HF socket trays - I'll admit I like them!

[goodfellow]

At the risk of getting flamed, I'll go out on a limb and say that these HF trays are a good value. I've moved all of my 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets into the trays and have been very satisfied. Many of my loose 1/4" sockets are in these trays as well, but I choose to keep the complete sets in their OEM boxes.



There are some problems though. Larger impact sockets are usually too large to fit "side by side" into the proper sized slots, but that is a general problem with most of these systems (incl. Hansen). They do take up some real estate in the box, but by removing the end-tabs, they are much easier to arrange and fit closely together.

My main box is the red HF krinkle finish box which I think is a bargain compared to similar options out there. Being an old fashioned type, I keep my chrome sockets under the lid of the top box and my impacts in the large top drawer of the bottom box. My large 1/2" impacts over 1-1/4" size don't fit in any of the HF socket trays. The Hansens are a bit more flexible (but not much) in that regard --

Overall, I like these trays. They are not perfect, but it sure beats the aweful rail and cut-out tray systems that I've had for decades.

[J.A.F.E.]

Nothing wrong with the. I had considered using them for a long time but in the end elected to go with socket rails. They just took up too much space for what the amount of drawer space I have and things like swivels and bit sockets won't fit on them. But I'd snag the HF units long before I'd even think about the Hansons.

[Lookin4_67GalaxieConv]

The Hansons are great if the price is right.

[fatfillup]

The early HF's often skipped a size here and there.  Don't know if its still true but I know it frustrated folks who bought them.

I use rails myself but I will say the trays, both HF and Hansen sell well for me. 

The problem with Hansens to the OCD crowd is it has sizes both big and small that don't come in most sets and drives them crazy.   I often have folks come in looking for 15mm 1/4 drive sockets and know they are trying to fill the tray    I have told them to just cut off the end of the tray

[Uncle Buck]

I am too married to the old fashioned metal trays with bail handles like sets of old used to come in. I like being able to pluck out a set and run when need be. I also like that fact that they allow me to cram more stuff in less space taking advantage of every last square inch of drawer acreage I have.

I will say your sets look very nice and quite useable though. I can have a tougher time nailing down the size I need sometimes doing it my way.

[fatfillup]

I had a Snap on magnetic socket holder tray that holds shallow and deep that was cracked on one side.  I attempted to plastic weld it with a small torch and string trimmer line.  Learned that wasn't the way to do it as I scorched the tray but the weld held and since we were discussing storage yesterday, I decided to put it in service at home.  Put my metric 1/4 set in it.  Was using a SK box for it but couldn't close the lid with shallow and deep in it.  I think I will like it

[muddy]

I've beaten the tar out of my HF impact sockets as a FT mechanic the last 8 years. and they barely look used.

[Crispycritter]

I love my harborfrieght impact sockets... I'm gonna give these a try tommorow I bought a set in metric that's my most used stuff if these turn out to be good thing standard will be next .... Tho the 1/4 will go unused all my 1/4 sockets are part of a sk master set

[bonneyman]

Those do look nice. And being HF they're probably reasonably priced.

I've used the metal rails for years, kinda burned out on them. Right now all my sockets are in factory boxes that they come in, or restored boxes that'll take em. But I don't make a living with my sockets like you guys, and I don't have dozens of full sets of em either, so, boxes work for me.

Been mulling around a socket holder system of my own design, a mobile system whose working title is the "socket flower". But haven't gotten it past the sketch phase yet.

[muddy]

Well I read the title wrong......and I didn't read all the posts.... I thought it was about HF SOCKETS!


Anyway I also have the HF socket trays at work. Definitely worth the $.

[BuckHenry]

Well I read the title wrong......and I didn't read all the posts.... I thought it was about HF SOCKETS!

Come on, Muddy! It's a brand new forum. This is a new begining, and you have a great opportunity to step up your game. Don't muck it up right out of the gate.

And whatever you do, DON'T post that pic of you in the Aussie shorts!!!!
 

[BuckHenry]

I'm with J.A.F.E. on the socket trays. I like the idea, but my boxes are just too small for them. I use rails.

Reading this has made wonder what is special about the Hansen trays. What would make them worth the extra money to someone? They are both just plastic trays aren't they?

[fatfillup]

The Hansen trays look and feel better and also seem a bit heavier made.

[Lookin4_67GalaxieConv]

I have a few of the Hanson trays.  They're nice, but I do feel they're wayyy overpriced.     

[muddy]

Well I read the title wrong......and I didn't read all the posts.... I thought it was about HF SOCKETS!

Come on, Muddy! It's a brand new forum. This is a new begining, and you have a great opportunity to step up your game. Don't muck it up right out of the gate.

And whatever you do, DON'T post that pic of you in the Aussie shorts!!!!
 

Oh I won't it broke the last forum!!!!

[Elroy]

 

I am too married to the old fashioned metal trays with bail handles like sets of old used to come in. I like being able to pluck out a set and run when need be. I also like that fact that they allow me to cram more stuff in less space taking advantage of every last square inch of drawer acreage I have.

