A few thoughts on socket rail

[6PTsocket]

I was a big fan of MTS Lok-a-Socket until I discovered that they are not universal. If the detent inside of the socket is too far in, the posts cannot rotate. On a ratchet, if the ball does not line up with the detent, the spring and ball hold the socket. On MTS there is a cam behind the ball and if the ball cannot come out far enough, the cam cannot rotate. A bunch of my sockets will not work. MTS is well aware of thr problem and states:"works with most sockets". If the sockets fit then the rail is fine. My next choice was the Gearwrench rails that do not lock but are well made and the sockets do stay on but no labels. I just saw a video for the Tekton locking post rails and read that they are actually Ernst. My question is, do they have the same alignment fussyness as the MTS rails? Will they lock any socket?

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[Wamsutta]

The GearWrench rails are super nice; I have the 80711 set.

 

[plinker]

https://www.amazon.com/Ernst-Manufacturing-Multi-Drive-Organizer-19-Inch/dp/B00CHJHA7I

Check the Q&A/reviews on amazon, one seller states the sockets need the detent cut out, didnt say anything about them only working with some brands.


I have Gearwrench rails, very nice, they dont like to be dropped/fall off of something though, I've had the side/rear of the rail crack due to it. JB weld can repair it.

Matco, Carlyle and others have a rail where the socket clip is external instead of internal like the Gearwrench, They also work very nicely. Not sure on the compatibility between brands as there are a few different versions.

Both are very fast to use with no twisting anything to remove the socket and retain them well.

 

[xin]

The metal ones from Snap-On have had for years (no problems at all and the sockets don't fall off).

Other ones are like the metal trays (MAC), plastic will dry-rot and crumble apart from heat/cold/chemicals.

 

[kythri]

I'm super happy with my Carlyle rails, and their pricing is great. Using them for what doesn't fit on my socket trays.

I question our resident polymer engineer's expertise on, well, anything.

 

[nelstomlinson]

The metal ones from Snap-On have had for years (no problems at all and the sockets don't fall off).

The metal Snap On socket rails are one of the best values that Snap On sells. Definitely the best ones I've found, and quite reasonably priced. They are still metal socket rails. If you don't like metal socket rails, you probably won't like the Snap On ones either.

 

[6PTsocket]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CHJHA7I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Check the Q&A/reviews on amazon, one seller states the sockets need the detent cut out, didnt say anything about them only working with some brands.


I have Gearwrench rails, very nice, they dont like to be dropped/fall off of something though, I've had the side/rear of the rail crack due to it. JB weld can repair it.

Matco, Carlyle and others have a rail where the socket clip is external instead of internal like the Gearwrench, They also work very nicely. Not sure on the compatibility between brands as there are a few different versions.

Both are very fast to use with no twisting anything to remove the socket and retain them well.

The "inside the rail" posts is one of the things I like about the MTS and the Gearwrench. I guess if nobody had a problem with the Ernst rails, I won't get an answer. I may just stick with Gearwrench but I have never tried them with 1/2" impacts.

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[6PTsocket]

The "inside the rail" posts is one of the things I like about the MTS and the Gearwrench. I guess if nobody had a problem with the Ernst rails, I won't get an answer. I may just stick with Gearwrench but I have never tried them with 1/2" impacts.

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Thanks for the suggestion to check Amazon. The very first review: "good rail but one set if my sockets won't lock on". Same as MTS, great for sockets that don't have the detent too far into the socket. I guess there is no industry standard.

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[65k10]

I've been pretty happy with the plastic Kobalt rails Cripe Distributing sells. Same thing as the plastic Craftsman ones. They hold sockets well, but are easy enough to remove. I wish I could get some longer lengths (I think they might be available, but I haven't checked). If I had a complaint, it's that they tip over easy due to having a narrow base.

I like the rails that Ernst makes since they are stiff, have a wide base, and if you want, you can put clips on both sides. I'm undecided on whether or not I like the twist lock clips. They are very secure, but can sometimes be hard twist the socket off or on. Once in a while I also have troubles indexing the socket on the clip so it drops down. Not a big deal and maybe I'd not have the issue if I get more used to using them. My ideal socket rail would be the Ernst rail with ball detent clips like my Kobalt rails.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Vim Magrail TL in all my drawers.

