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Anyone have the Ernst socket trays? Socket Boss

jgromada

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
1,017
Location
Maryland (between DC & Balt)
I figured out I can gain a whole lot of room in my Tool Chest socket drawer if I take the sockets off the carriers that came with them (and sit on their sides) and replace them with socket tray that allows them to sit vertically. This is primarily for my impact sockets.

I looked at a whole bunch of options: Ernst, Olsa, Gearwrench, Westling etc. and sort of settled on the Ernst.

  1. Didn't want a fixed space per socket
  2. Wanted the sockets to be securely attached to rail so the rail can be removed
  3. Want it color coordinated. will buy blue for Metric, red for SAE
  4. Would like labels (nice to have)
  5. Would like to mix and match sizes (1/2 & 3/8) on a rail
  6. Needs to be less than 16" in size

So the Ernst came out on top. Now i just need to figure out if the size of a Deep Well 1/2 drive socket + the Ernst socket boss tray will fit! Anyone have one and could you measure that for me? (from bottom of drawer to top of socket attachment).

thanks

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old_smokey

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Joined
May 16, 2018
Messages
410
Location
Manitoba
I have these and my Mac deep impact sockets and SK chrome deeps don’t clear my drawer. Only for the 1/2”. All my deep 3/8 clear fine


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decableguy2000

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Joined
Nov 4, 2012
Messages
651
Had them, 1/2" impacts cleared the top drawer on a Harbor freight 44", but you will have to get the 13" ones.
 

LXCam

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Apr 23, 2013
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19,094
Location
AZ
I've got a few of them and I want to say you need 4.5". This drawer is 5" deep and everything fits fine.

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wozz

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Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
23
I recently switched to these and couldn't be happier. The only thing is for very large diameter sockets they are not the best because the spacing between the rails. For most sockets this will not be a problem. I did a ton of research and didn't find much good or bad but I would choose these again.

Full disclosure is I am a professional amateur so they are not used daily.
 

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Wyoming09

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Sep 24, 2014
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520
Location
Wyoming, MI
I've been using them for the last several years. Work very well for me. Have them in my home box and the box at the shop.
 

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marantzer

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Joined
Jan 14, 2016
Messages
48
Location
ATL
To add one more data point, my Williams deep 1/2” impact sockets fit in the full width drawer of the original Milwaukee tool chest up to about 23mm on the socket boss with tray. Above that they’re ever so slightly too tall.
 

Max

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Jun 16, 2018
Messages
3,325
Location
Georgia
We don’t know your drawer height or socket size, so we can’t say for you. However, I have three of the 3x19 trays, and the distance from the bottom of the plastic tray to where the socket sits is about .65”. Given we’re talking plastic here, figure .75” max. is added to your socket height.

I am very happy with my Ernst trays. Very dense, and very adjustable with the ability to mix different drive sizes on the same rail. I added a yellow tray for mixed stuff as well but YMMV. I did not find the best prices on Ernst on Amazon, and instead have bought from Summit Racing and Ernst directly.

Max
 

Fluelikesymptoms

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Joined
Apr 19, 2019
Messages
289
Location
Midwest snow belt
I have the Ernst socket rails too. Their great, have a good profile and the lock twist functions well. Sometimes the sockets have a hard time sliding onto the peg and you have to realign them but overall you get used to the twist motion. I ended up getting the hiviz for metric and red for sae. I like the hiviz because I do more mobile work with my tools these days. The hiviz makes it easy to see and tell if theres any missing sockets at the end of your aunt's driveway during the night. The stickers are a plus, wish they would have included another set of metric stickers with each rail, but when you do the sae you can use those metric stickers. That gives you the size on both sides of the rails. The stickersvarent always the best some like to peel up, keep a little bit of superglue nearby and eventually you'll have the "kinks" worked out and you can move on. I haven't owned mine for a really long time yet and dont use my tools everyday since my current job provides tools but so far they have held up good.

The thing I also like about them is the mounting hardware and the tray compatibility. You can keep one in your box and then rivet one to something else or the lid. When the sockets are mounted upside down on a lid the 1/2 will be too heavy and the right side of the rail will pop off the tray or mount. But you can mount all your 1/4 and 3/8 upside down if you wanted. I didnt want to drill holes in my mac box but I have the trays mounted in a pack out box including two of the 3 rail trays on the lid for my 1/4 3/8 and a couple ratchet/extension rails, it saves a lot of mobile space. I can throw that box around and all the sockets stay put even upside down. I did break one of the button/clip ends but that was me trying to modify the tray, I ended up tossing that tray unfortunately. It broke easy only reason I mention it, plus the trays aren't available separately.

If you mount the hardware in a different place, say a work truck box or something, it's super smooth to just grab the rail you need from your box and remount it somewhere else. Then when your done just slide it off and put it back in your box.

The rails that I actually wanted was the VIM rails. I wanted the VIM rails and then make some sheet metal brackets in a couple places for easy mobility and versatility. I got the Ernst socket boss because of price. Dont regret it one bit, you wont either.

They offer some nice wrench holders too, I recommend the 3 rail trays over the 2, unless you really have that little of space. I like being able to keep my 3/8 ratchet on the tray with my 3/8 short and deep. If you have a full set that doesnt skip sizes, you might not have enough room and might consider buying a couple small rails for the sockets left out (I have extensive no skip sets and would have this problem with any brand rail). The Ernst rails are priced fairly, not expensive but will add up in cost at some point.
 
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