existing stuff.
I made my own storage trays out of wood, square stock oak that the socket fits over glued vertically into a piece of 3/4" birch plywood, which I painted flat black, Then again I'm primarily a woodworker ,so I do crazy shit like that.
Do yourself a favour and get the matco tool grid. I’m not a matco guy but their tool grid is unbelievable and i have it in my snap on box so it fits in other boxes
I slowly accumalated Lisle magnetic socket trays for all my sockets over a course of 20 years. Not the best maybe as they are bulky.. But damn they are convenient. Especially when crawling under a vehicle. They stick to fenderwells and radiator shrowds quite well and the sockets don't fall out. They are robust to boot. Yet to crack one.
I have a couple of handicaps that I have to overcome with my socket organization and I don't have it right just yet. For one, I don't do well at estimating which socket size I need. Second, my car is in the driveway and my toolbox is in the garage. I need to drag metric and standard to the driveway so I can fumble through picking the right one.
Thanks you for validating my practice of storing sockets drive side down. I keep seeing pictures on Garage Journal of tool drawers full of identical square holes. I guess they stab the sockets with ratchets but my acquired OCD hates the look.
Well , I like the kind that snap securely into whatever holder be it flat or stand up because when transporting them in my tool box they stay on and in order . I know most master mechanics will have both mobile and base sets of wrenches and sockets .
I prefer the clip type with a magnet on the rear. I can take them under the hood, or under the car with me and stick them where I need them. I also color specific sockets with paint markers so I can grab the right socket at a glance like for my drain plugs, my air filter housing, etc. Just makes it easy because I'm prone to forgetting.
+User Name sweet! What do you use as paint. I have been looking for something that may hold up to brake cleaner and all the nasty stuff sockets get themselves into
El cheapo paint markers because it's about all I use it for. I think I got them at Walmart or harbor freight. Brake kleen still takes it off if you rub too much, but I try not to use brake cleaner on my tools. I prefer to wipe them off with a shop rag or scrubs in a tub.
Paint then put on a layer of epoxy. You want a good chemical resistant one from a big name paint manufacturer like Sherwin Williams. Takes extra time but, works well. It also helps prevent butaline plastic from turning yellow or smelling like feet. Think old craftsman screwdrivers.
Being a shade tree mechanic, often sliding under rather than a lift, nothing beats inexpensive socket rails. Craftsman even sells replacement clips. When you slide under with either SAE or Metric rail, good bet you got the right size and won't need an additional trip. Now what to do about box end wrench sets?
Darnley Bynoe I too like the rails but I blend sockets on them into commonly used sizes so I don't always need 2or3 rails. One does most common jobs easily.
Can never get the sockets off those clips with one hand. Half the time the clip pulls off of the rail with the socket still on it. If I loosen the clip, the socket falls off of it. Gave up and put them in trays.
Had the old metal bars for years but I do like the plastic holders with the sizes. You showed having toolbars bolted to your cart with sockets on there. Do you put them in your box every night and lock them up or is your shop secured to where you don't have to worry about theft or "borrowing" without permission.How do you organize your other tools, I'd be curious to see how you set up wrenches and specialty tools, air tools, etc.
+Rich Beach our shop is pretty awesome so I don't really worry about it. If I did worry, I'd just lock them up in the bottom drawer. You can see my kart here. ua-cam.com/video/EUMHwAvvgjc/v-deo.html I'll do a tool box tour at some point.
Little thing I saw with the original flimsy plastic racks people have done is flip them upside down and fill them with like a resin or putty so it holds its shape for longer
I use a simi-haphazard / simi-organized system of squar uh.., cups, I guess you'd call then.... The cups hold groups by size and well depth. There's 18 cups... sizes are; Standard small shallow, Standars small deep, Metric small shallow, Metric small deep, Standard medium small shallow, Standard medium small deep, Metric medium small shallow, Metric medium small deep, Standard medium big shallow, Standard medium big deep, Metric medium big shallow, Metric medium big deep, Standard big shallow, Standard big deep, Metric big shallow, Metric big deep, Standard huge Metric huge I use this system because I realized I don't have the patience and discipline to use the more organized systems, but going completely haphazardly wasn't working either, so I found a compromise I can live with. I am not a professional mechanic, I'm an electrician and my work sockets stay in their factory cases because it's simple enough and I don't use them often enough for it to feel to be too much to put them back right. It's just a different use case than my personal home use one's in my garage... I almost never need more than 3 socket sizes at a time a work so I'm never putting away more than 3 or 4, usually only 1 or 2... Also a note about labeling, metric vs standard is by cup color, and well depth is done by looking in the cup... only actual size groups are labeled. Anyways I hope this helps someone, now on to the video.