Ernst plastic twist lock in my truck bags. They are not fussy, and they plain work. (Use them in the off road truck as well.)

 

[davethorik]

I bought a set of Wright 1/2 metric impact sockets that came on 2 rails, blue plastic with back plastic clips that have their own ball detent. Several other mfrs offer this style.
They are nice but possibly better suited to chrome sockets.

Sockets difficult to remove and every so often the ball will come out of the clip and go flying into Narnia when a socket is removed. Amazingly I have found them every time, even in my parents front yard. Been on the lookout for metal replacements.

 

[6PTsocket]

I've been pretty happy with the plastic Kobalt rails Cripe Distributing sells. Same thing as the plastic Craftsman ones. They hold sockets well, but are easy enough to remove. I wish I could get some longer lengths (I think they might be available, but I haven't checked). If I had a complaint, it's that they tip over easy due to having a narrow base.

I like the rails that Ernst makes since they are stiff, have a wide base, and if you want, you can put clips on both sides. I'm undecided on whether or not I like the twist lock clips. They are very secure, but can sometimes be hard twist the socket off or on. Once in a while I also have troubles indexing the socket on the clip so it drops down. Not a big deal and maybe I'd not have the issue if I get more used to using them. My ideal socket rail would be the Ernst rail with ball detent clips like my Kobalt rails.

The Gearwrench rails are fairly ridgid and they have the ball detent posts you prefer. I think the rails that have the posts inside the channel instead of straddling the rail are less prone to breaking off.

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[65k10]

The Gearwrench rails are fairly ridgid and they have the ball detent posts you prefer. I think the rails that have the posts inside the channel instead of straddling the rail are less prone to breaking off.

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Now that you mention it, I do have one of those rails that I got with a mid-length socket set. I never really gave much thought to Gearwrench selling the rail separately. I'll have to look at what lengths Gearwrench sells their rails in and see if it would work for me.

 

[unknownroad]

Thanks for the suggestion to check Amazon. The very first review: "good rail but one set if my sockets won't lock on".

Yeah, I discovered that with my Ernsts this weekend- 95% of my sockets- (mostly Craftsman, S-K, Husky) work fine, but I have a set of Craftsman long-reach hex key sockets that won't latch. Could just be poor quality control on the sockets, though, as they're a newer acquisition.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

The metal ones from Snap-On have had for years (no problems at all and the sockets don't fall off).

Other ones are like the metal trays (MAC), plastic will dry-rot and crumble apart from heat/cold/chemicals.

What is the expiration date on a plastic socket rail? 10 years for me so far no issues. I like the Matco/Craftsman/Wright socket rails. They are a bargain at Epsteins, Craftsman only comes in 13" Matco has 8", 10, 15" and 18" Length options. I believe Epsteins has 8", 10" and 13". I would agree that Snap-on has the best metal socket rail but I would just about use anything other than a metal rail.

 

[bwringer]

I have a crapton of the Ernst locking socket rails in all drive sizes. I absolutely love these things -- if you drop the rail, the sockets stay on instead of exploding off the rail and skittering under everything. If you need to throw some tools in a bucket to go work on something, you can grab the socket rails you might need without worry. Plus, you can mix-and match the clips on the rails as needed, and even put clips on back to back so sockets are hanging off both sides of the rail. A very versatile system.

So far, I've found exactly one (1) socket that wouldn't lock on. Wouldn't worry too much about this.

If you want cheapie socket rails for your seldom-used, giveaway, or oddball stuff, the plastic rails from Harbor Freight are quite good and have a very firm, positive hold with spring-loaded detent balls. Much better than the low price would indicate. They're like four bucks for three rails.

 

[jfull]

Napa swivel sockets don't work with the MTS or Torin or craftsman lock a socket.
I still like them better than the ernst rails. just my opinion.

