I did this thread on the Diesel Discussion a while back. I figured I'd ask around here while I'm at it. I just got the magnetic socket holders made by lisle (off of amazon) and it keeps the sockets in there really nice... until you drop it. Then it spills all over the place.

I've been fighting the battle of organized sockets since I've been wrenching. I don't use a tool box. I like to keep the entire set near me while I'm working so I'll have what I need without walking to get the next socket.

One guy mentioned that he used those tough vinyl deposit bags from the bank with the zipper. Those seem like they'd work well. They'd keep it all together and I guess if you have one for deep wall and one for standard sockets, it'd work pretty well.

Curious what you have found to work well?

__________________
-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.

I don't use a socket organizer. I keep all my hand tools in a canvas USAF mechanics tool bag. That bag now weighs approximately 60lbs. It's stuffed full. Whenever I need something I just turn it upside down and dump it out. Whatever tool I need is always hiding from me anyway. It contains a mixture of special MB tools, and common tools. It services the vehicles in my sig. Need to stop keeping it in the trunk of whatever I'm driving as I believe it's affecting my fuel economy. I do curls with it sometimes.

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

I stuck my sockets on threaded rod none longer than a foot, separating the SAE from the metric. Works for all sockets but the Allens, which are in a small canvas bag with the universal joints and the short extensions.
I used to use the HD plastic bags but cold weather makes them crack.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I have a very large tool chest that is well stocked with mostly Craftsman tools. In addition, I have a set of Stanley 3/8 drive sockets that I bought about 25 years ago (before I had any other good tools). The set is in a blow molded case (about 5"x 9") and includes metric sockets that are 6 point (from 10 to 19mm) and SAE sockets that are 12 point (makes it real easy to identify them). This set goes with me under the car for most any job. I also have a set of combination wrenches in a plastic 'sloted' holder that is easy to take to the job.

Other than these, I go to the tool chest and get what ever else I need.

Currently my sockets are all organized in the blow-molded trays that Sears sold them to me packaged in.

Growing up, the tool set I had access to was organized with the metric and standard sockets separated on a pair of coat hangers bent to form what looked like an oversize safety pin.
Take one heavy wire coat hanger, bend it until you have a long narrow loop (possibly with two corners at in the middle, making it a long U), and then bend one of the ends to form a hook, followed by a 90 degree bend. That way when you squeeze the two sides together, you can latch that side around the other side, keeping the sockets that you've slid onto it in place.

If my description isn't good enough to visualize, I can make one and post a picture if anyone's interested.

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

Mine are either in:
a strip with press on clips for each socket (came with this)
a little tray that they came in, trapezoidal in shape with a swiveling retainer
rubber holders where each socket has its space

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Prost!

I bought the strip with the clips for each socket as well.

Since I don't work on vehicles enough to be able to "eyeball" the correct socket size, I just take the whole strip of sockets over to where I'm working.

Then, as I remove a socket for use and lay it down if it doesn't fit, my dog snatches the socket and scampers off somewhere to gnaw on it. So after I'm done, I have to search for assorted sockets strewn about the entire yard!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

lol dawgs are awesome

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Sears sells a organizer you put your sockets on it, they come in various sizes 1/4 3/8 1/2 that way you never loose them since the slot is vacant.

large 5 gallon bucket holds most of my tools on the way to the pick & pull. While wandering the yard, I'll dig through the bucket to pull the sockets that should match the part I'm about to go looking for. Usually odd size sockets in one jacket pocket and the evens in another (good for 8, 10, 12 & 14 mm vs 7, 13, 15, 17, 19 & 21 mm).

Working in the driveway, I lay them out by size in groups of three or four. Then I warn my four year old that if he takes them and doesn't put them back, I will get right angry.

The point, is that in the heat of battle, you really only need a small number of sockets and spanners, so think for 60 seconds before you dive in and you'll save plenty of time as you work.

You have to laugh when he picks up the 1/2" drive breaker bar and uses it as a microphone to sing Michael Jackson songs.

-CTH

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http://www.111lakeside.com/

A lot of times I don't know if a fastener is std or metric, or maybe corrosion reduced the head area of the fastener. I'll reach for my sockets and find that the fastener is between two std sizes. Instead of guessing which metric socket will fit, I glance at the coversion chart I have inside my toolbox. Here it is below. It reduces the fumbling I have to do with the sockets.

inches - - mm

3/16 - - 4.76
7/32 - - 5.56
1/4 - - 6.35
9/32 - - 7.14
5/16 - - 7.94
11/32 - - 8.73
3/8 - - 9.53
7/16 - - 11.11
1/2 - - 12.7
9/16 - - 14.29
5/8 - - 15.88
11/16 - - 17.46
3/4 - - 19.05
13/16 - - 20.64
7/8 - - 22.23
15/16 - - 23.81
1 - - 25.4

A real proponent of lean and 5S. You could put a shadow board in there too.

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Prost!

Socket retainer is a speaker magnet from discarded speaker w/drawer pull for handle.....
Great cuz it can be used as a lone store unit or it will stick to any convienient metal part ..I store them on the the sides of my roll cabinet...according to sets, up to 3/8 dive ..

The drill one is my favorite and I would not be w/o it now that I have made it , going on 10 years. It is a simple belt magazine for tips and it is tie- wrapped to the drill body...great idea , specially when on a ladder , etc.....I really usethat one, almost daily ..a real time saver.

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A Dalton

Dont currently have now, but looking at getting when i decide to become organized. They have stuff for sockets,ratchets and wrenches.

http://www.ernstmfg.com/products_css.php

That's great Arthur, both those are great ideas. I've got a few old speaker magnets. The strength of those will do better at holding the sockets in place than the actual magnet socket holder rail. I'll be trying that one.

__________________
-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.