Does anyone else HATE socket holder strips/rails?

[L.Cheapo]

I keep my socket rails to punish myself for all the bad things I've done in my life.

 

[unslow1]

I went to Hansen's and gave all my rails away. I hate those things.

 

[unslow1]

Anybody use this style? I'm not ready to commit without some positive feedback, as they are pricey.


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I looked at those but went with the Hansen's. Anything magnetic scares me. I already have trouble keeping metal filings off the tools.

 

[baseball_lvr]

I made my own for my toolbox with a mortising bit andf 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 square stiock leaving an 1/8" between socket edges.

 

[AndySchlagzeuger]

Ko-Ken magnetic rails have been awesome for me!

Hoping you could elaborate on that a bit? Generally I quite like socket rails. I like Ko-Ken but haven't tried their rails

 

[cliftonbros89]

I've been gradually going to Ernst rails. I have Hanson trays but don't really care for them that much. They're less of a waste of space for my 1/2" drive sockets. But for my 1/4" and 3/8" they just take up too much space. As do my Snap On magnetic trays that the sets come in.

With the Ernst I can save space in my box. I can also grab a set and not have to worry about them falling off the rail. They're a little more expensive. But they have a warranty and they're a huge space saver. So it's worth it to me.

As far my larger 1/2" and 3/4" sockets. They're fine just standing on their own.


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[ryan20021982]

Yes I hate them, I use hansen trays but I am not a mechanic and do not take them on the job ever, I have a separate tool kit to take with me if I need.

I do use these from menards for my extra sockets though
https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/1-2-aluminum-magnetic-socket-rail/p-1444431285372-c-9188.htm?tid=8004853975468487714

One good thing about these is the clips are the same plastic clips that come on the cheap plastic rails and I had a few of them so I stole all the clips off them and added them to these.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I worked with a guy that had some of those lisle holders & would throw the sets he needed for the day on his plastic cart. We used to split jobs & I thought they were pretty decent. Good to grab on the go but I prefer a dedicated service cart with a top socket area I can lock at the end of the day.


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[Rossco]

I have a few rails riveted into my mobile box at work. Seem to be holding up well. The 1/2 stuff still floats around in there if I hit a punch out or the terrain is rather sketchy.

At home I don't bother with rails / holder / magnets. I use Tool control Foam.

 

[wafrederick]

I like the rails Matco,SK,Craftsman and Gearwrench use,the socket stays on better.The 1/2 drive Matco sae deepwell impact socket set I have,replaced the stud twice holding the 9/16 in.Sticks and I have to pry it out with a screwdriver

 

[Know Wosad]

Gearwrench. Its the only ones I have been semi-tolerant of.

 

[Al Borland]

Anybody use this style? I'm not ready to commit without some positive feedback, as they are pricey.


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Those are magnetic? If so, they are great in a toolbag. I have seen cheap ones like that without magnets, those ****.

 

[lazer50]

Hopefully my days of socket rails are long retired.i still have some in one of my shop desks but i have my 56inch bottom box with the full top drawer completely full of socket trays nice and neat 1/2 on the left to 1/4 on the right then specialty trays in front section of drawer.

 

[lbhsbz]

Does anyone know if these are still available anywhere? Craftsman used to make them...bought these about 16 years ago, and while they take up a bit more space than I'd like, things are easy to find/pull/replace. I've been looking but can't find them anywhere.

 

[carbon]

Whoa, those look stout. Is the mechanism made of metal?

 

[ilovevocs]

^ plastic. I used to have a set about 15 years ago. Got replaced by Hansens.

They worked ok, but wouldn't go back to them.


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[carbon]

^ plastic. I used to have a set about 15 years ago. Got replaced by Hansens.

They worked ok, but wouldn't go back to them.

 

[Dusten]

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

I have an old version of that I use for my 3/8" shallow sockets

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Finally got pictures, but recently swapped out from the Hansen style 3/8" Kobalt socket trays to the Ernst "Socket Boss" rails that lock into a tray. Could not be happier, can grab a couple of sockets if working near my box, or can grab a whole rail when working in the field.

 

[Duster346]

 

[HolyGrail]

Photobucket date expired.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Just loaded up on some more Ernst rails. They're tough to beat. I eliminated some of the Hanson trays, and 4 of the magnetic trays the Snap On sockets come in.


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[j p smith]

Folks,
I'm in the final stages of preparation for manufacturing of a socket holder system that will solve ALL of the problems brought up in this thread, and a few that you don't even know you have. I will most likely have it available for sale before Christmas (my goal).

Tentatively named "SockeTamer", I might change the name before release. I'll keep you up to date and start a new thread about it once the final designs go into manufacturing.

Was there a follow up on this?

 

[Derek420]

I don't mind the small metal ones like that for my tool bag but the bigger ones in the pic **** they won't fit in my bag very well and in my portable tool box.. As for my home box I got way to many sockets for any socket holder I'm in dire need of a bigger box as it is. I have more sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers than I could use in a lifetime for just one guy maybe even 5 people.. The wrestling machine ones look awesome but I'd need 100 of them lol. I just stand mine on end drive end down so I can see size and just organize them by drive size. I got so many that they can't fall over or move they are crammed.

 

[tubamonster]

I hate MOST of them. I use them at work because that's the only way we have to organize them. The management hates it when we spend money on tools. Maybe I'll make a better organizer out of wood when I get a chance. The most used sockets aren't on rails though, they are in a blow molded case.

For my personal stuff, I have rails that came with the sets. The plastic ones are okay as the socket is usually retained well and not too difficult to get on/off. I plan to make organizers, but I rarely work out of my toolbox at home so it isn't an issue.

The only reason I'd get them is for a portable tool box. And at that, I'll only get the plastic ones.

I got some Ernst rails with my SK metric set, and they are nice. I don't trust them for durability though as some of the clips were broken during shipping. I still would prefer a quicker way to access my sockets though.

 

[niferous]

Does anyone have a socket tray or socket rail that can hold 1/2" drive deep sockets over 1-1/4" in size?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Does anyone have a socket tray or socket rail that can hold 1/2" drive deep sockets over 1-1/4" in size?

Ernst offers locking socket rails in both 1/2" drive and 3/4" drive, and will easily hold deep sockets over 1-1/4".

 

[niferous]

Ernst offers locking socket rails in both 1/2" drive and 3/4" drive, and will easily hold deep sockets over 1-1/4".

I'll take a look, thanks. I think my 1/2" drive stuff goes up to 2-1/16" and 36mm.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I'll take a look, thanks. I think my 1/2" drive stuff goes up to 2-1/16" and 36mm.

They offer 8", 13" and 18" locking rails for all sizes. Set your sockets in a row and measure what you'll need. I've had most of my larger sockets (over 1-1/4" & 27mm) loose, but that might change as I have to load up my road box.

 

[brooksdr]

I don't mind metal socket rails with clips. It's just all I ever used and I am use to it. When I am working on something I just grab the rail of sockets and ratchet and am on my way. If you stand them up they take up a lot less room in the drawer than other systems. They do work better once broke in. One of the only things I will say Snap-on sells at a reasonable price.