Adding Magnets to Socket Rails?

[Handyandy23]

I have all of my sockets on rails, either the aluminum ones with the plastic sliders on them, or the all-plastic 'peg' type with the size markings on each peg. Right now they are in my stationary tool box so they don't necessarily need to be attached to anything to stay in place.

I just picked up a version of the HF 5-drawer tool cart, and I'm planning to move my metric and other most-used sockets over to the tool cart so they are easier to access while working. However I don't want the rails to fall over or move around a lot.

Rather than get too spendy with new magnetized socket rails, I was thinking of buying some magnets and either gluing them onto the bottom of the rails, or sticking the magnets on with two sided foam tape.

Any recommendations on type of magnet, type of adhesive, methods, etc? I'm looking at some neodymium strip magnets on Amazon and thinking about those, but figured I'd see what others have done before I pull the trigger.

 

[KBigg]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SZLKRC/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Magnetic tape!

 

[Handyandy23]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SZLKRC/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Magnetic tape!

Have you used this magnetic tape for a similar purpose? The reviews are pretty mixed on it, and anyone with a positive review seems like they are using it more for arts and crafts than tools.

Not saying the stuff is junk, but I'm just wondering if it's intended purpose is a little more light duty than holding a whole 1/2" impact socket set vertical?

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I like my oldschool craftsman style rails. They are manufactured with a FLAT bottom and I do place magnets in my box and set the rails on them so the sockets stand up. Works really well for me.

 

[Mr_B]

go with neodymium
i salvage them from old platter hdd's, awesome strength and made a few handy hangers in the auto shop from them .

 

[Yarpo]

I'm kinda stuck as well and don't have much advice, just here for answers too. Got like 4 new rails of sockets over the weekend and was reorganizing my box today. My box doesn't get moved much and I love the long single rails I have, but I hate **** falling over, so I was also thinking magnets or just buying the large westling machine aluminum socket holders as something that wide won't tip. I was also thinking of gluing or taping magnets to the trays in the recess if they have one, or making a recess so they still sit flat.

 

[KBigg]

Have you used this magnetic tape for a similar purpose? The reviews are pretty mixed on it, and anyone with a positive review seems like they are using it more for arts and crafts than tools.

Not saying the stuff is junk, but I'm just wondering if it's intended purpose is a little more light duty than holding a whole 1/2" impact socket set vertical?

I do but not with 1/2 impact sockets. I have a Hansen tray for those but my 3/8 impact sockets, and the rest of my sockets are on Tekton rails with that on the bottom. If you slam the drawer they would probably fall but for my application its working well.

If they're just going in the top of the cart it i would say the tape will be fine but you may want something stronger for the weight.

 

[PartsGuy]

I wanted to love the Westling trays, but the spacing takes up too much room for my liking. I bought the 1/2 drive 3 row sets in SAE and metric, but they're just sitting on my bench, and I went back to the Hansen-style pin trays. The rest of my sockets are on Olsa aluminum rails, and the socket density is amazing. Pack 'em in tight, and they keep upright without magnets or adhesive strips.

 

[Yarpo]

I wanted to love the Westling trays, but the spacing takes up too much room for my liking. I bought the 1/2 drive 3 row sets in SAE and metric, but they're just sitting on my bench, and I went back to the Hansen-style pin trays. The rest of my sockets are on Olsa aluminum rails, and the socket density is amazing. Pack 'em in tight, and they keep upright without magnets or adhesive strips.

I'm thinking of just getting one or two, 1/4" and 3/8" simply because they're only one piece, as opposed to the massive space investment that comes with the 1/2" sets as you mentioned. I really like the Olsa rails for density as well, but they seem tipsy so I have them stuffed in the back corner. It works out well because i don't use the stuff on the back two rails often(few times a week) but I'd still like to space everything out more and the only way to do that without tipping the rails (Gearwrench and Olsa ones pictured) would be magnets, so I'm following along. Ideally I'd put everything in hansen trays but they don't play well with swivels, torx, etorx

This for example looks great, but no swivels or specialty stuff pictured other than hex.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Kobalt had magnetic rails. Now discontinued, but I am sure someone eas making them for Kobalt

 

[PartsGuy]

I'm thinking of just getting one or two, 1/4" and 3/8" simply because they're only one piece, as opposed to the massive space investment that comes with the 1/2" sets as you mentioned. I really like the Olsa rails for density as well, but they seem tipsy so I have them stuffed in the back corner. It works out well because i don't use the stuff on the back two rails often(few times a week) but I'd still like to space everything out more and the only way to do that without tipping the rails (Gearwrench and Olsa ones pictured) would be magnets, so I'm following along. Ideally I'd put everything in hansen trays but they don't play well with swivels, torx, etorx

This for example looks great, but no swivels or specialty stuff pictured other than hex.

