Hanson Socket Trays

[z-edition 006]

I also have some Hanson socket trays. Red ones are Hanson, but the black ones are some look alike made in China. I'm very happy with both of them.

All my sockets are standard and deep in 6 point. I still have a few empty pegs to fill.
The sad part is that these are very difficult to find.

 

[cja245]

I also like the Pittsburg tray over the Hansens. I prefer the drive side down set up and the easier to read labeling system. Some of the little pins break off, but it doesn't affect the ability to put a socket on them

 

[hoston23]

i need hanson to make a triple row for 1/4 and 3/8 sockets for those of us that have semi deep sockets

 

[hedgehog]

I use a mix of the hansons, and a Canadian tire nock-off version. Cant remember which i like more. One is flexible and the other i broke one of the upright pegs clean off

 

[z-edition 006]

Here is my Hanson socket trays

 

[crewchief888]

my biggest complaint about any of the hansen type trays is the amount of drawer space they take up.

 

[Wamsutta]

Being able to see the size of the socket before picking it up saves a lot of time. And plus being able to pick the socket up with one hand too. The only drawback is the extra pegs that I don't want to buy sockets for.

 

[Ohmthis]

Being able to see the size of the socket before picking it up saves a lot of time. And plus being able to pick the socket up with one hand too. The only drawback is the extra pegs that I don't want to buy sockets for.

I thought the same at first with the HF trays. I had extra spaces and didn't want to purchase a socket I may never use. Then I had the idea to put universal adapters, small extensions, and other adapters on the missing tabs. That way if I pull out a tray to take to the job it has several of the "extras" I'd grab anyways.

 

[Matt M PA]

When I got my new toolbox last year, I wanted to get rid of the metal clip socket rails. Some sockets fell off...others were tough to remove.

I look at all the usual places, but decided against the trays. For me, too big, too many unused spaces. I wound up with the HF socket rails. They're not industrial strength, but have worked well for me.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

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.

The HF model holds the socket hex-side up, uses a thicker 4-point section to secure the socket instead of the tapered peg like hanson. Plus, I was snapping off hanson pegs left and right, especially in the smaller sizes. I feel the hanson trays are straight junk. I will admit the HF models have more flex along the base-plate when you're picking up say, a loaded 1/2 drive rail. Still, hanson ***** in my book.


I use the HF ones for my rarely used SAE stuff. My 1/4 is westling machine, my main socket trays the VIM trays with the interchangeable metal tabs. Mix and match however you like.

 

[Dubbydoo]

Ive had the westling socket holders for a quite and while and would recommend them everytime

 

[Dubbydoo]

https://scontent-mia1-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1927623_10153868120298833_5410175720326474936_n.jpg?oh=918cb8d17e5eae5c39ff99ba0184246d&oe=59BCD261
https://scontent-mia1-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1010706_10153868120273833_8077537346379711333_n.jpg?oh=997150832b9b6790b63bd8b319678d07&oe=59B5AB3D

 

[z-edition 006]

I got some 1/4" Blue Point in size 5/8" today not a easy find. I will put them in my Hansen 1/4" tray.

 

[1950mercury]

i need hanson to make a triple row for 1/4 and 3/8 sockets for those of us that have semi deep sockets

They make them or at least snap on does

 

[JohnDeere1]

I bout the HF set and they have a lifetime warranty you can't top that with a plastic tray. Couldn't fit 1/2 deeps in my saw drawer as I use the big drawer for Metric and specialty sockets and bit sockets as well as my pry bats and torque wrenches lol also my long snap on screwdrivers everything is crammed 2 deep in my HF 44.

 

[JohnDeere1]

The HF model holds the socket hex-side up, uses a thicker 4-point section to secure the socket instead of the tapered peg like hanson. Plus, I was snapping off hanson pegs left and right, especially in the smaller sizes. I feel the hanson trays are straight junk. I will admit the HF models have more flex along the base-plate when you're picking up say, a loaded 1/2 drive rail. Still, hanson ***** in my book.


