New Kobalt socket trays

fr0mastaj · Jun 29, 2011

Has anyone else seen these popping up at their Lowes? They dont seem to be fully up on the site yet, but place holders are there for them:

http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogD...y&langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&N=0

They look very similar to the hansens, but was in a rush so was only able to snap this quick pic. The price seems right!

marcusicp · Jun 29, 2011

Do they skip any sizes? What are the ranges they hold?

Altec · Jun 29, 2011

Saw them before. Didn't look hard just made a mental note... I'll see if I can get some pictures Friday.

Sancho · Jun 29, 2011

They looked like a hybrid between hansens and HF. The lettering was on the bottom but they have the faced pegs like hansens and the round bases as well.

sporty_drew · Jun 29, 2011

I'm not sure how I feel about the numbers down on the side and not on the pegs. Prices seem on par with the online hansen prices.

transamfan · Jun 29, 2011

the round bases are all the same size unlike the hansen, I think they are the drive size. at least you dont have to turn to fit it on a square peg. I like the hansens sizing cause if you drop sockets in the wrong spots they will stand out.
the numbers on the front edge is useless when 2 trays are sitting next to each other.

csmitty · Jun 30, 2011

And most of the ones I saw in store all had broken pegs. Could be due to shipping not getting ironed out yet but doesn't instill alot of confidence. I think I prefer the Hansens over the HF, other than the really small ones on the 1/4 that will never get used most likely. The HF take up less space on the 1/4

Altec · Jun 30, 2011

Got to Lowes earlier then I thought. Was able to snap some photos, and picked up a 1/4 SAE one to hold my new Blue Points. I'll steal my Dad's Hansen tray, and do a comparison when I can.

First impressions are nice. I like them better then the HF. All but the last two posts will hold the sockets drive side up if that is how you prefer.

Pictures for all!

And some more rails, because I'm a nice guy...

What I got. Fits my 1/4 Blue Points fine...

Label. Like to see that warranty...

fr0mastaj · Jun 30, 2011

Wow, Kobalt is going all out with socket storage accessories... Glad to see there are some more options out there now. I was actually thinking they would downsizing their socket, etc selection since clearancing all the USA line.

Altec · Jun 30, 2011

I'm having a chubby over them, so far. Miles ahead of HF, and on par with the Hansen, as far as I can tell. Gotta pick up some more...

Hammer1963 · Jun 30, 2011

I purchased the Magnetic rail for some 1/2" drive impact deep sockets. They work well. Strong enough to hang them on the inside of a drawer horizontally without falling off. Highly recommended product.

whelenfan · Jun 30, 2011

I'll check out at my local lowes

Rob_17 · Jun 30, 2011

I have the Hansen ones for my 1/2" metric and SAE Snap-On sockets and one for my 3/8" metric set and I like them a lot. The Hansen's are made in the USA and these Kobalt ones are made in Taiwan. Honestly, it doesn't look like there is that much of a price difference between Hansen and Kobalt so I would probably but the Hansen if I had to again.

archirelic · Jun 30, 2011

I'm really liking that one red tray w/the rails attached to it...think I will have to go check it out.

itsvegas · Jul 1, 2011

is it just me or do they look huge? the spacing in between the sides looks really big.

Altec · Jul 1, 2011

itsvegas said:
is it just me or do they look huge? the spacing in between the sides looks really big.

Just you as far as I can tell. I'll get some side-by-side shots tomorrow of them compared to Hansen trays. I'm going to do some more clearance hunting tomorrow, so I'm gonna pick up a couple more trays.

I can fix anything · Jul 1, 2011

Numbers on bottom is a terrible design, and would not work for me.

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kxxr · Jul 1, 2011

I guess 8-10 bucks is about right. For those that have kids or grandkids though, did you ever notice that the packaging (the part you throw away!) that the toys are chained to is more elaborate than those things. And, you need your tool box to separate the toy from the package. Every time I see those "socket holders" I think of that, and it kinda puts me in a bad mood. Now, if someone just sold a set with each socket attached to one of those racks with 14 loops of high grade security wire, then they'd have something. I guess thats why a Transformer thingamajiggy costs $10.99

Altec · Jul 1, 2011

Picked up a 3/8 SAE today. Then I put them next to the Hansen trays.

First things I notice is that the basic dimensions are the same. The posts though on the Kobalt trays are smaller, and the already mentioned square drive holders instead of the 6pt/12pt holders. The smaller posts could be a good thing, or a bad thing. Good in that they seem to flex a little more, and they will hold my old Snap-on's with a small through hole... Bad in that I could see them breaking a little easier... Although the bigger posts on the Hansen rail might be more likely to shear... Hard to say...

The tray itself is the same basic dimension, and thickness. If I put a hand on either end of the tray and torque it, they both seem to have about the same amount of flex.

The marking location is fine with me. With my height (6 foot) in a regular height bottom chest socket drawer I can read either fine. If it was in the top of a top chest I could see it being a little bit of a hassle, but the Hansen ain't much better. :headscrat

All comes down to personal needs. I need larger fonts, and a excuse to get new stuff... :lol_hitti

My Dad's 1/4 Hansen tray on top, and the new Kobalt tray on the bottom.

Bottom.

Top.

My Dad's 3/8 Hansen tray on top, and the new Kobalt tray on the bottom.

earlthegoat2 · Jul 2, 2011

I just picked up some 3/8 SAE and Metric to use at work so we will see if they can withstand that abuse. I use my 3/8s 98% of the time so these will see some use.

PT Doc · Jul 2, 2011

I bought them and them returned them. The posts were too thin for me-if likely break them. The hf work the best for me doing all my sockets are dual marand the ernst won't work since sockets need to be upside done. Pricing of not bad.

woody 73 · Jul 2, 2011

As much as I love those hansen and Kobalt trays they drive me nuts if they are not all filled up; then I start thinking woody you must have lost a socket in whatever you were last working on!

Ok go ahead and laugh but those things will drive me to drinking...

nathan_454 · Jul 3, 2011

I spent close to 300 dollars filling the holes right after i bought my hansen trays (1/4, 3/8, 1/2 metric and standard) and i think ive actually used the sockets i bought a handful of times. BUT now i know when one is missing!

outcast · Aug 27, 2011

Altec. thanx for the comparison pics.

i bought some HF black ones today, have yet to really check em out.
i am new to the socket tray thing. kinda neet stuff = yeah, i am turning into a tool geek :lol_hitti

dankicksass · Sep 9, 2011

Well, I wanted to order these but I can't, no local stock and no warehouse either. Lowes website won't let me have them, guess I'll keep the mess of clip rails a while longer. I've been avoiding Hansen since there's no local dealers for that.

Edit: my local Lowes now carries these, they've had a full reset on Kobalt hand tools in the past two weeks.

outcast · Sep 10, 2011

dankicksass said:
I've been avoiding Hansen since there's no local dealers for that.

my sears has em on the shelf ....

i ordered a 12x12 & 12x6 magnetic plate(?) combo. i am going to try these out for the oddball stuff i have.

New Kobalt socket trays

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