Wrench racks / organisers

[dekleijn]

Hello all. I have a few questions regarding wrench organisation. I have a set of 20mm to 32mm wrenches and have misplaced my wrench rack for them.

So my question to you all is. Have any of you come across or have purchased a wrench rack that accommodates for large sizes. Any other tips or advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, jan

 

[lilredex]

Welcome!

You mean like this??

 

[Musicinabottle]

Welcome!

You mean like this??

Nicely done LDX!

 

[WWheeler]

On the left is a 25pc set of Gearwrench long-pattern metric, 6mm to 32mm, on OEMTOOLS 22218 35 Wrench Organizing Rails.

I will say that while they are fine and get the job done, I personally don't like those rails all that much as they keep all the wrenches the same distance apart which is a little too close IMHO for the largest wrenches. That said, it's sharktooth-style rails really do pack a lot of wrenches in a really small footprint. I had to go with that style to get that set on the left to fit.

On the right I have a 19pc set of Gearwrench long-pattern SAE, 1/4" - 1-1/2", on the right-side set (rails #3 and #4) of the Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Rail Set, 40 Tool 4pc set.

I like the Ernst rails much better as they are meant to store two sets of wrenches organized just as I have mine, one set facing forward from smallest to largest and a set right next to it from largest to smallest. The spacing is more practical. Unfortunately my metric set had more than the 20 wrenches each holds or rails #1 and #2 be holding that set too. It does sit up a bit taller than the OEM rails though so the Ernst style may not be the best choice for you if drawer height is a concern. The drawer height these wrenches are in is 3-1/2".



The OEM 35-tooth racks were longer than my 18.5" drawers so I cut them to fit. Because they are evenly spaced they are meant to sit at 90 deg from the drawer front. You can put a slight even angle on both of them in a bit of a V-shape to try to accommodate longer wrenches and shorter wrenches but it just tightens up the spacing between them. What I had to do stored like I have them was use an extra piece of what I cut off to go 3-wide with the rails for the largest wrenches in the back.

The Ernst racks include two sets of rails that hold 20 wrenches each, and each set has one rail that sits 90 deg from the front and the rail next to it is longer so it will sit at a ~45deg angle so that the 4 rails form a pattern like this: l\\l or l//l so that you can put two sets of wrenches next right to each other in the same way mine are laid out. I like this layout as it makes a much better use of space in a drawer than the standard V-style wrench rails.

 

[LXCam]

How'd you get the larger wrenches to fit side by each wheeler. After 21 I had to double space just to fit those racks and these toptul have a pretty thin beam. The upside all though tuff on the OCD was to use the same brands super duper extra long combos.

 

[WWheeler]

How'd you get the larger wrenches to fit side by each wheeler. After 21 I had to double space just to fit those racks and these toptul have a pretty thin beam. The upside all though tuff on the OCD was to use the same brands super duper extra long combos.

They're a little tight but they fit. They're close but don't touch each other while just sitting in there but just the 4-5 largest wrenches in the back do a little when removing/replacing them. I have to sort of squeeze them by the others next to them in/out. Thankfully they aren't sizes I use a whole lot, plus it's still quick and one-handed and most importantly keeps the whole set organized in order and I can tell if any are missing. I needed all 25 wrenches to fit there and this is the only thing I found that worked.

 

[wyattstihl]

If the larger wrenches aren’t used as often, how about a denim tool roll? I make my own and use them for my uncommon sizes and extras. They free up space in the box for more commonly used sizes, and their more portable.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LXCam]

I needed all 25 wrenches to fit there and this is the only thing I found that worked.

Ya tell me about it. There just doesn't seem to be any selection out there for that high of a count.

 

[crasher98]

How'd you get the larger wrenches to fit side by each wheeler. After 21 I had to double space just to fit those racks and these toptul have a pretty thin beam. The upside all though tuff on the OCD was to use the same brands super duper extra long combos.

LXCam - What holder are you using for your offset wrenches? I haven't been able to find something that works for mine and yours looks nice...

 

[LXCam]

LXCam - What holder are you using for your offset wrenches? I haven't been able to find something that works for mine and yours looks nice...

Oh that was a complete freak of a lucky discovery. That rack came with a set of Titan swivel ratchet wrenches. Nothing I had or could find fit that set of DBEs and as a complete fluke gave it a shot when I redid that drawer. It's perfect and all I had to do was cut off the carrying handle.

 

[dekleijn]

On the left is a 25pc set of Gearwrench long-pattern metric, 6mm to 32mm, on OEMTOOLS 22218 35 Wrench Organizing Rails.

I will say that while they are fine and get the job done, I personally don't like those rails all that much as they keep all the wrenches the same distance apart which is a little too close IMHO for the largest wrenches. That said, it's sharktooth-style rails really do pack a lot of wrenches in a really small footprint. I had to go with that style to get that set on the left to fit.

On the right I have a 19pc set of Gearwrench long-pattern SAE, 1/4" - 1-1/2", on the right-side set (rails #3 and #4) of the Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Rail Set, 40 Tool 4pc set.