I use the HF ones for my rarely used SAE stuff. My 1/4 is westling machine, my main socket trays the VIM trays with the interchangeable metal tabs. Mix and match however you like.

I have snapped some of he pegs off my 3/8 deep as the drawer is shallow and I didn't have the docket on all the way but they have a lifetime warranty he HF workers told me.

 

[PhantomEB]

I love the Hansons, now I know which sockets I need to purchase!

Same thing with the Ernst wrench racks, my tool box will not be complete until every rack and tray is full.

I need to see if there's something for basic screwdrivers!

 

[SK-Mike]

I store my sockets right side up on my Hanson trays, never an issue.

 

[Tallpilot]

I use Hansen for chrome and Westling for impact. They do take up a little more real estate but having a little room in between sockets makes them easier to pick up. The Westling solve the problem of impacts not fitting on Hansen. I also have a few less impact sockets because I did not buy rarely used sizes to fill in the pegs.

 

[Tallpilot]

A mix of both

 

[Qualitytools]

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.

I like the way you have those organized, and I can see myself using this system. Are they Tekton trays or Ernst? Very nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[pl_silverado]

Another vote for Ernst here. I'm slowly ditching everything else and going to them.

 

[Tallpilot]

Another vote for Ernst here. I'm slowly ditching everything else and going to them.

You don't find having to twist or pull them off to be slow? I have always considered not needing to do that to be the biggest advantage to Hansen or Westling.

 

[pl_silverado]

You don't find having to twist or pull them off to be slow? I have always considered not needing to do that to be the biggest advantage to Hansen or Westling.

To be honest the only ones that get twisted to the lock position are in the service truck. The ones in the tool box and tool cart are just sitting there. Rarely do I ever need to take the whole rail with me. Once you get used to the twist lock its intuitive and doesn't really seem to be any slower.

I'll take an updated picture this weekend. I've since ditched the metric hansen tray and magnetic 1/4" one. I had a hard time ditching the magnetic one but after 12 years the magnet seems to be oozing some goo, not sure what the deal is but it leaves goo everywhere, including the bottom of the sockets.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I like the way you have those organized, and I can see myself using this system. Are they Tekton trays or Ernst? Very nice, thanks for sharing.

That picture is from the Ernst site, so definitely Ernst.
http://www.ernstmfg.com/Socket-Organizer-Trays-Socket-Boss.aspx

You don't find having to twist or pull them off to be slow? I have always considered not needing to do that to be the biggest advantage to Hansen or Westling.

I've switched over from the Kobalt Hansen knock offs to Ernst for all my 3/8" (1/4" in a socket case, 1/2" on Craftsman plastic rails). No issues with the twist off, I don't even think about it. At this point, if I switched back to trays, I'd probably still twist sockets while I'm picking them up.

 

[Qualitytools]

That picture is from the Ernst site, so definitely Ernst.
http://www.ernstmfg.com/Socket-Organizer-Trays-Socket-Boss.aspx


I've switched over from the Kobalt Hansen knock offs to Ernst for all my 3/8" (1/4" in a socket case, 1/2" on Craftsman plastic rails). No issues with the twist off, I don't even think about it. At this point, if I switched back to trays, I'd probably still twist sockets while I'm picking them up.

Thanks for clarifying, much appreciated!

 

[gregpack]

I've got the Ernst system too. I'm not good at guessing sizes and this system allows me to just grab the entire rail and carry it to the where I'm working. I've been using one of their shorter socket rails in my service tool bag for a few years and it's worked out nicely. As mentioned, the twist feature becomes intuitive after a little use and is worth having a portable set.

I did initially buy the socket boss system. It's looks really neat, but to save space I have removed the holding trays and just use the rails. The socket boss is the most economical way to purchase the system though so you might as well try it. Each socket boss gives you the holding tray and three rails (with 15 clips for each drive size) for less than the price of the rails if you bought them individually.

