Socket rails, all the same?

[jgelack]

Looking to organize my socket drawer. I was going to use Hansen trays, but changed my mind after seeing how much room they took up. So it looks like I'll be going with rails. It seems Ernst,Craftsman and HF are all popular choices, is there really any difference between them? I was at Sears the other day and checked out thier plastic rails, and thought they looked ok, I thought thier magnetic twist lock rails looked MUCH nicer, anyone using them? Harbor frieght is also close to me, so I'll have to check them out. Never saw a Ernst rail, so can't compare, but i've heard alot of good things about them. Another option would be to just order some Snap On metal rails, since the are cheap w/ free shipping. What would you guys suggest?

 

[pipsters]

I have HF rails. They are "ok". I mostly bought them so I could figure out my layout. $0.99 a pop is super cheap to figure out what you want to do. I've heard the others are much better.

In the end I've found I don't like either solution. I'm going to be making my own vacuum formed trays.

 

[lennoxlennox]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160327

 

[Bull]

I have one of the CM plastic rails with the retainer ball for the socket. I like it a lot. That being said, I use the Hansens for 99% of my sockets.

 

[Davefr]

Get the SO rails. They're superior to the other metal rails because the steel is stronger.

They're cheap and ship free. (one of the better SO deals)

 

[maddawg308]

I bought Cman rails. I wasn't too impressed, they lasted a while but the socket nubs were thin metal and they began to crack and fall off. Plus, now that I rethink it, rails take up a lot of room in the toolbox, next time I'm gonna opt for socket trays.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I like the hansen trays, but if I were using a rail system, I'd go with the Ernst.

Here's a picture of them in use by one of our members.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&page=10

 

[Dave.R]

Those Ernst rails are killer, that's the kind I have for my carry along bag. Those rivet in metal ones are a pain.

I use Hansons at home in the tool chest.

 

[rsanter]

You can get the same exact plastic socket rail as the craftsman has for $5.99 over at the 99 cent store. I use the 99 cent store ones and they are great. I also use the hansens and love them
I will agree that the snap on metal socket rails are the best and because they form the rail nice and square they will stand in the toolbox better than the chi com stuff

Bob

 

[bart1]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48117&highlight=wright+rails

 

[O_M_Jeep]

I have been looking for awhile for something to redo all my sockets, I liked the Ernst until I saw how much space it leaves between rows, I dont have that much room, they all go in a 36"x16" drawer, and its full (and doesnt even have impacts in it). I dont care for metal rails because they arent wide enough and tend to fall over, foam just takes up too much space unless you cut 450 different diameter holes, too much like tedium. the HF and CM plastic rails are ok, but also have their failings, too flimsy or small or not enough posts or whatever, and the never ending arguement over HFvsCM. I've looked at the magnetic plates and rails and there are so many options and none seem to fit just right.

 

[glenmore]

I have 2 sets of the Ernst that I'm not too crazy about and will list them in the classifieds.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ERNST-TOOLS..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item5d34ae7613&vxp=mtr

The good thing about the Ernst are the 3 mounting plates that keep the rails together and neatly spaced.

So far I like a combination of Hansens and Lastrays.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

i have the cheap steel ones from menards. $3 for a 3 pack

 

[texasprd]

I have a mix of the old-style VIM Magrails (that are being cleared out on the VIM/Durston site), and the Craftsman plastic Lock-a-Socket-labeled (non-magnetic) rails. Between them, they handle everything and just barely fit in my socket drawer. 1/2" impacts are on the Lock-A-Sockets, everything else is on the MagRails.

The above lets me put everything side-by-side with zero wasted space - I don't have room to spare for the space the Hansons and Hanson-imitations waste.

 

[RV77]

I have a few of these in 1/4,3/8,1/2 and have a magnetic base.Thought more of you guys would use them.

http://www.automotivetoolsonline.co...Socket-Socket-Holder-14-In-13-Pc_p_9076.html#

 

[Mickey O]

No they are not the Asian ones break real easy (I've broken several) but are good for holding your spares. Figure out how many you need for your "users" and buy some decent one. I personally don't like the metal ones.

 

[shoturtle]

For socket rail, the HF stuff is not as good. Very thin metal or plastic depending on the one you get. For plastic, the craftsman ones are great. The metal are okay, as I like the way the plastic one hold the socket better.

 

[OEXL16B]

Another option would be to just order some Snap On metal rails, since the are cheap w/ free shipping. What would you guys suggest?

I have some and I like them for storage and the ease of inventory, but as you probably know, you gotta use both hands to get the socket off unless you have the rail bolted down. One other option that no one has mentioned are the GearWrench socket rails. They're the same principle as the Snap-on metal rails ... but ... the sockets are MUCH easier to remove. I have a 1/2'' drive GearWrench socket set and I LOVE the socket rail they came on.

 

[Jme128]

I dont have a lot of experience on socket rails but I purchased some Grearwrench rails and they are top notch!! very strudy and heavy duty. Too bad they are not made in the USA.

 

[shoturtle]

Craftsman sells those gearwrench rebranded as craftsman as well as the other plastic ones. I like the slimmer plastic ones. And they function the same.

 

[Mastermind]

+1 for the snap on rails...everything that doesnt fit on the hanson trays is on them, i put a couple of the harbor frieght magnetic tool holders down and packed everything on, the wieght and magnets let you grab a socket and pull it off, or the whole rail and go.

 

[crewchief888]

if you want metal rails, go with the SO.
i have some that are 20 years old, and still hold sockets tight

never had much luck with the CM rails for "working" sockets that may get pulled off several times a day.

i have a few CM metal rails in my home boxes, for extra/ spare sockets, hansen trays and metal trays for the ones i use most often.

 

[jgelack]

Thanks guys! I think I'm going with the SO rails.

 

[Fishey]

Mechanic time savers makes a ton of different styles but the twist lock can be annoying. I use 1/8inch aluminum plate and place my HF plastic rails on them. That way you can move it from box to box quickly

 

[Exceller8]

I bought both the HF and Craftsman plastic rails and I must say that I like the Craftsman more. I don't think they're worth 3x the price though. I'm using both right now so we'll see how they hold up.

 

[rsieracki]

I have the HF plastic ones and there great but im not a pro

 

[mark40sw]

VIM tools seems to make thier plastic rails
http://www.vimtools.com/store/page18.html
for the following

Craftsman
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00941829000P
McMaster (these may be Wright)
http://www.mcmaster.com/#socket-rails/=iz4mte
Epstien (these are Wright)
http://store.harryepstein.com/search?q=Socket+Rail

I bought a couple of the HF rails and they are made of a harder, more brittle plastic. The VIM are made of tougher nylon (stated in McMaster)

I ended up buying from Epstein due to price & ability to mix color & size of rail & clips.

 

[lennoxlennox]

it's tough to beat the $5 price on the VIM magnetic rails that they are running a special on!

http://www.vimtools.com/store/page7.html (mid way down)

 

[mtd240]

I dont have a lot of experience on socket rails but I purchased some Grearwrench rails and they are top notch!! very strudy and heavy duty. Too bad they are not made in the USA.

I also have the Gearwrench rails - 1/2", 3/8", 1/4", and a "mixed" rail for the Torx.

Awesome to keep everything organized in my "tool bag", since I don't have a nice fancy box like all youse guys

 

[Super Sport]

I really like the VIM Craftsman ones. I wish Cman sold a couple of different lengths, I don't really want to pay the higher prices for the rails somewhere else.

I have a couple of old Mac metal rails that I like as well, definitely better than the cheaper ones you can buy.