I like the Ernst rails much better as they are meant to store two sets of wrenches organized just as I have mine, one set facing forward from smallest to largest and a set right next to it from largest to smallest. The spacing is more practical. Unfortunately my metric set had more than the 20 wrenches each holds or rails #1 and #2 be holding that set too. It does sit up a bit taller than the OEM rails though so the Ernst style may not be the best choice for you if drawer height is a concern. The drawer height these wrenches are in is 3-1/2".



The OEM 35-tooth racks were longer than my 18.5" drawers so I cut them to fit. Because they are evenly spaced they are meant to sit at 90 deg from the drawer front. You can put a slight even angle on both of them in a bit of a V-shape to try to accommodate longer wrenches and shorter wrenches but it just tightens up the spacing between them. What I had to do stored like I have them was use an extra piece of what I cut off to go 3-wide with the rails for the largest wrenches in the back.

The Ernst racks include two sets of rails that hold 20 wrenches each, and each set has one rail that sits 90 deg from the front and the rail next to it is longer so it will sit at a ~45deg angle so that the 4 rails form a pattern like this: l\\l or l//l so that you can put two sets of wrenches next right to each other in the same way mine are laid out. I like this layout as it makes a much better use of space in a drawer than the standard V-style wrench rails.

Thanks for the reply it's very informative and has given me a few options. I have seen some of the wrench rails on amazon but have always been reluctant to purchase them as I don't live in America and shipping takes ages and usually makes the product more expensive. The ernst set definatly looks like a winner to me though.

Cheers, jan

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[dekleijn]

If the larger wrenches aren’t used as often, how about a denim tool roll? I make my own and use them for my uncommon sizes and extras. They free up space in the box for more commonly used sizes, and their more portable.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have thought of that, but I would feel like it would be cheaper to get a set of rails compared to a nice quality / looking roll

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[crasher98]

Oh that was a complete freak of a lucky discovery. That rack came with a set of Titan swivel ratchet wrenches. Nothing I had or could find fit that set of DBEs and as a complete fluke gave it a shot when I redid that drawer. It's perfect and all I had to do was cut off the carrying handle.

thanks for the info, never would have guessed that. I just might have to think of an excuse to buy some of those Titan wrenches just to get the holder.

The low-cost solution for my offset wrenches sliding around in their drawer and getting on my nerves would be for me to open and close the drawer more slowly, but I know myself too well to think that that's ever going to happen.

 

[LXCam]

thanks for the info, never would have guessed that. I just might have to think of an excuse to buy some of those Titan wrenches just to get the holder.

The low-cost solution for my offset wrenches sliding around in their drawer and getting on my nerves would be for me to open and close the drawer more slowly, but I know myself too well to think that that's ever going to happen.

That set of wrenches and finding a suitable way to organize them sucked the biggest set ever. I had given up and figured one day I'd just machine my own set of custom rails. This set of wrenches came really cheap, I only bought them to replace my very well worn original set of GW. And all though they appear to be identical to the GW set, they aren't. The beams have a sharper edge and are very uncomfortable to use. That doesn't stop me from using them obviously but as far as I'm concerned I'd **** can the wrenches just for the rack.

 

[Kenstone1]

I've had tool chests along the way, at work/at home, but have found opening drawers to access tools ***** up twice the floor space as the chest, and an open drawer needs to be closed to open another...a pita.

With no need to lock-up tools in my garage as there's no chance of anyone "borrowing" something, I have built tool carts with all tools hanging around the cart for easy access, leaving the top flat/empty for a work space/mini-benchtop.

I've built a few from scrap lumber on a HF furniture dolly and nails/scrap pvc for hangers...not pretty but cheap/functional.
I put patio blocks and heavy tools on the bottom to keep it from tipping.
The carts are small for use around a motorcycle lift table in a single car garage.

I predrill undersized nail holes at an angle, cut off the nail-heads and round off the ends for use as the "rack".
After this pic, I've remove those plastic wrench racks on the legs, replaced with "nail racks" on all the legs/all sides to hang larger size wrenches/sockets, and made other changes as well, as it is constantly evolving.

I have a similar cart for detailing supplies, just as ugly as the one pictured.

 

[barrybeefburger]

Tagged

 

[PAN FRIED]

Tagged as well

 

[ssdave]

Snap on ones. Like Ernst, but made correctly so they don't tip over. Cost not much different than Ernst. See this thread:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341180

 

[toolmutt]

I don't know if you have Lowe's in New Zealand but their Kobalt wrench rails have worked well for me. The slots are progressively bigger and I've cut them to accommodate small (number) sets of either small (size) or large wrenches. Even cut down they are stable when loaded. I'll try to get some pics. Here's the link.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Slot-Wrench-Rail/50296525

 

[dekleijn]

I don't know if you have Lowe's in New Zealand but their Kobalt wrench rails have worked well for me. The slots are progressively bigger and I've cut them to accommodate small (number) sets of either small (size) or large wrenches. Even cut down they are stable when loaded. I'll try to get some pics. Here's the link.

No unfortunately no lowes. We do have similar department stores like lowes, but their hand tool section is only restricted to one aile so it's pretty limited. Generally I buy a lot of amazon straight from the states.


Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[Mr_B]

You'll find those ernst style wrench rails under sharks teeth spanner racks in the west .
Prices cheap if lucky find locally but it not silly money off amazon .
I made my own for more custom layout/odd wrenches and pretty easy do once have one sharks tooth rack to use for base template concept .