Does anyone else HATE socket holder strips/rails?

[SASORacing]

This looks very user friendly and portable. Is it easy to grab and go when loaded? Do have a pic of it loaded in your box? I use HF plastic peg version but they do take up a lot of room.

Yes, they are slightly expensive at around $50 or less depending where/ brand. The great thing about this tray is that the socket require NO FORCE when you put a socket back onto the little clip. Simply turn the socket counter-clockwise 90 degrees and the socket locks, there is a video on Youtube of a guy shaking a this 5 row tray fully loaded for 2 minutes straight and no sockets fell off. 16g red powercoated thick steel, handle works good for carrying it to/ from projects. A lot big too truck companies rebrand these, Matco- Snap-on, Blue point, Mac. Reason is, they know these are good, and they are willing to put thier name on it!

Everytime I post about these trays I feel like i'm potentially doing someone a favor by spreading the word about these high quality socket trays. They are not very popular for some reason, maybe because they are harder to find than most, but they are worth it! I have the 5 row tray and a 3 row 3/8ths tray. They also make tons of other variations and the next one I am looking to get is the 3/8th vertical magnetic rail, pic atttached. It will probably go on my service cart's top lid! When the lid is up the sockets will be up, and when I close it the sockets will be laying flat, unlike most that point straight down and could hit stuff, so this design is great for clearance etc.!

 

[ADSR]

I use magnetic plates to hold my sockets.

any pictures?

 

[azhatchback]

Yes, they are slightly expensive at around $50 or less depending where/ brand. The great thing about this tray is that the socket require NO FORCE when you put a socket back onto the little clip. Simply turn the socket counter-clockwise 90 degrees and the socket locks, there is a video on Youtube of a guy shaking a this 5 row tray fully loaded for 2 minutes straight and no sockets fell off. 16g red powercoated thick steel, handle works good for carrying it to/ from projects. A lot big too truck companies rebrand these, Matco- Snap-on, Blue point, Mac. Reason is, they know these are good, and they are willing to put thier name on it!

Everytime I post about these trays I feel like i'm potentially doing someone a favor by spreading the word about these high quality socket trays. They are not very popular for some reason, maybe because they are harder to find than most, but they are worth it! I have the 5 row tray and a 3 row 3/8ths tray. They also make tons of other variations and the next one I am looking to get is the 3/8th vertical magnetic rail, pic atttached. It will probably go on my service cart's top lid! When the lid is up the sockets will be up, and when I close it the sockets will be laying flat, unlike most that point straight down and could hit stuff, so this design is great for clearance etc.!

That is cool! Thanks for posting these up. I am constantly doing stuff away from home and when I went to peg style junk I lost portability. Looking to get it back!

 

[ATC]

The only socket rails I have are in my tool bag that I keep in my truck, and for junkyard runs.

I do have a nice set of Mac's, but they are unused for now. All my other sockets are on Hansens. I might load them up for driveway use so I don't have to run back into the garage a dozen times.

 

[Nickmm]

I hate CHEAP metal socket rails. Surprisingly, my Snap-on sockets which came on rails (probably 10+ years old) are very nice. I alway organize them numbers out.

As well, I bought a T&e set 10mm to 32mm 1/2dr that is on its own rail. Very nice rail, actually, just a basic metal one with the little clips we all know.

My favorite is the mechanic's time savers, of which i have three. 1 3/8in, 1 1/2in and the master tray. I actually don't like the tray because it just doesn't fit for me.

For ideal in the garage organization I use hansen socket trays for anything that stays in the shop.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

The ones from westling machine; they just kind of "hang" on the round post, the sockets don't snap down per say do they? the posts look round and not square like a socket drive...just wondering.

 

[DodgeMech]

Those metal ones are the worst! But they are cheap and easy to find...

I like the MTSLAST the lock-asocket-trays! They are 16g steel powdercoated, and just all around a great tray!

I have the blue point version...and it's possibly the best thing I've ever bought off a tool truck

 

[n8n]

I use the plastic rails from sears. No issues at all cause they are of course on there by size

Same here. And oddly while the sockets are all Chinese now the plastic rails are made in USA! Only problem is finding the additional pegs for them; my local store is always out of them.

 

[SASORacing]

Yep they work and look really nice! I like how heavy they are too, solid.

That is cool! Thanks for posting these up. I am constantly doing stuff away from home and when I went to peg style junk I lost portability. Looking to get it back!

I have the blue point version...and it's possibly the best thing I've ever bought off a tool truck

 

[TTA579]

This thread makes me sad, I just finished organizing my new toolbox with similar rails and I was pretty happy with myself.

I don't have the money or capacity for the hansen trays though.

 

[GCncsuHD]

I used the metal spring clip rails for years, because they were cheap at the time and it's what I had. They are annoying but were nice to just grab and go and take with you.

Those metal ones are the worst! But they are cheap and easy to find...

I like the MTSLAST the lock-asocket-trays! They are 16g steel powdercoated, and just all around a great tray!

This looks very user friendly and portable. Is it easy to grab and go when loaded? Do have a pic of it loaded in your box? I use HF plastic peg version but they do take up a lot of room.

I have a similar copy of those Matco made by Kobalt/Lowes. They aren't lockable, but do have a spring loaded ball retention system that works pretty good. And they are good to grab and take with you if needed.

Each one has 4 rails and a hinged handle similar to the Matco ones (handle is rotated underneath the trays in the picture).
Untitled by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

 

[Jim C.]

All my sockets are on those rails. I don't particularly care for them either, but they're inexpensive, keep the sockets organized, and they're relatively compact.

Jim C.

 

[Piece-it Pete]

I use the cheap metal rails for space reasons, trying to keep all my socket related stuff in one 19" 3 drawer 'portable' box (portable? Yeah, if you're the incredible freakin' hulk!).

Agreed they're a pain. Someone mentioned numbers all out the same way, that helps a lot. I also take all the clips off, lightly sand the edges, feel for burrs, file them off, another hard quick sanding, then light oil. This makes a huge difference in my experience.

When I finally give in to growing lack of muscle reality I'll probably go with those lastrays, they look awesome.

Pete

 

[arrowhead]

I gave up looking for the perfect solution. Happened to find a vendor at a car show that had 1/2, 3/8 & 1/4 in SAE and metric plastic trays. Bought one of each size and type (6 total) for $24. Not the best solution but better than the mish mash of plastic holders, metal rails, laying loose, etc. But I sure know what sockets I DON'T have now.

 

[abvw]

You shouldn't need to pull the sockets off, just push them sideways and they will pop right off.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

My favorite socket organizers are the metal trays the socket sets came in... Sockets stand straight up and are easy to grab and return to the tray... Very little wasted space in the toolbox..

The cases with a lid are not as handy, but work good in vehicle boxes....

I like the Hansen and Kobalt socket organizers,, I have used the wasted space between the two socket rows to store ratchets and extensions,,,

I was lacking an organizer a couple weeks ago... I lined two rows of sockets on a 1X4, and used an awl to mark the center of each socket on the board, also marked where the row ended and cut the board off.. A handful of finishing nails driven into awl marks and I had a socket organizer for an extra tool set..

 

[Flange]

Socket rails are pretty handy when you need to get underneath a car and figure out which socket you need.

They are not perfect but they are great in this situation.

 

[Nowater]

I love them. I never knew they existed until I found this site. Now my sockets are on rails and hanging on a peg on my pegboard, and I find myself using them more often. Before I hated to get them out because I never knew if all the sockets were there or not and it would take a while to find the right size. Now, it is a pleasure.

That having been said, I am a woodworker and use sockets maybe once a week. Pretty soon I'll be able to make nuts and bolts out of wood.

 

[Joe Cim]

As ABVW said when it comes to the cheap rails just pull the socket to one side and it comes right off every time just fine...
I have looked at organizing my sockets a number of ways... One might even go as far as saying I am one that wants and or needs everything "just so" at times... The layout of my box doesn't let me stand them up nor would I want to... My sockets are divided by drive size giving me a 1/4" drawer, 3/8" drawer and 1/2" drawer... (I also have a drawer set aside for specifically sockets but that's another matter...) In my 3 socket drawers I then divided by standard and metric... In my 3/8 drawer I'm using the lisle plastic magnet trays that hold both deep and shallow... But I don't like how they only come in one size for each of the drive sizes... The cheap rails are ok as long as you don't mind their corks... But it's a love hate with them... But they do save you a ton of both space and money... While on the subject of money let's get real here... You can really rack up some coin just to hold some sockets... 3 drive sizes, standard, metric, deep, shallow, semi deep, swivels, X 3 for impacts... Even if they are $10 each you could still spend hunders on rails... (Compared to about $16)lol... Their just has to be an easier way but with all the different sizes of sets and sockets who knows if it will ever be "perfected"...

As someone else state the rails work great for crawling under the car and grabbing what you need... I know they can be hard to tell sizes sometimes but I can tell/guess just by seeing the open end of the socket if it's the right size...

So I'm all over the place here and it might sound like I'm championing the cheapy rails... Well as I stated it's a love hate thing with them... But I am in the works to upgrading to a better system... If their even is such a thing... I guess to get exactly what I want I have to get a million dollar CNC machine so I can make my perfect rail system... LOL...

(Could someone share the links to show off you ratchets, tool box, ect with me... I can't seem to find them... I'm new to forums... LOL...)