I move my tools all the time. So I have a tool bag with canvas zipper bags one for metric sockets one for sae one for metric wrenches one for sae. Those zipper money bags you get for free at the bank work good too.
Hey, how about how to store tools when you have to cart everything in and out to the gravel drive way without any place to store a big tool box in your house? Tool bags? Small Tool boxes? Of course I am referring to us home DIY guys.
+heavydiesel I have those. I love them for my small tool bag. I notice some brands of sockets slide on better than others. I've had to take a Dremel and sanding drum on a couple of the holders to make them go on and come off easier.
someone needs to put together the best of both worlds. combing the first cheap molded tray at stacking angle with the last one that has the add on socket holders.. So probably just make a angle holder that uses the last one ,possibly using wood?
Personally, I dislike having to unclip, or otherwise maneuver my sockets out of their holder. Currently I'm using just the standard mastercraft maximum trays that come with the sets. (Mortgage keeps me from affording most snap-on tools.) But those snap-on trays you showed, I like those...A lot! I might have to make some out of wood. 'Cuase that's a weekend project that will serve a lifetime!
do you have a good way to label the sockets, the factory labels are often unreadable unless the lighting is perfect and I have my reading glasses (hate small print). I used the paste on labels, yer gotta clean the sockets well to get the oil off them so the labels stick, but they get scratched up too easy. I use a silver marker on my impacts, that seems to work there but the markets don't work on chrome. As a home/farm mechanic wannaB I don't use them as much as you guys and can't spot the diff between 7/16 and 1/2.
steven whitmore yup, use my 10 mm socket the most. Use harbour freight equivalent store in Canada called Princess Auto has a great socket tray for real cheap. Can't beat it. Takes less floor area in your box.
Literally just passed a qualification test today to be a mobile battery replacement guy and just bought my first set of sockets and toolbox. Found this really useful, but the job requires I keep them in the removable tool tray for easy use. Any advice on how I can make sure they stay in place and not scatter all over the place? (I think the sockets come with a screw in tray).
+Michael for me it would be all about magnets! Or if you want to post up pictures of your set up on the Facebook page, I will share it and the community can throw you some ideas too
I have used the plastic holders for years with my 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch. I haven't ever broken a single stud. Been full time wrenching since 2007, think I got them in 2009. Kind of surprised you had said you broke 10 of them, that sounds like straight up abuse haha.
Hi. I know, that You're a specialist in VW/AUDI engines. Can You help me a little bit? What do You think about VR5 150HP engines? I am looking for a car like a seat toledo, vw bora or audi a4 b5 and in this car i am aiming for a V6 2.4l or v6 2.8l. Which one would be the best? In terms of reliability(I am asking more about the engines)? In A4 i can also find the V6 2.6, but they are not very powerfull and they consume a lot of fuel from what I've heard... There are also 1.8 R4 engines in those cars and Turbocharged ones sounds competetive in terms of power, but I don't like their sound. I enjoy driving a car, but i don't want to get "bottomless piggybank" as we say in Poland, so what do You recomend?
If they are a full socket set I keep them in the box if not just in a tray loose as I am good at guessing the size I need & get it right all the time don't need no fancy rack or tool box costing thousands, that the way need the dosh to spend on beer
The foam one wastes too much space. Lately I've bought Snap-on sockets which used a vertical magnetic tray which I like. Only downside is you can't read the sizes.
+InternetDude I understand how some people feel that way. But I think that most toolboxes have plenty of wasted space in them. Mine included. The biggest negative on foam, to me anyway, is that you can't change it up.
