socket organizers

[endmill]

So want to organize all my sockets. what type of socket holders do you all use? I've always had the ones on the rail with metal clips you push the sockets on, they dont always stay. kinda leaning towards the ones with the plastic post and a magnet on the bottom.

 

[Max]

I have the Earnst and for a home gamer they are great. You can take out a single row or the full set, and they are infinitely mixable on 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. Buy from Ernst and the price is ok too.



However, some times it’s a PITA to get them on the plastic studs. If I was a full time mechanic, I’d probably go for Westling. They cost more and are less flexible, but they are easy on/off.

 

[ecotec]

Magnets will attract swarf.

 

[boom_bap]

Westlings are non magnetic

 

[Buckgnarly]

Westlings are non magnetic

This x2.

There are 8.5 BAZILLION options for socket organizing and 8.51 bazillion scenarios. There's no single answer, sorry

 

[unslow1]

Search this forum. There have been a few threads on this it's just been a few months.

 

[Badgerstate]

So want to organize all my sockets. what type of socket holders do you all use? I've always had the ones on the rail with metal clips you push the sockets on, they dont always stay. kinda leaning towards the ones with the plastic post and a magnet on the bottom.

I just use the plastic rail that came with my Husky sockets. They make a magnetic one that Ive considered but the one thats supplied with the sockets seems to work just fine.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Harbor freight has some similar to hanson peg holders, but with shorter and thus more durable pegs. I like these for bulk organization in my box.

In my cart, the 1/4 drive get westling machine. The 3/8 and 1/2, most of it, goes on the generic 80 piece socket trays. The cheap metal ones. Easy to customize.

 

[Max]

Westlings are non magnetic

You can tell I don’t have any. Thanks for the correction and I corrected my comment.

 

[Wyoming09]

Another Ernst fan here. I seem to find the best prices for these at Summit Racing.

 

[Madjik Man]

So want to organize all my sockets. what type of socket holders do you all use? I've always had the ones on the rail with metal clips you push the sockets on, they dont always stay. kinda leaning towards the ones with the plastic post and a magnet on the bottom.

If money is no object I’m going with VIM rails.

For me modularity is key to tool box organization and not being locked in to preformed organizers that are a “one size fits all” attempt.

Also with some of the socket organizers that have sizes already stamped on them or on posts, etc…if you don’t have that size it’s really awkward. Or you have socket sizes that extend past the organizer’s holder.

 

[GeoBruin]

I use the Tekton rails. I guess they're Ernst style?

 

[mdrawde]

I use the Tekton rails. I guess they're Ernst style?

Ernst is the OEM.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I like the Westlings but really don't have the space for them. Plus, I try to set things up, so if I need to, I can grab tools I know I will need, put them in a toolbox/carrier, etc, and go. There are American made ones (Epstein's, Cripe distributing), but they are way more expensive, then I can justify for the tool holder. I have a Harbor Freight close and they have a three piece plastic set that locks better then the metal ones and is similar to the USA made ones (more cost effective for me).

 

[Brett in KS]

I use Olsa aluminum socket rails. They are very strong, and you can cut them to length and add an end cap.

 

[Clutchsmoke]

Hansen socket trays

 

[Fedwrench]

VIM Magrails. Expensive but, worth every penny. Customizable, probably too strong of a magnetic base. work great on cart lids.

A lower priced option would be the VIM made branded under Craftsman, wright, kobalt and others nylon rails with the sliding square drive pegs. Not to be confused with the cheaper lower quality Harbor Freight versions.

The Olsa style rails are nice too.

I don't care for the Hansen type trays as they tie you into a specific range of sizes and eat up too much box/cart space.

 

[tyyost]

I use Hansen style trays, but I have found they work best in the top open area of my tool cart. I have a 44” roller with the deep top drawer and I really didn’t like them in the drawer. I also work out of the cart most of the time so I grab the individual sockets I need, I don’t take a rail or set to the car.

All the above suggestions are legitimate, but for me I don’t find the Hansen trays force me to buy sockets, and they help me keep track of what I’m using and putting away quickly.

 

[GTO]

I use the Hansen Trays
My 30" deep top drawer in my KRL suits them just fine.
You can position them just about any way you want.
Good luck

 

[seber]

I have the plastic twist style for some but the ones I like best are home made. 3/8 dowels stuck into a composite wood and plastic magnet like magnetic signs but thicker. The hold is just enough to keep the sockets securely but light enough so I don't have to struggle with them.

 

[tez929rr]

Hansens or the cheaper copies on Amazon.

 

[unslow1]

Mine are on Hansens or the cheaper versions of them. I tried the ones where they lay down and the one where they sit in cut out circles. Once I worked in a shop where they were on Hansens I switched.

