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Craftsman plastic socket rails?

n8n

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Mar 11, 2014
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Good afternoon

Years ago, I started organizing all my stuff and bought a pile of Craftsman plastic socket rails. Well one of them busted a clip, it was a 1/2" drive deep socket, so understandable.

Question is, since I don't have a neighborhood Sears to pop over to to buy replacements, does anyone know who made these for Craftsman, and can I buy replacement clips? Or should I look into just replacing the whole rail as I have problems with for example Ernst ones and keep the busted ones for parts?

I did recently buy an Ernst rail for my under the desk toolbox at work as they make 8" long ones and it feels sturdier than the Craftsman ones, but then again it should given the price.

thanks!
 
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kbuhagiar

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Dec 27, 2005
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Escondido, CA
Good afternoon

Years ago, I started organizing all my stuff and bought a pile of Craftsman plastic socket rails. Well one of them busted a clip, it was a 1/2" drive deep socket, so understandable.

Question is, since I don't have a neighborhood Sears to pop over to to buy replacements, does anyone know who made these for Craftsman, and can I buy replacement clips? Or should I look into just replacing the whole rail as I have problems with for example Ernst ones and keep the busted ones for parts?

I did recently buy an Ernst rail for my under the desk toolbox at work as they make 8" long ones and it feels sturdier than the Craftsman ones, but then again it should given the price.

thanks!
If you want to stick with the Craftsman parts you may want to check on Ebay, I just went through a similar situation and found what I needed (Cman socket organizing tray) there. Also, some of the tool organizing stuff may still be available at craftsman.com.

 
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retDAC

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Took awhile to find this thread. Please keep in mind this was years ago and particularly notice #26, though best read the whole thread. The ones you want are made in USA. There are some made elsewhere which look the same but they don't swap. I don't know anything about the current Craftsman (Stanley) rails.

Cripe has both its own website as well as an Ebay site. They don't quite have all the same stuff listed on each so if you don't find it on one, check the other.
 
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jayemm

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up high down low

Took awhile to find this thread. Please keep in mind this was years ago and particularly notice #26, though best read the whole thread. The ones you want are made in USA. There are some made elsewhere which look the same but they don't swap. I don't know anything about the current Craftsman (Stanley) rails.

Cripe has both its own website as well as an Ebay site. They don't quite have all the same stuff listed on each so if you don't find it on one, check the other.
You beat me to it about mentioning Cripe Distributing. I got theC'man plastic socket rails awhile back. At the time they were offered in either C'man packaging or bulk at a slightly cheaper price.
 
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n8n

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Curtis Bay, MD

Took awhile to find this thread. Please keep in mind this was years ago and particularly notice #26, though best read the whole thread. The ones you want are made in USA. There are some made elsewhere which look the same but they don't swap. I don't know anything about the current Craftsman (Stanley) rails.

Cripe has both its own website as well as an Ebay site. They don't quite have all the same stuff listed on each so if you don't find it on one, check the other.
Those do look similar although the C'man ones are black and grey. So they're the same as Wright? That's super helpful.
 

retDAC

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Those do look similar although the C'man ones are black and grey. So they're the same as Wright? That's super helpful.
Yes they are (were?) same as Wright. There were some different colors among brands. Sears C'man (NOT Stanley) were only black and gray IIRC. At least one other brand was blue.

Whatever you get, please report back.
 
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A&P mechanic

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FL
Just to provide some input too. I have many of the Ernst twist and lock rails. Over time, the plastic twist and lock wears out and sockets pop off. In my opinion, I believe the socket rails that have a ball and spring will last longer. I have both Craftsman and Ernst. If Ernst made one with a ball and spring, that would be a winner. I do like how the Ernst have notches to keep the sockets from sliding. All the Ernst size stickers fall off over time from use too.
 
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Fedwrench

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Epstein's sells pack of the socket pegs.

if you go to Cripe Distributing, look up Kobalt socket rails. The clips are the same as VIM/Craftsman/Wright.
 

retDAC

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Ohio Andy

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Columbus, Ohio
Good afternoon

Years ago, I started organizing all my stuff and bought a pile of Craftsman plastic socket rails. Well one of them busted a clip, it was a 1/2" drive deep socket, so understandable.

Question is, since I don't have a neighborhood Sears to pop over to to buy replacements, does anyone know who made these for Craftsman, and can I buy replacement clips? Or should I look into just replacing the whole rail as I have problems with for example Ernst ones and keep the busted ones for parts?

I did recently buy an Ernst rail for my under the desk toolbox at work as they make 8" long ones and it feels sturdier than the Craftsman ones, but then again it should given the price.

thanks!
Have not tried Ernst, but they look like the Tekton. Bought a bunch. They worked well but I should have measured first and bought their shorter ones; oops... So now a friend is using them. Nice system.

I ended up using the work pro magnetic as well as greenpro; they fit my space
 
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