VIM Magrail. The best socket rail, but man are they expensive! Any viable alternative?

[impactims]

~$60 for a 20" rail and ~$30 for an 8" rail. A few sizes in between. That's the general range. Nobody seems to be selling these at a low price point. Everyone online sells them for about the same price.

Rather costly. But they are, or at least seem to be, the undisputed best thing to happen to socket rails. If there is something better or equal I have not discovered it.

I don't see any comparable alternatives, which is strange. There is definitely a market.

Am I missing something?

 

[impactims]

I did see the Cornwell CTGMST5B. Similar, but different concept being rectangular like that.

 

[whateg01]

I really like the workpro rails. The ends come off so I can use a single rail for all of my torx sockets which range from 1/4 to 1/2 drive.

 

[Steve_P]

Most people here love these things, as insanely expensive as they are. I personally hate them as I had a few that I got with VIM bit sockets, got two of them too close together with my finger in between, and BAM! I got a massive pinch and blood blister; the magnets are STRONG. Yes, my fault, but I'll stick with my Ernst. I sold all of the ones that I had to a GJer just by saying in a similar thread that I had some and hated them For sure if you just want to stick them on the side of a box they are the way to go, won't fall off....but FFS don't get your hand between two of them.

 

[Zewnten]

I think magrails are over rated for what they are. if you have a stationary box I'd go with Westing. for something to grab and go I like the locking rails. I think even the detent version Walmart sells is better than magrail for that.

The ones I've had came with various socket sets and I sold them to a coworker that had to have them. Magrails just let the sockets go everywhere with the smallest bump and collected metal burr and debris like nothing else. Doesn't take much to unseat the sockets from the magnets if they move at an angle.

 

[Fedwrench]

VIM offers Jobber packs of magrails that you can find more reasonably priced if you shop around that give, you an assortment of different length rails in red & blue with extra studs.

I think this is a similar tray to the Cornwell pictured above:

OEMTOOLS 22389 Pro Magnetic Socket Tray Rack

OEMTOOLS 22389 Pro Magnetic Socket Tray Rack

mds.gnswebdevel.com

Probably too expensive but OEM Tools offers some magrail tyle wider rails.

OEMTOOLS 22388 8 Piece Professional Anodized Aluminum Socket Tray Set

OEMTOOLS 22388 8 Piece Professional Anodized Aluminum Socket Tray Set

mds.gnswebdevel.com

Unfortunately, I'm addicted to magrails. I feel there is no equal when attaching them to the lid of a cart but, I'm ok with that.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I think magrails are over rated for what they are. if you have a stationary box I'd go with Westing. for something to grab and go I like the locking rails. I think even the detent version Walmart sells is better than magrail for that.

The ones I've had came with various socket sets and I sold them to a coworker that had to have them. Magrails just let the sockets go everywhere with the smallest bump and collected metal burr and debris like nothing else. Doesn't take much to unseat the sockets from the magnets if they move at an angle.

This guy knows whats up!

Honestly if you are not physically carrying your sockets to the job magnetic or locking rails are a waste. I roll a cart and I use Westling!

 

[impactims]

This guy knows whats up!

Honestly if you are not physically carrying your sockets to the job magnetic or locking rails are a waste. I roll a cart and I use Westling!

I looked at Westling and nothing was a good fit.

I currently use an Ernst “twist lock” for my 10mm to 34mm (no skips) 1/2” drive shallow socket set. The Ernst works in the sense that it is a good fit being modular and all, but it’s honestly ****. I hate it. I use several Hansen socket organizers and they are pretty good but unfortunately, like Westling, nothing Hansen makes is a good fit for this set.

It has to be a system where I get to set the quantity of the pegs and the peg spacing. The Ernst is **** and the leaves the VIM Magrail. It would take two 20” Magrails. I could probably use two of the Cornwell organizers but that would not be a good physical fit in the tool box considering the space this needs to fit into. Two 20”Magrails would fit perfectly. Unless I come up with something else, I’m just going to have to eat $150 on the two Magrails and pegs….sigh….

 

[Chipm]

I just got started with Ernst and live them. I use the straight pegs, not the twist locks.

 

[hicktown773]

Any comparable magnetic socket holders that have the sockets labeled, like the Hansen socket rails.

 

[joecon]

What about Toolbox Widgets they are very adaptable? https://toolboxwidget.com/products/3-8-socket-organizers

 

[LWB]

I've used all kinds of different rails and finally caved and got the magrails for my cart. Hold your breath, plug your nose and hit add to cart lol

2 singles and a double. They use very little space and you don't have to wrestle to get them off.