My sockets and all my tools hang on boards on the wall. After job been done tools cleaned and checked. Snap on tools in south africa is rather expensive hear but the Best
Except for 3 rails on my tool cart I've got all mine in the cases they came in still. Everybody's telling me I need to get some socket organizers. But I'm too lazy to do that.
Hey love your channel. I have the plastic holders from matco. Wondering where you got the foam cut outs though. Do they come precut or did you have to cut it?
+Janak Maloney Our foam inlays come with tools already in place. They are custom made for our specific tools. Here's a link to our 1/3 SFS sets. www.sonictoolsusa.com/sfs/1-by-3-drawer-size
I scatter them randomly on several workbenches and in the shop floor. Occasionally they end up in the floorboard of my truck. This system has worked flawlessly for years.
yea or just put them in a box so you need to rustle around in there to find the one you want
Westling socket trays are top of the line!! I liked them so much i just ordered the black universal set in 1/4 3/8 1/2 for 50$. I discovered them here so thank you for sharing
Been a Marine Mechanic for over 30 years. Like the channel. You sound like a very "Good Mechanic" and it sounds like you have helped many. New Sub.
+ml2trick AWESOME, thank you very much
I like the universal metal socket bars. Grab and go. If I set them on the floor and accidently kick the bar the sockets don't go flying across the floor in all directions. Recently I used 3/4" boards and traced the shadow of each drive tool(ratchets, extensions etc.) on them and then routed out the shadow so the tool sets down into it's own recess. I made 3 boards, one for each drive size.
I use that expanding foam in a can to keep those plastic sockets trays like your original snap on one that you duct taped from cracking and bending, I sprayed a whole wack of them with a $6 can of spray foam and it makes them a lot more durable ir your moving them around a lot.
What brand of expanding foam do you use? Does it ever leak or make a mess in the toolbox?
I really like those metal clip strip style holders for specialty sockets like Allen and Torx keys. I don't use them enough to wear the strips out and they're compact enough to toss in a drawer or case somewhat unobtrusively. But for the main hex and 12 point sockets, definitely some kind of case with labels is a HUGE plus. I worked enough with my brother as a teenager (his idea of a socket organizer was a 5 gallon pail and a younger brother to hunt through the two gallons of mismatched sockets, boxwrenches, old nuts and bolts and whatever other tetanus inducing mess was dumped in it) to be left with a bit of an OCD about tools. I can stand a messy work area but I can't stand messy tools.
magnetic rails ,you can line them front , top, and rear and being a heavy truck tech I can load all my 1/2" ,shallow and deep,and 3/4",shallow and deep and secure them in a relatively compact area
For what that set of Snap On sockets must have cost, you'd think they'd replace the 10 cent plastic holder for free
+markgriz Hahahahha I wish.
markgriz p
Nope
Snappy wants all of your money. Trade it in for a bigger more expensive set.
I bet that plastic tray goes for $83.
For the plastic trays, you could always fill the underside with cheap hardware store foam insulator in a can. Weighs nothing but still gives rigidity to even the weakest plastic trays. Snap on trays don't usually have that problem as they're very thick and well built. But I would do it to your 3/8 tray just cause.
I own a full set of the Westling socket trays and they are awesome. Quality ,great price and made in the USA. Thanks for the review.
+snowpro90 they really are awesome! At some point I'll be buying them for the rest of my sockets
Just bought the master craft maximum set regular 449$ got it for 119$ got all torx ,ratchet wrenches all the bells and whistles the ratchet teeth feel pretty solid gonna take super good care of them :) just started an auto body apprentice at Carstar !
Hell yea
Hey i work at carstar too! Started this month
Hansen branded holders are my favorite by far. I've been nothing but impressed with how durable those little plastic guys are.
+Ryan Sippel I am glad that so many of you guys have good results with them. I must just not be nice enough HAHA
Ernst makes one of the best tool organizers for sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers etc. in my opinion.
I'm an organizational freak so anytime I can improve upon my socket drawer I'm there! I enjoyed the video and the ideas, thanks.
I keep the 10mm on a chain around my neck. thats all i care about
Workin on hondas I dont blame yw
Honda Civic owner here, you selling any of those necklaces?