I will say your sets look very nice and quite useable though. I can have a tougher time nailing down the size I need sometimes doing it my way.

 

Recent purchases encouraged Elroy to complete the fabrication work on these stainless steel socket trays. Channel 3 transfers may recall Elroy began this little project back in 2011 with the initial sheet steel fabrication.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/socket-organization.47412/page-4

 It only took Elroy eleven years to complete. That just might be a new procrastination record.

[Elroy]

You'll notice the the larger 1/2 drive trays are void the retention bail. Socket retention is achieved with internal socket rails. As you can plainly see, the sockets don't fall out.

[goodfellow]

I remember the initial build on these things Elroy. They were very well executed and a great design.

[Elroy]

I remember the initial build on these things Elroy. They were very well executed and a great design.

Too bad it took so dam long to finish them up. Guess better late than never.

Elroy likes them 

[fatfillup]

Is that a rivet that holds the handle on, with plastic washers on either side of the handle?

Looks great.

[Elroy]

Is that a rivet that holds the handle on, with plastic washers on either side of the handle?

Looks great.

YES, those are partially set stainless steel "pop rivets" with hard nylon washer to avoid galling. If those rivets were fully set to nail failure ( or "pop" ) the effort to fold  over the bail would be excessive.

[hickory n Steel]

Those look great, I like the idea of adding the rails inside them too.
I expected them to just be retained by that bail like old school socket holders used to be.


As for the Hf socket trays, I do not have them but I do have a set of the hansons.
On paper I do not like them or the general design here because the socket placement is determined by the factory, if your set doesn't have that size you're left with an empty space and for reasons I can no longer remember that was a big problem for me.
They are in the top of my box and working just fine, and my initial complaints have not really come up much or I'd remember exactly what they were.

I still would much rather switch to the ERNST socket boss, especially for 1/4" drive you can have a whole socket set right there with a ratchets extensions...ect if you get those clips that hold them to just grab and go.
I think I will probably get 1 to start with and put together a 1/4" set on it to see how I like them.
They're much more expensive, than even the HANSEN but might be worth it considering the modularity.

[wantedabiggergarage]

I remember looking at them, and between the cost, size issues, etc. they just didn't fit my needs.
The metal socket rails were OK, but I found the clips eventually became loose, bent and didn't hold as well.  Those old trays like Elroy's, didn't have socket rails and fit what came in them.  We used to have a place that had a bunch of them, but they didn't fit what I needed, and I didn't have metal to make any.

Then I found the plastic rails that have been made here and over there.  The USA ones I saw locally, were shorter then the ones at HF and they are only rails.  Kind of like the tool box thing, I would rather spend less on storage, and more on the tools.  The plastic ones tend to lock the sockets better, so I started with them in my portable/vehicle tool box.

[skfarmer]

nice work elroy!

[GreyOwl]

My OCD is kicking in on a couple of Elroy's six point sockets not being clocked like all the rest 

[mdlbldrmatt135]

I wound up buying these:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FMY5V62/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1  But did wind up modifying them, as my OCD got the better of me.  (I cut the ends off where there was considerable socket size overlap based on drive)   I'll take a pic when I get home tonight.

[fatfillup]

My OCD is kicking in on a couple of Elroy's six point sockets not being clocked like all the rest 

I am so glad I am not cursed with OCD.  I am just the opposite with ADD

I am getting a tad of OCD, likely contagious from spending too much time here, but it isn't bad

[hickory n Steel]

I wound up buying these:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FMY5V62/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1  But did wind up modifying them, as my OCD got the better of me.  (I cut the ends off where there was considerable socket size overlap based on drive)   I'll take a pic when I get home tonight.

That reminds me of my biggest problem with the hansen trays.
They go drive end up, so you can only put the sockets in the designated place.
If they were drive end down like the 1 generic 1/4" tray I have you have some flexibility with where sockets can go, you just have the spacing to deal with like every non adjustable socket holder.

[mdlbldrmatt135]

I wound up buying these:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FMY5V62/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1  But did wind up modifying them, as my OCD got the better of me.  (I cut the ends off where there was considerable socket size overlap based on drive)   I'll take a pic when I get home tonight.

That reminds me of my biggest problem with the hansen trays.
They go drive end up, so you can only put the sockets in the designated place.
If they were drive end down like the 1 generic 1/4" tray I have you have some flexibility with where sockets can go, you just have the spacing to deal with like every non adjustable socket holder.

Yep.  I there's a few sockets that don't fil all the way down on them... that's for sure.

[wantedabiggergarage]

My OCD is kicking in on a couple of Elroy's six point sockets not being clocked like all the rest 

I am so glad I am not cursed with OCD.  I am just the opposite with ADD

I am getting a tad of OCD, likely contagious from spending too much time here, but it isn't bad

If you were, you would be writing it as CDO!

[mdlbldrmatt135]

Here's my cut down ones, and the socket that doesn't fit.....

[Elroy]

besides the occasional oddball socket that doesn't fit. Those peg style holders take up too much drawer space. Deep drawers also become a necessity. No thank you.     
Elroy can select the applicable tray, take it to the work site and have all the necessary sockets at his immediate disposal.