Have you considered arranging the rails length-wise (in parallel with the ratchets and extensions)? I don't have any issues with tipping when I open drawers, but my box is stationary, so I only have to worry about drawer movement....

 

[PartsGuy]

here's the top drawer, with most of my sockets... I like the Hansens for normal sockets, but all the weird stuff is on the Olsa rails

 

[mc4life27]

nuse CA glue to moun the magnetic s. It's quick easy and strong.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[PartsGuy]

I even railed the extensions! Even though I lost a lot of drawer space, they don't roll around. I will rearrange that someday, if my ratchet collection grows. (I like the 30 tooth classic handle Snappy's, and I'm only missing a few of the 90's era ratchets, so it probably won't grow THAT much...)

 

[ChevyEFI]

https://www.vimtools.com/home.asp
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422661
maybe their magrail stuff suits your goals?

 

[Tallpilot]

here's the top drawer, with most of my sockets... I like the Hansens for normal sockets, but all the weird stuff is on the Olsa rails

I agree and built mine similarly. I did use Westling for 3/8 because I like that it goes to 22mm. I also used Westling for 1/2 but only 2 row. I can go to 32mm if I skip 26, 28, 29 and 31. The Westling Hex and Torx is pretty cool too because it's both 1/4 and 3/8.

The Westling are noticably less dense.

 

[Dad Was A Racer]

Kobalt had magnetic rails. Now discontinued, but I am sure someone eas making them for Kobalt

Those are seriously some of the best socket rails made at any price. I bought all they had when they went on close out.


Sent from my iPad using Garage Journal

 

[buckwheat_la]

Those are seriously some of the best socket rails made at any price. I bought all they had when they went on close out.


Sent from my iPad using Garage Journal

Yeah. I wish I had. I ended finding alluminum rails and glueing rare earth magnets to them.

 

[Ray-CA]

How about using the magnetic strips that Harbor Freight carries? Attach those the drawer bottom and just stick the sockets on them.

Ray

 

[Yarpo]

Have you considered arranging the rails length-wise (in parallel with the ratchets and extensions)? I don't have any issues with tipping when I open drawers, but my box is stationary, so I only have to worry about drawer movement....

I've thought about it, still re-arranging and waiting on a few other things before I decide what I want to do. I had then vertical earlier just testing some things and it seems like it would work, much less tippy that way. I worked outta it this way for a few months now and have tweaked small things here and there and it's been fine.

here's the top drawer, with most of my sockets... I like the Hansens for normal sockets, but all the weird stuff is on the Olsa rails

Man your socket drawer makes me envious I don't need SAE at work so my box looks so bare....might have to add SAE sockets just because.....well because Im a garage journal member! That's why. Your setup is great.

Yeah. I wish I had. I ended finding alluminum rails and glueing rare earth magnets to them.

Think this is the best bet without shelling out more money unfortunately.

 

[Handyandy23]

I agree and built mine similarly. I did use Westling for 3/8 because I like that it goes to 22mm. I also used Westling for 1/2 but only 2 row. I can go to 32mm if I skip 26, 28, 29 and 31. The Westling Hex and Torx is pretty cool too because it's both 1/4 and 3/8.

The Westling are noticably less dense.

I have most of my sockets in those Hansen-style holders right now, how do you find they stay in place when you're moving that HF tool cart around?

I have similar to Racedeck style floor tiles in my garage with a bit of a texture on them, and I'm worried that the vibration / shaking rolling the cart over them will let the socket organizers walk all over the place. But maybe under the weight I'm wrong about that.

 

[Handyandy23]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far! I do currently have a mixture of Hansen-style organizers and the aluminum rails for the more oddball stuff. If I was starting all over at this point I would likely just go with the Olsa rails that come pre-magnetized for everything and call it a day. But at this point I have quite a bit of money sunk into the organizers I have, and would prefer to be able to modify them somehow to work. Thus the magnet idea.

The Hansen-style I don't think will tip over when wheeling the cart around, but as I said in the last post I have garage floor tiles with a textured / raised area that I think might lend itself to having the socket trays shift and move around a lot if not secured down.

Neither the plastic trays nor the aluminum rails are magnetic, obviously, so I'd need something that adheres to those materials and then preferably uses magnets to stick down to the box.

I was also thinking of just screwing all my current socket holders down to a piece of thin plywood cut to the right size. This would be cost effective and ensure they wouldn't move at all. Only downside is it would add a little extra height, and then I'm kind of stuck with all the rails mounted hard to the board and can't take one set out easily (not that I do that often at all anyways).

