Individual socket rails or socket rail trays?

[Don Nguyen]

Looking at getting Ernst twist lock socket rails. Trying to decide the pros/cons between the various options they have. Individual rails vs socket rail trays?

Seems like individual rails would give you more organizational flexibility and can put the rails closer together if you are trying to maximize the space available. You can grab individual rails as you need them, without having to bring along an entire tray.

Trays look like they could be a good way to keep everything relatively evenly spaced and you don't have to worry about the socket rail holders falling/tipping over.

A last side thought/note is are the magnetic versions of the socket rails worth it over the regular non-magnetic rails? Seems like the magnetic ones maybe double the cost of the rails. I haven't seen pictures of the bottoms of the rails, but maybe there is a way to DIY add a magnetic to the bottom of the non-magnetic rails yourselves?

 

[oldwino]

I bought a couple of the trays and they didn't work for me. Just didn't fit my organizational style plus as you mentioned you need to grab the whole enchilada when you only need a couple of sockets. I ended up taking the rails off the trays and using them individually.

 

[Lassen Forge]

i'm the other way - I had rails and they didn't work as well for most stuff as the magnetic trays, tho with my unusual stuff (Whitworth) you kind of have to go rails. It all depends on the way you work, and your preferences. The Mag trays are limited as they're designed for specific sizes, if you have large or oddball sockets you're in a pinch.

 

[Mr_B]

single rails and nothing magnetic
Single rails fare easier organisation and better portability of a bunch of sockets you likely use .

 

[Fedwrench]

I think it depends more on whether you're wheeling a cart to your work or taking a handful of tools to a car or something.

To me I prefer single rails. My two favorite types are the Magrail TL, pricey but, the best there is. My second favorite also made by VIM, are the nylon or high strength plastic rails sold under many brands from Matco, Wright, Armstrong, Craftsman, Kobalt, etc. Do confuse these with the knockoffs from Harbor freight and others. These rails come with square drive pegs complete with detent balls. You can get them in different colors and lengths. you can mix drive sizes, and tool types, sockets, bit drivers, swivel joints, whatever.

I don't like the rails in a tray because, the tray itself takes up too much real estate but, that's just me.

I have some Ernst trays but, I just don't care for them but, again that's just my feelings.

On a side note, if you're the type that carries fistfuls of tools to your project, get a tote tray of some type. Doesn't have to be fancy but, it gives you a place to stick stuff and you won't lose or misplace tools as much, and it's easier than stuffing tools in your pockets.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I use trays from Rural King but the locking rails would be good also so that way if it does tip or something then no sockets would fall off if you are going to transport it.


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[lardy1]

I use rails. My tools are pretty much centralized but my work often isn't that close to the tool box. I made mobile workbenches and put them near my project. I use that as home base for that particular project. But when I want sockets I often want several sizes. I find it easier to stay organized by taking the entire rail to the project bench.

I used to look at the Hansen trays and think I'd like them. I'm really glad I didn't buy them. I'd still have rails because I have so many duplicate socket sets.

 

[Ralf11]

I have a bunch of single rails, but am moving to a series of small flat horizontal trays.

I usually know pretty much which socket I want by now so don't need a whole array of sockets "to go"

But my old metal socket rails are hard to get the sockets off of - if anybody knows of short rails that allow easy socket removal, LMK.

 

[Rinspeed]

I just picked up a new SO box a month ago and went back and forth on what to do with socket and plier management. Finally went with the plastic trays with pegs for sockets and the Ernst plastic holders for pliers. Picked up the socket trays on Ebay at a good price and I think they will work out well. I like them enough that I ordered a whole other set.

 

[R_einan]

Love the Magrail TL, is use the individual rails and color code based on SAE or Metric. Works good for me

 

[Don Nguyen]

Based on what everyone is saying, I think the individual rails will work out better for me.

Now the next main decision for me is magnetic base or not. My reasoning for a magnetic base is so that the individual rails don't fall over every time I open the drawers. Any thoughts on that? I have also heard the counter argument that magnetic bases tend to attract a lot of metal debris, which I suppose could be an issue?

 

[m6z]

I like the Olsa magnetic holders. Easy to grab and go.

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[VolvoRyan]

Ultimately, single rails are better for packing things tightly... and no matter how big your tool box is, the more you'll eventually put into it, so packing becomes a big plus.

If you have a roll cart, where you roll the cart to the project, the VIM rails are excellent. You can cut them to length, and pack things as tight as you need. VIM rails are expensive, but they're nice and sturdy.

If you are bringing sets of sockets from one place to the other, magnetic organizers don't make sense. Anything magnetic enough to hold what you want in place, is going to wind up with what with what you don't want stuck all over it.

Twist-lock rails make more sense for dragging socket sets around. They're all wide enough to keep from flopping over sideways.

Anything that's either not magnetic, or not twist-lock, is not worth having, IMHO.

