Kobalt Socket Tray Set - New Stubby Versions

ihateminimumwage · Nov 4, 2012

I've held out on buying Hansen trays since they cost so damn much, and want nothing to do with the HF 'tombstone' trays. I've never been a fan of the Hansen upside-down socket setup anyway, especially with so many modern sockets having the size etched into the side.

Was curious about the Kobalt trays, since they were the same style as the the Hansens, but with the size printed on the the tray instead of the little rod sticking out of the socket. I've just put off buying any of them because I've survived just fine with my metal rails all these years, but figured I could give something new a chance for the sale price.

Saw the listing for $15 dollars for the 3 piece set on a thread here. They were a newer 'stubby' setup where the rod doesn't go all the way up. Finally bit the bullet and bought a set of metric and a set of SAE. They may be made in China, but I have to say; Worth every damn penny.

With this setup, your sockets have the open end up top, so the rods have no need to go all the way though. Sockets hold solid on the base, and barely move when the tray is shaken around. The tray feels extremely solid for plastic, and maximizes space well (especially vs my Snap-On magnetic tray).

Now the negative; As with all trays, the sizes either don't encompass what you own (my 3/8 drive metric alone goes up to 22mm), or throw randoms at you that you'll never use (4.5mm and 1/4 drive 5/8... really?!). That's honestly my only complaint so far (well, that and the whole made in China thing).

Very happy with how they hold my Williams sockets (USA Std & Taiwan deep)

I'll update how they hold up over time, but with the lifetime warranty, I'm not too concerned. I think I'll buy another couple of sets so I have one for 6pt and one for 12pt. I'd recommend these all the way. :thumbup:

battlegraduate09 · Nov 4, 2012

They hold up great. The kobalt is all i have ever used. Except the metric 1/2" drive i got off the matco truck. I like the kobalt ALOT better for the reason you listed. Size is on the tray itself and the bottom part doesnt get bigger as the size goes up. I like my sockets to sit where i can see the part that fits on the bolt go bigger instead of the same size square all the way across. Just my preference though

JASTECH · Nov 5, 2012

That is my dislike about the Ernst too, I am use to the business end being up, this helps when you bring a bolt/nut over for size you can just check the fit. Maybe a wild hair will get me to make wooden socket holders. Plus that will get that 5 yr old child home sooner possibly?

ATC · Nov 5, 2012

I made the mistake of buying the ones at HF a while back. Not because of quality, but because they require you to set the socket over the rod, then you have to spin the socket so it slides over the square base. I glanced at the Kobalt ones last week, and also noticed that they make you put the socket on drive-side down. IMO, that takes too much time, and looks bad in the drawer. I love the tall Hansen style where you drop the socket on hex-side first. Faster clean up, easier to grab the socket and throw it on the ratchet, and it looks better IMO.

I still can't bring myself to pay $12-13 a piece for the Hansens though. Gotta find them on sale...

unslow1 · Nov 5, 2012

ATC said:
I made the mistake of buying the ones at HF a while back. Not because of quality, but because they require you to set the socket over the rod, then you have to spin the socket so it slides over the square base. I glanced at the Kobalt ones last week, and also noticed that they make you put the socket on drive-side down. IMO, that takes too much time, and looks bad in the drawer. I love the tall Hansen style where you drop the socket on hex-side first. Faster clean up, easier to grab the socket and throw it on the ratchet, and it looks better IMO.

I still can't bring myself to pay $12-13 a piece for the Hansens though. Gotta find them on sale...

Try to find them on sale at Menard's or Sears. I have all three styles mentioned. I much prefer the Hansen's. I just wish someone made them in 3/4. If you get one of the Home Depot or Lowe's coupons see if you can use it at Menard's.

dankicksass · Nov 5, 2012

The sizes aren't as easy to read on those as on Hansen or even HF trays. Price doesn't meet or beat HF even with shipping. I'm no HF fan by any means, but I love their socket trays.

bcradio · Nov 5, 2012

dankicksass said:
The sizes aren't as easy to read on those as on Hansen or even HF trays. Price doesn't meet or beat HF even with shipping. I'm no HF fan by any means, but I love their socket trays.

I'm with you on this... its absolutely silly to be anti-HF just because they are HF. If they make the best bang for your buck product then I'm there.

Kevin54 · Nov 5, 2012

FYI....TSC stores sell ones almost identical to them. I was looking at them the other day in the cheap tool bin that is normally by the checkout. They had quite a few but I didn't get any.

Chadwilliam1 · Nov 5, 2012

ihateminimumwage said:
Now the negative; As with all trays, the sizes either don't encompass what you own (my 3/8 drive metric alone goes up to 22mm), or throw randoms at you that you'll never use (4.5mm and 1/4 drive 5/8... really?!). That's honestly my only complaint so far (well, that and the whole made in China thing).

