what's the best socket holder???

[atch]

I was reading this post when I saw the pic below. This got me to thinking about how disorganized my sockets are. Currently I have one drawer each in a roll around for 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 inch sockets and another drawer for each size ratchets, extensions, u-joints, etc. That's six drawers. I don't mind using six drawers, but two of the socket drawers have sockets just rolling around in them and the other one uses those cheap metal holders that I don't care much for. Impact sockets are in another drawer altogether, as are ratchet driven allen, torx, etc.

SO the question remains: please show me how you store your sockets, including brands, prices, & suppliers for your stuff.

THANX.

o-b-t-w: I have no desire to use pegboard or any other "wall mount" to put them on. I'll stick with tool box drawers, thank you very much.

also-b-t-w: I've googled the "outside world" and only got more confused. I'm really interested in what you folks use and like.

 

[Strouty]

I am a bit biased, but these are great rails.

VIM Magrails

 

[gungatim]

harbor Freight 3 pc set $10
and the Lowes when they were on clearance in the 3 pc set (now sold separately at 3x the price).

 

[QwikKotaTx]

The deal of the century was the Kobalt sets of 3 for $5. $10 total for metric and SAE was awesome. I think they stopped making them or the price went way up. Hansen makes some as well.

 

[firworks]

I've got a full set of the Hansen rails, but I wish I didn't. They take up a lot of room, and a lot of my smaller sockets don't fit on the pegs. I'm still looking too for the "right" socket solution.

 

[R. Johnson]

I use the HF trays for my basic 6pt sets. The pegs are shorter than Hansen making them less likely to break, and the socket is stored drive side down making it easier to grab a size by eye.

For my bit sockets and other oddball sockets I use the plastic HF rails screwed to plywood.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I use a combination of the sheet metal trays sockets come in, mechanics time saver, and VIM magrail. I am considering switching to westling but Its hard to find the right combination of storage when you have a lot of master sets

 

[bcradio]

I also use the HF trays and really like them. They save a ton of space in my drawers and they weren't very expensive. For the other odds and ends, I use the HF rails... another good deal.

 

[Tejaas]

The Westling socket trays are second to none in my book, and are available in many options.



Very small footprint, too. They wont eat up all your drawer space like a lot of the other options.


~Tejaas~

 

[lightning02]

iv come to the conclusion that there is no perfect setup bc none of these are made for a certain toolbox. each box and tools that persons has will require a different setup.

i have tried 3 different styles and they each have there pros and cons.

the HF trays are by far the worst bc they take up more room then most that type. not worth the money your saving only bc of the room there wasting.

 

[FigureItOut]

If you like twist lock, consider both MTS lock-a-socket, and tekton. The Tekton are identical to Ernst manufacturing rails but they have magnets, which I believe the Ernst don't. I use the MTS in my portable box because although they take up slightly more room, the magnet is stronger.

If dropped on a hard floor, the MTS will let go of sockets, usually by the pegs coming apart and the ball detent is very hard to find. The Tekton will hold them, but the weaker magnet doesn't work for me. If I had room for their 3-row tray that would be solved though.

Both types can be cut to size, though the MTS are more conducive to trimming. On both you can rearrange the pegs to your liking, and mix drive sizes on a single rail. The replacement pegs for Tekton are far cheaper than the pegs for the MTS.

Both have provisions for permanent mounting, and I believe both are USA made, though I'm certain the Tekton are.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[d.mcfarland]

Could make your own out of wood and dowel rods. If you need a truly custom approach that's a pretty inexpensive option.

 

[Tenex]

I only have one set of tools so I always have to keep mobility in mind. With that said, I prefer the Ernst Socket Boss for my sockets. They make magnetic rails if you need them, but the magnets also serve as a transporter for metal particles that will infect your box. I use the non-magnetic rails with the trays and it's very secure. I've tried simulating an earthquake and they simply won't tip over. If I had a separate set of tools that I could leave in a box/cart then I'd for sure go with Westling.

 

[Greg85mcss]

This is just what's on my service cart but I use the hf trays for my regular sockets. The 3/8 impacts & misc are on a kobalt tray. I had hansen trays before but if something gets knocked over they snap really easy & aren't cheap.

Main box I have my less commonly used sockets on hf trays. Bits & other specialty on plastic rails.

I have a coworker with a mac tray similar to the kobalt one but with twist locks & rails can be swapped out. It's convenient for when he wants to bring one thing home or experimenting with different setups.
It comes down to what works for you. People say that trays waste space but they save me time & that equals getting jobs done faster.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Roobaix]

I'm using the VIM Magrails. They're very well made and take up the least amount of space.

I like the Hanson trays and really like the Westling trays, they're just a bit bigger than I have room for in my small box.

 

[DemoFly]

I think the Gearwrench rails are the best value.

