Socket Rails - gearwrench vs Ernst

[John316]

I am considering purchasing some single stock Gearwrench socket rails for my few sets I need rails for, but was also considering the Ernst rails. What I love about the Gearwrench rails is that they are very stiff and do not bend even with 1/2" deepwells.

Can someone with the Ernst rails as well as the GW rails tell me how they compare? Specifically, do the Ernst rails flex?

 

[bart1]

I have one Ernst rail (Wiha torx set came on it). I like it and it's pretty stiff. I bought some Wright ones from Epstein that are pretty similar and I like also.

 

[Sterff]

I recently changed all of my 1/4" drive sockets over to the GearWrench style rails. I am very impressed with them, and have been thinking about buying a few more.

 

[camarotoolman]

I use the .99 ers from HF. Not good for 1/2" deeps.

 

[bbs lm-r]

I have one GW rail from buying a GW Torx set, and I have Ernst twist lock rails.

Just from a visual stance, the GW seems more sturdy because it looks like a single piece of plastic that forms the bottom and concaves around and over the ends of each socket clip, whereas the Ernst is basically a flat piece of plastic.

I can't really compare them though, because my the rail from the torx set is around 8" long, not really long enough to flex with little torx sockets on it. However ,my Ernst rails do flex with 1/2 shallow and deep sets, maybe a little with 3/8, none really with 1/4.

 

[Fedwrench]

Any plastic rail will flex under the weight of 1/2 drive deep sockets. I have Craftsman, Ernst, Gearwrench, and others. The only rail that I've found not to flex is the VIM tools Magrail TL. Exspensive but, a great rail.

http://www.vimtools.com/store/page30.html