Tool Talk!

[DuckusCrapus]

Okay...let's rap on tools. I am starting to enjoy my shop getting more space in it now that my cars are being built. Starting to look like a place to work on cars and not a junk storage building.


So let's start off on a simple yet very personal tool topic.

How do you store / organize your sockets?

Seems like everyone has a different style, from loose sockets anywhere in their tool box to magnetic toll trays in a roller box. What do you do?



DuckusCrapus

[FastChevy]

my sockets are loose in the drawers,,,,,,, i have one drawer for metric and one for standard,,,,,,,,,,,on top are all my half inch drive and impact sockets,,,to some it loks like a mess but i can walk over look down and grab the socket i need .......been doing this since 1975

[mac762]

I have a very simple socket set. I keep all the sockets in the box they came in. I have a regular set of standard wrenches and a set of gear wrenches that I keep in an ammo box. The other odd tools go in the ammo box and they all ride with me in the car. For me less tools is easier to keep track of.
I also have a couple of those cool magnetic trays that I like to stick on the air cleaner while I'm wrenching.
I need to get something to stick my bigger crap in like grinders drills and stuff.
Later Josh

[PYRO319]

I have one socket set I keep in each vehicle, I have one in my room (the 3 of them all in there factory molded case) as for where all my tools are in my shed in a chest, I have one drawer full of loose sockets, metric on one side and sae on the other divided by rectangular container with a set of deep 1/2" sockets, I also have one nice big set of shallow and deep 1/2" deep sockets that stay in there molded case... oh, and one case of odd's n' ends sockets from this set or that set that have all but dissapeared over the years

[DuckusCrapus]

I thought I was going to be Mr. organized a few years back, so I threw all my socket set cases away. I went to the local tool store and bought some socket strips....not the nice ones either. I was broke at the time and bought those cheap ass ones you see in the bargin bins. They look all cool when all the sockets are where they go, but if you are in a hurry or wanting to put them all back where they went they suck. Not to mention they are sharp as hell and will slice open a finger if you are not careful.

Don't know why I still use them........


I have some 1/4" drive, a whole buttload of 3/8" and very little 1/2". Seems like I am always needing something beefy, but have to settle on something in 3/8" drive. Sucks when you bust out a breaker bar and start honking on stuff.....you know what it going to happen!


I used to have these little stands to put your combination wrenches in that kept them all nice an neat, but it ate so much drawer space that I gave them to someone.

Since I am such a cheap skate and won't buy another tool box, it seems like organization is going out the window just to fit more junk in there.

Anyone want to take a pic of their tool stash? I like that sort of thing. LOL




DuckusCrapus

[Smokem]

your gonna laugh I like my box with everything in its place but had done the sockets loose in drawers dedicated to us or metric, they were the small Crafstman drawers so it workd fine.

I bought the Costco box last summer and when it came to the sockets they had to all go into two big drawers, I have had all kinds of organizers over the years and most tip over or wont let the dang socket go with only one hand grabbing them, I found at harbor fright thiey have these trays with spikes that hold sockets I put all the 3/4 drive stuff and deeps on it and it works great in one drawer and the funny part is nothing seemed to fit or work right for the 3/8 1/4 stuff I set them neatly in rows on those throw away tupperware lids and orgnized them to make and size to each lid I can tell what one I need and just grab it, works for me,lol.

I also did the farmer deal and stuck a row of basic wrenches, screw drivers, nut drivers, pliers, hammer on the wall at the bench, for basic tinkering saves walking back and forth.

[PYRO319]

Anyone want to take a pic of their tool stash? I like that sort of thing. LOL




DuckusCrapus

that would involve moving all of the stuff out from infront of it.... maybe in the summer....lol

[EzRiderGasser]

Making a living with my tools for 36 years (school bus mechanic) I've found that keeping them organized is the only way I can keep track of what I have left out or lost. At work I keep all of my 1/2 drive and down in the top of my box. After all of these years I hardly have to look to pick up the socket I need. Have all metic in a large drawer. Not as neat,but in trays. At home I bought a full set of the plastic spicks to put my sockets on each will hold 2 short sockets on the same spick or one deep socket. I have my 1/2" impack still on a metal rail. Seems they are the ones I take out side or under a car the most saves going back to the box. I have tools hanging on the wall also my swivel sockets and my gear wrenches as well as a couple other things. Saves room in my box. And as Smokem says about the farmer thing that is true. You can take the boy away from milking cows but you'll never take the farmer out of HIM!!!!!! And PROUD of it!!!!!
EZ

[nortin]

I have sheet metal dividers that are held in place with spring clips . They separate the drive sizes and deeps and metrics and ratchets into rows.Its only marginally good though, stuff still gets mixed up. I keep some cheapie combination wrenches on a pegged board for quick access. Most times my garage is a crowded mess !

[EdwardTeach]

I keep my Snap On sockets on a Snap On socket stick...
My camera is out of batteries...hahaha

[DUKEOFBLUZ]

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

I have the whole top of my tool box full of these, once in awhile when were going to sears ill write down the sockets i dont have yet and buy some.

Duke

[TwentyCarlo]

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT

I have the whole top of my tool box full of these, once in awhile when were going to sears ill write down the sockets i dont have yet and buy some.

Duke

That looks handy, I like it!

The guy who got me my start with the first race car (God Bless Him) kept all of his tools in a case that was once used for a Fireman's Air-Pack. When he needed something, he dumped the whole box onto the floor (or truck bed or race trailer), picked out a tool or two, and then scooped it all back in with whatever was handy.

The box I bought to replace that mess was a cheapy to begin with, and in eight seasons of racing, it really hasn't aged well. Like Duck said, if any of y'all are takin' pictures, I'd love to see 'em. I've been shoppin' for a new box, but I'm havin' a hard time finding one that doesn't feel all cheap-n-cheesy -- I already have a cheap-n-cheesy box with one drawer tryin' to fall out of it, I don't need to buy another one!

((If I could afford the Snap-On stuff, I could afford to build the biggest-baddest-fastest race car the dirt has ever seen.))

[dragrcr50]

Having been a snap on tool man for 8 yrs , I have about everything i will ever need. however the snap[ on man stops here every friday (50 bucks today) , i have a snap on tamalie cart and two big tops . in the shop we use a three tier cart with about everything we need on it. also the mig, tig, plasma, brake, tubing bender, clamps out the ass, air everything, dollies, hammers, shears etc. we use em for a living. just bought a new shrinker / stretcher last week,. gonna be handy for sure. . I keep a set in the race car trailer and in the back shop a decent collection of matco and craftsman i use to take in on trade. got to love them tools.................

[Okiecockfighter]

Having been a snap on tool man for 8 yrs .................

You were a snap off man ???
Ive always figured your shop would look like an operating room !!!

My tool box is a cardboard box !!

[Street Rat]

My tools are everywhere! I am so disorganized I get disgusted sometimes when I go out there to wrench