Twist lock, or magnetic?

[neuralsnafu]

Thinking about setting up a 'go bag' of sorts for salvage yards, and the random "hey i'm stuck, can you come help me" phone call. I know the metal rails ****, and I thought I saw a review for a set of twist lock rails and they look promising, but I was also thinking that maybe a set of magnetic rails might do a better job?

 

[Danglerb]

I bought a half dozen "choker necklaces" off ebay for $2, each is a stainless steel braided plastic covered wire 17.5" long with a twist threaded fastener. Idea is to put all my misc socket sets on like beads.

For a small set, junkyard or roadside, spline might work best since one set will overlap both SAE and Metric.

 

[neuralsnafu]

hummm Good point about the spline idea. That would give me a reason to buy more tools LOL. I've got doubles, triples, and probably quadruples of my craftsman sockets, so i might just run with that for now.

 

[1950mercury]

Not a huge fan of the magnetic as they alway get covered in metal shavings. Not good when you are assembling engines

 

[T45]

Plastic ball-detent rails? Lightweight and don't have sharp edges.

I don't think either magnetic or twist sound like fun.

 

[beatcad]

i dont own the twist lock style.
of course the magnetic trays are great for a stationary box.
for a carry box/ bag? maybe not.
i hate to say it but the old style socket rails are fine for a carry/junkyard box.
i've used that style in my carry box for 25 years.
it takes up less space and holds fine because i only use it a few times a year.
in a home or work box yes they **** 'cause you need to use sockets a lot.

and lately i've grabbed a bunch of those rails from harbor freight for 99 cents.
at that price who cares

 

[bob15]

Plastic ball-detent rails? Lightweight and don't have sharp edges.

I don't think either magnetic or twist sound like fun.

I think these with the detents are the best. I believe SK uses them now. Used to be only Wright and at one time Craftsman (not sure on C-man anymore). I think the are the best out there.

Magnetic will collect metal shaving and rusted metal flakes and probably be a metal sliver in the hand, waiting-to-happen socket rail.

OP, can you add none of the above to your poll?

 

[truckdriver]

Metal rails only **** when you use ****** ones. The SO rails are fantastic and cheaper than Craftsman.
https://store.snapon.com/Socket-Rai...4-clips-3-8-square-drive-13-3-8--P647000.aspx

 

[T45]

Metal rails only **** when you use ****** ones. The SO rails are fantastic and cheaper than Craftsman.
https://store.snapon.com/Socket-Rai...4-clips-3-8-square-drive-13-3-8--P647000.aspx

It looks like they can be cut down to size. That may be a feauture the OP is interested in. Alot of the KRA65 guys had those, as shown in this thread...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4253050&postcount=122

 

[Cope]

Metal rails only **** when you use ****** ones. The SO rails are fantastic and cheaper than Craftsman.
https://store.snapon.com/Socket-Rai...4-clips-3-8-square-drive-13-3-8--P647000.aspx

Mechanics have been using rails for years. One thing about an emergency bag is that you don't want the sockets coming off too easily, or they won't be where you need them.

 

[Jlbc212]

Plastic ball-detent rails? Lightweight and don't have sharp edges.

I don't think either magnetic or twist sound like fun.

I bought some of the HF plastic ones to try out. The first one I tried broke as I placing sockets on it.

 

[T45]

I bought some of the HF plastic ones to try out. The first one I tried broke as I placing sockets on it.

The ones I have are VIM, and they don't ****.

http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-v520.aspx

 

[T45]

That being said, I agree with rocket. Blow mold case or plastic box with the sockets in Foam is the way to go for a travel bag. A soft-bag to hold pliers and hammers and loose drivers, plus the box of sockets/set nicely protected, is easy to put together and works well in the field.

 

[neuralsnafu]

I'd like to just use a bag. Using my extra sockets and spare wrenches. I'll have to try out the Ernst rails. I don't think I'll get the call to pull a motor on the side of the road lol. So a few rails of sockets, wrenches, pliers etc. Maybe a breaker bar.

 

[musgofasta]

I think I've tried most of the options for my travel bag. I'm back to the original set's blow molded plastic case. Every socket has a spot, and when closed it can bounce around all over and everything stays in order.