Westling Machine Wrench Racks - Looking For Input

[Westling Machine]

We finally got our inventory of socket organizers under control after the first of the year sale, so now its onto our number one request for our next product....Wrench Racks!

We are really excited about this as it is going to make such a great addition to our catalog. We have a number of ideas floating around our head of what we would like to make, but as we learned from our socket trays, everybody has their own opinions (which often end up being better than ours!)

So we are looking for input, suggestions, and help designing these. We have some solid models now, but before I post them, I would like to hear some other ideas. Our basic idea now is as follows....

Billet aluminum construction
Color coded to match the socket trays (Red for SAE and Blue for Metric)
The basic triangle design having opposite facing triangles for the most space savings
Simple gravity design with no clips to hold the wrenches in (keeping with the stationary tool box theme as with the socket trays)
Provisions for wall hanging
Magnetic and labeled versions as options

The real head scratcher for us, as with the socket trays, is how many provisions in each rack? It seems there is always big difference between the guys with the big wrench sets and some of the more hobby guys with smaller sets. Somebody always has way to many slots or to few.

Any input is always appreciated and we will be sure to update progress over the next few weeks as we make the first few set!

Alex Westling

 

[d.mcfarland]

Metric should go up to 20mm.

My only question is dealing with how constant use will fare on chrome plating. I guess basically the question is will the metal to metal contact be a concern?

 

[devoncoolman]

Making 3 different types 8-20 6-22 6-32mm and 1/4-1 1/4-1 5/16 1/4-1 1/2

 

[Westling Machine]

Metric should go up to 20mm.

My only question is dealing with how constant use will fare on chrome plating. I guess basically the question is will the metal to metal contact be a concern?

Thanks! We currently where thinking around 6mm to 22mm and dealing with the bigger wrenches as an extra add on wrack, but that is why we started this thread!

So far with our socket trays the chrome to anodize contact has not been a problem, but it is a valid concern.

 

[Gabastone]

My socket trays have held up very well - they still look like new!

Count me in.

 

[abvw]

I've noticed that some magnetic wrench racks slide around in the drawers, bringing the foam liner with it. I haven't had this trouble since I switched to a SnapOn box which the liners are rubberized on the bottom. A heavier duty set of magnets (or bigger surface area) that can hold the weight and not slide around will be a very good start.

Most sets come in 7, 10 or 12 pieces. Perhaps you can make them in 15s, with the option to snap off 3 slots from top/bottom like a puzzle piece so people can customize it however they want and not waste anything.

 

[oldldh]

6 to 30-32...and 1/4 to 1 5/16....

Craftsman 43 piece combination wrench set...(The one my wife gave me for Christmas)...

That's what I need...

 

[The Ratchet Man]

A 20 slot would be nice for the larger sets. I would like to see some with the natural aluminum finish. My metric and SAE drawers are separate so the colors do nothing for me.

 

[Westling Machine]

Great suggestions so far! We will see what we can come up with when we put it all together.

Here are a few more concerns we have.

Handles....Is there much of a market for one on the rack? Most plastic racks have them.

Also we are thinking of making rubber pads for each wrench to sit on to keep the wrench from sliding back and forth in its slot, since we don't want to use a latch system to keep wrench in place for easy one handed removal. Also this would allow for a greater number of length wrenches to be used in the same holder. We could switch the rubber pad out for a magnet for the magnet fans.

 

[jakemac]

Make the handle an add-on accessory. That way it isn't taking up space in the drawers.

For that matter; if you make the rack sizes modular, buyers could customize the size to fit their needs. Clipping on a larger addition will expand the basic rack another 3-5 spaces. with the last one being a handle, for those who need it.

Buyers could buy the basic rack, then add on later as their needs/collection increases.

 

[CWP1616L]

I always liked the original WrenchRack design up until they quit putting the foam feet on the bottom. So what I did is go over to the rubber supply house and buy me a roll of adhesive backed, black, open cell sponge rubber. It's the same exact stuff that WrenchRack used to use, only the feet turned out square instead of round.

The feet do two things:
1. Prevent the plastic rack from welding itself to the snap-on non-skid drawer liner
2. Raises the rack up so the wrenches aren't dragging on the drawer bottom

I don't know if this post will help you or not, but I thought I'd mention what I look for in a wrench rack.

 

[apexit1]

When I had a KRA series Snap On box most wrench rails would hold the wrenches too high to close the drawer. Try to keep a low profile not just of the rack but with the wrenches included. You would need to deepen the slots. Also some wrench racks barely save any space, the more of an angle the better IMO.

 

[4x4gearhead]

Thanks! We currently where thinking around 6mm to 22mm and dealing with the bigger wrenches as an extra add on wrack, but that is why we started this thread!

So far with our socket trays the chrome to anodize contact has not been a problem, but it is a valid concern.

