Not specifically RV related but I have a nice Craftsman 100+ piece socket and wrench set in a black plastic carrying case. The two tabs that keep the case closed have broken off. Anybody have any ideas on how to repair the case so that it will stay closed? Right now, I have a strap around it but if it's not tight enough, there is enough movement of the lid to let the sockets come out of their place and then I have a scrambled mess!

maybe metal clasps... no real idea.I own a 175 piece Craftsman set.. case is just fine.. and it was always scrambled ... even when new.. so I never tilt/angle or anything other than lay it flat.. even carrying it.

Use a short bungy cord that will keep it tight. Use a rubber cord not the nylon type

penguin149 wrote:Not specifically RV related but I have a nice Craftsman 100+ piece socket and wrench set in a black plastic carrying case. The two tabs that keep the case closed have broken off. Anybody have any ideas on how to repair the case so that it will stay closed? Right now, I have a strap around it but if it's not tight enough, there is enough movement of the lid to let the sockets come out of their place and then I have a scrambled mess!If you come up with a solution please PM me, I have 1 tab left.

Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.

I use two pieces of nylon webbing about 3/4" wide and sewed velcro on it. I then got a couple of button snaps and screwed them to the case. Used the snap tool to fasten the female side to the ends of the straps. Fasten them together and then use the webbing with velcro to tighten the case together. I have 3 cases done this way.

Tool Storage/Carrier repair | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Huntindog
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
I have a similar situation.. But my plastic box wouldn't keep things in place when it was new. I got a thin piece of foam rubber (about 1" thick) and cut it to fit in between the two halves of the case. Now when the case is closed, all of the sockets are held tightly in place byb the foam. It even took a "set" pretty fast and fits right into place like a glove. It's been working for about 30 years now, I haven't lost a single tool because of this. When finished wrenching, it is easy to look at the box and see what tools were not put away..

Perhaps this, couple with the strap idea may be your "fix".
loggenrock
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016
I dumped everything out of the bulky plastic box into a tool bag - takes up less space... bit more time to find the right socket, tho... ST
mbopp
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
Yes, I used a pair of toggle or closet latches on my old chainsaw case that had broken tabs.
westend
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
Toggle latches are available to renew your case latches.

For folks that get beyond those irritating stock plastic cases there are different organizing and storage solutions. FWIW, for sockets, I use the metal clip on organizers in the different sizes (1/4", 3/8", and 1/2") to keep rows of sockets stored. The rows of sockets are put into a larger toolbox that has all of the other automotive hand tools. In my shop, I have two wheeled bottom/top box combinations, a total of 29 drawers of tools with little space to spare in the drawers. These boxes made my living for a good part of my life.
eDUBz
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
Try giving craftsman a call, never know might get a new one. If not use velcro .
path1
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
Don't know pieces/size of mine but one clasp is broken. I keep an eye out in every junk store we go into. No luck finding "mine" yet but have seen other cases.

I like the plastic box style with little hole for everything. Lots quieter than regular tool box.

I'm not sure you can repair them.
mrgreetis
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
Harbor Freight has some 2 sided velcro on a roll. about $7.00 for 10 feet. I've used it for straps on a number of things.
2-sided: hook on one side, loop on other.
nremtp143
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
I use two pieces of nylon webbing about 3/4" wide and sewed velcro on it. I then got a couple of button snaps and screwed them to the case. Used the snap tool to fasten the female side to the ends of the straps. Fasten them together and then use the webbing with velcro to tighten the case together. I have 3 cases done this way.
BarneyS
Nomad
Feb 10, 2016
Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.
camperforlife
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
penguin149 wrote:
Not specifically RV related but I have a nice Craftsman 100+ piece socket and wrench set in a black plastic carrying case. The two tabs that keep the case closed have broken off. Anybody have any ideas on how to repair the case so that it will stay closed? Right now, I have a strap around it but if it's not tight enough, there is enough movement of the lid to let the sockets come out of their place and then I have a scrambled mess!

If you come up with a solution please PM me, I have 1 tab left.