I've tried HF trays, they are good. Just don't expect to move them once they are in the drawer of your toolbox. They snap pretty much the first or second time you pick them up once you load them up with sockets. Plus they waste too much space. I can get about 10 more socket sets in my socket drawer since I've switched to rails.

 

[GTA Matt]

I have 18 Hansen trays, in one drawer... along with about a dozen regular rails. Large sockets can stand on their own. You can drill out the center of some of the smaller sockets so they fit over the pegs on the hansen racks.

 

[K-Dog]

Two months ago I would have given you several answers....

But now...

I am a bit biased, but these are great rails.

VIM Magrails

Those are BY FAR the best. I don't even own them yet and I am convinced they are the best.

 

[Strouty]

Two months ago I would have given you several answers....

But now...



Those are BY FAR the best. I don't even own them yet and I am convinced they are the best.

 

[CJM8515]

I like the craftsmen rails. Similar to the HF but better plastic.

 

[jlipsky14]

I like my hansen trays, I believe I have 8-10 of them and some regular socket rails. I like that everything has its own labeled spot that is easy to see and I know exactly what size is missing if I have an empty space. My larger sockets stand by themselves. Only thing I dont like is that some of the smaller sockets dont fit like mentioned above and I have one 1 1/8 socket that doesnt fit due to the hole size. Both could be fixed by shortening the peg, sanding smaller, or drilling the socket but they are fine for now and I wouldnt trade them for anything else on the market.

 

[matemike]

Shadowing with Yoga mat foam, an exacto knife, a label maker and a few hours of free time. That way you can organize exactly how you want it. You know, just in case you don't have a 20mm but there's a peg for it. Or even worse, what if you have a 23/32 socket and there's no peg for it? Now you have a floating socket, sure to get lost and until it does, it'll always look out of place.

 

[Tejaas]

Shadowing with Yoga mat foam, an exacto knife, a label maker and a few hours of free time. That way you can organize exactly how you want it. You know, just in case you don't have a 20mm but there's a peg for it. Or even worse, what if you have a 23/32 socket and there's no peg for it? Now you have a floating socket, sure to get lost and until it does, it'll always look out of place.

You have the patience of a saint for individually shadowing your sockets!

Respect.

I was an Aviation mech/tech for a long time and had to shadow my tools... But i cheated - I shadowed my socket organizers!

 

[matemike]

You have the patience of a saint for individually shadowing your sockets!

Respect.

I was an Aviation mech/tech for a long time and had to shadow my tools... But i cheated - I shadowed my socket organizers!

Thanks for the compliment.
I did NOT shadow every individual socket. Thought about it; started; then quickly realized I'd do humps for each one in rows. So they're "touching". I'm still happy with the outcome and like to share.

 

[newstyd]

matmike what kind of ratchet in your box ??

 

[hrichard]

I have been using the plastic hf rails for 2 years as a heavy equipment mechanic. I dropped one and it snapped but other than that they have been flawless. Up to 1 9/16 on the half inch impact and it bows a little but I'm not afraid it is going to break. Great deal for 3 bucks for 3
Sent from my SM-S902L using Tapatalk

 

[Mickey O]

matmike what kind of ratchet in your box ??

I'm betting Proto.

 

[johninct]

I am beginning to really like the Mechanics Time Savers magnetic holders.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'm betting Proto.

Me too

 

[bassbone52]

The Westling socket trays are second to none in my book, and are available in many options.



Very small footprint, too. They wont eat up all your drawer space like a lot of the other options.


~Tejaas~

Another vote for Westling trays. The Kobalt trays were a great deal at one time, but the Westling trays are in a class by themselves. It's the only 3/8 drive tray that I found that went up to 22mm. Plus they handle short extensions, u-joints, adapters, etc. Buy once, cry once.

 

[lilredex]

My solution for loose sockets rolling around in a drawer.

 

[kngelv]

Another vote for Westling trays. The Kobalt trays were a great deal at one time, but the Westling trays are in a class by themselves. It's the only 3/8 drive tray that I found that went up to 22mm. Plus they handle short extensions, u-joints, adapters, etc. Buy once, cry once.

Another Westling fan here. My problem with the plastic trays is they just feel unsubstantial while the Westling just feel solid and high quality.

James

 

[Chris_the_wrench]

I have been using the plastic hf rails for 2 years as a heavy equipment mechanic. I dropped one and it snapped but other than that they have been flawless. Up to 1 9/16 on the half inch impact and it bows a little but I'm not afraid it is going to break. Great deal for 3 bucks for 3
Sent from my SM-S902L using Tapatalk

Is that a 26" wide drawer? That's a lot of sockets for the space! I need to change my system to fit more like that.

Chris

 

[hrichard]

Is that a 26" wide drawer? That's a lot of sockets for the space! I need to change my system to fit more like that.

Chris

It's actually 28" wide. It's in my Krsc326 pink cart. But yeah.....rails let you fit alot more sockets in the space.

Sent from my SM-S902L using Tapatalk