The twist locks won't work on impacts, you need to buy the dura clips (push ons) for those.

I'm a new guy and I hope it's ok to say that Summit racing had some pretty good prices on the ernst products and awesome ship times.

VIM magnetic rail TLs look great but I couldn't justify spending $300 plus on socket storage.

 

[Olafur]

I really like Hansen trays for the sockets I am constantly using. Hard to beat them and for those sockets - quick and easy access tops space issues. I have seen the Magrail TL and others but I am not convinced.

If you adhere to the theory ALL your sockets should be in the same drawer and all your rails should be the same I guess others can be better choice.

Filling the biggest and most easily accessible drawer of my bottom toolbox with sockets only makes no sense to me. Instead I use this drawer for a mix of tools I am constantly using to minimize having to shift through drawers. My SAE sockets don't have to be on display or easily accessible - I use them only few times per year. Same goes for my metric deep 1/2" drive chrome sockets. And so forth...

Bottom line is, I want different rails for different sockets. Some need to be quickly accessible and visible, others can live like mushrooms, on tight rail in a dark corner of my box with other seldom used tools. I have them, I know where they are, but quick access isn't a priority.

 

[Wamsutta]

In theory, being able to see the size of the socket before you pick it up, should save you a lot of time.

 

[njc41980]

Asked this in another thread, but for a noob like me, how many of each size socket should I plan on needing?

I've got your standard assortments of Craftsman sockets. (At least one of most every size, additional 6-point for about half, and a handful of deep sockets) but I'm planning to set up all my wrenches and sockets in one row on the wall of my new shop, and trying to plan ahead.

Do you guys realistically use a full set of 12-point, 6-point, 12-point deep, 6-point deep, mid depth, flex head, impact, impact deep, ect.

How many rows should I really plan for?

 

[pl_silverado]

In theory, being able to see the size of the socket before you pick it up, should save you a lot of time.

If you actually use your tools enough it becomes muscle memory and you don't have to look at sizes. That and you get pretty good at gauging sizes just by looking at them.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

The twist locks won't work on impacts, you need to buy the dura clips (push ons) for those.

I've had no issues with using impact sockets with the twist lock clips. Actually, besides one rail of mid-depth chromes all my Ernst rails are loaded with impacts. What issue were you having?

Do you guys realistically use a full set of 12-point, 6-point, 12-point deep, 6-point deep, mid depth, flex head, impact, impact deep, ect.

How many rows should I really plan for?

No, not realistically, but that doesn't stop plenty of folks here from buying whole sets because they might need one socket someday.

If you're loading up a personal home shop, you'd be plenty set with shallow and deep in 6 point chrome, and/or impact depending on use. Flex sockets and mid-depths are nice, but aren't a regular use thing for most.

Outside of certain 12 point bolts that usually have specific sockets available (driveline bolts, headbolts, etc), 12 point sockets aren't really necessary with the higher tooth count ratchets being standard nowadays. All my chrome 3/8" & 1/2" were 12 point for years, and the only sockets I've popped were chromes used on 12 point driveline bolts when a specific impact socket should have been used (KW U-joint strap, Ford Mustang). I've since sold them off an will buy specific sockets as needed.

 

[pl_silverado]

The rest of the Ernst goodies showed up today.

 

[TheEuronater]

I love the Ernst trays, they are so versatile its tough to beat. I just wish the 13 inch black rails were designed the same as the 19 inches to the holders can slide over the hod down hole

 

[pl_silverado]

I love the Ernst trays, they are so versatile its tough to beat. I just wish the 13 inch black rails were designed the same as the 19 inches to the holders can slide over the hod down hole

I think the new 13" ones do.

 

[Wamsutta]

The rest of the Ernst goodies showed up today.

I have to admit, that's a very efficient use of space. Well done.

 

[pl_silverado]

I have to admit, that's a very efficient use of space. Well done.

Thank you!