 

[6PTsocket]

I have a crapton of the Ernst locking socket rails in all drive sizes. I absolutely love these things -- if you drop the rail, the sockets stay on instead of exploding off the rail and skittering under everything. If you need to throw some tools in a bucket to go work on something, you can grab the socket rails you might need without worry. Plus, you can mix-and match the clips on the rails as needed, and even put clips on back to back so sockets are hanging off both sides of the rail. A very versatile system.

So far, I've found exactly one (1) socket that wouldn't lock on. Wouldn't worry too much about this.

If you want cheapie socket rails for your seldom-used, giveaway, or oddball stuff, the plastic rails from Harbor Freight are quite good and have a very firm, positive hold with spring-loaded detent balls. Much better than the low price would indicate. They're like four bucks for three rails.

I have a few HF rails and have had numerous broken posts. You can also get them at Sears for more money. Thr HF rails are good for spares or seldom used sockets.

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[lardy1]

I bought a lot of my socket sets as SK boxed sets. I built a lot of my home mechanic tool collection while I was out working on freighters (I love Circle C). Now that I'm retired and have completed (for the most part) my shop, I'm finding those boxed sets take up way too much room in my tool box drawers. I also added many, many open stock sockets to extend the range of my sets (we won't discuss the "full range" obsession I suffer) plus added a few sets of Tekton deep well metric sockets (retirement budget now) to cover the bases I still had open.

The Tekton sets come with their twist lock rail system. While I find it a bit cheap feeling and have some concerns about them holding up (moving parts), they beat the hell out of the ****** steel/aluminum **** available over the counter.

I'm going to purchase several rails soon. I've read countless threads and customer reviews and all that does is cause me to second guess myself endlessly due to my lack of experience. At about ten bucks a rail, is Tekton a decent option? Now...….I know that asking brand opinions in here is like taking your **** out in the henhouse, but I'm about ready to purchase and am will listen to one more round before I do.

 

[shawhite]

From what I can tell the Tekton rails are just rebranded Ernst. I would just buy directly from them. I have a few Ernst magnetic lock a socket rails. They do their job.

https://www.ernstmfg.com/Socket-Organizers.aspx

 

[lardy1]

I forgot to mention that I don't want my sockets standing on end. I like those peg type but I don't want to burn up deep drawer availability.

 

[Fedwrench]

Although terribly expensive, I love my MAG Rail TLs from VIM.

I don't care for Ernst rails, hansen trays, first generation Gearwrench rails, or the metal spring type rails.

The plastic/nylon rails also made by VIM and branded everything from SK, Wright, MATCO, Craftsman, Koblat and others with black plastic pegs are probably my second favorite. Not the knockoffs found in dollar stores and harbor freight.

I like rails and upright socket storage to minimum space and for quicker socket removal. Everything else takes up too much space.

 

[Lyt]

I have the Ernst rails for my Toptul sockets along with my Sunex impacts. Never had a problem so far, but they do take a couple turns to break in nicely.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I’m all in on the Craftsman plastic rails with the pin detent pegs. I’ve been using them for over 15 years and have only broken one of the plastic rails when I dropped a rail of 1/2” deep impact sockets on a cold night. I have purchased some Astro Pneumatic sets and now Wiha sets that include their own rails. I do like the aluminum rails that came with the AP sets, the jury is still out on the Wiha rails as I haven’t worked with them yet.

 

[MattT]

Although terribly expensive, I love my MAG Rail TLs from VIM.

Even the VIM plastic ones are scary expensive when you count up & realize you need 30+ of them. I got the Kobalt ones from Cripes and that cost north of a $100. Sure I would've preferred color coding and different lengths but that would've cost several hundred more

If Cripe have any left for ~$3 a piece it's a smoking deal on very good quality rails.

Not the knockoffs found in dollar stores and harbor freight.

The knock-offs are a very poor imitation.

 

[RedneckWelder]

The Ernst/Tektons use kind of a round expanding wedge to lock the socket on instead of a ball detent

The Gearwrench rails work very well for the price IMHO

 

[kbeefy]

Although terribly expensive, I love my MAG Rail TLs from VIM.

