Socket Rails???

[littletoes]

Guys, many have custom ways of holding their sockets, from the Hanson trays, to some total custom stuff.

What I'm wondering, isn't there someplace to buy long socket rails, that can be cut to length, and then possibly riveted/mounted to either a piece of aluminum or sheet metal, which could be painted or anything else??

I haven't seen any, and as some say, the Hanson rails has either too many, or not enough spots for some folks sets.

 

[BajaBound]

I have Hanson trays and for 3/8 and 1/2 they aren't big enough mainly on the metric side.

 

[scott0]

http://performanceracingmall.com/RHEngineering/Socket_Organizer.html

I had a few of these awhile ago. They come in lengths up to 48 inches. Never had a issue with them, other than the price.

 

[CWP1616L]

The GearWrench socket rails are the way to go. They allow for easier removal of the socket than traditional metal clips and rails, plus that look really cool.

 

[KSB]

I mount the socket rails on both ends to a piece of flatbar. It works well. I have been interested in the gearwrench rails, good to hear a positive review.

 

[camarotoolman]

The 1 s @ hf are good and only$1. Just screw them to a scrape 2x4 etc. They wouldn't hold 1/2" deeps though. I buy alot of them the make up sets to sell.

 

[thetreshon]

Unless I'm asleep, I swear somewhere on another rail thread, someone mentioned that the boating industry uses the same width/style of metal we use for socket rails, and they come in really long lengths to cut.

Can't remember if boaters use the rails to put snaps on them for their canvas/tonneau covers?

 

[elguappo]

http://performanceracingmall.com/RHEngineering/Socket_Organizer.html

I had a few of these awhile ago. They come in lengths up to 48 inches. Never had a issue with them, other than the price.

Wow those are really cool, with a pricetag to match!

 

[03protege]

I bought some from Harbor Freight the other night to throw some duplicates sockets I have on. All my other sockets are either stored in factory blow mold cases or plastic retail packaging.

These are my only experience with socket rails and I am not impressed, They may be better if they are anchored to something but it is pretty tough to pull sockets off I find.
They just slide through my fingers when I pull.

I really like the hansons but it seems like a small fortune if I buy a metric and SAE in every drive size (well just 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2). I may still do it because it looks like the best system, but I don't want to.

 

[jdsac]

Not socket rails, but better- you don't need 2 hands as you do with rails unless you fasten them down. Cheap & good- also avail in metric. Run the slider under the pic to the right to see detail.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-sae-socket-trayorganizer-68100.html

 

[Matt018]

At first i used harbor freight metal rails, they didnt hold the sockets too well and i got snap on to hold 4 sets of 3/8 impacts and they work great, hold the sockets good, but realease them too. nice to work with.

 

[mtd240]

The GearWrench socket rails are the way to go. They allow for easier removal of the socket than traditional metal clips and rails, plus that look really cool.

I agree - the GearWrench rails are amazing. Drop them on the floor - all the sockets stay on the rail, and the rail doesn't break. The sockets pop right off when you want to pull them off (pretty easy with one hand too ) Kind of expensive on Amazon, though - might want to wait for a sale, or use an Advance Auto coupon code

 

[SantaAna12]

Advance auto for the Gearwrench rails? I could'nt find them using "Gearwrench socket rail". Do you remember what search term you found them under?

 

[twistedchief]

try this santa ana 12


http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/accessories/socket_rails/

 

[dankicksass]

The only plastic rails I have in my box right now are Kobalt 3/8 blow molded non-adjustable jobs from their old Danaher hang cards, holding Sunex swivel impact sockets. I never liked the Craftsman/Gearwrench poly rails, but I have a drawer full of them at home somewhere just in case I like them again. Most of my sockets live on HF racks, but none of my sockets are HF because I don't trust them.

Some of my favorite rails however are VIM tool magnetic rails. I have all my sockets at home on them, and a few specialty things at work like the Gearwrench magnetic oil plug sockets.

 

[Matt018]

Re: Getting ready for big sale. Some pricing help?

