Help me with a toolbox for socket set

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gdizzle

gdizzle

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I have faith you guys won't treat me like a child, but i don't have many tools. I am not a mechanic and I don't have a garage. What I do have is some sets of craftsman sockets and rachets. But organizing them is impossible in my current crappy toolbox, which is about 24in long, and has a top section that sits in, it is plastic.

I need a lightweight, toolbox, that I can put my sockets , some extensions, some deep sockets and some ratchets in. I would like the sockets to be able to be arranged in order. Here are some pitiful pictures of my toolbox. It is crap plastic, probably had it for 25 years. and I hate it. So I am looking for a good toolbox for my rachets.
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Go to Walmart, they have a very inexpensive unit available or try yard sales or try Craig's List...lots of options just pick your price point!
Not everyone starts out with a brand new roll around full of new tools, it takes time and money to get what some people have. I'm almost 68 and have two roll around's and several buckets full of tools but then I was a Millwright for over 45 years too.
 
I would suggest one of the metal ones from Harbor Freight, they are decent quality, have a number of sizes, and are very affordable. While there, get as many socket holder strips as needed, they are ideal for keeping each set together and in order.

The other place I score a lot of this stuff is yard sales and estate sales. If you are patient you can get some nice items for a pittance.
 
Good starter set for you. Just a thought? Why buy stuff twice?

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I vote for Craftsman they have lots off sizes and you can add on as needed without spending money on a professional box unless you find a tool dealer that has a trade in box you can make a deal on
 
halfafish said:
I would suggest one of the metal ones from Harbor Freight, they are decent quality, have a number of sizes, and are very affordable. While there, get as many socket holder strips as needed, they are ideal for keeping each set together and in order.

The other place I score a lot of this stuff is yard sales and estate sales. If you are patient you can get some nice items for a pittance.
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gdizzle said:
I have faith you guys won't treat me like a child, but i don't have many tools. I am not a mechanic and I don't have a garage. What I do have is some sets of craftsman sockets and rachets. But organizing them is impossible in my current crappy toolbox, which is about 24in long, and has a top section that sits in, it is plastic.

I need a lightweight, toolbox, that I can put my sockets , some extensions, some deep sockets and some ratchets in. I would like the sockets to be able to be arranged in order. Here are some pitiful pictures of my toolbox. It is crap plastic, probably had it for 25 years. and I hate it. So I am looking for a good toolbox for my rachets.View attachment 1715181674

View attachment 1715181672

View attachment 1715181673

View attachment 1715181675
Click to expand...
i would go to harbor freight
 
I have one of these behind the seat in Gladys.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...70/chevrolet/c20-pickup-rwd?q=Tool+Sets&pos=0

They are really nice tools for the price and come with a very nice case that fits everything in so you will know if something is out of place. You will be surprised by the quality. I have a LOT of Snap On Tools. These Power Torque tools are not that quality of course, but for chinkesium they are very nice.
 
For a carry type toolbox, the barn shaped one with trays that move with the lid are good for organizing.
I had a good metal box,wrenches were in a roll as well as pliers/screwdrivers. Makes easy access. Sockets on a rack are the best way to organize.
I rarely go mobile with my tools, now i use a tool bag.
 
Give up on most new Craftsman boxes. They're going the way of the dodo.

I use these trays for sockets. Makes all the difference to me, and you might not hate the box you have if you can get it under control.

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The craftsman metal 3-drawer is my old standard; I still have my first. There are many similar available these days. Like tools: Go American or go home.
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Be wary; if you put WAY too many tools in here, the hand rivets on top can let go.
 
I have a craftsmen toolbox full of craftsmen and hand me down snap on tools. But 99% of the time I use a Stanley set that I got from Wal-Mart. It's in a convenient case and when paired up with my dewalt impact, it's all I need usually.
 
You guys are giving me some excellent advice. So I am interested in the steel tool box, maybe 20in wide. And maybe 2 drawers. My question is, these rails, how are they attached to the drawers? And do they stay put? I have the Harb Frey rails, as you can see, plastic and they sure are floppy and a PITA to get on/off. But this is obviously due to I can not attach them to the toolbox I have. help. sears has this Welcome to Sears.com
no drawers, but can I install those rails into it??

I am sorta limited on overall height as I stack this onto another tool box that I have, beneath my work bench. So I cant get the standard 3 drawer craftsman that everyone seems to own.
 
I have a 3 drawers craftsman "portable" with several of the strips for sockets (metal strips)
I keep the sockets in the top, so I drilled holes in the strips and just bolted them down
I think metric is on the left, standard on the right
One drawer has metric wrenches, the other drawer standards
The bottom has pliers and screwdrivers

Seems to work for me

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Shop Craigs list, flag down a tool truck see if they have any used boxes taken in trade.

My track box is a plastic Stanley roll a round; rolls like a 2 wheeled hand truck; multiple drawers, removable trays, a tip out drawer, works great!

You stated you don't have a garage, so what ever you get should be mobile, in and out of the house/apartment, you don't want something too heavy to lift or move by yourself.

For years I worked out of a tote box, set up saw horses and ply wood to set my tools out, kinda crude but it works........you're not working flat rate
 
JBurch said:
Shop Craigs list, flag down a tool truck see if they have any used boxes taken in trade.

My track box is a plastic Stanley roll a round; rolls like a 2 wheeled hand truck; multiple drawers, removable trays, a tip out drawer, works great!

You stated you don't have a garage, so what ever you get should be mobile, in and out of the house/apartment, you don't want something too heavy to lift or move by yourself.

For years I worked out of a tote box, set up saw horses and ply wood to set my tools out, kinda crude but it works........you're not working flat rate
Click to expand...
Been a professional tech for 30 years and honestly have never seen a smaller tool box than a mobile cart traded in and for sale , and they want silly money for everything ( don't get me wrong , as a professional I NEED snap on and Cornwell / matco ) harbor freight or northern tool have great choices for adequate tool storage .
Have you considered a mobile cart with storage and work surface and then if you need to go truly mobile ... Use modern tool bags , I certainly use them always ! They will handle way more weight than even some metal boxes .. Harbor freight also with those ... Cheap and I've never had one fail . Holds up as well as my snap on or crafts man bags . Years of abuse and over stuffing with all mine .
I don't know what your space is allowing but a cart / storage / surface combo from HF is not expensive and truly gives room to expand and the aforementioned socket rails and organizers fit and can be bolted if necessary . Just my take
 
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Harbor freight makes similar to my blue point cart with a slide out and side work table 3 or 4 drawers .

You can see my tool bags on my roll cab . Always ready to go wherever . Snap on craftsman or HF .. not much difference at all in the bags .

My roll cart holds tools I frequently use EVERYday and complete socket and wrench assortment

And the big boy holds all the rest ... Had to throw it in there , I do love my box

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I have several Kennedy and Craftsman stacks but recently bought a plastic roll type organizer to keep my construction tools while renovating my mother in law’s house. For <$100 I think it is the best value and solution. I am going to buy another set just for electrical/ mechanical tools. Being able to take the box to your project or inside/underneath the car can save a lot
Of back n forth to the tool chest IMO.

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When I take my tools to track in my trailer, I use 1 hardbox w tray for 1/2" drive set, hammer, & big wrenches. Then I have small box for 3/8" set and small wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. That way I don't usually have to get into the big box. Makes it easier to look thru.
 
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