Custom Magnetic Socket Holders - my take. Mechs Time Savers knockoffs

[budget76]

Previously posted asking about sources for magnetic sheet and there was some interest in my project.

I am a huge fan of the Mechanics Time Saver style socket holders. BUT they're not only expensive, but the hole sizing doesn't work for some of my sets.

Kicked around the idea for years to make my own. Finally made the first one.

Materials are 1/2" or 3/4" Corian, some scrap 1/4" lexan, and neodymium bar magnets. Corian works well with woodworking tools, just smells. I had some scrap from a kitchen reno and just spent $60 on enough to make probably 100 holders, for some reason :headscrat

these photos outline my process. All done by hand with table saw/drill press. I would love to have a CNC, you could knock these out crazy fast. it's simple, but time consuming with normal tools.

First step is measure & draw it up in Sketchup.


Next, cut your Corian to size (leave it a little long for flexiblity), mark it up, and drill. Corian will chip so make sure you've got support on the backside


Next, cut your lexan to size. then cut a groove to accept/recess your bar magnets


secure your bar magnets. these had double-sided tape. i used hot glue to fill the gap, you may need to get creative with spacing to catch all the sockets


secure the lexan to the bottom of the corian. i countersunk some short screws. you can see where I ran the pre-drill too far in one corner :o


round the edges on the belt sander and here's the finished project. holds the sockets more secure than the MTS holders, and holds strong to the side of the toolbox if desired.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Don't see any pics, but it seems like a neat project.

 

[Tech Tim]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

 

[PAToyota]

I've got access to a CNC mill and have been thinking about something like this. Maybe this will get me moving...

 

[budget76]

have been playing some more, got most of my sockets organized how I want now. I picked up WAY more 3/4" white material than I'll ever use for like $40 from FB market. Low on 1/2" green from my own kitchen reno since most of it is the work tables in my woodshop.

An idea of the shavings. Corian makes a lot of shavings with spade bits.


1/2" SK Deep, 1/2" SK shallow, and 1/2" Harbor Freight Impacts


HF Allen Set SAE, HF Allen Set Metric, Craftsman 3/8 SAE Swivels. notice the one upside-down socket. I made the hole too small, had to pull it apart and make another 1/16" larger


46" HF Drawer, mostly complete. At least 1 more to make to replace the Kobalt deep in the right rear, it's 1 short of holding the full HF 1/2 deep metric set. Need to find space in another drawer for the breaker & clickers.


bonus Corian use - 1/2" Corian was almost perfect thickness for 0 clearance on my Dewalt table saw. Used a couple small pieces of foil tape to get it flush.