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172826

I was with you, I originally was angry that my Hansen had spots for sockets that I probably would never use. now that i have all the spots filled I am glad they had the spots.

one thing I like about the Hansen trays is the black and grey color scheme. I know grey is metric and black sae. I cant seem to remember the red and blue.

SnowHill11 · Nov 5, 2012

unslow1 said:
Try to find them on sale at Menard's or Sears. I have all three styles mentioned. I much prefer the Hansen's. I just wish someone made them in 3/4. If you get one of the Home Depot or Lowe's coupons see if you can use it at Menard's.

Check out the thread on the one's I built for 3/4" drive, I have an extra set of metrics I'd sell you, and could make SAE if you wanted.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159909

ihateminimumwage · Nov 5, 2012

JASTECH said:
That is my dislike about the Ernst too, I am use to the business end being up, this helps when you bring a bolt/nut over for size you can just check the fit.

This is my preference too, for this same reason. After so many years of having sockets on metal rails, I recognize my sockets' size from looking at the drive more often then what's stamped on them.

ATC said:
I made the mistake of buying the ones at HF a while back. Not because of quality, but because they require you to set the socket over the rod, then you have to spin the socket so it slides over the square base. I glanced at the Kobalt ones last week, and also noticed that they make you put the socket on drive-side down.

These luckily don't have a square base. That would be a deal killer for me, the trouble of lining them up wouldn't be any better than my homemade metal rail trays.

dankicksass said:
The sizes aren't as easy to read on those as on Hansen or even HF trays. Price doesn't meet or beat HF even with shipping. I'm no HF fan by any means, but I love their socket trays.

I have no problems reading the numbers. Pretty clearly stamped on the front. :dunno:

Ksullivan · Nov 5, 2012

I would keep an eye out for those socket trays around black friday, I used to work at lowe's and we would put all the black friday merchandise in the center aisles. I go to lowe's anywhere between 2-4 times a week so I peek at the stuff in the center aisles, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if these trays go on sale on bf for $9.99 =)

ihateminimumwage · Nov 5, 2012

Dammit. Just ordered some fillers for what I'm missing in the trays. 1/4 drive 4.5mm shallow/deep & 15mm shallow/deep. Had to go through Snap-On since they don't have them available as Williams USA.

Now just a 20mm deep Blue Point when the Snap-On truck comes around. It never ends. :lol:

unslow1 · Nov 6, 2012

SnowHill11 said:
Check out the thread on the one's I built for 3/4" drive, I have an extra set of metrics I'd sell you, and could make SAE if you wanted.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159909

I showed your pics to a friend of mine that does a lot of woodworking. He wants to make them now. I don't have any metric 3/4 stuff. Thanks for the offer.

alpinewhite · Nov 6, 2012

I have these Kobalt ones. $14.97 for each set of 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2". They are great!!!

dankicksass · Nov 7, 2012

Kevin54 said:
FYI....TSC stores sell ones almost identical to them. I was looking at them the other day in the cheap tool bin that is normally by the checkout. They had quite a few but I didn't get any.

The TSC store I was at today only has SAE trays. They're red, they look nice, and the price is decent but doesn't beat HF either.

ihateminimumwage said:
I have no problems reading the numbers. Pretty clearly stamped on the front.

I couldn't read the Kobalt trays when they were butted up against each other. Other brands put the numbers elsewhere, makes it easier.

SnowHill11 · Nov 8, 2012

unslow1 said:
I showed your pics to a friend of mine that does a lot of woodworking. He wants to make them now. I don't have any metric 3/4 stuff. Thanks for the offer.

Be sure to post pics when he gets them done, I'll take imitation as the highest form of flattery : )

cheechi · Nov 8, 2012

I had them and returned them. The HF ones are better, easier to see the sizes especially if you aren't looking straight on.

ihateminimumwage · Nov 9, 2012

dankicksass said:
I couldn't read the Kobalt trays when they were butted up against each other. Other brands put the numbers elsewhere, makes it easier.

Ahh, makes sense. I could see that being an issue, especially using them in a top box or somewhere you aren't looking down at them.

Skin · Nov 9, 2012

ihateminimumwage said:
I've held out on buying Hansen trays since they cost so damn much

Probably because they pay their American workers more than minimum wage to manufacture them here.

oh the irony.

cheechi · Nov 9, 2012

Skin said:
Probably because they pay their American workers more than minimum wage to manufacture them here.

I've seen the injection molding process firsthand in an American factory and there is nearly no manpower required for as simple a part as this. They can charge more, so they do, otherwise the Kobalt & HF ones would cost the same.

alpinewhite · Nov 15, 2012

What do you guys do with sockets that belong in the slot next to where the rack ends? I'm tempted to build "extension pegs", attach them to a base, and adhere it to the end of the rack.

(in my head thinking "How would Jack do this?"). LMAO

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