Description
These socket holders are modeled after the ones found in the Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Drive and Fasten Set #48-32-4408. They can be printed to fit both 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive sockets.
I have made some improvements to the holder. First rather than the socket drive square being able to move freely, it is restricted to the down position and the open (45°) position.
This also makes it much easier to put the socket back on the holder. Second I have given you the option to use the grooves rather than pins.
There are three parts that you need to print: the holder, the drive square, and the pin.
I’ve uploaded zip files containing all the correct STL files to create the holder specified by the file name.
I’ve also included the openSCAD file that allows you to customize every aspect of the holder you need to make it fit your socket set.
Files
Print Settings
Printer: Prusa i3 MK3
Slicer: Cura Slicer
Material: Inland PET-G
Resolution: 0.2mm with a 0.4mm nozzle
Wall Lines/Perimeters: 3
Infill: 10% Gyroid
Notes: Print the pins in a separate print job, I had trouble with the pins detaching when I printed everything together. The stubs and holders are fine to print together.
Instructions
I would recommend printing all parts in PET-G. I haven’t tested printing in PLA, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be strong enough.
Even with PET-G I’m using 3 wall lines/perimeters.
Since the parts that are stressed are pretty small, infill isn’t as important. I used a 10% gyroid infill pattern (with PET-G you should use a non-overlapping pattern).
I’ve created a video to show some tips for assembling the socket holders.
If you want to make the best use of space (like the 1/4″ sockets in the Milwaukee case below), measure each socket and print the size holder that’s an even number larger. For instance if the socket diameter is 12.5mm , print a 14mm holder.
You make be able to go slightly over (i.e. the socket is 14.3mm and the holder is 14mm), because the two sockets on either side probably won’t fill the entire width of the holder, but be careful.
Thank you for a wonderful design, This was exactly what i was looking for!
I do have a question regarding the size change that you refer to in your instructions.
Are you changing the size in the Slicer app, or in a CAD app?
Thanks again,
Phil
I provide an openSCAD file: Milwaukee Socket Holders.scad in the files section (sorry you have to right click to save it for some reason). This is a model that can be loaded into openSCAD and customized using a special interface that allow you to change the values.
I have a short video tutorial here: https://3dprints.electronsmith.com/customizing/
I’ve been saving all my empty bit cases for an unknown future use and this is perfect! Much better toolbag storage solution than socket rails etc. Awesome as usual, thanks Ben!
Is it possible, that you could set this up to 1/2 inch drive sockets?
It’s not on my list of thing to do because 1/2″ deep well sockets are too long (and the swivel part would take up more space anyway), and 1/2″ socket sets include sizes that are going to be too large to fit in the low-profile packout.
Any chance you would want to make an option to print a hinge on each side so that two shallow sockets could fit in one space?
I’ve thought about it and they would have to be really shallow sockets. Maybe 1/4″ drive might work, but I’ve switched to the peg system to hold my sockets: https://3dprints.electronsmith.com/interchangeable-peg-system-for-low-profile-compact-milwaukee-packout/
Yeah I see that now. I just took some measurements and the sockets I thought would fit, end up about 2mm too long to actually fit.
Hi. Just a thought on what I think would be a great insert. Mostly because Milwaukee appears to have done much of the work already, except that they completely screwed up the design.
Milwaukee currently offers a set of three plastic trays for their thin organizer packout, designed to hold both short and deep, metric and SAE, 1/4 and 3/8-inch drive sockets, ratchets, and extensions. These look great, and fit the case perfect, except they are moulded to ONLY fit the Milwaukee deep sockets which have a squared-off back end. After spending 4+ hours with a Dremel grinding the slots for the deep sockets to fit my Craftsman ones, it seems a shame that they don’t make inserts that fit the owners of 90+% of all the other socket owners in the world that have normal cylindrical deep socket.
The Milwaukee part number for their inserts is 48-22-9486T.
The biggest problem is that every brand has a different wall thickness and lengths. So maybe one brand 1/2″ socket, fits where the 1/2″ socket goes, but another brand won’t. Not to mention, different socket sets have collections of different socket sizes — there will always be gaps.
This is really a thing that needs to be customized per set, it’s not easy to make a “universal” tray that fits all brands and sets.
I ran into the same problem along with many who’ve collected craftsman tools as they were the staple for DIY’ers and mechanics for decades as their warranty was excellent and there was always a Sears store nearby. Do you have pics to share how the fit turned out? I’m wondering if there’s a way to use a heat gun to manipulate the sockets to fit..
Hi Jim,
All my sockets fit just fine. I do have a pic, but don’t see a way to add one in this forum. I never thought of using a heat gun (I should have). The ratchets fit with a small mount of grinding around the release button on the back of the ratchet head. The extensions and short sockets all fit as is. I only needed to grind out the back end of the deep sockets slots. This worked out so well for me I actually purchased additional Craftsman sockets to fill out some of the empty locations.
regards,
Ed
Where can I buy the deep socket holders and the bin they fit in, I just want to buy it I dont have a printer.
I don’t sell anything, you could try some of the people on my purchasing page: https://3dprints.electronsmith.com/purchasing/
Rather than buy printed inserts for my sockets, I purchased the Milwaukee inserts for both short and long, imperial and metric, 1/4 and 3/8-inch drive sockets. The 3-piece inserts (Model# 48-22-9486T) are made specific for the Milwaukee sockets (with the squared-off end), but I modified them to fit my Craftsman sockets and ratchets. You can do the mods by either using a Dremel to grind the plastic slightly, or heat the long sockets and press them into the plastic (which slightly melts to fit the rounded end of a standard socket).