Socket tray

[brewdexta]

In my continuing efforts to tidy up the workshop, I wanted somewhere to store my sockets in easy reach, sticking them in socket bars or those trays of bars and putting them in the roll cab didn't suit me, Socket bars are pants, keep falling off or you can't get the damn thing off and trays need a deep draw for deep sockets.

So I made a tray, the criteria were

1. Must keep the sockets sorted
2. keep all my 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" sockets plus adaptors but not the impact sockets sorted
3. Must be able to spot AF, metric and whitworth easily
   
4. Must fit on the 4" channel that goes around the workshop so I can move it at will
5. Give me an opportunity to play with the plasma cutter and practise thin sheet welding
6. Take a max of 2 hours to complete

I haven't started the plinths with spikes on to hold the sockets so I can take one set out to a job at a time, however you can see the crap plastic sealey jobs on top that I will make a beefier version off out of oak floorboard off cuts and dowels.

I used 0.8 mm sheet, I didn't win a bid for gabro box folder so I shoved the sheet into the gap between the bench plates to bend a 10mm lip. I also change the design and welded where there was going to be a fold.

Welded up and tried for size, I didn't take any intermediate pictures as I lost my camera temporarily in amongst the workshop detritus

Sprayed up with an old rattle can I had knocking about

Complete with sockets but without the wooden hedgehogs to keep them sorted, my 1/4" sockets wouldn't fit on the sealey plastic hedgehog, I'm going to replace them anyway, ideal tea-break job when working form home.

Cheers
Andy

 

[CRB]

I got some sliding clip socket storage last year, loaded everything onto it an can hardly lift it.

I think i would have made separate units for the three types you use, you are unlikely to need them all at the same time. It would mean moving one small tray rather than one large one along with two sets you do not need.

Nice little job though, all the same. I wish I had a handy rail to utilise.

 

[brewdexta]

I have a cunning plan there will be a small oak plank with metal spikes in it for each type with big central spike for lifting it with. I'm doing the first one now however tinkering time is nearly over, my turn to entertain the kids.

 

[edd]

Wow, you painted it.
Good job sir.

 

[mo_bhaiyat]

Good idea and nicely made.

 

[brewdexta]

Thanks guys

I should be working on the tractor but I've had enough of working around piles of crud and tools, shoving stuff along the bench to make rooom and spending my time swearing when I can't find tools I need so the big clear up in carrying on. I'm already feeling the benefit, jobs are quicker and I'm enjoying getting on the with job rather than cursing. So after taking the the rug-rats climbing I shall be getting on and finishing the socket tray. I welded up a hammer rack yesterday and made screwdriver/hex/torx/nut spinner rack last week so the crud is gradually lifting from the bench.

 

[Maker]

Thanks guys

I should be working on the tractor but I've had enough of working around piles of crud and tools, shoving stuff along the bench to make rooom and spending my time swearing when I can't find tools I need so the big clear up in carrying on. I'm already feeling the benefit, jobs are quicker and I'm enjoying getting on the with job rather than cursing. So after taking the the rug-rats climbing I shall be getting on and finishing the socket tray. I welded up a hammer rack yesterday and made screwdriver/hex/torx/nut spinner rack last week so the crud is gradually lifting from the bench.

Do you have pictures of the other racks? It's very nice btw.

 

[brewdexta]

I shall, not much to show TBH, a piece of ply bolted to the top of the 4" channel that goes around the workshop, drill holes in it and dangle your drivers through it. The hammer rack is a piece of flat bar with 6 x 200mm round bars welded to it. Currently clamped to the channel until I get my mag drill out.

 

[DAPPH]

3 gallon galvanized steel buckets make good socket containers & if you need to you can tip them out and actually use the bucket to carry liquids or up end it and use it as a seat or a step . .

Paint a different coloured band on each bucket to denote which socket range is in them .

 

[brewdexta]

Quick, patent that idea. Genius!

 

[DAPPH]

Re your strap line ..

You don't need one , squat on a bucket with or without the sockets in it .

 

[zx9]

.....................

Paint a different coloured band on each bucket to denote which socket range is in them .

+1 ^^^^^^^^^^^


I used to paint bands on my sockets (white AF, black W and red metric) when they all lived together, I gave up twenty odd years ago when they got segregated accommodation in one of those filling cabinets with lots of inch or so deep draws.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I have a 10 drawer office cabinet to store my sockets.

Each drawer is the size of a pack of common printer paper - A4 x approx. 3". I can easily remove a draw depending on usage - metric, AF, whit, impact, deep, specialist, etc

 

[zx9]

I have a 10 drawer office cabinet to store my sockets.

Each drawer is the size of a pack of common printer paper - A4 x approx. 3". I can easily remove a draw depending on usage - metric, AF, whit, impact, deep, specialist, etc

That's the idea though mine is more 60's looking, floor standing with four short legs.

 

[julianf]

Ive been after one of them for a while, for tool storage, but theyre always big money on ebay, and i have not struck lucky with freecycle etc. just yet.

 

[Rocketman]

I know brewdexta likes a good bargain on stuff.

I was looking around the web a year ago and I fell on one supplier they seemed to have a odd price on a full range Facom socket set with all the nice little extras you need too.

Anyway this is the set at discounted prices-

http://www.primetools.co.uk/product/119046

As you can see it is £285 inc VAT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/2311...3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

£300 on the bay with delivery.

I will let you know tomorrow what I paid for it from Cromwell tools.

BTW I like what you made there.

 

[atomant48]

Nice. What did you paint it with - thats a cool looking finish.

 

[brewdexta]

I have a 10 drawer office cabinet to store my sockets.

Each drawer is the size of a pack of common printer paper - A4 x approx. 3". I can easily remove a draw depending on usage - metric, AF, whit, impact, deep, specialist, etc

I've got three of them, bought when a local Staples store was closing down and they were selling stock off cheap. I've got then full of measuring and marking stuff (callipers, micrometers etc), reamers, drills, mills and other, all drawers are full.

 

[brewdexta]

Nice. What did you paint it with - thats a cool looking finish.

I shall dig the tin out tomorrow, it covers really well.

 

[brewdexta]

Nice. What did you paint it with - thats a cool looking finish.

Its "Supadec" in a rattle can, silver.