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Best Socket Racks?
- Thread starter nvrenuf
- Start date
runamok151
1 ton status
I was thinking this was more for garage storage. Easiest (and cheapest) way to keep them corralled in a toolbox in the back of a wheeler is to slide the sockets on some all-thread and put a washer and wing nut on each end. Keeps them nice and straight in the bottom of a tool box.
Well after a couple weeks of use I think the Ernst may be the winner. I don't think if you would have layed them all out on a table for me to pick a winner it would be in the top 3 even but this is where use over comes looks and even specifications! Thought aluminum rails would win for certain, but this cheap ass looking plastic rail has the best performance so far. The magnets hold the racks where I put them even a slightly rounded surface that the aluminum ones wouldn't hold on. The detents on the sides of the rails actually work to keep the clips where you put them and also give you a very good grip with greasy hands. Also with the slippery hands the sockets are easier to get on and off the clips but haven't had any fall off in the bag or climbing out from under the trucks. Still not sure about long term durability of all plastic rails but looks like Ernst will be getting some of my money, not at all what I would have thought in the beginning.
Craftsman that I have had for 15 plus years. Magnetic.
Hanging down.
Hanging down.
Haven't seen racks like those, what do the post look like and do you know the manufacturer?
Craftsman. No posts. Magnets. Also have up to 1/2" drive short sockets on them. My deeps are all impact, so I have not tried them. These will sick to the side of metal box.
So just magnet strips?
They have a metal frame and a handle. It looks like hey quit making them. I watch the pawn shops for them.
These are for my road trip box. It gets checked as baggage, if you’ve ever seen they way you bags get loaded on a commercial flight that’s what I’m dealing with. They used to let us load our own toolboxes, but those days are long gone. That’s why I switched from a Kennedy doghouse to a Pelican roller box.
I’m basically down to Olsa or ARES. What was the biggest thing that pushed you ARES?
Both have multiple colors now.
I like those, but probably not what I’m looking for in this box. Could be perfect in the shop.
Anyone else have input on the Olsa or ARES racks that Jimmy Lee has?
ARES 70204-3-Piece Aluminum Socket Organizer - 1/4-Inch, 3/8-Inch, and 1/2-Inch Drive Socket Rails Hold 48 Sockets and Keep Your Tool Box Organized https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072W8F2QM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_WxKzFb5JE00GS
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072W8F2QM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_WxKzFb5JE00GS
Olsa Tools 1/2-Inch, 3/8-Inch & 1/4-Inch Drive Aluminum Socket Organizer | Premium Quality Socket Holder (Red) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019S583TC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_-yKzFb66QRMKW
Thanks
Bigbear have you looked at the https://www.ernstmfg.com/
Think you might find it is a good fit for your mobile work style and they are made in the USA with a lifetime warranty
Think you might find it is a good fit for your mobile work style and they are made in the USA with a lifetime warranty
No, thank you for the link. Heading to look at them now.
ARES Rails
I’ll probably pick up a few of the other brands next time I do a garage reorg. Since I brought my work box home, I need to do a big clean up/consolidation.
For now I bought a set of 3 from ARES. The price of the three pack was the same as one 3/8 drive bar and a pack of 1/4 & 1/2 extra posts. I just made up one bar that holds 3/8 deep wells and my oddball 1/2 & 1/4 stuff.
Second photo shows my normal magnet 1/4 holder (deep & shallow), 3/8 shallow, 3/8 crows feet. The magnetic one will shed some sockets depending on how rough it’s handled, especially the 1/2” & 9/16” deep wells. But this is my most used stuff so ease of access is worth it, and the magnet keeps it stuck to a steel box that holds my ratchets and extensions. The shallow sockets have always been ok on the rail they came with. The crows foot holder is great, but if you filled it all the way it would be tough to slide them enough to see the sizes.
Road trip to AZ tomorrow, then one to CA. I will post up how it performed when I get home (about three weeks).
I’ll probably pick up a few of the other brands next time I do a garage reorg. Since I brought my work box home, I need to do a big clean up/consolidation.
For now I bought a set of 3 from ARES. The price of the three pack was the same as one 3/8 drive bar and a pack of 1/4 & 1/2 extra posts. I just made up one bar that holds 3/8 deep wells and my oddball 1/2 & 1/4 stuff.
Second photo shows my normal magnet 1/4 holder (deep & shallow), 3/8 shallow, 3/8 crows feet. The magnetic one will shed some sockets depending on how rough it’s handled, especially the 1/2” & 9/16” deep wells. But this is my most used stuff so ease of access is worth it, and the magnet keeps it stuck to a steel box that holds my ratchets and extensions. The shallow sockets have always been ok on the rail they came with. The crows foot holder is great, but if you filled it all the way it would be tough to slide them enough to see the sizes.
Road trip to AZ tomorrow, then one to CA. I will post up how it performed when I get home (about three weeks).
Is that Pelican case your tool box? If so would love to see a couple of pictures of the inside setup.
I bought an Olsa rack to test drive and I like it. The end caps come off easy so you can add / remove pegs, this also makes it easy to cut the length for smaller sets. I'll be ordering more racks (plus peg and end cap sets) to convert all my sets over from the metal racks.
Yes, that’s my road trip box. I’ll snap a pic and make a new post.
Not super in love with the ARES rails for this application. I’m going to try the ennst ones that @Csm Davis mentioned next. Two airplane rides with similar results. Second trip I laid them down, that helped a little. For day to day work once I was there it was better.
Yes, the rail is aluminum. Looking at close ups of the two brands (Olsa & ARES) I don’t see much difference. If you are not checking your tools as baggage on a regular basis I think you’d be okay. I may change my foam a little and see if that helps.
