Hanson Socket Trays
- Thread starter burnedzr2
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IFMJohn
Well-known member
They are pretty nice. Well loved on this forum. My box is mostly hansen trays although I have 2 of the 1/4" drive westling machine billet alluminum trays and absolutely love them. The westling trays are at the top of my 
/bday/whatever list [emoji14]
/bday/whatever list [emoji14]bad luck
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I have the Hanson trays too. But I saw that someone on this forum recommended the Westling trays, so I ordered a set, a little more money but much nicer. I think they are a better value for the money too.
fordgasm
Well-known member
I agree, plus they are a grip cheaper.
softailgarage
Well-known member
The Hansen trays are what you will find in almost every professional mechanic/tech's box. I love 'em although they're a little pricey for what they are. I have a pair of the Westling trays also, they're nice, look good, but don't hold the socket well. Very easy to knock one or three off the tray.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
agreed. I don't like the sockets upside down anyways. Often I size by eye...but not enough to not use the number system.
I've never looked at the Pittsburgh trays at HF...... please explain how the Chinese ripoff is better than the US made original? Serious question.
from reading the thread it is my understanding that on the Hansen the socket faces down
Thus if your sockets are etched that too is upside down and you can't see the opening for whatever reason to gage size or points
Just what I gathered,
rodsnratfinks
Well-known member
Wow! That is a good deal. It's funny I've been looking for something exactly like that forever. I thought I was going to have to make it, or buy the Hansen trays.They are pretty nice. Well loved on this forum. My box is mostly hansen trays although I have 2 of the 1/4" drive westling machine billet alluminum trays and absolutely love them. The westling trays are at the top of my
rodsnratfinks
Well-known member
Really? There's a video on YouTube showing a drawer full of these being banged around and the sockets barely wiggle.
ninjamunky85
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- Joined
- Jan 22, 2015
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- 63
from reading the thread it is my understanding that on the Hansen the socket faces down
Thus if your sockets are etched that too is upside down and you can't see the opening for whatever reason to gage size or points
Just what I gathered,
Yep, this... I looked at the Hansen socket trays a few weeks ago at Menards. They seem like a decent product but I don't like how you have to store the sockets upside down. At least they are made in the U.S. and the price isn't bad.
I've had the HF ones for a few years now and I like them just fine although they are a little bulky. I cut the tabs off of them to save space in my box. Haven't had any problems with the paint coming off but even if it did it wouldn't be a big deal. If you have your sockets in order then you should know which one is which.
I've never seen the westling ones before. They sure do look sweet, but the price.
If I were to buy some new socket trays now I would probably go with the Ernst ones.
n8n
Well-known member
The one downside to the Hansen or HF trays is that if you have seldom used deep sockets (e.g. SAE or similar) at the back of your drawer and you need to get one, you need to pull the tray forward to get the socket out as it'll catch on the front lip of your toolbox. Can be an issue with a full drawer. You don't have that issue with the Westling ones as the pegs are not full length, you only need to lift the socket a little bit to get it off the peg. Personally I'm more of a rail kind of guy but if I wanted socket trays I'd probably try the Westling ones.
STGFordCrazy04
Well-known member
I like my kobalt trays.
Ernie pepsi
Active member
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- Feb 15, 2015
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- 44
I use the kobalt trays for my impact sockets. I like them and have had no problem with them.
I have owned a few different options and currently use the ernst trays. I love them as you can adjust them to fit your needs and the rails each detatch if you find a need for that. Also come with the labels where most trays I have used come pre printed with labels and I end up having empty spots.
Best part is under 20$ each
Best part is under 20$ each
same thing just black now.
Super Mech
Well-known member
Are HF ones available separately or do you have to buy all 3 sizes?
n8n
Well-known member
I think you have to buy the set, but for the price, give the ones you don't want away, no big deal. They work fine IMHO and I'd buy them over Hansens just because I don't think the Hansens are that much better. I personally prefer the Craftsman/Wright/etc. plastic rails myself and if I were going to buy more racks as I said before I'd get Westling if I wanted to pay more/get something nicer than HF.