Hey everyone, I am getting ready to list a bunch of truck brand tools for sale locally. I have spent the last few days trying to price things. For current and recent tools, I have been pricing things around 50% of new which seems to be about right. However, there are few vintage or obsure items that I can't seem to price with confidence. I also have some specific VW/Audi tools many of which I don't recognize. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

Pic one is the SO stuff giving me trouble. Punches are 1/2 7016 & PPC 1001. Not sure what type of punches they are. Behind them are 3 double box wrenchs with round shafts; SDHXD10A, XHD1416, & XDH1618. I am unsure of the vintage. Next up is some sort of adjustable length specialty wrench with an industrial finish: S 9470 C. Behind that is a large double ended 15 mm box wrench: S6116. Back row is just some large 12 pt. sockets with new prices marked on the blue tape. Any general guidelines for loose socket pricing by size or drive?

Pics 2 & 3 show VW/Audi tools with very little use. I have never worked on a VW (other than my old '66 bus) so I don't know anything about these tools or their value.

Bottom three pics are of things I have already priced just to show you guys that I am not totally lazy and I really appreciate the help.

you should make your own thread dude

 

[dankicksass]

Re: Getting ready for big sale. Some pricing help?

Whoops. Of course this should have been its own thread! Not sure how I did this but my apologies to Littletoes. Now how might I contact a Mod and ask for it to be moved?

Just hit edit, copy the text to the clipboard, hit the delete button, and confirm. Then make a new thread. Don't mods work enough?

 

[SantaAna12]

thanks Chief....but no go on the Advance site. I was hoping to use one of their coupons.

 

[dankicksass]

thanks Chief....but no go on the Advance site. I was hoping to use one of their coupons.

Couldn't find this? http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...em-kd-tools_22981641-p?searchTerm=socket+rail

They also have green, but more costly. At $25 per 3, those aren't cheap.

 

[SantaAna12]

Was looking for the Gearwrench ones Dan, and to use the 40% off coupon. Thanks though.

 

[Gary S]

30 years ago I set up my garage using socket rails mounted inside a wall cabinet to hold my; sockets. They were PITA to use.
About 10 years ago I bought a large rolling tool box and dumped the socket rails and put the sockets loose in the drawer slots of the toolbox. This is so much better.
I would never use socket rails again. They just don't serve my needs.

 

[bob15]

Wright tool, also sold at Sears, McMaster Carr and Harry Epstein. Can be gotten in lengths at least to 13" and can add or remove as many clips as desired. And it US made.

http://www.wrighttool.com/cat_images/DSC_0306.jpg

The clips have a steel detent ball in them and the sockets will never fall out.

 

[SantaAna12]

How sturdy/stiff are those Bob15?

 

[Hiball]

Ive had real good luck with my Snap on Metal Rails, The Clips seem to last quite a bit longer than the Cheaper ones including the HF. All of them will eventually wear out and its dependent on how often you are removing/Installing sockets. I just picked up some of the longer 1/2" Rail/Clips off the truck last week and i think they were $3-4 bucks.

 

[bob15]

How sturdy/stiff are those Bob15?

They are pretty stiff and sturdy. The plastic isn't brittle, even when the temps are hovering at zero, they drop to the ground nothing shatters or breaks. I've even taken longer rails, cut them to a length I wanted then, drilled a hole, put a small screw for a stop and have custom rails.

One rail has a 1/2" drive 3/8-1 1/8 socket set on it. If holding the 3/8 end in the air with 2 fingers, the heavy end of the will flex maybe 1/8-3/16" if that. I also took the rail and held it upside down and shook it. The same amount of flex occurred, but none of the sockets fall out. In fact they didn't even move, as if they were on a ratchet or extension. Good luck doing that with metal rails and clips....

I really think they are the cat's meow.
bob

 

[SantaAna12]

Thanks amigo.

 

[ricleh]

I prefer the Nepros socket rails. The ends are removable so you can cut the rails to the size you want and add or remove the rubberized socket holders to get the exact size socket rail you want. You can mix the 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" socket holders also since they slide onto the rails the same way. You can buy steel wire for the rails to make them as long as you want also.