 

[alinc100]

I have the Hf version of the Hansen Trays. They work well for me. I've only found 1 socket/peg that the broaching, or the peg is malformed (Craftsman's 299 piece,USA) that is an issue, so I turned that one socket upside down. As I get older it really does help to have the contrast of the white numbers on black background. It's also helpful when I clean up and can quickly see if I misplaced a socket.

 

[JradM]

Ernst.

You can get ratchet holder pegs for the tray and keep a ratchet attached to the right socket drive size. There's different peg styles of Ernst rails too.

They can be very dense (the spacing isn't preset) and still functional. The rails are toothed, so the pegs stay put. There's a magnetic version too.

 

[lardy1]

Ernst/Tekton (no trays) for me. They have their drawbacks but I got tired of experimenting. I don't care for magnetic at all and, has been stated, the trays don't provide for the range of sockets I have.

 

[racinfarmer]

Another vote for the Hansen trays.

The original Made in the US ones from Hansen are just as cheap if not cheaper then the knock-off ones from HF and the like, plus can get them in a variety of colors.

$50 shipped for my green set of 6 (1/2, 3/8, 1/4 SAE & Metric).

They are also the OEM for Snap-On, so you can get even more colors via them.

And if you need the 3 row trays, they offer them too.

 

[unslow1]

Menard's was selling the Hansens. Rural King also carried their version.

 

[Madjik Man]

For example with the Hansen organizers, it looks like the 3/8s metric only goes up to 20mm. But most/all my 3/8s metric goes up to 24mm.

So what do you do?

 

[Fly YX]

I have a mix of different organizers. This is my cart at work . My main box at work and home have mostly Westling. The cart has way to much in it normally not as full.

 

[Maxcustody]

I use westling rails. As stated they are non magnetic. Not really a rail to haul them around but they are great for tool boxes............I move my cart around the shop where it is needed, so they work perfect for my needs and they look great.

 

[shawhite]

I’m not a big fan of the westling trays. I bought a set and ended up giving them away. The 3/8 rails were different widths the metric was like 1/2 or more thinner than the standard. The labels had arrows point to the pin instead of being right under the size. The 1/2 trays were split in half which drove me nuts. I ended up going with the mechanics time saver lock a socket metal rails when size marking. They are identical to the snap-on @ 1/2 the price and they are customizable. I cut them to fit my set to eliminate wasted space in my cart.

 

[Clutchsmoke]

For example with the Hansen organizers, it looks like the 3/8s metric only goes up to 20mm. But most/all my 3/8s metric goes up to 24mm.

So what do you do?

Generally if I'm using bigger than 20 mm it's half inch drive. But yes that's a problem you'll run into if you have bigger sockets. I just kind of store my extra sockets that are larger, off to the side. It's not like I use them much because, like I said, bigger sizes generally get half inch drive.

 

[CS454]

I still use stamped steel/clips socket rails.

That said, Ernst twist lock have worked great for me as well.

I use a Matco (Mantis) tool grid in my roll cart, quite happy with socket density and first order retrieval but not convenient for mobile work.

 

[mepstein]

I'm using Tekton rails and trays. I use black for 1/2, red for 3/8 and waiting on grey for 1/4. I only use metric, no sae. There is no best but they work for me.

 

[m6z]

VIM and ARES magrails

 

[racinfarmer]

For example with the Hansen organizers, it looks like the 3/8s metric only goes up to 20mm. But most/all my 3/8s metric goes up to 24mm.

So what do you do?

I will use plastic socket rails from the Wal-Mart. They are pretty cheap and good enough for lesser used items.

 

[4 FN 27]

Finished up another couple of sets of Socket Racks today.












Need to add 2 bends and weld this one.






Did this one a few weeks ago.

 

[Shop-hound]

Hansen trays and Ernst combination. Hansens are the best for working out of the box (easy to pull off peg with one hand and clear size label).

the Ernst are good for bit sockets and extensions/universals, plus can cut to desired length. I like to be able to grab with one hand also so you have the choice to just set on the peg and not lock it in 1/4 turn, or if pulling the rail out for mobile, just spin em all on.

I also keep my mid depth 1/4 and 3/8 chromes on Ernst rails so I can quickly grab the run of sockets for work away from the shop, in the house, helping neighbor etc.

 

[Madjik Man]

Finished up another couple of sets of Socket Racks today.












Need to add 2 bends and weld this one.






Did this one a few weeks ago.

Beautiful. It’s pure art form.

 

[CGarage]

I use westling rails. As stated they are non magnetic. Not really a rail to haul them around but they are great for tool boxes............I move my cart around the shop where it is needed, so they work perfect for my needs and they look great.

What is with all of the different colors and your organizing scheme?