 

[Mr_B]

Magnets added to base of rails is best way.
I don't do it personally as I lay rails on side as prefer it that way .
Lad who works for me done plastic rails and recessed 3 to 4 magnet along base of rail and glued in with epoxy.
works great, maybe little harder achieve on you alloy rails, my lad bought rails after thinking of idea so was able balance rail requirements to ease of adding magnets .
don't recommend long magnet strip rails as end up with lot of swarf collection and socket start attracting swarf too .


I made magnet mounting hooks for my multimeter and scope module leads, quality magnet holds like crazy and decent epoxy makes neat way bond them .

 

[powertrip]

Kobalt had magnetic rails. Now discontinued, but I am sure someone eas making them for Kobalt

Does anyone have a picture of these Kobalt rails?

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I'm pretty sure they are the ones that look just like all the other plastic rail systems where socket retention is still a anvil with a ball detent. The nifty thing is that there was a magnetic strip on the back to keep it securely attached to the drawer bottom or side of the box.

This is different than something like the VIM magnetic rails. Those have an anvil to space the sockets, but there are two embedded magnetic rails on the top face of the holder that actually secure the sockets in place.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have most of my sockets in those Hansen-style holders right now, how do you find they stay in place when you're moving that HF tool cart around?

I have similar to Racedeck style floor tiles in my garage with a bit of a texture on them, and I'm worried that the vibration / shaking rolling the cart over them will let the socket organizers walk all over the place. But maybe under the weight I'm wrong about that.

I've never had any trouble but my garage floor is just poured concrete and it is pretty smooth. The Westling trays have tall enough pins that they hold pretty well. Everything else is packed in tight enough it can't really move.

 

[clubairth]

After much research I use the Ernst rail system. You can configure them any way you like. Any drive size and socket size next to each other. I never add the labels that just confuses things.

These are nice because the rails can be removed from the trays or you can take the tray and all 3 rails at the same time. Just so flexible and I have never had ALL my sockets so well organized.

Plus blue is metric and red is SAE. They have HD pins for your impact sockets.

.
.
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[Handyandy23]

After much research I use the Ernst rail system. You can configure them any way you like. Any drive size and socket size next to each other. I never add the labels that just confuses things.

These are nice because the rails can be removed from the trays or you can take the tray and all 3 rails at the same time. Just so flexible and I have never had ALL my sockets so well organized.

Plus blue is metric and red is SAE. They have HD pins for your impact sockets.
.

That's a really nice looking setup! I'm assuming those are the 19" trays (versus the smaller 13")?

Do you need HD pins for the impacts? Or are they just more robust so they hold onto the sockets more securely?

How do you find the loaded up trays stay in place in your tool cart? With the size of them they look like they would stay put fairly well.

 

[Rickster]

I was also thinking of just screwing all my current socket holders down to a piece of thin plywood cut to the right size.

I have Hanson trays for most but for the odd-balls I have socket rails pop riveted to a thin metal base plate to hold them upright. The socket rail clips just glide over the raised rivet end. Helps to keep them low profile for shorter drawers.

 

[Yarpo]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far! I do currently have a mixture of Hansen-style organizers and the aluminum rails for the more oddball stuff. If I was starting all over at this point I would likely just go with the Olsa rails that come pre-magnetized for everything and call it a day. But at this point I have quite a bit of money sunk into the organizers I have, and would prefer to be able to modify them somehow to work. Thus the magnet idea.

The Hansen-style I don't think will tip over when wheeling the cart around, but as I said in the last post I have garage floor tiles with a textured / raised area that I think might lend itself to having the socket trays shift and move around a lot if not secured down.

Neither the plastic trays nor the aluminum rails are magnetic, obviously, so I'd need something that adheres to those materials and then preferably uses magnets to stick down to the box.

I was also thinking of just screwing all my current socket holders down to a piece of thin plywood cut to the right size. This would be cost effective and ensure they wouldn't move at all. Only downside is it would add a little extra height, and then I'm kind of stuck with all the rails mounted hard to the board and can't take one set out easily (not that I do that often at all anyways).

Do ya have a good drawer liner in the box? If so they shouldn't shift "much" if at all. I wheel mine around a few times a day and even the single rails stay in place relatively well, but my drawer liner is pretty sticky and there's only a few small/medium sized cracks in the shop. That said I think gluing magnets to each corner of the hansen style holders and a magnet on each end of a longer single rail type holder would be sweet. Plus it looks like tektons rails may even have a little recess underneath where you could glue them?

Does anyone have a picture of these Kobalt rails?

Im pretty sure they're these?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Aluminum-Magnetic-Socket-Rail/3381270

Look pretty nice. For anyone else looking for magnetic aluminam rails, I was in Northern tool today and found some hex bit sets that look pretty nice, and they where on pretty sturdy looking magnetic rails.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200636995_200636995