Hansen Socket Trays Feed my Addiction

[mlittle29]

I bought some of the Hansen trays yesterday and couldn't wait to get home to egress my beloved sockets from their rails and land them in their new trays. Of course i just had to stand those sockets up in my newly acquired KRL7022! The problem is that I am missing many sockets on each end of the tray. This really bothers me so I now have the motivation (as if I needed it) to fill in those missing sockets. I know i will probably never use those sockets, but I just can't stand to see the unfilled posts in the Hansen Trays!

Anyone else have a similar problem?

 

[Seanbev24]

I'm missing a few sizes on the 1/4" drive tray but don't really care. I've actually found myself wishing the 3/8" and 1/2" drive trays had MORE sizes on them.

 

[jjjrmx5]

You both state the reason why I do NOT like nor use the Hansen trays.

Aside form the fact that they are so tall and are quite inefficient as far as useable storage space per footprint size, the main reason I like rails (in both clip and twist lock variety) is that when there is an open clip, I know a socket is missing. Which means I misplaced it or someone has removed it and not returned it.

Basically, it's tool inventory control. Add into the equation the fact of no expandability, which is a big problem if you use tools for a living and have a collection that slowly grows over time and Hansens are lose-lose to me and how I work.

It's a neat idea that lacks expandability and thus is good for those regularly used sockets to be at your fingertips, but seldom fits one's entire collection perfectly.

I wish the peg were removeable for the sizes folks don't have or the trays latched to expand. But really, once you heat stamp size numbers on the pegs, it's a fixed storage system.

I'm glad your happy with them tho.

 

[Sancho]

I'm missing a few sizes on the 1/4" drive tray but don't really care. I've actually found myself wishing the 3/8" and 1/2" drive trays had MORE sizes on them.

Couldn't agree with this more, 5/8 and 15mm in 1/4"?? yet no big/small sizes on 1/2"

I feel 3/8 should run upto 22mm and 1/2 should be somewhere in the 30's

 

[afazz]

Saw off the sizes you won't use. It saves some room in the toolbox, and great for OCD folks like myself (and 99% of you crazies in here) who go nuts over missing sockets. I'm never going to use a 5/8" 1/4" drive socket.

(sorry for the blurry pics)

I have a couple sets on the hansen organizers and they're great for grabbing sockets quickly, but they cannot completely replace regular rails.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

the tips break off

 

[franzdom]

Couldn't agree with this more, 5/8 and 15mm in 1/4"?? yet no big/small sizes on 1/2"

I feel 3/8 should run upto 22mm and 1/2 should be somewhere in the 30's

Their 1/2" goes down to 3/8" & 10mm, both of which are barely justifiable on 1/2" drive.

 

[chilly460]

Yep, same here, I just picked up some 3/8 and 7/16" 1/2 drive sockets just to fill my HF socket trays....doubt I'll ever use them but it was killing me. Same thing on the 3/8" tray, 15/16 and 1" there as well.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Saw off the sizes you won't use.

LOL.
But that totally negates the option that should you acquire the socket that fits that peg, you now have to somehow reattach the peg. Not likely.

For me, if Hansen sold a modular system where the base was a plastic pegboard with holes on a grid and the pegs were seperate plastic or alum. units with threaded holes drilled in the bottom of each and you used a machine screw and a tiny washer to attach each peg from the bottom in your desired configuration , then you have flexibility.

To somehow think as a company you know more about what I have, use and need then I when it comes to aftermarket tool storage, then you are foolish Hansen.

Every tool storage system is often under or over utilized by their nature unless it's a vacuum formed tray that holds a given and defined set of tools, but things like these and the plastic flat Craftsman hole-based socket holder drive me nuts with their dictating what I should have and how I should store and arrange it.

 

[McKay]

I sawed mine off as well.....works great.....Also saw off the ends of the Ernst rails that are not used.....

 

[Sancho]

Their 1/2" goes down to 3/8" & 10mm, both of which are barely justifiable on 1/2" drive.

But but but I have a 9mm 1/2" drive and no peg!

And without those small sizes how can I break bolts off? I agree, the 9mm thing bothers me but it is very small for a 1/2" drive

 

[kxxr]

I keep these photos on my phone to see what I have and what I'm missing (lots). I have a photo for each brand, but these two show what I'm missing with all brands combined.

 

[Rickster]

Slide a piece of vacuum tubing over the posts without sockets. That way you'll know when one you're working with is missing.

 

[Altec]

kxxr- I've been meaning to do that exact thing. I always end up with my eyes glazed over going "Uuhhhhhhh" when I start looking to fill missing pieces...

I love my Hansen, and Kobalt trays. The form factor is perfect for my needs. Although I don't use them for 1/2. I like the VIM444 style trays for that. If Hansen made a large socket tray to go with the normal 1/2 trays, I might consider them. But I'm not hot on the bulk of the 1/2 trays as-is, let alone a bigger one... The VIM style trays are nice because you can have both your chromes, and impacts on one rails, and the layout makes moving it less cumbersome.

