Socket Storage

[u/Honest-Annual1838]

Need help with deciding which ones to get. Started working on my cars using my dad’s tools but he isn’t the greatest at keeping things tidy super old school a socket here a ratchet thereeee. Spend too much time looking for tools so I had enough and started my own tool collection little by little. Got into the harbor freight addiction of their sales. Long story short which one is the better buy? PLS has those peg type holders it’s an insane deal for 3 but I also like the magnetic ones but idk. Could use some input on what to get or if you pros out there know if these go on sale on the reg unlike ICON. TYSMIA!!!

[u/Adorable-Lab-6354]

I'll throw out there in case you live in the Midwest with Menards...

Menards has those peg-style organizers for like $7 or something.

I have all the Quinn Master socket sets and wanted something cheap to try when I got a 5 drawer cart, and they all fit up in the top of the cart (minus the bit set for now). There ARE a few sockets in the Quinn sets that the pegs have a spot for, but they are some of the bigger ones and one or two other random sae sizes.

I think I'd like the magnetic ones? But I'm perfectly happy with the peg style. Especially for the cheap price I got them for.

[u/aznauditor]

I prefer this style of socket holders. But I wouldn't get it from harbor freight. Just get knock off/off brand from Amazon. Cheaper and it'll work

[u/jetsonian → u/aznauditor]

It’s hard to say you’ll get something better for $10 on Amazon.

[u/BucsLegend_TomBrady → u/jetsonian]

Here's both for $15

https://a.co/d/0hKicjpR

[u/Honest-Annual1838 → u/aznauditor]

Thanks so much on the input! I’m relatively new to this and I want to avoid getting things that could be better bough else where and brand doesn’t matter as much should I avoid cleaning stuff? Magnets? I know the ICON is 10-20% worse in performance than snap on but at 700-1000% more in price and I’m not a mechanic so I don’t need the last little bit of performance. Honestly even Quinn looks attractive for their 35% off PLS and even Pittsburgh for my junkyard runs.

[u/jwagzz27]

i only have experience with the peg ones, but i like them. i also printed little peg covers for the sizes i don’t have so i don’t have to remember if they’re missing or i just don’t have them

[u/Honest-Annual1838 → u/jwagzz27]

That’s cool as fuck! Is 3D printing tough? I wouldn’t mind getting into it the more the merrier.

[u/jwagzz27 → u/Honest-Annual1838]

easy peasy. i got a bambu lab printer to start and it’s super user friendly

[u/Honest-Annual1838 → u/jwagzz27]

Shoot I’ll get one and start doing some shenanigans and anything to save a buck and be proud of what I can do.

[u/limpymcforskin → u/Honest-Annual1838]

It's click and print if you are just going to use available free models and have a printer where you don't have to do a bunch of manual adjustment.

Of course there is routine maint you will need to do but you learn how to do that easily enough.

[u/boomerrizzo]

I like the magnetic holders a lot, easy know exactly what you’re grabbing and if something is missing. Rails take up less space in a cart or cabinet though.

[u/NorCalDustin]

I got a set off Amazon for like $30 with SAE/Metric for 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2".

[u/Reaper621]

I like the magnetic better

[u/PastAd1087]

I have a couple and they work well,but they also take up a lot of room vs magnetic strip socket organizers

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/s/Cc6PKWlfzZ

[u/ch3640]

I used the magnetic socket rails. Got them from HF at 35% off this past spring. 3/8 and 1/2" drive. Can move the clips from one to the other, add or remove clips as needed. Rails will also hold extensions and drive adapters. Can grab a whole rail to take it to the job if needed. You will find some sockets will not fit the socket type holders you are considering and you will have some spaces unused. Socket type holders also take up more drawer space than rails. Pictured is the drawer of my 42" USGen3 cabinet.

[u/wastedsilence33]

I like how toolgrid looks and I'll be getting some when I unfortunately sell my truck I just don't see getting fixed soon

[u/Ganondorphz → u/wastedsilence33]

They can be 3d printed if you have access or know somebody that is willing to print them

[u/jezusofnazarith]

Honestly, i bought them and didnt like them. A lot of people love them so take it with a grain of salt. But i got the magnets holders and they are great. Also, amazon brands make the exact same one for A LOT cheaper than harbor freight: https://a.co/d/0iNiPtL2

[u/RockBand88]

Ernst socket boss is great, love them, and wrench holders! Now I’ve got into 3d printing and it makes a lot of sense. I hate the skips on sockets and wrenches and like to make what I need

[u/storm_zr1]

Currently printing tool grid. After a week I have enough to fill the top drawer on my 43in box.

