My $3 socket rail holder system - works great!

[JoeNES]

Hi All,
I'm a Made In USA Craftsman tool fan and long-time lurker on the site, and had an idea I wanted to share, so decided to join. I've got a few more garage ideas I can't wait to share, since I've gained so much from reading.

I was having an issue with my Craftsman socket rails, the ones with the gray, black, or red handles. Because they are rounded on the bottom, they fall over, especially with deep sockets. The drawer isn't deep enough for the Hansen kind, and I like the rails with the handles so I can take the whole row to where I'm working and find the right size without taking multiples off.

I was trying to work out a way to keep them upright, and nothing was working (magnets, pegs, little alligator clips, etc), so I had the idea to rivet a lot of clips to a steel strap. While I was working out the dimensions (man it was gonna be ugly!) I just absent-mindedly placed the bar on the end of the rails to get it out of the way, and bingo! Turns out that's all I needed!

In short, I took a 12-inch-long Simpson Strong-Tie (#HRS12) and bolted it to the left tray wall, about 1/4" or less out from the side using spacers and just enough clearance underneath to slide the end of the rails under. I spray painted it red to match, and I had to use machine screws to clear the hinges and side, as well as file one screw edge flat. But the rail ends fit in under there really tight, and you just slide them out when you need one. Best of all, when I close the drawer, nothing moves a millimeter.

Hope that helps somebody out there, apologies if this has already been done, but when I looked, I couldn't find anything! Thanks all!

 

[American Locomotive]

Nice simple s0lution. Good job.

 

[BFBOB]

Excellent
Such a novel idea I couldn't understand it from your description - pictures made it all clear.

 

[PelicanPines]

I epoxy'ed one neodymium magnet near the handle of those rails (when I used them) and it solved the problem for me.

I have since moved on from those rails.

 

[gdocktor3]

Now you need to cut the red, black and grey handles off to gain more drawer space. Do you really ever grab just the handles? Just had a thought, I wonder if the handles can be removed, exposing more rail to for additional clips?

 

[PelicanPines]

Now you need to cut the red, black and grey handles off to gain more drawer space. Do you really ever grab just the handles? Just had a thought, I wonder if the handles can be removed, exposing more rail to for additional clips?

Its been awhile and manufacturers may be diff now... but my craftsman ones from 30 years ago... the handle was not channeled like the rest.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Hi All,
I'm a Made In USA Craftsman tool fan and long-time lurker on the site, and had an idea I wanted to share, so decided to join. I've got a few more garage ideas I can't wait to share, since I've gained so much from reading.

I was having an issue with my Craftsman socket rails, the ones with the gray, black, or red handles. Because they are rounded on the bottom, they fall over, especially with deep sockets. The drawer isn't deep enough for the Hansen kind, and I like the rails with the handles so I can take the whole row to where I'm working and find the right size without taking multiples off.

I was trying to work out a way to keep them upright, and nothing was working (magnets, pegs, little alligator clips, etc), so I had the idea to rivet a lot of clips to a steel strap. While I was working out the dimensions (man it was gonna be ugly!) I just absent-mindedly placed the bar on the end of the rails to get it out of the way, and bingo! Turns out that's all I needed!

In short, I took a 12-inch-long Simpson Strong-Tie (#HRS12) and bolted it to the left tray wall, about 1/4" or less out from the side using spacers. I spray painted it red to match, and I had to use machine screws to clear the hinges and side, as well as file one screw edge flat. But the rail ends fit in under there really tight, and you just slide them out when you need one. Best of all, when I close the drawer, nothing moves a millimeter.

Hope that helps somebody out there, apologies if this has already been done, but when I looked, I couldn't find anything! Thanks all!

Nice idea and first post. Thanks for sharing and welcome to GJ.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Empty Pockets]

Great idea. Thanks for posting & welcome to GJ

 

[Sanny81]

I have a ton of these style socket rails I don't use for the very same reason. Good idea!

 

[JoeNES]

Thanks all! If you take the handles off the rails, you'd just have to remove the bend to add more pegs - however I do like to remove the whole rail by the handle and walk it over to the nut I'm working on to see which fits - I'm lazy like that! And the extra pegs cost as much as a new pair or rails on sale, so I just buy more rails. But one day when I fill up, this may be an option. I've also found that you can remove the handle and use tin snips to make the rail shorter, then re-bend and replace the handle - for very short sets, like the Spark-plug only sockets. Gives it a little variety, I have a couple of those not pictures.

 

[Ray-CA]

I just did this and it works GREAT!!!

Thanks for the idea and a very nice write-up.

Ray

 

[Mr_B]

cool
I seen lot of things over the years for keeping metal clip rails upright but not this.
If I done it I think I use a bit of alloy angle and epoxy 3 or 4 old harddrive magnets to back of it so have removable retainer bar .
I use metal clip rails but lay mine flat in shallow drawers .