I would love to see racks that would go up to 32 mm / 1 1/4! I am interested to see what you come up with.

 

[CWP1616L]

When I had a KRA series Snap On box most wrench rails would hold the wrenches too high to close the drawer.

Interesting. Never had that problem with my WrenchRacks.

 

[MadTinkerer]

Interesting. Never had that problem with my WrenchRacks.

I have Ernst wrench rails and I had to modify them to fit my bigger wrenches. In my Krl they sat too high and I couldn't close the drawer.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'd want to see something for two sets of combos, setup to minimize space constructions

you also need to consider the DBE and DOE's which by their nature are smaller sets, and I guess the double offset could use the combo racks, but still tend to be smaller sets...

Food for thought...

 

[Fedwrench]

I think you should consider making a rail set up. It could slide for adjusting to different drawer depths. Wrench racks are ok but, rails maximize drawer space and can accomadate different types of wrenches. It may be in the too hard to do block but, I don't use racks.

 

[larryq]

Would the racks that go up to 32 MM / 1-1/4" have a limited number of slots, starting from (say) 22MM or 3/4"? A 6-32MM rack would be mighty large.

 

[cgv69]

Billet aluminum construction
Color coded to match the socket trays (Red for SAE and Blue for Metric)
The basic triangle design having opposite facing triangles for the most space savings
Simple gravity design with no clips to hold the wrenches in (keeping with the stationary tool box theme as with the socket trays)
Provisions for wall hanging
Magnetic and labeled versions as options

When you say "The basic triangle design", I hope you don't mean this type...

Everybody and their brother makes that type. I would like to see something more along the lines of the ernst rails but with some changes.

One of the things I don't like about the ernst rails (and most others) is they assume a 26" draw width. Many of use have wider draws and don't need to have our wrench reversed. Here is the standard Ernst layout...

But here's a photochop of how I would like to arrange mine...

The other thing to consider is draw height. I like to keep my wrenches in one of my 2" drawers but to do that, the wrench rails have to stay pretty low and angled, especially for those larger wrenches.

I hope you come up with something cool. Right now my wrenches are all laid out flat because I couldn't find anything that worked the way I wanted. I would love to find something that did to regain some space in that drawer.

 

[hickfied]

I don't care if it is a add on or not, I want a way to store larger sized wrenches. A couple modules with 1/4-7/8 and 6-19mm with add ons of 15/16 to 1-5/16 and 20mm-32mm

 

[Golgoroth]

Most sets come in 7, 10 or 12 pieces. Perhaps you can make them in 15s, with the option to snap off 3 slots from top/bottom like a puzzle piece so people can customize it however they want and not waste anything.

Make the handle an add-on accessory. That way it isn't taking up space in the drawers.

For that matter; if you make the rack sizes modular, buyers could customize the size to fit their needs. Clipping on a larger addition will expand the basic rack another 3-5 spaces. with the last one being a handle, for those who need it.

Buyers could buy the basic rack, then add on later as their needs/collection increases.

This.

Make a base wrench rack that covers the middle range and then have add-on modules that goes together with a solid connection, something like a dovetail with roll pin. One module to cover additional smaller sizes and then 2-3 for additional larger sizes should cover all of the set sizes.

Then you could start thinking about optional modules like handles, peg board hooks or a flip down lock bar.

 

[KPSquared]

Dammit... now I'm going to have to buy more shiny parts from you guys. ..

I really like the Ernst rails. Even in a giant box, real estate can be precious. Racks just use a lot of space. If you come up with a shiny billet version of something like the Ernst Wrench Rails, I'm in. Not really interested in much else. Unless you come up with some sort of modular system. Something new and original would be cool rather than just an aluminum copy of someone else's design.

 

[glenmore]

Don't forget a rectangular shaped rack for stubby wrenches.

And rather than one big rack, split it up like, 8-19mm and then another 20-27mm.

 

[F-117HWK]

Ill add a vote for the ability to keep larger wrenches (20+mm) in the 2" drawers. The rack that my GearWrench flex-heads are in does not allow the 2" drawer to close and that only goes up to 25mm.

Looking forward to seeing what yall come up with for sure

 

[LXCam]

Could you provide a newbi with a link to your other products, I'd like to check them out. As for this idea, I'm with the others on .a Ernst style with add on. I use modified Ernst as well. Thnx

 

[Tim-Bob]

Very low profile, individual racks. Various cut to length sizes. Perhaps magnets to hold the racks down.

 

[86k10]

I personally like the straight rail style or the slope down style that accommodate larger wrenches like Ernst or regular like Snap On. I never really liked those plastic triangles ones and to be honest, there are so many cheap plastic ones out there that I don't know if a higher priced aluminum rack would be a big enough seller to make it worth while. I think something modular that would accommodate many different sizes, types in different drawer sizes/depths would be more successful.