Another wish is that Hansen would release there tray, but with three rows. Last one without pegs. So you can keep your wobble-bobble sockets with the rest of them.

Oh, as far as what my Hansen/Kobalt rails are missing... Some aren't really needed, but I'd rather have it, and not need it...

3/8 SAE Kobalt
-15/16" Deep
-1" Deep

3/8 Metric Hansen
-20mm Deep
-20mm Standard

1/4 SAE Kobalt
-5/8" Standard
-5/8" Deep
-9/16" Deep
-3/16" Deep
-5/32" Deep (Don't Care)
-1/8" Deep (Don't Care)
-1/8" Standard (Don't Care)

Haven't picked up a 1/4 metric tray yet...

 

[Buckgnarly]

Or just fill in all the spots!.....Got the elusive 3/8 6pt in 1/2 drive today from McMaster Carr (was a US proto for those keeping score)....just waiting on the 25mm 6pt deep in 1/2 drive for total Hansen **********.......oh well, some people spend money on fancy colored SO stuff, I waste it on sockets I may very well never use.....the 1/4" deep impact in 3/8 drive I have is a perfect example!

 

[CommonRail]

my mac 1/4" drive set will not fit over the damn pegs. I have rarely been as pissed off as when i tried to put the first socket on.

 

[canuckian]

that's the reason I went with Ernst rails. I know myself enough to know that i'd drive my self around the bend looking for sockets to fill the pegs. now if I have blank spots, I just remove the extra clips and all is well in my world!

 

[sporty_drew]

that's the reason I went with Ernst rails. I know myself enough to know that i'd drive my self around the bend looking for sockets to fill the pegs. now if I have blank spots, I just remove the extra clips and all is well in my world!

Do you have pictures of the Ernst rails showing the sockets and labels? I haven't seen a picture where it showed what a full setup looked like with them on.

 

[canuckian]

LOL...I didn't label mine and i have nowhere near a full set. Still building. I did see a big setup with Ernst rails a little while ago though. I think it's in the socket organization thread. I'll see if I can find it.

**edit** this is the one I'm talking about. Don't know if they're labeled though.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87347&highlight=toolbox+organization&page=2

 

[Altec]

Buckgnarly- If you want to get your wobbley off rails, check the Kobalt trays. They use the drive side for holding. If you cut the pegs off, but leave the bases on, you have a perfect tray for them. With the markings being on the tray, it helps spotting too. I'll admit that I always grab the size under what I need when looking on rails. Haha.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Buckgnarly- If you want to get your wobbley off rails, check the Kobalt trays. They use the drive side for holding. If you cut the pegs off, but leave the bases on, you have a perfect tray for them. With the markings being on the tray, it helps spotting too. I'll admit that I always grab the size under what I need when looking on rails. Haha.

****, now you planted the seed.......

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I just can't stand to see the unfilled posts in the Hansen Trays!

Anyone else have a similar problem?

Yes! I'm just getting ready to place an order for the last ones that I need. Usually organizing takes more space. I really like the Hansen trays and they work well for me.

For most light around the house use, I tend to grab my 8" Matco 1/4" ratchet. I can place the ratchet and any extension I might need in the center of the tray to make one small object to take up and down the steps. I also like having the larger socket sizes for the 1/4" and use them fairly often. Some of the SO sets come with these larger sizes.

I'll also put the whole tray or two on my cart when working on a car or larger project. That way I'm more than likely to have the right size and/or depth I need for the job and save trip/s up and down the steps.

Once I have them complete, an empty peg will tell me right away of a missing socket.

About the only way I would like to see them improve on is going to 32MM and 1 1/2" in the 1/2". Even then, when you get to that big of socket they will stay put for the most part. They could thin them down and save a little space by having the smaller deep line up with the larger shallow and run the rows that way.

They won't make everyone happy all of the time, but then again no other produt does either.

 

[Sterff]

I have the hansen trays for 1/2" drive. Also I found all of the odd ball sockets at Ace Hardware because I couldn't stand the open spots. I actually used a 20mm the other day too.

 

[mlittle29]

My sockets are all Craftsman. I learned from my trip to Sears that they I actually own every socket they make....Soooo I can't fill in with Craftsman.

Hansen Trays = Empty pegs = Filling in with Non Matching Sockets! ****, I wish I didn't care!

on another note, I traded in some old unused tools at the pawn shop today for a Snap On TECHANGLE 3/8" Torque Wrench. Pretty cool since it was practically new and I really didn't pay anything for it. Torque Wrenches = 5 and counting....wait I think i am done not that I have 5 in my drawer.

 

[fordbroncodave]

Buckgnarly- If you want to get your wobbley off rails, check the Kobalt trays. They use the drive side for holding. If you cut the pegs off, but leave the bases on, you have a perfect tray for them. With the markings being on the tray, it helps spotting too. I'll admit that I always grab the size under what I need when looking on rails. Haha.

prime example why hansen needs to make a tray specifically for swivel sockets and impact swivel sockets.

i also find that the GRIP brand socket trays are nice for chopping up for swivels. they are cheaper in price and when you cut the pegs off the socket size is in the middle of both the sockets.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

My sockets are all Craftsman. I learned from my trip to Sears that they I actually own every socket they make....Soooo I can't fill in with Craftsman.