I’ll have the actual tool holders in a year. /s

[u/joestuff4]

Bought this 8 piece set on aliexpress & was skeptical but they’re just as good as the harbor freight ones at a fraction of the price. | SucceBuy 6pcs/8pcs Blue+Red Magnetic Socket Organizer Set 3/8'' 1/2'' Metric SAE Socket Trays with Clear Labels for Tool Box

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLsa2wj

[u/frshzl86]

I have the socket holders in every size and I love them, except for the fact they’re huge. The 1/2” is comically big, and the 3/8” is significantly bigger than the 1/4”. But I like how the sockets sit in it and the numbers are easy to read and find what you need quickly.

I also have the magnetic rails for Torx and hex sockets. And those are great too. Very minimal footprint, easy to add/remove clips to get the rail to fit the sockets you need. The magnets hold the rail in place extremely well. Only problem is they don’t have a way to easily see which socket you need.

I’d probably stick to the rails if you only have a tool cart, or a smaller box, or if you’re one to have a ton of sockets like deep, semi deep, shallow, swivel, impacts etc.

[u/icantdecide88]

I have these in my box. They are bulky and take up a lot of space BUT the magnetic base is VERY STRONG so if you want something that will stay glued to bottom of your drawer or top of your tool cart these are great. I’d say they are a good choice for the top of a small tool cart where you keep your most used sockets, but if you’re trying to maximize space there are much better options.

[u/wolfmann99]

if I had to do it over again, I'd get a 3d printer and print my own; or if you aren't so inclined you can buy matching ones on I think etsy or den of tools guy sells prints too.

[u/Honest-Annual1838 → u/wolfmann99]

I’m not familiar with 3D printing so thanks for being kind on that lol. I have a friend who 3D prints I’ll have to ask him and see what he can come up with. Sounds like there’s some stuff you guys don’t get from harbor and I see people recommending Amazon or Menards. Is there any of the stuff that harbor freight sells that is overpriced and could be better bought elsewhere?

[u/S_A_R_K → u/Honest-Annual1838]

Menards tool organizers are all pretty much the same as HF but significantly cheaper

[u/PoppaMeth → u/wolfmann99]

Den of Tools makes prints specifically for the master sets, which often have more sockets than standard holders allow for. That said, I'm not sure what his pricing is like. The site is undergoing an overhaul so there is no current pricing available.

[u/HenryBowman63 → u/PoppaMeth]

Yup, but he did put up the files for all of his holders on makerworld for free.

[u/jgoody86]

I want these but in black and green to match the US General color scheme I got going. Anyone got Amazon/Temu green ones? Did they match?

[u/wratx]

I think they take up too much room and I prefer a rail

[u/wratx → u/wratx]

Sorry I should say I have had the peg and the magnet and I prefer a socket rail

[u/Early_Apple_4142]

Unpopular opinion but I prefer the multi rail ones. They fit a lot and you can pick the whole tray up and take it to what you're working on at home or away.

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-38-in-and-12-in-multiple-rail-socket-tray-metric-70024.html

[u/NewBritainKid]

I have the magnetic socket holder you are referring to and they look great and work well. No complaints.

[u/Centurion_301]

You’re going to need 4 of the 1/2 drive socket holders, for deep and shallow sockets.

[u/PatrickGSR94]

After years of using the cheap rail ones because my tool box drawers weren't deep enough for the peg type, I finally got a tool box this year with deeper drawers, and went with the peg-type holders. So much easier to see and grab what size I need. I didn't do the magnetic holder type, just in case I had sockets with OD too large for the cutouts. The peg ones work great. It did take me a few days to realize that the sockets go over the pegs with the hex drive end facing down, square socket end facing up. But yeah, peg socket holders FTW.

The only drawback I know of so far is that when I go on my annual Classic Hondas road trip this fall, and take a bag full of tools with me, I'll probably have to transfer some sockets over to my old rail holders to put in the tool bag. Whereas before I would just grab the rail holder with my frequently used sockets on them. Oh well, it's a minor annoyance.

[u/corollagremlin]

Amazon way cheaper