I believe that is probably is true because they are the only ones sold on tool trucks.
Most pros don't have a local harbor freight.
I've used both. HF trays are better. Sturdier, hold sockets better, hold sockets right way up, easier to read...
I don't think you can be them individual. But a set of three is cheaper than 1 Hansen tray.
Only way to go from HF trays, is custom or rails setup, which you need to do some customizing with.
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IFMJohn
Well-known member
Really? I have all my 1/4" sockets on Westling trays in my professional box that gets opened probably 20-50 times a day, 5 days a week. They've been in there for 6 months and no sockets have ever come off the trays other than when I pull one off.
Hell, I had those sockets on that tray inside the toolbox while I drove it, in the bed of a pickup, from California to Washington. Got the toolbox out of the bed using a forklift and, when I opened the top drawer, they were still on the trays... I don't know whats up with yours, maybe the larger drive trays have issues? My 1/4" drive trays are perfect.
I recently picked up a set of Professional grade old-*** impact sockets to replace my harbor freight set. When I went to put them on my hansen trays I have to leave the 18mm off the tray because the sockets are too wide.
fury9
Well-known member
^ beat me to it. My only issue with the Hansen trays is I'm having a hard time getting all the impact sockets to fit on the 3/8 rack, Other than that I like them.
Snap-On, MAC and Cornwell stamp their sockets to be read drive side up anyway so it goes hand in hand with those brands. Most of the time you're just reading the size on the top of the peg or you just get use to where certain sizes are anyway.
Eric DC5
Well-known member
I got my Hansen's on sale before Christmas. They have been great so far.
The other nice thing about the harbor freight trays is that they really easy to re-label if you need to add/remove socket sizes - I printed out the new size on some white on black label tape and slapped over the original labels. You almost can't tell the difference.
MrWrencher823
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- Joined
- Jan 24, 2015
- Messages
- 136
i love the hansen trays. I can find sockets most likely blindfolded with them. they are a huge time saver
justme-
Well-known member
I have a mix - SAE on HF trays, Metric 1/4 on old Lowes, metric 3/8 on Hansen. Neither are perfect for me, but Hansen is the best overall. HF trays are tough to read the tabs unless looking head on - they are not in the top drawer so unless I tilt it up it's unreadable. I like the open end up idea but the square peg is a major PITA putting sockets back. Strike three is the old Ford model T thinking - any color you want as long as it's black.
Lowes tray is easy to read with the angled edge having the sizes and open up but the sockets are loose as heck on the pegs (which are round!!, but all too small). Deep ones can fall off when moving the tray, especially when I have them on my service cart and head out into the lot - ie off smooth concrete onto pavement.
Lowes tray is easy to read with the angled edge having the sizes and open up but the sockets are loose as heck on the pegs (which are round!!, but all too small). Deep ones can fall off when moving the tray, especially when I have them on my service cart and head out into the lot - ie off smooth concrete onto pavement.
rodsnratfinks
Well-known member
What about the Westling trays anyone else have any experience?
IFMJohn
Well-known member
See for yourself. I'm not getting anything from reccomending these guys. I just think it's an awesome product from a homegrown company.
In the toolguyD review, he says that the trays are not marked with sizes. You can pay a small fee to have the sizes engraved (I think it's like $5/tray).
RealToolReviews Westling Socket Trays Reviews
and another review from a different source, ToolGuyD
rodsnratfinks
Well-known member
Yeah, I saw those videos. They look great. They address every issue I have with the Hansen trays and all the other styles. I like that they don't come engraved. I don't like being married to a specific positioning, especially since with some of the common sizes I have them doubled up. ...13, 14, 15, 17, etc.
IFMJohn
Well-known member
One thing to note is that every one of those trays (or tray sets in the case of 1/2" drives) actually accommodates 2 sets of sockets. I did not realize that until I went to count the pegs myself.
rodsnratfinks
Well-known member
Perfect.
XxToolAholicxX
Well-known member
They come in a set of three 1/4 3/8 1/2 metric or SAE for around $7.00 after the coupon. Really good price and product.
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