I got a 10mm socket hidden with every gun in my house. Never know what room you gonna be in when you either need a 10mm or a gun in an emergency
cbunk47 i put a piece of tape around my 10mm
14 wrench too with Hondas.
I just got some socket holders from CORNWELL.. love how they work specially they are magnetic on the buttom. one color for metric and other color for standards.. GREAT VIDEO..
Thank you for making this video. The 72" masterforce box finally went on sale Friday and I ordered it. Next is finding good organizers like what you have in this video
I use the universal type cause i only keep certain sizes in my roll cart. Honda only uses like six main bolt sizes.
I would say that the important thing is that it is easy to retrieve, and it has to be labelled somehow, and personally I prefer vertical storage, for its smaller footprint (if you have a tall drawer, but that is purely my preference
If you have the right drill bits, a block of wood is a good way to go for socket storage. This method also allows you to custom fit everything.
What I did
I use that last style simply because i dont have a lift an when i get under a car i like to have all of the sockets that i might need close at hand. I can just grab it and they all stay in place. Really nice to have them organized under the car as well as in the toolbox. When working with lift i really like to have them on foam or plastic holders just because they are easier to get to that way
I am a traveling mechanic. On the road 200 to 300 miles a day and about 5 customers avg per day. The best socket holder I have ever seen or had is upper and lower (dual rail) magnetic bar mounted horizontally on my rear van doors. Grab and go. Not just sockets I got a bunch of other extensions, spark plug sockets, etc from 1/4" wrenches to 3/4" sockets. MAGNETIC BARS. Simple cheap and organize how you want. They are about 5/8 x 22.
Dealership guy stuff is great you have amazing ideas, just throwing some ideas for space saving mobile mechanics.
I had a buddy, he had a real nice socket rail. I'm guessing bigger brand, but you have to twist the socket to release it and pull off the rail. thought they were awesome.
VIM Magrail TLs!! Far from cheap but, they have a strong magnetic rail. I've had sets attached to the lid of my tool cart for more than a few years without any failure of falling. You can mix & match to store your custom designed set on a given rail. three different rail sizes add to their versatility. Foam and trays are nice but, there's a lot of wasted space.
I enjoy using the harbor freight socket holders since they do warranty them WHEN they break. Also I place my sockets upside down when I store them so I don't have to fuss with lining them up with the square base.
Mecanic in Scotland for 34 years the best way to store parts you are yousing at the time is two 10 tubes with side cut out and pore cap on .All in one place and not in the oil grease and dropping in to hard to get plases. Are have a magnet handy to get anything dropped .
I prefer my sockets standing up, so I used to only use the Hansen plastic trays....until I discovered the westling machine aluminum socket trays. Fantastic. I will never go back to the plastic. I also have a few mechanics time saver holders for my 1/4" drive and my allen sockets. Those are nice too, but not as nice as the westling machine trays.
I agree Westling FTW!
The Kobalt plastic socket rails from Lowe's are nice. Short studs, less flex. Had them almost 5 years never had an issue.
+J DuB i have a set of those. I think I have 6 sockets on them. Hahaha it's what I use at the house. I was tool deficient for a while at home.
I think first and foremost you need to decide if you work from a bench or around vehicles, bench mounted socket rails are really great, but if you need to take your rails or racks to where you are working around a vehicle or on a tool cart, it will change the way you should store sockets- if you are under a vehicle without a lft and your sockets are in a nice drawer organizer in a cart that is just out of reach, it will get old quick.
They must have not made the magnetic style when you made this video. They are by far the most practical
some of my favorite are the mechanics time saver brand. also, the new snap on socket trays are even magnetic and are really nice.
I found some Mechanic Time Savers. I leave them stuck to the outside of my tool chest. Best socket holder ever, but not labeled.
I have had hason plastic socket trays for years but I am a DIYER but they have held up great
Thanks a lot looking for a way to organize all my tools. Got anything on screwdrivers and pliers
I also color code my most used sockets and wrenches. Exemple green is 10mm and red 13mm
+Thomas Wallblom That is a really good idea. I tried doing that a while back, but the paint always comes off. What are you using to mark them?
you forgot to mention magnetic tool matts
I have the kobalt organizer and the harbor freight.. I like the harbor freight better. fit better and holds more odd sizes. I just paint the top of the towers that don't have sockets, allows for quick inventory.