-Ryan

 

[Wyoming09]

I like the Ernst trays. Helps me keep everything evenly spaced but yet not so far apart as to waste much space. Since I almost always move the box to where I am working I don't worry about taking a full rail to the work site. My longer extensions get laid down between the rows of sockets.

 

[mslim]

I use the Olsa single non-mag rails and like them.

I hang 'em vertically on a pegboard hook. Only problem is the plastic caps on the rails are not very tight and the holders can slide off the rail.

I drilled and tapped the slot on both ends of the rail and put in an allen screw to stop the holders for sliding. Just because I'm OCD I put a chrome cap nut on the exposed thread of the allen. Works very good for me.

 

[MikeF2316]

Based on what everyone is saying, I think the individual rails will work out better for me.

Now the next main decision for me is magnetic base or not. My reasoning for a magnetic base is so that the individual rails don't fall over every time I open the drawers. Any thoughts on that? I have also heard the counter argument that magnetic bases tend to attract a lot of metal debris, which I suppose could be an issue?

You don't need magnetic bases to hold them from tipping. The idea is buying enough sockets and rails that they're so jammed together that they are all holding each other from tipping.

I like trays in the toolbox, I prefer rails when I'm working with the tools. The other problem with trays is I'm always looking for the sockets that I have pegs for but don't have. I've actually put tape flags on the pegs that are supposed to be empty.

 

[MJK]

In the box: I use the Olsa magnetic for 1/4" and 3/8" drive sockets, and Magrail for 1/2" and specialty. After quite a bit of experimentation, I find this is the best way to get what I am looking for quickly and still make efficient use of the space. The Olsa trays lift out easily, the Magrails do not. I had a bunch of the 1/2" Olsa ones too, but did did not care for them at all for multiple reasons.

I have not tried the Westling organizers, but those also look very nice.

In the go bag, I use Ares/Olsa ball detent rails. I'm not totally happy with this setup. I like that you can mix and match drive sizes on a rail, and cut them to length. I don't like that some sockets fall off and they flop around in the bottom of the bag. I think I'd prefer a metal or plastic 'organizer box' for the smaller sizes.

 

[Ralf11]

who makes a short 1/4" rail? something for a half dozen sockets...

 

[magtl]

In the box: I use the Olsa magnetic for 1/4" and 3/8" drive sockets, and Magrail for 1/2" and specialty. After quite a bit of experimentation, I find this is the best way to get what I am looking for quickly and still make efficient use of the space. The Olsa trays lift out easily, the Magrails do not. I had a bunch of the 1/2" Olsa ones too, but did did not care for them at all for multiple reasons.

I have not tried the Westling organizers, but those also look very nice.

In the go bag, I use Ares/Olsa ball detent rails. I'm not totally happy with this setup. I like that you can mix and match drive sizes on a rail, and cut them to length. I don't like that some sockets fall off and they flop around in the bottom of the bag. I think I'd prefer a metal or plastic 'organizer box' for the smaller sizes.

Try using the MRRL1 rail lifter with the Magrail TL. They will be easy to remove even if they are close to another rail. Cost is about $6 for 10. You can also remove the ring and use them as tool separators.
Ron

 

[lardy1]

who makes a short 1/4" rail? something for a half dozen sockets...

I use my old cheap metal ones for individual drive tools to keep them together. Drive reducers, ratcheting adapters, universal adapters, etc. I cut them to whatever length needed.

 

[Ralf11]

yup, that's what I used to do... but finding a magnetic short rail would be the holy grail

 

[pstemari]

... The other problem with trays is I'm always looking for the sockets that I have pegs for but don't have. I've actually put tape flags on the pegs that are supposed to be empty.

Or you waste time and money trying to find the non-existent sockets that the pegs are labeled for. I think the worst offender was the price for a deep 5/8” 1/4" drive socket. I eventually ditched the Hanson trays because they used up too much drawer space for the amount that they actually stored.

+1000 to comments above on the VIM mag rails. Those things are excellent!

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[MikeF2316]

Or you waste time and money trying to find the non-existent sockets that the pegs are labeled for. I think the worst offender was the price for a deep 5/8” 1/4" drive socket. I eventually ditched the Hanson trays because they used up too much drawer space for the amount that they actually stored.

+1000 to comments above on the VIM mag rails. Those things are excellent!

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Oh, yeah, I do that too. And I have a set of Hansen clones, and they do waste space. And of course, all the bits have to go on rails anyway.

 

[javyLSU]

I use the magnetic rails from Harbor Freight. I find this setup gives me the most efficient use of space in my drawer while still allowing me to grab an entire rail and be mobile. Very strong magnets, and no issues losing ball detents.

The same rails are sold on Amazon as Olsa Tools, and also relabeled by SK Tools, but the 20% off coupon price at HF ($16/rail) is the best by far for the exact same product.

 

[Snapped-off]

I use the magnetic rails from Harbor Freight. I find this setup gives me the most efficient use of space in my drawer while still allowing me to grab an entire rail and be mobile. Very strong magnets, and no issues losing ball detents.

