Snap On Magnetic Socket Organizer

[chappys4life]

Anyone using snap on mag strips to organize their toolboxes? I saw a youtube where a guy had them and I was like dang I like that, besides the cost. Just curious if anyone has them and likes them to organize their stationary boxes. More getting input before making a leap into something so expensive

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[WWheeler]

Interesting. I do wonder though if they will transfer magnetic properties to the sockets (which I would HATE) or are they like VIM Magrails where each side is a polar opposite to prevent that?

FYI, VIM Magrail TL's inventer is a GJ member who has posted his little Snap-on box that really showcases how awesome VIM Magrails are. Pricey AF though.

 

[scooby074]

I worked with a guy who had these SO mag trays for sockets. You can get them for considerably less from their OEM Lisle. If I ever went with something magnetic, these would likely be what I go with. Easy to take to vehicles. Good tool control/Id. And you can stack them for space savings.

 

[Walkers]

Vim magrails are better, and cheaper than the SO unit posted.

 

[SteadyC]

Older Snap On magnetic trays.

 

[AEAdam]

FWIW, I have a bunch of mechanics time savers magnetic socket holders. I bought them thinking I could take a set of tools to a vehicle, or what I’m working on and it would be convenient to have an entire set of sockets on the job. I think I’ve done that exactly once in the last 8 years or so I’ve had them.

My recommendation is pick what you want based solely on how it integrates within your tool box. And remember, an increasing number of cars have aluminum or plastic body panels, where you might want to stick some sockets (Hoods, undercarriages, interiors, dash boards etc)

 

[ecotec]

I worked with a guy who had these SO mag trays for sockets. You can get them for considerably less from their OEM Lisle. If I ever went with something magnetic, these would likely be what I go with. Easy to take to vehicles. Good tool control/Id. And you can stack them for space savings.

I buy mechanics’s timesavers at estate sales when they have a truck brand (MAC, Snap-on or Matco) on them and are cheap.

 

[crewchief888]

most of mine are MTS, bought them years ago when they were 1st available.
remainer of my sockets are on old SO metal rails.

 

[MooseCustomMotors]

I’ve seen them in action but don’t own any. They are decent enough, but in my opinion they aren’t as useful as VIM magrails. Shallow/semi deep/deep metric or sae sockets get 3 row peg holders and everything else is on a magrail.

 

[darkzero]

Older Snap On magnetic trays.

Yup, I still like using mine. Unfortunately for anyone looking for them they were discontinued about 20 yrs ago.

 

[scooby074]

I buy mechanics’s timesavers at estate sales when they have a truck brand (MAC, Snap-on or Matco) on them and are cheap.

I have a set of MTS off the truck, the tray one with 1/4,3/8,1/2 on it but I HATE the "twist to lock" function. I tried them for a while and just gave up. Thing cost me $200 lol.

Im thinking I might buy the extra 3/8 and 1/4 pegs and remove the 1/2" pegs . The 1/2" impact sockets make the tray unwieldy, plus they take up a ton of space.

 

[SteadyC]

Yup, I still like using mine. Unfortunately for anyone looking for them they were discontinued about 20 yrs ago.

20 years. Sounds right. Bought new on the truck lol.

 

[gfd_703]

I have been making socket trays from heavy sheet metal for my shop box. I got a sheet metal brake and have been experimenting. I like that I can make exact boxes for my socket set and sockets are easy to grab.

 

[budget76]

FWIW, I have a bunch of mechanics time savers magnetic socket holders. I bought them thinking I could take a set of tools to a vehicle, or what I’m working on and it would be convenient to have an entire set of sockets on the job. I think I’ve done that exactly once in the last 8 years or so I’ve had them.

My recommendation is pick what you want based solely on how it integrates within your tool box. And remember, an increasing number of cars have aluminum or plastic body panels, where you might want to stick some sockets (Hoods, undercarriages, interiors, dash boards etc)

funny. I ALWAYS grab the entire magnetic tray if i'm working away from the box. love the MTS magnetic style enough I started making my own https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/custom-magnetic-socket-holders-a-summary.474733/

someone with a CNC router, or a 3D printer, could knock similar out FAST. I debated picking up a 3D printer for just that, but I have too many hobbies and projects already

 

[Shoreline_]

I thought about it when I first started out because my master mechanic used them. But I realized how much I dislike magnetized sockets, so I never bought them

 

[AEAdam]

funny. I ALWAYS grab the entire magnetic tray if i'm working away from the box. love the MTS magnetic style enough I started making my own https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/custom-magnetic-socket-holders-a-summary.474733/

someone with a CNC router, or a 3D printer, could knock similar out FAST. I debated picking up a 3D printer for just that, but I have too many hobbies and projects already

Interesting. I really like the quality of the MTS, but I don't love the designs or layouts. I particularly don't love the staggered ones. I think there's room for someone else to make a similar product that is better organized I think there are a lot of young pros out there storing their tools in service carts. Their top well areas are jam packed with tools and often feature some very creative storage solutions. I also like holders with sizes marked. I know there are some MTS clones that have that feature.

 

[chappys4life]

funny. I ALWAYS grab the entire magnetic tray if i'm working away from the box. love the MTS magnetic style enough I started making my own https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/custom-magnetic-socket-holders-a-summary.474733/

someone with a CNC router, or a 3D printer, could knock similar out FAST. I debated picking up a 3D printer for just that, but I have too many hobbies and projects already

I will have to look if anyone has a 3d digital files made. Could be the excuse to get a 3d printer

 

[budget76]

I will have to look if anyone has a 3d digital files made. Could be the excuse to get a 3d printer

i had 1 or 2, but they're long gone. Its a very easy thing to model in sketchup or similar

Interesting. I really like the quality of the MTS, but I don't love the designs or layouts. I particularly don't love the staggered ones. I think there's room for someone else to make a similar product that is better organized I think there are a lot of young pros out there storing their tools in service carts. Their top well areas are jam packed with tools and often feature some very creative storage solutions. I also like holders with sizes marked. I know there are some MTS clones that have that feature.

Similar experience here. The other problem I run into is they're designed for ** brand sockets. my yy brand sockets might have a slightly thicker wall, so now the holes are all out of whack b/c the 1/2" socket only fits in the 9/16" hole.

they still work great for me, but I much prefer the ones I've made at home. but they have the same issue with the hole size and qty being set. That's where the square drive style rails or the pin stand styles have an advantage, more flexibility.

 

[AEAdam]

i had 1 or 2, but they're long gone. Its a very easy thing to model in sketchup or similar

Similar experience here. The other problem I run into is they're designed for ** brand sockets. my yy brand sockets might have a slightly thicker wall, so now the holes are all out of whack b/c the 1/2" socket only fits in the 9/16" hole.

they still work great for me, but I much prefer the ones I've made at home. but they have the same issue with the hole size and qty being set. That's where the square drive style rails or the pin stand styles have an advantage, more flexibility.

I have a couple of the 2 row models. They fit Snap On SAE sockets perfectly. Metric, ehh, not so much.

 

[budget76]

FWIW - the magnetic style I've replicated / have a bunch of above are now available way cheaper on ebay/amazon/vevor etc from other names