The Best Socket Organizers
When you need to unfasten more than one or two nuts or bolts, nothing is better than a socket wrench. Unlike traditional wrenches, a socket wrench completes the same task without repositioning your tool, allowing jobs in tight angles to be completed quickly and efficiently. As you accumulate a larger collection of sockets, however, it will become apparent that these attachments take up loads of space and are not easily stored. Below we've gathered our favorite socket organizers for your review. Whether you're on the go or glued to your garage, our selection of stands has something for everyone.
Olsa Tools Aluminum Socket Organizer
A Sensational Socket System
Olsa Tools’ Aluminium Socket Organizer does not look like your traditional organizing stand and that’s a good thing. All too often, socket organizers are bulky, often require a fair amount of surface area, and don’t come with an array of sizes. Olsa Tools has recognized this and revolutionized the category with a three-pack compatible with half, quarter, and three-eighth inch drivers. If you’re still trying to fill out the 58 total attachment points, don’t fret; these metal strips can be customized to accept as many or as few sockets as your wish. The Aluminum Socket Organizer can also accept impact, deep, and shallow sockets, allowing you to spend less time searching for the right tool and more time tackling the task at hand.
Pros:
- The rails can handle additional clips, including Torx and square bits
- The rubber clips and aluminum frame are built to take a beating
- Spring-loaded ball bearings fully secure socket heads
- This high-quality organizer is made in Canada
Cons:
- It’s somewhat difficult to see the socket size while they’re on the organizer
Olsa Tools Magnetic Socket Organizer
A Home For Your Sockets
Unless you’re a full-time mechanic, the chance of you drowning in an overwhelming volume of socket heads is fairly low. Most DIYers only require a handful of attachments, and Olsa Tools Magnetic Socket Organizer is our top pick for your top sixteen sockets. The socket receptacles are labeled with your choice of imperial or metric measurements and are built out of a strong rubber base. Rubber organizers, unlike many others, are soft enough to prevent scratching metal surfaces but rigid enough to survive countless falls easily. The feature that sets this product above the rest, however, is its namesake magnetic base. Made of ferrite metal, the base is strong enough to be hung upside down at full capacity and still won’t drop a single socket.
Pros:
- The ceramic-based magnet will not harm electronic devices
- Can be purchased individually or in a pack of the three most common socket sizes
- A limited lifetime warranty protects against manufacturer flaws
- Fantastic customer service
Cons:
- Do not fit impact sockets
ARES Magnetic Socket Organizer
The War On Disorder
If your tool tray more closely resembles a miscellaneous bucket than a respectable organizer, the ARES line of products will make productivity your priority. The ARES Magnetic Socket Organizers are a combination of ferrite metal, high impact plastic, and a highly visible finish of your choosing. Like other socket organizers, ARES’s products are available in three standard sizes and can be customized to feature metric or SAE measurements. However, what separates ARES from the pack is their dual-row design, with the top cut specifically reserved for deep sockets and the bottom row for shallow sockets. When you’re in search of a high-quality design that’s guaranteed to fit every accessory size, ARES fails to disappoint.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Storage for driver adapter included
- Outstanding quality for the price
- Verified business ambassador of the ASPCA
Cons:
- The paint is susceptible to chipping
OEMTOOLS 22233 6 Piece Socket Tray Organizer Set
Simple Socket Storage
To put it simply, the OEMTOOLS 6 Piece Set is the absolute full package in socket organizing technology. While some socket organizers shortchange you on size or quality, OEMTOOLS offers a staggering 170 socket anchors, covering quite literally every size on the market. The OEMTOOLS package consists of both SAE and metric-labeled stands, each weighing less than half a pound. And not only are the individual socket sizes easily identified, but the extra tall holders and wide rectangular base will keep your sockets upright and ready to use at a moment’s notice.
Pros:
- The sockets can be removed with ease
- A screw hole on the base allows for mounting on walls or tabletops
- Fits easily in tool chests and cabinets
- Three color schemes available
Cons:
- The stands are not magnetized
Lisle Magnetic Socket Holder
Access Accessories Automatically
Known as an innovator in specialty tools, Lisle is a manufacturer of countless automotive parts and accessories built to get you where you need to go. Given their storied history and expertise in the mechanical world, it’s no surprise that their Magnetic Socket Holder is designed for frequent, practical applications and standing the test of time. Lisle’s socket holder boasts an innovative design that is free of conventional anchor points and wasted space. Instead, this magnetic strip has 28 half-pipe cutouts where the individual sockets sit, allowing you to instantly pull out your choice.
Pros:
- Holds both metric and imperial sockets up to 1 inch or 24 millimeters in size
- Possesses a convenient handle for effortless transport
- The organizer will accept almost all socket manufacturers
- Can fit shallow and deep sockets
Cons:
- No measurement labels included
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of sockets wrenches are there, and what are they used for?
Socket wrenches are used to tighten and remove fasteners, making them invaluable tools with countless applications. In general, a socket wrench does the same job as a traditional wrench but with extra features. Sockets can be mounted to various bases, including torque wrenches, breaker bars, and pass-through sockets. Torque wrenches can be set to specific levels of rotating force, preventing breaks or overtightening. Breaker bars, on the other hand, are used exclusively for removed overtightened fasteners. The breaker bar is much longer than the standard wrench and does not have a ratchet mechanism, allowing you to get maximum leverage without damaging the component to which it was fastened. Lastly, a pass-through socket is a wrench meant for securing nuts onto threaded screws that are much longer than the actual socket.
What is a ratchet?
A ratchet refers to the mechanical components which make a socket wrench work. A ratchet consists of a base, gear, and pawl. The gear’s movement is restricted to one direction by the pawl, and both components are mounted to the base. When the wrench is turned in a counterclockwise direction, the socket stays in place because the pawl catches on the first gear tooth it encounters. While there will be some ‘backlash’ when turning the wrench backward, your ability to quickly fasten without having to reset the head each time makes up for this tiny setback.
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