Plastic socket rails

ChevyZ71 · Nov 21, 2015

I'm looking for a good place to buy some good quality plastic socket rails. Ones like the tekton, gearwrench or carlyle ones, NOT the HF plastic rails, I tried them and absolutely hate them. I'm looking for a decent price on them, as I wanna use them to store all my sockets at work. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

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hancock1701 · Nov 21, 2015

If you don't need the twist lock feature, Craftsman ones are a lot more sturdier than HF plastic ones. When you have sockets on the rail and pick one end up, it doesn't flex like HF.

blarf · Nov 21, 2015

As far as I can tell, the Craftsman ones are made by VIM and even the studs are about 30% cheaper. I love em.

Code:

41829 - grey "metric"
41849 - black
41846 - 1/4" stud 5 pk
41847 - 3/8" stud 5 pk
41848 - 1/2" stud 5 pk

Fedwrench · Nov 21, 2015

The best place to get them is from epsteins. They're branded wright, you can get different lengths in red or blue for sae/mm. Three drive sizes. :thumbup:

RedneckWelder · Nov 21, 2015

Ernst makes twistlock ones that are pretty good quality. Even have a couple different holder systems to hold them, either a black plastic tray or a couple of brackets.

http://www.ernstmfg.com/

I've brought mine off of Amazon.

theoldwizard1 · Nov 21, 2015

I have the Craftsman plastic rail. They look identical to the Wright rails at Epstein's except for color.

plinker · Nov 21, 2015

I have the Gearwrench and some Carlyle, both are nice.

Wamsutta · Nov 21, 2015

The GearWrench rails are very nice, but they're pricey.

lilxtra · Nov 21, 2015

Just bough $50 worth of the Carlyle's today! Bought one, tried it out and liked it so did most of my sockets. I liked the idea of having something local ( NAPA only a mile and half away ) If I need replacements or rails

FOCUS.FREAK · Nov 21, 2015

i had the craftsman plastic rails at one point. They are great. its a plus that you can buy additional clips for like 2.99

Kensgarage · Nov 21, 2015

CALL the guys at JB tool sales and see if they'll cut a deal on the Gearwrench.
I bought 1/4 SML 3/8SML 1/2SL, + 12 for the impacts both blue and red.Some with sockets, some bare.28 or so pieces. Trident seems to carry GW too. I think they discount GJ victi...I mean members.

I tried several types and gave them all away after buying some sets of Gearwrench medium sockets and swivel sets from them, with the rails. Then came the rest for all the other sockets I already had on various crappy rails.

lilcraigford · Nov 21, 2015

This is a repost of my reply to an older thread with additional information.

-

Someone already mentioned Harry J Epstein Co. VIM Tools is the parent MFG of this style of rail and can be found under:

Armstrong - Blue & Red Rails (10" or 15"); Extra Stud PN: 16-844 (1/4" x15), 16-846 (3/8" x15), 16-848 (1/2" x15)

Craftsman - Black & Grey Rails (14"); Extra Stud PN: 9-41846 (1/4" x5), 9-41847 (3/8" x5), 9-41848 (1/2" x5)

Wright - Blue & Red Rails (8", 10" or 13"); Extra Stud PN: W2 (1/4" x1), W3 (3/8" x1), W4 (1/2" x1)

Matco - Blue & Red Rails (7.5", 10.5" or 15"); Extra Stud PN: STD2518 (1/4" x25), STD2512 (3/8" x25), STD2516 (1/2" x25)

SK - Green "Suregrip" Rails; I have only seen these included in socket sets.

VIM - Red (14"); Extra Stud PN: V520S (1/4" x5), V521S (3/8" x5), V522S (1/2" x5)
Note: Add "BG" to the part number (ex: V520SBG) for a quantity of 100.

Note: Rail lengths are those stated by each mfg on their website.

The rails and clips sold by McMaster Carr are also supposed to be from Wright, although they are a little more pricey ($7.00 for a quantity 5). Alternatively Ernst is the parent MFG of Snap On, Tekton, etc rails. I bought several sets of black Craftsman rails and have been pleased so far. I grab a pack of studs here and there when I am near a Sears. If you search eBay for any of the above you should be able to find studs as well.

ChevyZ71 · Nov 22, 2015

Thank you everyone! [emoji106]

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Two Door · Nov 22, 2015

Cripe sells the Kobalt rails at a good price. They are very similar to the ones pictured above, although the clips are not interchangeable, from what I can see in those pics.

67King · Nov 22, 2015

I think the NAPA ones are Carlyle, but I've been very happy with them. 3 lengths, 3 colors, and 3 drive sizes.

shawhite · Nov 22, 2015

Has anyone tried the mechanics time saver lock a socket.

http://www.mechanicstimesavers.com/Non-Skid-Lock-a-Socket.html

Finky198 · Nov 22, 2015

+5 on the craftsman ones I have at least 20 rails have worked flawlessly and can't beat the price especially with a surprise points and coupons

Vvmvbb · Nov 22, 2015

I use the CMans too. They're perfect for me. I cut them to whatever length I want with the Dewalt miter saw - I find I don't really need the stops that prevent pegs from coming off the ends.

Finky198 · Nov 22, 2015

This Exactly ^^^

davethorik · Nov 22, 2015

I have 2 sets of Wright sockets that came with the plastic rail, they are very sturdy. Although if you aren't careful the 1/2 mm impacts want to pull the detent balls out, which is annoying.

JR 42 · Nov 22, 2015

lilcraigford said:
This is a repost of my reply to an older thread with additional information.