Hansen Trays = Empty pegs = Filling in with Non Matching Sockets! ****, I wish I didn't care!

If you want the same sockets as the CM and are OK with a different name on them, Armstong's are the same. That's what I'm doing as well as a few Blue Points.

 

[truckwrench1]

i have hansons now and would love to find hansons with a setup on the 1/4 and 3/8 with shallow, mid-length, deep but it is not made so im taking my time and getting creative

 

[scott0]

Do you have pictures of the Ernst rails showing the sockets and labels? I haven't seen a picture where it showed what a full setup looked like with them on.

I love the Ernst rails. i have been using them at work for about a year now with 0 issues.

the 8" rails have 4.5mm - 14mm 1/4 drive

the 13" rails have 8-19mm 3/8 drive with space for about 2 more larger sockets

the 18" rails have 6-24mm 3/8

the 18" rails in the back are 1/2 drive and have 10-25mm on one rail and 26-36mm on the other.

all Snap-on sockets btw

 

[mlittle29]

If you want the same sockets as the CM and are OK with a different name on them, Armstong's are the same. That's what I'm doing as well as a few Blue Points.

Thanks for the advice. I will have to look for some!

 

[sporty_drew]

Thanks for the picture Scott0. I will only be using them for bit sockets and swivel sockets so it looks like I'll be able to see the labels. It'd drive me nuts have the rest of my sockets on them without being able to see the labels. I'm a little OCD.

 

[scott0]

Thanks for the picture Scott0. I will only be using them for bit sockets and swivel sockets so it looks like I'll be able to see the labels. It'd drive me nuts have the rest of my sockets on them without being able to see the labels. I'm a little OCD.

atleast you can see the label when the socket is not there

 

[sporty_drew]

atleast you can see the label when the socket is not there

That's true. I just picked up four tonight from Bomgars for my bit sockets and swivels. You convinced me lol

 

[widerberg]

I bought some of the Hansen trays yesterday and couldn't wait to get home to egress my beloved sockets from their rails and land them in their new trays. Of course i just had to stand those sockets up in my newly acquired KRL7022! The problem is that I am missing many sockets on each end of the tray. This really bothers me so I now have the motivation (as if I needed it) to fill in those missing sockets. I know i will probably never use those sockets, but I just can't stand to see the unfilled posts in the Hansen Trays!

Anyone else have a similar problem?

Exactly the same problem for me I've got Hansen trays for my deep sockets and am missing stuff like 4.5mm and 25mm, and lots more. I've also got a set of Craftsman holders for my standard sockets. Even more stuff missing there, and you get to collect 6pt AND 12pt of the same size!!

 

[Shadowdog500]

Saw off the sizes you won't use. It saves some room in the toolbox, and great for OCD folks like myself (and 99% of you crazies in here) who go nuts over missing sockets. I'm never going to use a 5/8" 1/4" drive socket.

(sorry for the blurry pics)

I have a couple sets on the hansen organizers and they're great for grabbing sockets quickly, but they cannot completely replace regular rails.

Flip those sockets over, they are in upside down!

I also have a bunch missing and am slowly filling the empty holes.

Chris

 

[Wrenchette]

We went back to rails, the Hansens, which I do like a little better, just took up a LOT of room.

Our small Hansen collection (12 total, 3 each drive size range in Red; Blue; Gray and Black) will be going on either Feebay or maybe try eBid.

 

[sporty_drew]

We went back to rails, the Hansens, which I do like a little better, just took up a LOT of room.

Our small Hansen collection (12 total, 3 each drive size range in Red; Blue; Gray and Black) will be going on either Feebay or maybe try eBid.

I'm interested in the 3/8" blue for my impacts. PM me if you want to get rid of it now.

Thanks

 

[Skin]

We went back to rails, the Hansens, which I do like a little better, just took up a LOT of room.

They're not too bad, worth the trade off of organization and seeing every size right away as opposed to stacking rail upon rail in my opinion.

 

[scott0]

That's true. I just picked up four tonight from Bomgars for my bit sockets and swivels. You convinced me lol

pics or it didn't happen

 

[Wrenchette]

I'm interested in the 3/8" blue for my impacts. PM me if you want to get rid of it now.

Thanks

sporty_drew - I'd really like to sell them in one lot, but if we do decide to piece them out, you will be first on the list.

They're not too bad, worth the trade off of organization and seeing every size right away as opposed to stacking rail upon rail in my opinion.

Skin - They really are not bad, but we just don't have the room for a larger toolbox to put them in to keep them. The rails though, are easier to carry to the work area. So, they both have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

[mdbeck1]

We went back to rails, the Hansens, which I do like a little better, just took up a LOT of room.

Our small Hansen collection (12 total, 3 each drive size range in Red; Blue; Gray and Black) will be going on either Feebay or maybe try eBid.

I might be interested in the set. How much do you want? How much do you think shipping to 73069 would be?