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Cheapest Source for Ernst 18" Magnetic Socket Rails?

PretendMechanic

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I used to buy them at JB Tools for $12 each and got a $10 discount code and free shipping with enough of a minimum order.

Need a bunch more now.

Can't really find them anywhere that I know of now for less than $19 to $20 each.

Where you guys buying your Ernst rails from nowadays? I specifically need the 18" magnetic ones.
 
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NUTTSGT

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Not socket rails but wrench organizers, I bought Ernst off Amazon. They seemed to have the best price and with Prime, free shipping a day or two out.
 
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PretendMechanic

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Yeah I checked amazon but same $19-$20 range or more for the 18" magnetic socket rails. And most are out of stock too. :S
 

51dueller

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Summit Racing has them for $18.95 and you might be able to find a coupon code. Ernst themselves sell them for $19.95 so I'm not sure about finding them cheaper than that anymore.
 
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PretendMechanic

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Tektons are Ernst (they supply quite a few different companies) but as 51dueller mentioned, they don't got the magnetic version. I'm not picky for color any more at this point, beggars can't be choosers.

Those Olsa rails look tempting, but I'd rather go with the tried and trued good ol' Made in the USA Ernst rails. Been using them for over a decade, have never had a broken clip, loose clip, or socket fall off. I like to buy USA made tools where/when/while we still can.

I don't think the twist lock feature can be beat for rails that get moved around a lot in tool boxes/bags/vehicles. If money were no object and my sockets had the luxury of staying in my main box the only other option I'd consider is VIM.

Plus I'm tied deep into the Ernst system at this point, have plenty of spare clips and rails everywhere and it just works for me.

Summit Racing may be the way to go afterall, do they still do coupon codes? You just reminded me I had some type of discount voucher or something somewhere that came with some parts. Don't think I used it yet but may have expired by now.

Was really hoping to not have to dish out $20 a rail...
 
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PretendMechanic

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Just out of curiosity, which Ernst rails are the ones you run in your shop/setup?

Whoops, sorry for the huge delay, thought the thread died off.

The specific socket rails I use are the "Ernst 18" Magnetic Socket Organizers with Twist Lock Clips".

The magnetic versions have two big (surface area) SUPER powerful nedodynium magnets inserted into the underside of the rail. Nothing in-between the magnet and whatever surface you want to stick it to. Retention is VERY good (perfect), but not too far like the VIM Magrails where customers literally never want to move or carry a socket rail outside their box because they don't want to deal with the annoying level of magnetic retention.

The magnetic version of these Ernst rails allows you to omit the "tray" that the non-magnetic versions clip into in order to stay upright in your box, normally forcing you into fixed spacing between rails (ie wasted space) in your box. Between the length of these rails, the ability to mix and match drive sizes, and the ability to have an individual rail stay upright whereever you choose due to the magnets (even sideways off the wall of a box/drawer) allows you to significantly increase your useable surface area/volume of your box. And if you need to grab a rail or two to go, you easily can, and trust that you won't lose a socket because of their (I assume) patented twist-lock socket retention system.

I like what you guys are doing btw, have some of your products. Keep up the good work! We need more innovation and competition in the affordable higher quality Taiwanese made tool market.


789455084024.MAINMAG.jpg
 
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Olsa Tools

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Whoops, sorry for the huge delay, thought the thread died off.

The specific socket rails I use are the "Ernst 18" Magnetic Socket Organizers with Twist Lock Clips".

The magnetic versions have two big (surface area) SUPER powerful nedodynium magnets inserted into the underside of the rail. Nothing in-between the magnet and whatever surface you want to stick it to. Retention is VERY good (perfect), but not too far like the VIM Magrails where customers literally never want to move or carry a socket rail outside their box because they don't want to deal with the annoying level of magnetic retention.

The magnetic version of these Ernst rails allows you to omit the "tray" that the non-magnetic versions clip into in order to stay upright in your box, normally forcing you into fixed spacing between rails (ie wasted space) in your box. Between the length of these rails, the ability to mix and match drive sizes, and the ability to have an individual rail stay upright whereever you choose due to the magnets (even sideways off the wall of a box/drawer) allows you to significantly increase your useable surface area/volume of your box. And if you need to grab a rail or two to go, you easily can, and trust that you won't lose a socket because of their (I assume) patented twist-lock socket retention system.

I like what you guys are doing btw, have some of your products. Keep up the good work! We need more innovation and competition in the affordable higher quality Taiwanese made tool market.


Thanks for the super detailed write-up, seriously. That’s way more info than I was expecting, and I appreciate it. The Ernst rails actually sound pretty good. That VIM Magrail comparison alone is super helpful too.

I also didn’t realize the magnetic version let you skip the whole tray setup and reclaim all that wasted space in the box.

Anyway, appreciate you taking the time to write all that out. And thanks for the kind words too; means a lot!
 

pbon

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I have 18 Olsa rails that are not magnetic that stand up fine in my tool drawer and fit tightly next to each other. When I pull a socket off, I do put a finger on the end of the rail to hold it down. If you have a busy shop where you are grabbing sockets as fast as possible, the magnetic rails make sense. IMG_2778.jpeg
 
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