The same rails are sold on Amazon as Olsa Tools, and also relabeled by SK Tools, but the 20% off coupon price at HF ($16/rail) is the best by far for the exact same product.

You can get the Olsa rails at $25 for a 3 pack. I just bought a ton of them to redo my socket drawer. I'm ditching the hanson trays.

 

[javyLSU]

You can get the Olsa rails at $25 for a 3 pack. I just bought a ton of them to redo my socket drawer. I'm ditching the hanson trays.

Can you share a link?

 

[javyLSU]

I was mistaken in my previous post - the rails I use are sold under the Ares brand on Amazon, not Olsa Tools.

 

[logixjock]

I bought a red 3 piece assortment from Osla, and a blue 3 piece assortment from Ares. I'll let you know how they compare.

 

[Snapped-off]

I was mistaken in my previous post - the rails I use are sold under the Ares brand on Amazon, not Olsa Tools.

Ah they're probably a little different and mine aren't magnetic. I bought them straight from Olsa. I'm pretty sure Astro uses the rails with their socket sets. They're identical minus the lack of the Olsa logo.

 

[Gummi Bear]

I went down a little different path.

I really like my sockets on rails, so I can grab one and throw it on my work cart to go do a task.

I didn’t want to spend a lot, organizers are awesome, but can get spendy fast.

I ran across a YouTube video of a fella with a great solution.

It turns out, that if you mount a cheap rail to a 1x2, sockets don’t fall off. It’s the twisting that makes them fall off.

I made a couple to test the theory, and darn if it didn’t work.






Sockets are on cheap HF rails, and I added a cabinet pull to make it easier to grab them out of the drawer.

I have about $3 in each one, and maybe 20 minutes or so to make.


I’m just a weekend hobbyist, not a pro, but they have been working great for me for a couple of years.





I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[Snapped-off]

The trays were before, the rails are after. Not included in the before pic are the hex bit/torx sockets.

This is going to be a 3 phase process. Phase 1 was transferring everything.

Phase 2 will be double and triple checking my sets are complete (I lost 2 of the SAE sockets so I need to buy them.) As well as final rail configuration.

Phase 3 will be cutting the rails down to match the sets. I'm not sure if I want to keep everything running vertical or go back to horizontal.

I've had the trays for about 8 years and they were great but as more sockets were acquired I was running out of room.

 

[magtl]

who makes a short 1/4" rail? something for a half dozen sockets...

Vim sells a two pack of 6" Magrail TLs. MR6R11A-2. They come with 22 1/4" pegs.
Ron

 

[SteveCh]

I have some Ernst rails in trays. I wanted the trays for some 1/2 drive deep impact sockets I figured would be very unstable upright. The rails snap into the trays.

It is very, very easy to remove a rail from the tray, takes two seconds at the most, so there is no need to haul out the entire tray when you want to grab a single rail. Good design.

 

[electroman187]

I'm torn between the trays and rails. I love easy to read size indicators on the trays but I love the portability of the rails.

Is there a reasonably priced product or way of obtaining both?

 

[javyLSU]

I'm torn between the trays and rails. I love easy to read size indicators on the trays but I love the portability of the rails.

Is there a reasonably priced product or way of obtaining both?

That's why I went the route I did of the magnetic harbor freight rails. I wanted magnetic so I paid $16/rail and used Tekton's socket rail labels, so I have my setup exactly how I want it - portability and space savings of individual rails with the stability and layout of a tray.

I think the Ernst Socket Boss is a good solution for your wants. The tray comes with several rails that are individually removable and don't take up too much space, and also includes a set of labels so you can label each individual socket holder for every socket. Plus the rails are available in a bunch of different colors and sizes.

 

[Car_Guy]

I use the Olsa single non-mag rails and like them.

I hang 'em vertically on a pegboard hook. Only problem is the plastic caps on the rails are not very tight and the holders can slide off the rail.

I drilled and tapped the slot on both ends of the rail and put in an allen screw to stop the holders for sliding. Just because I'm OCD I put a chrome cap nut on the exposed thread of the allen. Works very good for me.

I see they now make locking caps for the ends:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ST7D6LR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Not sure how well they work, but have to be better than the slide on caps.

 

[mslim]

Redundant Post

 

[Al Borland]

The Hansen-style trays are annoying with those long stems sticking thru the sockets with the sizes on top, Cut the tips short with snips and put the sockets wherever you want. Individual rails can be laid on their side in a shallow drawer, or get one of the trays with rails mounted on them. Maybe one each for chrome metric and American and another pair for Impact. Could probably use another for Hex/Torx/inverse torx...
It never ends.

 

[Ralf11]

it is obvious that we NEED Hansen-style trays with adjustable length stems

 

[Al Borland]

it is obvious that we NEED Hansen-style trays with adjustable length stems

Side-jaw nippers adjust them PERMANENTLY.
(And them the accursed size markings go away as well)