Long Socket Rails

[cide1]

I have been filling in my socket sets recently so that I have all sizes available in each of the variations (thanks to reading too much Garagejournal...lol). I have always used 16" socket rails with clips, and have been fairly happy with them. I like being able to move the clips around, and to be able to make a rail that is, say, part 1/4" and part 3/8" for things like torx and hex bits that switch drive size in a set. The problem is that my sets are getting too long to fit on 16" socket rails.

The other problem I have is that like many home owners, I started out with a 26" wide chest and cabinet. When I ran out of room, I bought a second 26" wide chest and cabinet. I have since added middle boxes to each of these, so I have a lot of money in two full stacks of 26" wide toolboxes. In hindsight, I should have bought something wider, but with the position I am in today, I don't see a wider box in the future.

While I cant fit all my sockets on a rail, I am at the same time wasting 8 or so inches of space on the sides of the drawer. If someone made a 24" long socket rail, I could fit all my sockets of a given type on a rail, and get much better use out of my drawer space.

Anybody know of something like this?

Thanks

 

[Outlawmws]

Can't help you with the longer rails, but turn your existing rails 90 deg. Those drawers should be ~16" front to back...

 

[cide1]

The drawers are just a bit not deep enough for that (Craftsman 26" wide, the deeper size). I have thought about cutting a bit of the rail off to make them fit, but that wouldn't help fit more sockets on the rail.

 

[Outlawmws]

Trim it and go with double rails.

 

[The Man]

Bend the rail handle just a little upward then it will fit.

 

[cderalow]

hansen trays FTW.

I only use rails to store my impact sets and extensions.

 

[JASTECH]

What about magnetic rails? Then you could stick any size on it. Or the Ernst rails you can double up on with any size clips.

Search here for the socket rail thread.

 

[PowderKeg]

Bend the rail handle just a little upward then it will fit.

Bingo, that's what I did as well - Craftsman rails with the covering on one end for a handle. If you're using the entire length of the rail to hold sockets (no cover or bend for a handle) then trim them enough to fit.