 

[John316]

I have all my sockets in GW Rails...They Rock! The best pricing I could find is through www.ntxtools.com

Great part about these rails is they are very solid plastic and do not bend or break unless you REALLY REALLY beat on them. After getting a few with GW sets, I decided to do all my sockets with these rails. I also like the blue and red to easily distinguish between metric and imperial from a distance.

I found buying extra clips handy for filling out rails, and even interchanging drive sizes on rails. All rails will take clips for any drive size. For example, you could buy a 15" rail with 3/8" clips and replace the clips with 1/4" clips to fit shallow and deep on a single rail.

You can get the open stock part numbers here:
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/accessories/socket_rails/index.jsp?view=stock

They also sell the extra clips, part numbers here:
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/accessories/socket_rail_clips/

 

[plinker]

I had used Craftsman & Snap-on rails for a long time & after having issues with the 1/4 drive clips wearing out every few months I upgraded them to the Gearwrench style. Never had another issue after that.

When Cripe distrubting had the Napa branded rails for 3.50 each in 3/8 & 1/2 drive, I upgraded everything else. The only real issues I had with the metal rails in those sizes was rusty clips and bending rails with 1/2 deep impact sockets.

I just wish the Gearwrench rails were about 2" longer so I could get a couple extra socket on the same rack.


Tooltopia has some pretty good prices on the rails but they dont have the entire selection from what I've seen.

 

[dankicksass]

Was looking for the Gearwrench ones Dan, and to use the 40% off coupon. Thanks though.

Couldn't find this? http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...em-kd-tools_22981641-p?searchTerm=socket+rail

They also have green, but more costly. At $25 per 3, those aren't cheap.

KD is Gearwrench. The KD brand was phased out for hand tools, with their skus changing to Gearwrench a couple years ago. The KD brand is retained for specialty tools, and Advance doesn't update their catalog often enough.

 

[littletoes]

Some great ideas here guys, thanks for sharing!

Been gone for a couple of days, why it took me so long to reply.

 

[RCRGarage]

http://performanceracingmall.com/RHEngineering/Socket_Organizer.html

I had a few of these awhile ago. They come in lengths up to 48 inches. Never had a issue with them, other than the price.

Those are ****. Never heard of them... any pics of these installed??

 

[SantaAna12]

KD is Gearwrench. The KD brand was phased out for hand tools, with their skus changing to Gearwrench a couple years ago. The KD brand is retained for specialty tools, and Advance doesn't update their catalog often enough.

Well....thats F'ing smart there.

Now to get my calc out and consult with my accountant to figure out the best Advance coupon code to use.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm using regular old Cman socket rails for the regular sockets and I made my own for the impact sockets.

 

[smothers33]

i bought the plastic craftsman rails with the square pegs, cut the rails to the length I wanted, took a small handheld soldering torch( a lighter would probably work) and melted the end I cut so the sockets wouldnt fall off. Now every single socket I have is on a rail cut to length and organized exactly how I want it.

 

[yjWrangler]

I prefer the Nepros socket rails. The ends are removable so you can cut the rails to the size you want and add or remove the rubberized socket holders to get the exact size socket rail you want. You can mix the 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" socket holders also since they slide onto the rails the same way. You can buy steel wire for the rails to make them as long as you want also.

Damn, I like those.

 

[kjg509]

I'm looking for socket rails and socket pegs for 1/4, 3/8, 1/2.Got them from RB Components.
They dont carry any more and cant help me to find where to get anymore. Looking for help to where to get some more.

 

[Gregg33]

I had good luck with the Craftsman plastic rails and the Taiwan made knock-offs sold at Princess Auto. They come in longer lengths than the Craftsman which is what the original poster is looking for and I believe Harbor Freights sells them too.

Bang for the buck you can't beat the SO stamped sheet metal rails. I find SO are the only ones with a flat bottom, other brans of that style need to be riveted down or they'll fall over, especially with deep sockets on them plus (I kid you not) SO is the cheapest.

If you don't care about cost the absolute best are the Ernst. Expect to drop around $15-$25/ rail depending in the style you choose..ie magnetic, twist lock, regular etc. The magnetic ones are awesome, I doubt they'd tip with impact sockets on them during an earthquake!