Old sockets

[Mud Dog]

As a youngster, just starting out after school and before I could afford decent tools, I bought a cheapie socket set so that I could do all my own vehicle maintenance. Although I now have Stahlville and Gedore stuff, I could never get rid of the old set and in many cases I prefer it because of the hexagonal six sided socket that doesn't damage stubborn nuts / bolts as easily as the multi faceted type. Almost 40 years later, the set is still in use (often by heavy-handed staff) and the only thing that failed recently was the ratchet handle which I replaced.

Even the case has stood up to time, but the plastic insert / separator has seen far better days. I had some time to kill and decided to make a new insert, figuring that 'superwood' was going to be the easiest option. (I had to laminate two 19mm pieces together).

You can see what I mean about the plastic insert having seen better days!

The replacement ratchet handle had a fatter handle and bigger head, I also had an extra ¼" socket and ¼" extension that I wanted to include, so I had to re-configure the original layout - the only way I could get the extra socket to fit was to put them all tightly together and take the line around the back corner, but it works and even though it doesn't look that great, it is after all a tool kit, not a show piece.

Didn't turn out too bad, just have to seal the wood and it should last a good few years longer.

[Vlak vark]

Now it can go another 40 years. great idea with the super wood.

[Toppie4x4]

very neat

[jvt172]

Nice...

[Froll]

Looks very good.

[Thunder02]

You have plenty time on your hands, neat job

[dd6]

Very nicely done!!! Did you router the pockets?

[hansman]

Hello
ten out of ten
Hansman&Vaaltyn

[Mud Dog]

Very nicely done!!! Did you router the pockets?

A combination of router (a lot of free-hand), spade bit drilling and hand chisels.

[JEEPIE]

nice job gapeto

[dustbuster]

what also works well is the hard back foam stuff which and you can cut the shapes out with a Stanley knife

[Hoppy]

I'll send you mine

[Pumba]

I'll send you mine

+1

[Mud Dog]

I'll send you mine

+1

Send them .... no guarantees that you'll get them back though!

[Haboob]

Too much time spent in the workshop and too little time at the COMPUTER doing the old trip reports...

Does look good though and will definitely outlast you...

[Hoppy]

a nice trick to remember; If the tray is still intact, turn it upside down (patch the small holes with some duct tape) and fill it with resin, leave to cure and you have a tray for life.

[Mud Dog]

a nice trick to remember; If the tray is still intact, turn it upside down (patch the small holes with some duct tape) and fill it with resin, leave to cure and you have a tray for life.

I did exactly that to one of my other sets a few years ago, still going strong. Only thing I would have done differently is to fill it right side up with plaster of paris first and wash that out once the resin has cured in the underside - mine distorted slightly with the weight of the resin and one or three pieces are now a little tighter than I would have liked. Otherwise it works like a charm.