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Wrench organizer comparison

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afazz

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I took some time to measure the spacing of various wrench organizers, as I’m constantly trying to balance the competing goals of easy, visible access and wasted space. Since I have tried them all, I figure this info might help others choose.

Here is the spacing between wrenches of most popular organizers, measured in inches:
Ernst Wrench Rail (small end)0.375
eBay 3D printed wrench organizer 0.6
OEM Tools wrench organizer0.65
Ernst Wrench Pro modular organizer0.725
Ernst Wrench Rail 11th slot0.725
Toolbox Widget wrench organizer0.85
Ernst Wrench Rail 13th slot0.85
Toolbox Widget screwdriver organizer1
Ernst Wrench Rail 16th slot1
Ernst Wrench Rail 20th slot1.25

Some comparison photos:
IMG_0834.jpeg

The 3D printed eBay versions didn’t have a brand unfortunately
IMG_0835.jpeg

The results of my research: most sets in Ernst 40-tool wrench rail sets, which are two 20-tool rails mirrored. Large wrenches in Toolbox Widgets, thin and flare nut wrench sets in OEM Tools or eBay rails. This setup fits 264 wrenches (one is missing from the photo, if anyone chooses to count) up to 32mm or 1-3/8” wrenches in a 3” tall Snap-on KRL1032 drawer.
IMG_0836.jpeg

Ernst Wrench Pro organizers are the perfect spacing for average-size screwdrivers when staggered:

IMG_0701.jpeg
 
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LXCam

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Damn OP, hats off to you. You put some serious time into that wrench drawer. :bowdown:


And not to throw a wrench in the works there. But I used a a tray that came with a set of swivel head ratchet wrenches for my deep offset DBE. That worked out perfectly.

IMG_8328.jpeg
 
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1320

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I really appreciate this thread.

I was looking at the Toolbox Widget and Ernst Pro/Tekton and hoping they were more compact than the current Snap-on and OEM Tools rails that I have now and see that they are not.
 
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Steve_P

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Another thing nice about the OEM tool style rail is that they are great for shallow drawers. They probably wouldn't be ideal for wrenches over 1" fastener size, but they work great for smaller sizes in shallow drawers, since the groove goes very low to the base. Most of my wrench racks are Ernst, because that's what was available when I started organizing, but I do have some of the OEM style. The OEM style that I have aren't from OEM, but they look identical and are red.
 
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Stelzer

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kbeefy said:
What organizer are you using for the stubby ratchet wrenches in this picture?
I have some stubby flex head wrenches that are too short for any organizer I've found, they're currently in some 'widgets' but it's not ideal.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing it's the Ernst Gripper Stubby 7 tool holder unless he cut down a larger holder from a different manufacturer. Ernst Gripper Stubby Wrench Organizer 7 Tool

At 2" width, there are others you could find with a slimmer footprint though.
 
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afazz

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kbeefy said:
What organizer are you using for the stubby ratchet wrenches in this picture?
I have some stubby flex head wrenches that are too short for any organizer I've found, they're currently in some 'widgets' but it's not ideal.
Click to expand...
That particular set is in a Kobalt wrench rail. It's very similar to the Ernst rails, however the grooves are deeper and overall height is shorter. This allows the stubby ratchet wrenches to touch the drawer liner, rather than being fully suspended above the bottom of the drawer like most of the other rails.

One of the shorter rails, like the OEM Tools or Snap-on versions, would work too but I prefer the small-to-large spacing over the consistent spacing.
 
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afazz

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LXCam said:
And not to throw a wrench in the works there. But I used a a tray that came with a set of swivel head ratchet wrenches for my deep offset DBE. That worked out perfectly.
Click to expand...

I can't space out my deep offset DBE wrenches unless I exile something, but after seeing your setup that looks much easier to grab! I might have to move my etorx to another drawer and rearrange!
 
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Toold_up

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shellback said:
Glad I found this thread.
Also looking for ideas. Eyesight is not good as it used to be so I need to see the wrench size, but current setup is using up too much space.
I tried some HF but I do not care for the carrying handle style.

Current:
1701413808247.png
Click to expand...

I love the black wrenches
 
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05snopro440

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I had the Ernst wrench rails and have never been happy with them. They're unstable and take up too much space. I just got some Ernst Pro modular wrench organizers and I'm thrilled with them. They give me so much more room in my wrench drawers than my old setup.