 

[Engine]

Hi Joe Cim,

Scroll to the top of any page on the forum, see the black bar running across just below the "The Garage Journal" logo, and find the "search" button about five positions from the left. Click the down arrow next to it and type "show your _____" in the search dialog box. (Fill in the blank with whatever you want to see.) There will be threads discussing every tool, tool box, ratchet, etc. you could ever want.

 

[neonnblack]

The ones from westling machine; they just kind of "hang" on the round post, the sockets don't snap down per say do they? the posts look round and not square like a socket drive...just wondering.

Yes, they arent very good for being very portable, but they arent really marketed that way either. You can stand them up on end without sockets falling off though, so you can for sure pick one up and set it down with you without worry of them falling.

 

[Joe Cim]

Thanks Engine...

 

[arrowhead]

Here are some before and after the plastic trays. Again, not the best but better than what I had.

 

[Joe Cim]

Arrowhead... I been there before... And as soon as I saw your before pic I went... AHHHHHH!!!!!!

I bet you feel a lot better now and your life is made a lot easier too...

 

[creativecars]

Usually I just grab a few sockets, figure out the one that fits, and then put the rest back.
Sometimes, I just grab the entire tray.

When you learn socket sizes and fastener sizes by sight you wont be so worried about a label to tell you which one is which. They all have their good and bad points.

 

[brass89]

I used socket rails cause they're cheap but they ****. About the only thing I used them for was in the drawers to keep sockets from rolling around. Pick up a set of deep wells and half hang sideways threatening to fall off under their own weight, cheap clips distort or wear out and don't have the grip they once did. But on a budget, it worked. A few dollars for rails vs $30+ for better organizers needed for shorts, deep wells, standard, metric.. it adds up. Money saved on organizers bought me another set. Those locking socket rails/trays are nice but can be a pain finding pieces for at times. The metal trays some sets (like matco and stuff) are sold in are decent options as well. Pretty much anything beats the flimsy metal rails. Don't even think mine had 'handles' or if they did they came off so I just wrapped one end with electrical tape to keep from cutting my hand on the rails edge.

 

[FiendFX]

I love my Westling trays.



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Are they magnetic? If not, are they hard to remove or fall out easily?

 

[Cope]

I like the Lisle magnetic trays best, but rails aren't bad.

They're great IF they fit your socket collection. They work for me in 1/4" & 3/8" SAE, but my 3/8" metric sizes don't fit the tray.

Matco used to sell a kit consisting of a plastic rail with 1/8" holes, and pegs for 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" sockets. The pegs are round, so the socket lift off easily.

 

[bowtiepro3]

It's the best way to get some of them in the drawer! Still like the magnetic mech time savers best when under the hoist!

 

[bowtiepro3]

As with said earlier there's a big difference in the quality of rails and clips. Even from snap on the rails are $2-5 with clips.

 

[454cid]

I don't like the metal rails, but I use them. They're cheap from HF, and they fit my shallow drawers. I'm really bad about putting sockets back on them, Though.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

My favorites are the Mechanics Time Savers socket holders or the metal trays with the folding handle some sets come in, similar to what lilredex posted.

 

[snowpro90]

Are they magnetic? If not, are they hard to remove or fall out easily?

They are not magnetic,but sockets will hold in place if tray is held at a 45 degree angle or if you were to slam your toolbox drawer. Their made of machined billet aluminum and made in the USA. Hard to believe a full set of 6 trays is only 100 dollars.


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[Boiler]

I have Hansen trays plus an Ernst organizer for hex, torx, swivels, and adapters and I love it. Have that setup at home and at work. I do think Hansen would be so much better if they made them more compact. It would be so easy for them to remove 50% of their footprint and not change the pegs.

 

[Zeroek]

I've been buying these trays from cornwell. They range from $8 to $12. I've had the best luck with these metal trays when it comes to taking them home or side work. You can buy them and put any sockets in them. I bought the cornwell sockets that go in them though.

 

[DodgeMech]

this...just this...

from right chere

http://store.snapon.com/Lock-A-Socket-Trays-Tray-Lock-A-Socket-Combination-Drive-Sizes-P647214.aspx

 

[wafrederick]

I do,the clips wear out overtime.I found a cheap solution for the crowfoot wrenches and is cheap.Use 3/8 threaded rod for storing the crowsfoot wrenches using 3/8 nuts.Weld or pin one nut on one side on the threaded rod.The threaded rod is a dollar and some change at most hardware stores.

 

[AndrewV]

Mts, magnetic socket holders.
The best in my mind.

 

[bfm336]

Mts, magnetic socket holders.
The best in my mind.

Awesome, but its hard to beat the $1 rails from HF!

 

[454cid]

Awesome, but its hard to beat the $1 rails from HF!

Yeah, I have them becasue they're cheap, too. I don't really like them, Though. Actually the best storage I've had, is the plastic thing my Craftman 3/8" drive metric deep well sockets came it. It looks dirty, but it does the job.