Examples in this thread of the straight wrench rails

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123997

 

[kngelv]

When you say "The basic triangle design", I hope you don't mean this type...

Everybody and their brother makes that type. I would like to see something more along the lines of the ernst rails but with some changes.

I totally agree with the above sentiment. I have your socket holders and think they are outstanding. Please don't make aluminum versions of the same style wrench racks that ten different companies sell. Take your time and come up with something original.

James

 

[Piles]

I would like something as low profile as possible. Even if it is just laying the wrenches down on it rather than turned up. My mac box has a two full width drawers, one like 5 inches for sockets, the other like an inch and a half. No wrench organizer fits so I just lay them all down which doesn't look half bad, but isn't exactly how I want it.

Maybe I am just picking nits but for whatever reason it just irks me.

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

I really like this angle but I would want mine to have one side go from small to large and the other go from large to small. Just keep in mind a lot of people have craftsman which has the raised section which will come into play with the design . I still need to buy some of the socket trays but definitely looking forward to some wrench racks.

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

Apparently the picture didn't transfer with the message. I really like having the wrenches all to one side. They take up less space. The more we can fit into our tool boxes the better.

 

[CWP1616L]

I would like something as low profile as possible. Even if it is just laying the wrenches down on it rather than turned up. My mac box has a two full width drawers, one like 5 inches for sockets, the other like an inch and a half. No wrench organizer fits so I just lay them all down which doesn't look half bad, but isn't exactly how I want it.

Maybe I am just picking nits but for whatever reason it just irks me.

My wrench drawer is only 1.5'' thick and I can fit all my wrenches on WrenchRacks no problem. You can get them at Snap-On. Part# YA381ABL and YA389ABL for reverse.

See picture here.

 

[lilscorpion]

If it were me and I was designing such a thing I'd figure out a way to make a rack, similar to your socket tray, but has movable pins that allows multiple configurations based on need. With a couple of different pin/track/guide locations you could allow one to store two sets of wrenches in a variety of lengths and sizes or one set from super small to super large. A wrench rack that allowed the customer to configure would allow the customer to use one for every type of wrench they own. This is the biggest problem in my box since forever - there's always a type of wrench or two that the racks I like can't hold which causes me to search for a different type of rack for just that type of wrench. I don't want another type of rack but I have no choice.

I'd also try to design my rack to double as a ratchet rack...

 

[cheechi]

I like some of the ideas already posted. I use metric mostly so that's what I will talk about. Usually I look for something small, I will be looking 6-11mm. Make that one part of the overall rack, a separable part. 12-19 makes the middle section, then you can have two options for the 'big' say 20, 22, 25, 27 or the full 20-32, depending on which the individual needs. So it can break up into 3 parts and you can sell just one part or another if needed. Make a small one with 3 slots for some don't need anything smaller than 9 or 8mm anyway, or they skip 7 & 11 like a lot of sets do, as well as the full 6-11.

Some guys standard sizes may go up to 1" or larger, some may stop at 3/4 in terms of what they actually use. Same with the real small ones. Put some sort of foam/plastic on the part where the wrench would sit so you don't have to worry about scratching the finish of either. Because of the angle, it's going to be different than how the sockets sit on the existing product.

Make sure you make one for stubbies, and one for flare nut wrenches too.

 

[glenmore]

Here is the standard Ernst layout...

Epiphany!

Same basic style as your socket rails with anodized plate and aluminum pegs.

NOT symmetrical triangles like the typical plastic racks.

But slanted triangular shapes just like the above Ernst shape with the long right angle straight edge on the right and on the left.

Both regular and reverse.

In two parts but look like they go together, one for a standard spread and one for larger wrenches.

 

[candikid]

Can't believe I've missed out on this one. Any news? What about the models you told us you had?

 

[shocksandstrutz]

Lets not forget about a stubby rack too!!! possibility?

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

I would definitely like something like the wrench rack but offset the wrench to one side so you can fit more stuff in the drawer. Definitely would be nice to go from very small to the big stuff. I have 1/4 all the way to 1-1/2 and 6 to 32 with just a few off. Maybe build a few custom orders, wink wink. Also in just my opinion I would build them around craftsman wrenches because they have the raised center on them and I know a ton of guys on here have them. The other brands will fit in darn near anything. Are y'all also going to make them for line wrenches, offset wrenches, stubby wrenches?

 

[Steevo]

I do not like the "typical" v-shaped angled wrench racks and will not buy that type.
They just waste too much drawer space, and I end up with six drawers of wrenches.

Now, if you made some billet aluminum versions of what GJ member s14kev did in this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223228

Then you'd have my attention.

 

[CWP1616L]

I do not like the "typical" v-shaped angled wrench racks and will not buy that type.
They just waste too much drawer space, and I end up with six drawers of wrenches.

If you get the reverse rack to go with the forward rack, the two side by side don't take up any more space than the wrenches themselves.