I also use and love the VIM magrails. I have about 10 of them, I believe.
I haven't found any other options that offer the flexibility and reconfiguration options.

I'm thinking about trying the Ernst for a new home toolbox setup, but they look like they take up quite a bit of space compared to the VIM's that I'm used too.

 

[BroncoAZ]

Here is another thread about the plastic made in USA rails.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=391205&page=2

I’m looking to replace my craftsman rails with the different length and color Wright rails that HJE sells, but it only makes sense if the pegs are identical and will fit.

 

[Fedwrench]

Here is another thread about the plastic made in USA rails.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=391205&page=2

I’m looking to replace my craftsman rails with the different length and color Wright rails that HJE sells, but it only makes sense if the pegs are identical and will fit.

I bought several of the wright rails & bags of pegs from Epstein's a while back and they fit the Craftsman rails just fine.

However, the pegs that come on the aluminum rails from various suppliers are slightly wider at the base.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I bought several of the wright rails & bags of pegs from Epstein's a while back and they fit the Craftsman rails just fine.

However, the pegs that come on the aluminum rails from various suppliers are slightly wider at the base.

Cool, thanks for confirming. I think the red and blue base rails will look better and be easier to decipher than all black, I also have some smaller sets that will go nicely on shorter rails.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Technically not a rail but couple weeks ago I grabbed a pair of these Kobalt trays for I think it was $16 each to organize all my random sockets.

Relevant is that so far they grip every socket I've fit... 90s Cman, Husky, Kobalt etc all work. Easy on easy off ball deten. The pegs can switch around to have different layouts...something I might do once I find & figure out what all I've got.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/kobalt-ste...VR4VaBR19IgOGEAQYASABEgIjafD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[MJK]

VIM Magrail for 1/2", speciality and bits - can be reasonably priced if purchased on clearance.
I use the Ares/Olsen ones from Amazon for 3/8" and 1/4".

 

[BroncoAZ]

Technically not a rail but couple weeks ago I grabbed a pair of these Kobalt trays for I think it was $16 each to organize all my random sockets.

Relevant is that so far they grip every socket I've fit... 90s Cman, Husky, Kobalt etc all work. Easy on easy off ball deten. The pegs can switch around to have different layouts...something I might do once I find & figure out what all I've got.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/kobalt-ste...VR4VaBR19IgOGEAQYASABEgIjafD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

These are cool. FYI, I can confirm that the clips are different from the Craftsman/Wright clips.

 

[richfinn]

I like the old school spring clip type (Snap On version is the best) as long as you dont overload them with too much weight, they are compact and versatile, they did a version with rails riveted to a sheet metal base that I've used for 25 years!!! (The clips are cheap and easily replaceable)

For heavy hub nut sockets and big impact sockets I like the magnetic bars with two lugs

For 1/4" drive sockets and driver bits, the "Mechanics Time Savers" take some beating

 

[BigBoreFan]

This is what I use. I don't need mobility.

http://westlingmachine.com/ToolHolders.html

 

[16again]

This is what I use. I don't need mobility.

http://westlingmachine.com/ToolHolders.html

For when I don’t need to move my sockets I’m a huge fan of Westling Machine socket holders. [emoji1303]



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[16again]

VIM Magrail for 1/2", speciality and bits - can be reasonably priced if purchased on clearance.
I use the Ares/Olsen ones from Amazon for 3/8" and 1/4".

I use the Westling Machine socket holders in my toolbox. When I have to take a few outside in the parking lot, I use the Ares from Amazon. This combo works perfect for my needs. [emoji1303]


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[jgromada]

i have some of the twist lock Ernst rails.

I am moving towards them but in the interim i had bought the HF plastic rails and painted them similar colors to the Ernst rails.

 

[lardy1]

All things considered, I'm going with the Tekton. They and the Ernst seem at least similar if not the same. I don't necessarily think they are the best. Just my best choice for my budget. I appreciate you guys sharing your thoughts.

I can see why you folks like the VIM. Those look very nice and very versatile. Just can't do things on a retirement budget like I used to.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I'm looking at the aluminum Olsa rails. All in I'm looking at $240 for everything I'd need.