Plastic socket rail dimensions (measured)

[Joey Stalin]

I've been on a mission to organize sockets at work and at home, and have bought a variety from Home Depot (Husky), Wright, VIM, and Napa (Carlyle). I had my sockets all measured and planned out for what rail lengths I needed to buy, only to find out that the advertised lengths don't mean much.

So I measured the ones I have, simply the maximum length between the socket clips, outside to outside. This isn't exactly how many sockets you can fit, because if you put a large socket on the flanged end, it won't fully seat. So this is the conservative number, you may get one or two more sockets on compared to this. Line up your sockets, measure them, and pick the rail that is the next size larger.

Mfg (Advertised length) = Actual length
Wright (8.25") = 7.625"
Carlyle (8") = 7.625"
Wright (11.25") = 10.5"
Husky (no advertised length) = 11.25"
Carlyle (12") = 11.25"
VIM (14") = 13.125"
Craftsman (no advertised length) = 13.125"

Clips:
Wright clips mate to VIM, but not Husky or Carlyle
Carlyle clips mate to Husky, but not Wright/VIM

Which ones are identical? Well they are all slightly different, but the Wright/VIM seem to be nearly identical, and the Carlyle/Husky are similar but different enough for me to suspect they aren't from the same molds.

I will update this when I buy some Craftsman holders. Or if anyone has info on other rails I will add it!

 

[Two Door]

The black plastic Kobalt rail has the same dimensions (and shape) as the Wright advertised as 11.25; actual = 10.5"

By the way, I did an image search to determine what brands correspond to the Wright/Vim and Carlyle/Husky types. Those results are here - http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318234&page=5

 

[lilcraigford]

The Wright and VIM rails aren't just nearly identical, they are identical. VIM is the manufacturer for Wright and several other companies (the same way that Ernst is the OE for Snap On, Mac and others). I got carried away gathering information on the VIM variants; here is the link to a post that I copy and add to from time to time: Plastic socket rails (single post)

Per Two Door's post, I need to add the USA Kobalt rails and investigate Goliath. My linked post includes the advertised lengths; beware Armstrong, Matco and Wright come in multiple lengths. Oh, and I just took out one of my Craftsman rails. The length is 13.875" overall.

 

[Dmar836]

Ernst rails are well made, strong, and are longer than most listed above. Check them out.
JMO,
Dave

 

[Joey Stalin]

The black plastic Kobalt rail has the same dimensions (and shape) as the Wright advertised as 11.25; actual = 10.5"

I've never seen the plastic Kobalt ones, only the aluminum ones (with clips that look like they would fit a plastic rail). A search of Lowes website doesn't show any. Or is this what you are referring to?
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?productId=3381278

The Wright and VIM rails aren't just nearly identical, they are identical. VIM is the manufacturer for Wright and several other companies (the same way that Ernst is the OE for Snap On, Mac and others). I got carried away gathering information on the VIM variants; here is the link to a post that I copy and add to from time to time: Plastic socket rails (single post)

Per Two Door's post, I need to add the USA Kobalt rails and investigate Goliath. My linked post includes the advertised lengths; beware Armstrong, Matco and Wright come in multiple lengths. Oh, and I just took out one of my Craftsman rails. The length is 13.875" overall.

Thanks, that is a good post!

 

[Two Door]

I've never seen the plastic Kobalt ones, only the aluminum ones (with clips that look like they would fit a plastic rail). A search of Lowes website doesn't show any.

I should have said more about that, as you are right, I've never seen them in their store or on the website either. I first ran across them at Cripe Distributing. Rather than post a Cripe Link that may go away, here they are on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-Drive-Socket-Storage-Rail/dp/B0069EHZOK Really just a black version of the VIM ones.

Thanks for the kudos, and the same to you and everyone else trying to document what is what.

 

[four.cycle]

throw these in and see how they measure up:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mechanics-T...717845?hash=item25aa0c3995:g:dNgAAOSwDNdVqVmU

 

[SJR033]

To the OP, the TOTAL (tip to tip) length of the Craftsman rail is 13.875"
But, if I understand the way YOU measured it, the Craftsman rail is 13.125"

To clarify, you measured the usable space on the rail. With 2 clips on the rail spread all the way apart and measured the outside of clip to clip?

 

[lilcraigford]

To the OP, the TOTAL (tip to tip) length of the Craftsman rail is 13.875"
But, if I understand the way YOU measured it, the Craftsman rail is 13.125"

To clarify, you measured the usable space on the rail. With 2 clips on the rail spread all the way apart and measured the outside of clip to clip?

Shoot. I wasn't paying attention when I read the original post: "So I measured the ones I have, simply the maximum length between the socket clips, outside to outside..."

The Craftsman rail I measured didn't have any clips on it. I did state that the measurement was "overall length" in my last post, but its totally worth clarifying. Thanks!

Also, I swear that I saw an advertised length for the Craftsman rails. I have it marked down as 14" but I can't seem to find that information on the Craftsman or Sears websites.

 

[Joey Stalin]

To the OP, the TOTAL (tip to tip) length of the Craftsman rail is 13.875"
But, if I understand the way YOU measured it, the Craftsman rail is 13.125"

To clarify, you measured the usable space on the rail. With 2 clips on the rail spread all the way apart and measured the outside of clip to clip?

Yes that is right. Thanks for the correction!

 

[jt777]

I love my gearwrench rails so much. But really expensive for a non professional.

 

[Joey Stalin]

Sears seems to be having a sale on their Craftsman socket rails. I was at my store today, and the 3 piece black or grey set was 12.99 (usually 18-20 bucks). And I noticed that online, the 3 piece black set is only 8.43. Great price!!

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc-socket-holder/p-00941829000P

 

[CripeDistributing]

I should have said more about that, as you are right, I've never seen them in their store or on the website either. I first ran across them at Cripe Distributing. Rather than post a Cripe Link that may go away, here they are on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-Drive-Socket-Storage-Rail/dp/B0069EHZOK Really just a black version of the VIM ones.

Thanks for the kudos, and the same to you and everyone else trying to document what is what.

For everyone wondering, MHS is Cripe. We sell on Amazon, so you're still technically buying from us