In the process I compared the Ernst screwdriver holder to using the Ernst Pro for screwdrivers. With just 4 standard sized screwdrivers organized as @afazz had them, the total length with the screwdriver holder was 4-3/4", and with the Ernst Pro was 3-3/4". Over the length of my drawers that's about 4-5 extra screwdrivers per row.
 
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JABgj

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If you want to be real fancy, find some of the vinyl coated steel wire at the home center. Vinyl kinda grips the tool and steel wire holds shape better than copper.
 
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908Jim

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05snopro440 said:
I had the Ernst wrench rails and have never been happy with them. They're unstable and take up too much space. I just got some Ernst Pro modular wrench organizers and I'm thrilled with them. They give me so much more room in my wrench drawers than my old setup.

In the process I compared the Ernst screwdriver holder to using the Ernst Pro for screwdrivers. With just 4 standard sized screwdrivers organized as @afazz had them, the total length with the screwdriver holder was 4-3/4", and with the Ernst Pro was 3-3/4". Over the length of my drawers that's about 4-5 extra screwdrivers per row.
Click to expand...
Yes! I got the magnetic versions and they are fantastic and worth every penny. A full set of wrenches stays completely put on a hard drawer close with these. If anybody find this post in the future, I cannot recommend the Ernst Magnetic Modular Wrench Pro enough. It's only been a few months but they are a solid investment.

shellback said:
Thoughts on this product:

www.harborfreight.com

Magnetic Wrench Rack, 4-Piece

Amazing deals on this 4Pc Magnetic Wrench Rack at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
Click to expand...
I used this style for years and grew to hate them. Every once in a while I'd grab a wrench wrong and knock them on their side.
 
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SteadyC

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I like them in my standard/imperial wrench drawer. I can put old manifold/obstruction wrenches and distributor wrenches under the mounted wrenches.IMG_2464.jpg
 
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Shitbox

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908Jim said:
Yes! I got the magnetic versions and they are fantastic and worth every penny. A full set of wrenches stays completely put on a hard drawer close with these. If anybody find this post in the future, I cannot recommend the Ernst Magnetic Modular Wrench Pro enough. It's only been a few months but they are a solid investment.


I used this style for years and grew to hate them. Every once in a while I'd grab a wrench wrong and knock them on their side.
Click to expand...

Thinking about grabbing a few sets of the Ernst wrench pro magnetic organizers. I know it’s been some time since you wrote this, are you still liking them? Everything still held solid? Anyone else care to chime in?
Thanks
 
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908Jim

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Shitbox said:
Thinking about grabbing a few sets of the Ernst wrench pro magnetic organizers. I know it’s been some time since you wrote this, are you still liking them? Everything still held solid? Anyone else care to chime in?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Yup! Still using them and I have no complaints at all. They really are a great product.
 
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mikedodge

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Here's one of my wrench drawers altho I think I'm using strip style holders now. The plus about them is if you change the angle you can tighten them up a bit.

The most important things to me looking for wrench holders is that they fit my drawers because they arent very deep and price.20220326_194343.jpg
 
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L.Cheapo

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I've always laid my wrenches flat in a shallow drawer.

Unfortunately, space is at a premium. So I've tried Craftsman, Tekton, Snap On, and Ernst Pro wrench organizers and I can't stand any of them. They all hold the wrenches too close together for my pudgy meat nuggets to easily grab one. But pushing them further apart makes them take up the same amount of space as laying them flat.

I just need more drawers I guess. :ROFLMAO:
 
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Steve_P

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I don't have the Ernst wrench racks shown above, I have the older style plastic ones that aren't modular. The new design is overly tall and thick IMO- they sized them for large wrenches. They really need to also make a shorter/thinner size for wrenches that are under 1"/25mm so that they take up less space.
 
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BWWgarage

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BWWgarage said:
I don’t own, but I’m considering alien space saver ... just makes sense to have them moveable so a 6mm takes up less space vs a 24mm. I think similar price to Ernst. IMG_0131.jpeg
Click to expand...
And for shallow drawers, you can space to lay flat when neededIMG_0135.jpeg
 
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Steve_P

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I organized all of my boxes 10+ years ago when Ernst was basically the only thing available that was quality. The number of options today is staggering in comparison. I would probably do most of it the same, but not all, given the choices today. Yes, organization costs a lot of $, but so do boxes, and if you have limited space, and I do, organization is mandatory and it lasts forever, especially the modular stuff.
 
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