Hf wrench holder works well to.
I like buying Gray Pneumatic sockets. I have owned them and have kept buying them since about 2006. They are priced well I have not broken them any. That's impressive since I used to work on rusty fleet tractor trailer equipment. Plus all of their socket sets come in nice blow molded cases. The bigger sets 1/2", 3/4", & 1" drive socket sets come in steel boxes. Makes it all portable and very easy to keep organized. Just close the lid and chuck them in a drawer. I make it easier by painting the cases for SAE and metric sets and stenciling the contents 12pt, 6pt, wobbles, splines, & so on. The only problem I have with the company is they only make impact sockets. No chromies. People find it odd that I have to borrow thin walled chrome sockets because my impacts are to fat. Lol, I guess I will have to buy a cheap craftsman set for those situations, I hate borrowing tools.
+Joe Lopez I buy grey pneumatic as well. For an impact socket, they're as close to thin as a chrome socket, best of both worlds. And to add to this video, I use the Hansen tray's for all of my sockets.
Have you taken a look at grey pneumatic's Duo sockets? they're thin walled impacts.
+FireStreak I have now. Crap more cool tools I need to buy. Lol.
I also like the label ones way faster to grabb.the person that knows the size by feel really. I feel my tool I don't know the size you must be good at it
I see the ChrisFix sticker in the back, I am glad I subscribed to both your channels!
+Juan Cabeza heck yeah!! Chris is awesome
HumbleMechanic
So are you my dear good sir!
I am a fellow Volkswagen mechanic but only work on the old air-cooled engines and I got tired of my sockets rolling around in my box so I made a mat that is magnetic to hold the tools in place work great and I am now starting to sell them to other shops let me know if you have any interest in buying any
Kaizen foam. Buy lots of it, its fantastic.
just looked it up, seems like it would be a great way!
Just buy about 10 times more than you think you will need for your tools, because you will be making everything foam lined in your house. Never been easier to find your forks :D If only it washed the objects too.
I scatter a handful on the shop floor and the jack will always find the right size I need
Throw them on a shelf and dig until you find the right one. Takes forever but its FREE :)
I've been wrenching professionally for 20 yrs, 10 with VW and 10 with the federal govt. I have used the plastic universal trays, Hansen brand, for nearly the entire 20 yrs. I think I have broken 2 pins at work. I can buy them at Sears, Northern Tool, even Harbor Freight in a pinch and they cost $5-10 per tray, way more affordable than the aluminum. I also use plastic rails with the ball detent for sockets that do not have a pass through. I have always dedicated the top drawer for my sockets - it is the most open space so I can easily see the numbered pegs, a tall enough drawer for even the 1/2" drive, and they are the most used tools.I did use a tool box with complete foam cutouts for every tool, which I thought was a HUGE waste of space. Two plus drawers dedicated to sockets that I could have fit into one with the Hansen trays. On the plus side it was really easy to make sure you had every tool after the job was done. Pull the drawers open and look for empty spots.
Can sure see which sockets you use the most in that Snap On plastic tray. Those plastic style socket holders at 4:47 look like they came out of an Iron Maiden from the middle ages.
I really like the olsa tools socket rails very versatile.
I think I have something similar in my box somewhere lol
I like the Olsa rack with a magnetic bottom, inside a metal box.
I'm not a pro but I need to carry as many tools as possible in a small tool bag. For me, the best way to carry sockets is to thread them on a string. If you sort them out so they nest together they will take up far less room. Tie a washer or nut on one end so the sockets won't fall off and thread the loose end back through the nut. Then, all you have to do is grab the string and you have all the sockets together. Jack
You can also kidnap a 3D printer owner and make him make you a stand to your specs.
Oh and there's also that variant you can put on the wall. It's basically a piece of rod with branches sticking out of it, you put your sockets over those branches and there's a small tab welded on at the base where you can put size stickers (comes with metric and imperial stickers).
No idea who makes it, it's shop blue and 1 meter in length, the base looks very similar to a din rail.
