rtz
Well-known member
Just using the freebie holder that came with the sockets. Too bulky; plus being plastic it wears and the sockets easily fall off. I need some sort of container so I'm not fishing around in the tool bag for 1 size.
Need better portable socket storage option
- Thread starter rtz
- Start date
WWheeler
Well-known member
I'm partial to flexible urethane socket holders for my 'on-the-go' sets of sockets. They hold sockets really well and they don't cost much compared to most other options. Toss them in a bucket or a bag, drag them around under the truck, they just work really well, and AFAICT they last forever. I've been using them for decades.
https://weldtab.com/product-category/socket-holders/
Here's some pics and a description:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7288318#post7288318
https://weldtab.com/product-category/socket-holders/
Here's some pics and a description:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7288318#post7288318
.Here's a set of sockets that have been kept in the work-truck on the same set of urethane flexible socket rails for ~25 yrs or more now.
Last edited:
Jaysreal
Well-known member
Performance Tool w38190
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w38190
Mechanics Time saver mtslas38
https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/...4-piece-18--long-lock-a-socket-p-tol-mtslas38
Torin las38pmt
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282820246658
All of these are twist locking magnetic socket rails.
MTS:
Made of aluminum
Made in USA
18 inches long
Body about 1/2 inch thick
Most expensive
Performance tool:
Made of aluminum
Made in Taiwan
About 13 inches long
Body about 1/4 inch thick
Torin:
Uses same patent as MTS
made of plastic
Made in China
About 15 inches long
Body still about 1/2 inch thick
Ceapest
I have all three and am starting to appreciate the Performance Tool models alot since the other two take up quite a bit of space. The performance tool just has a much smaller footprint.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w38190
Mechanics Time saver mtslas38
https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/...4-piece-18--long-lock-a-socket-p-tol-mtslas38
Torin las38pmt
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282820246658
All of these are twist locking magnetic socket rails.
MTS:
Made of aluminum
Made in USA
18 inches long
Body about 1/2 inch thick
Most expensive
Performance tool:
Made of aluminum
Made in Taiwan
About 13 inches long
Body about 1/4 inch thick
Torin:
Uses same patent as MTS
made of plastic
Made in China
About 15 inches long
Body still about 1/2 inch thick
Ceapest
I have all three and am starting to appreciate the Performance Tool models alot since the other two take up quite a bit of space. The performance tool just has a much smaller footprint.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
The Tekton twisty rails are working best for me. The sockets do not fall off even if you drop the rail. I'm not using them daily though so not sure how hard wearing they are.
Note on rails with magnets. Having magnets in a tool bag becomes very annoying as when you pull the rail out it tries to bring all the other tools with it.
Note on rails with magnets. Having magnets in a tool bag becomes very annoying as when you pull the rail out it tries to bring all the other tools with it.
^ +1 on magnets, collects all the crud and forever dragging tools and fixings along with it.
I like stainless steel rail clip type in short lengths of 6 to 12 sockets pending on socket sizes , easy handle, compact and acts as a marker for missing sockets .
I like stainless steel rail clip type in short lengths of 6 to 12 sockets pending on socket sizes , easy handle, compact and acts as a marker for missing sockets .
Rbreddin
Well-known member
those are pretty slick (and cheap).. I might look into them myself..
The Tekton twisty rails are working best for me. The sockets do not fall off even if you drop the rail. I'm not using them daily though so not sure how hard wearing they are.
Note on rails with magnets. Having magnets in a tool bag becomes very annoying as when you pull the rail out it tries to bring all the other tools with it.
I use these--available in both magnetic and not magnetic versions. So far they are the best option I've come across or throwing in a tool bag or a mobile box. Stickers are included so you can label all the clips with sizes. I believe they're manufactured by Ernst www.ernstmfg.com in the USA
The Performance Tool rails are also available in-store at O’Reilly Auto Parts. Mine has them at the bottom of a rolling display rack near the register. All 3 drive sizes and the price wasn’t bad at all.
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
I always recommend the Ernst socket rails. I really like them. I have them in my shop box and I also have them in the drawers of the service truck. The sockets stay on. They don’t take up a lot of space. Plus Ernst has a variety of sizes and colors available. Made in U.S.A. with a lifetime warranty.
I’ve bought Ernst stuff on from Amazon and Summit. But I’ve bought several things from Ernst direct. They always send catalogs and stickers with your order too.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
I’ve bought Ernst stuff on from Amazon and Summit. But I’ve bought several things from Ernst direct. They always send catalogs and stickers with your order too.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Jaysreal
Well-known member
Wanted this so badly to be true but the two are different. The one I was referring to is the one on the bottom which have the twist lock posts much like the Ernst rails. The ones available at O'Reilly (top) are still good rails, just use detents and have no magnet.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Attachments
WWheeler
Well-known member
I like those flex socket holders. If they were .99 cents I'd have em. Till then; the HF rail will do. Two reasons I never purchased it in the past. Too long and I didn't like how it was open ended and the clips could slide off the end. The idea above about bolting the ends shut made the deal. I trimmed it down to size.
Last edited: