Socket Organizers

[TJCowher]

What socket Organizers are yall using. I need some to try and organize to make as much room as possible in my box. I like tool box widgets but was wondering about other options before i pull the trigger. I need some that are customizable. My torx, E torx and allens, the first couple sizes are 1/4 then 3/8 then 1/2 as they get bigger. Any suggestions.

 

[ecotec]

Some 80’s/90’s proprietary ones, Hansen, HF, and some socket rails.

I would do my whole drawer in the 80’s/90’s proprietary ones, if I could find more.

 

[Mecha]

What do you mean by proprietary ones? Pictures?

 

[AJHD]

I'm also looking for a better solution.

I am not at all happy with my current socket organization. It looks terrible and doesn't make effective use of available space.

 

[richfinn]

I use these in my van, strong, magnetic and hold better than my Ernst ones did.

Koken Magnetic rail 3/8".Dr 12clips 300mm | UKtools

UKtools Professional Hand Tools, Specialist Socketry from Koken Tools, Facom, Britool, Gearwrench, Signet, Trident, Elora, Knipex, Bondhus and more

www.uktools.com

Expensive, but anything decent always is, would love to try Magrails but almost impossible to source in the UK

 

[mreisner]

Ernst

 

[jblnut]

Hansen for everything I can. They work well and I like that I can grab a tray and take it with me.

 

[Buckeye93]

Ernst have served me well. Multiple size rails. Saw these the other day and the video caught my attention. Way more cost than Ernst though.

 

[ecotec]

What do you mean by proprietary ones? Pictures?

Mecha, if you zoom in to the picture of my socket drawer you can see the 1980’s/90’s lock together socket strips. I have some 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4. I would need a lot more 3/8 and 1/2 to do the whole drawer.

A few different companies made these strips back then. Whenever I find any, I buy them… but it took about 20 years to even find this many.

It is a very dense method of socket organization.

 

[Professor Gascan]

I use the kobalt 4 row steel trays from lowes for my 3/8 and 1/2. The kind with 4 plastic rails riveted to them and removable plastic pegs.


Relatively inexpensive and you can configure them the way that works for you. They have enough room between rows for easy access while not taking up too much excess space and you can set them up to your sockets without having any empty spots or wasted space.


They come with 20 1/4, 40 3/8, and 20 1/2 inch pegs on a tray.

 

[Callelle]

Ernst have served me well. Multiple size rails. Saw these the other day and the video caught my attention. Way more cost than Ernst though.

Man, I can't tell you how many times I've shaken my socket drawer upside down over my head and the sockets all came out. Now I know I'm covered.

 

[Qualitytools]

I use these in my van, strong, magnetic and hold better than my Ernst ones did.

Koken Magnetic rail 3/8".Dr 12clips 300mm | UKtools

UKtools Professional Hand Tools, Specialist Socketry from Koken Tools, Facom, Britool, Gearwrench, Signet, Trident, Elora, Knipex, Bondhus and more

www.uktools.com

Expensive, but anything decent always is, would love to try Magrails but almost impossible to source in the UK

My Koken Zeal sockets came with these and they are great. I think they are the same as Ares

 

[Professor Gascan]

My Koken Zeal sockets came with these and they are great. I think they are the same a

Harbor Freight carries these as well.

 

[drivesitfar]

I’ve seen more than a few socket organizers but always willing to see if there is a better alternative so I’m here to learn.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Westlingusa.com best in the game!

 

[scooby074]

Ive always used Hansens but the pegs break and they waste space. I worked with a guy who had the Lisle magnetic trays back when they were the only game in town before magrails existed They were great and let you stack vertical in a deep tray, can take them to equipment, but I found they were expensive, so I never bought in.

I think Magrails are the answer for efficient space usage, and you can stack them, and take them to equipment, but the price is super high.

Toolgrid is cool. If I had a ton of space, Id consider it, but you cant take it to equipment and it wastes a bit space unless you go over the top with attention to detail when laying it out . Great for tool control though.

If I was still working as a mechanic daily, Id probably start investing in magrails, I think.

 

[kbeefy]

I have about half of mine on VIM MagRails. I'd convert everything to them if they weren't so expensive.

Most of my 1/2 stuff is on hansen style organizers.

 

[Dig Doug]

Hansen, Olsa and Ares

I’ve had a few issues w/ the Hansen racks, impacts don’t fit ( to wide thick walled ) and the center peg is to fat (wide ) on some random sockets

Olsa doesn’t have green 3 row in metric

 

[CMB41]

Ernst guy myself. Also have some VIM and Alien stuff too

I find the host of this channel a little annoying but some of the content is good. Survey of organization systems is one of the better videos. Fairly comprehensive. YMMV

 

[jetlag]

I wish I had a better answer, but this is about as good as I've ever gotten my socket drawer. I used four of the 80 clip, 4-row trays. Metal trays with moveable plastic clips in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 sizes. I got mine from Amazon, Casoman brand, but they are fairly ubiquitous under a lot of different names. It's a lot better than it was, now I have room for my most used ratchets and extensions, which had previously been relegated to a different drawer. I still have a few of the older upright organizers, eventually they'll be replaced, too.

The large trays allow for pretty tight storage, downside is they aren't easy to transfer to a rolling service cart.

 

[NUTTSGT]

So far I like my Hansen trays they are cheap enough... filling up every peg is what gets expensive... especially going with 6 & 12 pt.

 

[Professor Gascan]

So far I like my Hansen trays they are cheap enough... filling up every peg is what gets expensive... especially going with 6 & 12 pt.

I have a Hansen 3 row for my 1/4 drive. Capri deep and shallow, along with the Astro nano set fit perfectly in a nice compact footprint.

 

[gizardlizard]

Another vote for Westling.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Ernst guy myself. Also have some VIM and Alien stuff too

I find the host of this channel a little annoying but some of the content is good. Survey of organization systems is one of the better videos. Fairly comprehensive. YMMV

What are your thoughts on the alien product? I am looking to get some of their wrench organizers.

I wish Westlingusa.com had wrench organizers!

 

[crewchief888]

i have a lot of different types in my work boxes
SO metal rails
MTS magnetic trays
"old school" metal socket trays
i have some hansen trays in my home boxes

 

[CMB41]

What are your thoughts on the alien product? I am looking to get some of their wrench organizers.

I wish Westlingusa.com had wrench organizers!

Not home this week so I no pics. I have the first gen ones. They are OK. The gen 2 looks better.
I will probably order some of the new ones.

i have old USA Craftsman and Williams wrenches. they hold fairly well. I am not a pro and only using a few days a week so keep that in mind. My organizers are 4 yrs old with no issues

 

[lilredex]

Here is some of the stuff I've made to solve those storage issues.

 

[WWheeler]

Ernst have served me well. Multiple size rails. Saw these the other day and the video caught my attention. Way more cost than Ernst though.

Really cool thing about VIM Magrails (besides the inventor is a GJ member) is that each socket/tool is held by two magnets with each side a polar opposite of the other, which has the added benefit that your tools don't get magnetized like other magnetic organizers. They won't be picking up slivers, shavings and metal dust.

 

[Wyoming09]

Another vote for Ernst.

 

[jsaw]

I made some