Socket holders/racks... Westling Mach. Vs. Plastic alternatives

[mroneeyedboh]

I'm debating if I can justify the Westling Mach. socket holders or just get the HF ones/plastic alternatives... I don't really see the advantage on the Westlings vs plastics, other than its longevity in use and their ability to hold on to sockets well. These will be used at home and sit in a HF red cart. May wheel the cart 20' to the driveway across my lawn, but I installed pneumatic tires on the cart. So what do y'all think? Westling or plastic way cheaper alternative?

 

[TK-421]

If it's just a home box, and you're not wrenching for 8 hours a day and slamming your drawers closed tons, and being rough with stuff, then I don't see the need to spend tons of money on something that is merely handy, and by no means a necessity. If nothing else, buy two sets and keep one in storage, then when something breaks you have a backup already there.

 

[azhatchback]

The only advantage is if you take your sockets with you especially the 1/2" ones. In my opinion a home set would be better off using the westlins as you will prob want to take all your sockets with you for small home projects where your box cant go, or under the car that is on ramps or jack stands. Limits your back and fourth, up and down to the box. I personally use HF ones and really like them but I also don't need them to be mobile.

My father in law has those lisle magnetic ones and boy do they help when wrenching on the tractor or dump truck out in the field or other machinery. These would do you better if you don't have too many useless sockets and need them to be portable.

Honestly you need to evaluate your situation and buy once! Now if you compare plastic to plastic I feel the HF ones are superior especially to those stiff, brittle, over priced hansens and the socket looks at you the right direction so you know if your grabbing a 6 or 12 point.

 

[pendragon1998]

I have hf plastic trays. Mine live in the top of a hf red cart at home. I occasionally lift out the 1/4" trays, but otherwise, they stay put. I like the looks of the aluminum trays, but I have yet to break a plastic tray, so I see no reason to buy them.

My 2c: buy plastic HF for $5-10 and if you break them, consider upgrading only then.

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Thanks guys.

 

[unslow1]

I have hf plastic trays. Mine live in the top of a hf red cart at home. I occasionally lift out the 1/4" trays, but otherwise, they stay put. I like the looks of the aluminum trays, but I have yet to break a plastic tray, so I see no reason to buy them.

My 2c: buy plastic HF for $5-10 and if you break them, consider upgrading only then.

Same here. I have a friend with the Hansens in his shop. Two guys operating out of that box daily and never broke a peg on those and they are much lighter duty than the others. I have kit sets for taking someplace. The styles in the black molded cases.

 

[brandon523]

For your purposes, the cheaper route is probably better. Personally, I'm going to invest in the Westling holders soon, but I work in a shop and they will live in a cart that's always moving around with drawers being opened and closed constantly. Price aside, I still prefer the Westling layout better.

 

[jgorm]

I have these and love them. They twist to lock the socket in.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...00P?sid=IDxCMDFx20140801x001&KPID=00942331000

 

[Strouty]

I bought the westlings, but not that happy with them. Turns out I want to be able to grab and go way more than I thought. I am thinking of changing over to something else, not 100% sure of what. I know that I do not want magnetic, I have too much metal flying around.

 

[DSM_PWR]

I have these and love them. They twist to lock the socket in.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...00P?sid=IDxCMDFx20140801x001&KPID=00942331000

I have that exact same rail, just labeled a Torin (LAS38PMT). Been very pleased with it.. strong magnetic base and an easy twist lock to remove sockets.

 

[mroneeyedboh]

I was going to ask, how do they secure? Maybe id need to mount to a plate, but you said they're magnetic.. Good to know.

 

[Monte]

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[Dookie2122]

I purchased 2 sets of Westling trays for home use, ditched them shortly after, they take up way too much drawer space, and too much wasted space in between the individual sockets, in my opinion not worth the hefty price tag.

 

[Tenex]

I really like the Ernst Socket Boss system with the Twist-Lock feature for mobility.

 

[Xxslyer1]

Had no idea who made those but I have several of the large non magnetic twist lock styles some say Mac some say Matco and I'm sure overplayed heavily especially since I'm only using the large one. Thanks for the heads up on them.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I've got handen & hf trays. Use the hf for work as they're much more durable & if one breaks they're easy to warranty. Like azhatchback said the sockets sit so you can see if 6 or 12 point. Then again when I used quick release ratchets you can hit the button & drop them on hansen pegs. It's preference but wanted to offer what I've found out from using both.


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[Nissan_Tech]

If your looking for a tray, make your own! I use the the HF rails. They feel kinda cheap, like I feel like they would break if they weren't bolted down. But if its in tray form, they do the job of holding the sockets in place.

The snap on truck wanted $90+ for a Blue Point tray with only 4 or 5 twist lock rails

 

[DSLTRK]

I bought the westlings, but not that happy with them. Turns out I want to be able to grab and go way more than I thought. I am thinking of changing over to something else, not 100% sure of what. I know that I do not want magnetic, I have too much metal flying around.

These I just finished making. Used a plastic cutting board from Costco ($8.99) and the standard Craftsman socket rails ($20). The 1/2" drive set is heavy, so I bolted some cabinet handles for easy portability ($10 in hardware).

 

[DSLTRK]

If your looking for a tray, make your own! I use the the HF rails. They feel kinda cheap, like I feel like they would break if they weren't bolted down. But if its in tray form, they do the job of holding the sockets in place.

You beat me to it, your trays look great.

 

[diggerrick]

I have all HF trays in my 72" box and my 26" stack in the back shop. I bought the Kobalt trays when they were $5/set a couple years ago intending to swap them out because I like the red/blue color designations better. What I found is that the socket sizes are easier to see on the HF trays when they are stacked front to back as in my socket drawer. So now I have like 5 or 6 each of the SAE & metric Kobalt trays in one of my cabinets waiting for my next garage sale.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I have all HF trays in my 72" box and my 26" stack in the back shop. I bought the Kobalt trays when they were $5/set a couple years ago intending to swap them out because I like the red/blue color designations better. What I found is that the socket sizes are easier to see on the HF trays when they are stacked front to back as in my socket drawer. So now I have like 5 or 6 each of the SAE & metric Kobalt trays in one of my cabinets waiting for my next garage sale.

I saw some hf knock offs on ebay in blue & red. Thinking about buying them for my 6 points & using the black for 12 since I don't use those as much. Someone gave me one of the kobalt ones & I can see your point. Hasn't been an issue as I don't use sae much


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[diggerrick]

I saw some hf knock offs on ebay in blue & red. Thinking about buying them for my 6 points & using the black for 12 since I don't use those as much. Someone gave me one of the kobalt ones & I can see your point. Hasn't been an issue as I don't use sae much


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I'll check those out - thanks!