And on that plastic tray of yours, the one that has pegs and you say they break, just cut them off, drill the holes and install bolts. That's what i did. Works really well.
So I’m a backyard mechanic and all of these systems just take up to much space when I’m throwing tools in the car to work on a buddy’s car. I’ve actually been using a tool box that has a screw organizer in the top. I labeled all the bins and throw all the sockets, regular and deep, in the top tray Works great and is very fast but the only downside is I don’t know if a socket is missing.
If you are working on a buddy's car, grab one of the mobile sets- the HF Pittsburgh Pro 277 I think it is, is about $180. It packs tight with just about anything you could need for a mobile repair and you'd spend that much on higher end storage solutions for organizing your existing stuff.
I made my own storage trays out of wood, square stock oak that the socket fits over glued vertically into a piece of 3/4" birch plywood, which I painted flat black, Then again I'm primarily a woodworker ,so I do crazy shit like that.
"They" aughta' make a socket set that snaps all the sockets together like a LEGO tube etc..
Do yourself a favour and get the matco tool grid. I’m not a matco guy but their tool grid is unbelievable and i have it in my snap on box so it fits in other boxes
I’d never even heard of this. What’s the material of the board itself?
I slowly accumalated Lisle magnetic socket trays for all my sockets over a course of 20 years. Not the best maybe as they are bulky.. But damn they are convenient. Especially when crawling under a vehicle. They stick to fenderwells and radiator shrowds quite well and the sockets don't fall out. They are robust to boot. Yet to crack one.
I have a couple of handicaps that I have to overcome with my socket organization and I don't have it right just yet. For one, I don't do well at estimating which socket size I need. Second, my car is in the driveway and my toolbox is in the garage. I need to drag metric and standard to the driveway so I can fumble through picking the right one.
Magnetic holders are the best... Easy to take out and put them
Thanks you for validating my practice of storing sockets drive side down. I keep seeing pictures on Garage Journal of tool drawers full of identical square holes. I guess they stab the sockets with ratchets but my acquired OCD hates the look.
+TheBurnout I use to do that. It's fine if they are labeled, but I like the drive side down
Well , I like the kind that snap securely into whatever holder be it flat or stand up because when transporting them in my tool box they stay on and in order . I know most master mechanics will have both mobile and base sets of wrenches and sockets .
I prefer the clip type with a magnet on the rear. I can take them under the hood, or under the car with me and stick them where I need them. I also color specific sockets with paint markers so I can grab the right socket at a glance like for my drain plugs, my air filter housing, etc. Just makes it easy because I'm prone to forgetting.
+User Name sweet! What do you use as paint. I have been looking for something that may hold up to brake cleaner and all the nasty stuff sockets get themselves into
El cheapo paint markers because it's about all I use it for. I think I got them at Walmart or harbor freight. Brake kleen still takes it off if you rub too much, but I try not to use brake cleaner on my tools. I prefer to wipe them off with a shop rag or scrubs in a tub.
Paint then put on a layer of epoxy. You want a good chemical resistant one from a big name paint manufacturer like Sherwin Williams. Takes extra time but, works well. It also helps prevent butaline plastic from turning yellow or smelling like feet. Think old craftsman screwdrivers.
try the wifes acrlyic nail polish
Being a shade tree mechanic, often sliding under rather than a lift, nothing beats inexpensive socket rails. Craftsman even sells replacement clips. When you slide under with either SAE or Metric rail, good bet you got the right size and won't need an additional trip. Now what to do about box end wrench sets?
Darnley Bynoe I too like the rails but I blend sockets on them into commonly used sizes so I don't always need 2or3 rails. One does most common jobs easily.
Can never get the sockets off those clips with one hand. Half the time the clip pulls off of the rail with the socket still on it. If I loosen the clip, the socket falls off of it. Gave up and put them in trays.
Had the old metal bars for years but I do like the plastic holders with the sizes. You showed having toolbars bolted to your cart with sockets on there. Do you put them in your box every night and lock them up or is your shop secured to where you don't have to worry about theft or "borrowing" without permission.How do you organize your other tools, I'd be curious to see how you set up wrenches and specialty tools, air tools, etc.
+Rich Beach our shop is pretty awesome so I don't really worry about it.