-

Someone already mentioned Harry J Epstein Co. VIM Tools is the parent MFG of this style of rail and can be found under:

Armstrong - Blue & Red Rails (10" or 15"); Extra Stud PN: 16-844 (1/4" x15), 16-846 (3/8" x15), 16-848 (1/2" x15)

Craftsman - Black & Grey Rails (14"); Extra Stud PN: 9-41846 (1/4" x5), 9-41847 (3/8" x5), 9-41848 (1/2" x5)

Wright - Blue & Red Rails (8", 10" or 13"); Extra Stud PN: W2 (1/4" x1), W3 (3/8" x1), W4 (1/2" x1)

Matco - Blue & Red Rails (7.5", 10.5" or 15"); Extra Stud PN: STD2518 (1/4" x25), STD2512 (3/8" x25), STD2516 (1/2" x25)

SK - Green "Suregrip" Rails; I have only seen these included in socket sets.

VIM - Red (14"); Extra Stud PN: V520S (1/4" x5), V521S (3/8" x5), V522S (1/2" x5)
Note: Add "BG" to the part number (ex: V520SBG) for a quantity of 100.

Note: Rail lengths are those stated by each mfg on their website.

The rails and clips sold by McMaster Carr are also supposed to be from Wright, although they are a little more pricey ($7.00 for a quantity 5). Alternatively Ernst is the parent MFG of Snap On, Tekton, etc rails. I bought several sets of black Craftsman rails and have been pleased so far. I grab a pack of studs here and there when I am near a Sears. If you search eBay for any of the above you should be able to find studs as well.

Two Door said:
Cripe sells the Kobalt rails at a good price. They are very similar to the ones pictured above, although the clips are not interchangeable, from what I can see in those pics.

Pretty sure the US-made Kobalt rails are functionally identical to all the above. I've got Cripe's Kobalt clips and rails, Wright clips and rails, and Craftsman clips all mixed up and they all work together well enough. Some of the clips fit a little loose on some of the rails - they'll slide around with heavy sockets attached, but they don't come off.

JR

drink · Nov 22, 2015

lilcraigford said:
This is a repost of my reply to an older thread with additional information.

-

Someone already mentioned Harry J Epstein Co. VIM Tools is the parent MFG of this style of rail and can be found under:

Armstrong - Blue & Red Rails (10" or 15"); Extra Stud PN: 16-844 (1/4" x15), 16-846 (3/8" x15), 16-848 (1/2" x15)

Craftsman - Black & Grey Rails (14"); Extra Stud PN: 9-41846 (1/4" x5), 9-41847 (3/8" x5), 9-41848 (1/2" x5)

Wright - Blue & Red Rails (8", 10" or 13"); Extra Stud PN: W2 (1/4" x1), W3 (3/8" x1), W4 (1/2" x1)

Matco - Blue & Red Rails (7.5", 10.5" or 15"); Extra Stud PN: STD2518 (1/4" x25), STD2512 (3/8" x25), STD2516 (1/2" x25)

SK - Green "Suregrip" Rails; I have only seen these included in socket sets.

VIM - Red (14"); Extra Stud PN: V520S (1/4" x5), V521S (3/8" x5), V522S (1/2" x5)
Note: Add "BG" to the part number (ex: V520SBG) for a quantity of 100.

Note: Rail lengths are those stated by each mfg on their website.

The rails and clips sold by McMaster Carr are also supposed to be from Wright, although they are a little more pricey ($7.00 for a quantity 5). Alternatively Ernst is the parent MFG of Snap On, Tekton, etc rails. I bought several sets of black Craftsman rails and have been pleased so far. I grab a pack of studs here and there when I am near a Sears. If you search eBay for any of the above you should be able to find studs as well.

He did a good job of showing some socket rails. These rails are nice and I have some. They are flimsy if you pick them up wrong and the sockets will slide if you do not take up the entire rail with sockets. These have a lifetime warranty. I put both 1/4" & 3/8" drive deep sockets on the Craftsman rails and they fit nicely in the bottom of my 16" Craftsman tool box. The Armstrong versions are available in longer lengths than the Craftsman version. I use the long Armstrong rails in my socket cases to keep them accounted for and to prevent them from going all over the place.

tractordude · Nov 22, 2015

This is the only socket rail you need to buy, I absolutely love mine. The magnet is strong enough to hold a loaded rail to the side of a two post hoist.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014DIK5O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

martin666 · Nov 22, 2015

Have the VIM made rails by almost every name above and like them a lot, but lately I picked up some Ernst socket boss rails with twist lock and really like them. The only ones I've found for 3/4" drive sockets

Finky198 · Nov 22, 2015

I forgot I had pics Its roughly 160 sockets on cut to size craftsman rails

wafrederick · Nov 22, 2015

I have had trouble with a couple 1/2 drive studs,socket was stuck in them.Had to slide it out of the rail and tap it out with a hammer and screwdriver through the socket hole.The ball stuck in place.

ChevyZ71 · Nov 22, 2015

To guys that put impacts on these rails, how well do the sockets stay on for you? Should I go for the twist locks for my impacts? Sometimes I have to throw a few sets of sockets in a bag, and I want them to stay on the rail until I need them.

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wafrederick · Nov 22, 2015

The impact sockets,they hold on very well

stonesfan68 · Nov 22, 2015

I have the Ernst "twist" type and really like them.

Snap-On sells them for about $8 shipped. The rails are all the same width so you can mix and match the clips as needed.

13" with 1/4 clips: ERN8414
13" with 3/8 clips: ERN8415
13" with 1/2 clips: ERN8416

Type in ERN in the Tool Catalog search function to get pricing on several Ernst products including screwdriver trays and drawer organizers. The pricing is hard to beat since it includes free shipping.

Plastic socket rails

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