If I did worry, I'd just lock them up in the bottom drawer.
You can see my kart here. ua-cam.com/video/EUMHwAvvgjc/v-deo.html
I'll do a tool box tour at some point.
Little thing I saw with the original flimsy plastic racks people have done is flip them upside down and fill them with like a resin or putty so it holds its shape for longer
I use a simi-haphazard / simi-organized system of squar uh.., cups, I guess you'd call then.... The cups hold groups by size and well depth. There's 18 cups... sizes are;
Standard small shallow,
Standars small deep,
Metric small shallow,
Metric small deep,
Standard medium small shallow,
Standard medium small deep,
Metric medium small shallow,
Metric medium small deep,
Standard medium big shallow,
Standard medium big deep,
Metric medium big shallow,
Metric medium big deep,
Standard big shallow,
Standard big deep,
Metric big shallow,
Metric big deep,
Standard huge
Metric huge
I use this system because I realized I don't have the patience and discipline to use the more organized systems, but going completely haphazardly wasn't working either, so I found a compromise I can live with. I am not a professional mechanic, I'm an electrician and my work sockets stay in their factory cases because it's simple enough and I don't use them often enough for it to feel to be too much to put them back right. It's just a different use case than my personal home use one's in my garage... I almost never need more than 3 socket sizes at a time a work so I'm never putting away more than 3 or 4, usually only 1 or 2...
Also a note about labeling, metric vs standard is by cup color, and well depth is done by looking in the cup... only actual size groups are labeled.
Anyways I hope this helps someone, now on to the video.
I move my tools all the time. So I have a tool bag with canvas zipper bags one for metric sockets one for sae one for metric wrenches one for sae. Those zipper money bags you get for free at the bank work good too.
Hey, how about how to store tools when you have to cart everything in and out to the gravel drive way without any place to store a big tool box in your house? Tool bags? Small Tool boxes? Of course I am referring to us home DIY guys.
I have a flexible rubber Centipede brand rail for my tool bag, it keeps the sockets in place despite having to be curled up to fit.
+heavydiesel I have those. I love them for my small tool bag. I notice some brands of sockets slide on better than others. I've had to take a Dremel and sanding drum on a couple of the holders to make them go on and come off easier.
I have shadow box foam in my tool box, definitely works well.
someone needs to put together the best of both worlds. combing the first cheap molded tray at stacking angle with the last one that has the add on socket holders..
So probably just make a angle holder that uses the last one ,possibly using wood?
Great video
Personally, I dislike having to unclip, or otherwise maneuver my sockets out of their holder. Currently I'm using just the standard mastercraft maximum trays that come with the sets. (Mortgage keeps me from affording most snap-on tools.)
But those snap-on trays you showed, I like those...A lot! I might have to make some out of wood. 'Cuase that's a weekend project that will serve a lifetime!
Ice cube tray and sharpie is all you need
What was the last socket tray you showed, the one that lives in your shed, can you go to the shed and see who makes it. Thank you.
do you have a good way to label the sockets, the factory labels are often unreadable unless the lighting is perfect and I have my reading glasses (hate small print). I used the paste on labels, yer gotta clean the sockets well to get the oil off them so the labels stick, but they get scratched up too easy. I use a silver marker on my impacts, that seems to work there but the markets don't work on chrome. As a home/farm mechanic wannaB I don't use them as much as you guys and can't spot the diff between 7/16 and 1/2.
Acid etch. I think Chris fix did video. Look him up
Love what you do and how simple you make life. keep up the great work brother! oh yeah, subed!
Nice video. I have a question about the crush washer. Is it ok to use regular copper washer as a replacement? Thank you
Where can I find that red organizer? Looks like it would be a perfect fit for the box I keep in my Nova.
I just wish I could find my 10mm
steven whitmore yup, use my 10 mm socket the most. Use harbour freight equivalent store in Canada called Princess Auto has a great socket tray for real cheap. Can't beat it. Takes less floor area in your box.
I have bought so many sets just for that one socket. I was looking earlier and saw at least 5 10mm wrenches and sockets
@@psychotogen1 if I'm ever in a second hand shop or pawn shop I buy up every 10 mil 12mil half inch 9/16 that I can find
I stole it
Good points.
Im looking for off-road options and all if these are a mixing pot..tired of digging in a bag
If you keep an eye out on eBay that tray that the Snap On ones are in come up every so often without the sockets.
+peacockealot that's awesome. Thanks for the heads up. Now, of to EBay. Lol
Or you can make a diy custom tool holder from polyurethane foam or polystyrene, for example... worked great for me.
+ciprian ss I love when people do that.
thanks for the ideas Charles! I'm going to reorganize my socket drawer now 👍
Literally just passed a qualification test today to be a mobile battery replacement guy and just bought my first set of sockets and toolbox. Found this really useful, but the job requires I keep them in the removable tool tray for easy use. Any advice on how I can make sure they stay in place and not scatter all over the place? (I think the sockets come with a screw in tray).
+Michael for me it would be all about magnets! Or if you want to post up pictures of your set up on the Facebook page, I will share it and the community can throw you some ideas too
+Michael facebook.com/HumbleMechanic/
Hey Charles you should do video on how to keep wrenches organized... just saying
+winston0079 yep. Planning on doing a few of these.
I have used the plastic holders for years with my 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch. I haven't ever broken a single stud. Been full time wrenching since 2007, think I got them in 2009. Kind of surprised you had said you broke 10 of them, that sounds like straight up abuse haha.
cheap ones are plastic hanson I believe uses nylon
@@markkiser5120 hell yeah brother
hey rip, what kind of drip tips are those? do a review
Hi. I know, that You're a specialist in VW/AUDI engines. Can You help me a little bit? What do You think about VR5 150HP engines? I am looking for a car like a seat toledo, vw bora or audi a4 b5 and in this car i am aiming for a V6 2.4l or v6 2.8l. Which one would be the best? In terms of reliability(I am asking more about the engines)? In A4 i can also find the V6 2.6, but they are not very powerfull and they consume a lot of fuel from what I've heard... There are also 1.8 R4 engines in those cars and Turbocharged ones sounds competetive in terms of power, but I don't like their sound. I enjoy driving a car, but i don't want to get "bottomless piggybank" as we say in Poland, so what do You recomend?
Great video!
Is Husky mediocre?
I think it is.
If they are a full socket set I keep them in the box if not just in a tray loose as I am good at guessing the size I need & get it right all the time don't need no fancy rack or tool box costing thousands, that the way need the dosh to spend on beer
Hehe. I can spot that 14mm from across the street!
your right normally when i'm doing a job my tool box is the floor so you learn to spot the right one without any messy organizer
I always thought the best way to store sockets is to put them in a box so you can rustle around in there and find the best one you want. ha ha.
Looks like you took a trip over to my dad's for that opening shot lol
The foam one wastes too much space. Lately I've bought Snap-on sockets which used a vertical magnetic tray which I like. Only downside is you can't read the sizes.
+InternetDude I understand how some people feel that way. But I think that most toolboxes have plenty of wasted space in them. Mine included.
The biggest negative on foam, to me anyway, is that you can't change it up.
I have no tail lights on my 2000 Volkswagen beetle all my fuses are good all my bulbs
This e perfect job
I could 3d print you that Snapon holder to fit craftsman
My sockets and all my tools hang on boards on the wall. After job been done tools cleaned and checked. Snap on tools in south africa is rather expensive hear but the Best
Except for 3 rails on my tool cart I've got all mine in the cases they came in still. Everybody's telling me I need to get some socket organizers. But I'm too lazy to do that.
Some nails, piece of plywood, and a permanent marker. .
Thanks so much
Your awesome. So simple, yet, effective. I've been so focused on different organizer seta
Hey love your channel. I have the plastic holders from matco. Wondering where you got the foam cut outs though. Do they come precut or did you have to cut it?
+Janak Maloney Our foam inlays come with tools already in place. They are custom made for our specific tools. Here's a link to our 1/3 SFS sets. www.sonictoolsusa.com/sfs/1-by-3-drawer-size
Do you ever use "standard " tools any more? Or just metric?
+Oldcoinsandstuff1 once in a blue moon. It's pretty rare these days
sneaky way to advertise sonic tools 👍