I really like these. I was looking at the Olsa version but I only see red whereas these offer a couple of colors. The end caps come off so it should be easy to cut to shorter lengths. I may order a couple of these to see how they’d work.
CK5
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Best Socket Racks?
- Thread starter nvrenuf
- Start date
I really like these. I was looking at the Olsa version but I only see red whereas these offer a couple of colors. The end caps come off so it should be easy to cut to shorter lengths. I may order a couple of these to see how they’d work.
How well do they hold on to the sockets? Do they get knocked off if you have them in a toolbag? Deepwell sockets stay put if you flip the rack up?
They hold upside down. First thing I tested. I just grab them off the wall and go. None fall off. I will say that if you get heavy half inch drive sockets they could slide off. Rubber caps are on each end. They aren't super loose though by any means. Maybe they will be overtime, that I do not know. I think when I get some for my half inch drive sets I'll just put a small bolt and nut on one end so they don't slide off when I'm wagging them across the shop. I read the reviews on Amazon quite a bit before I pulled the trigger. I'm expecting to buy at least six more next month. Can't speak how they would be in a toolbox but I imagine they would be fine. I've enjoyed getting everything on pegboard and getting away from the large tool chests. Not sure about deep wall sockets but I would think they would sit fine. They're pretty flat.
I’ll snap a pic of the ones I use at work. I really like them because you can immediately see what you’re grabbing as there is a shaft that goes through the socket and indicates the size black with white lettering. Could easily make them magnetic the ones I use are not but I really like how quickly I can identify the size needed. I believe they are snap on but not positive.
Yeah for shop use out of a rolling toolbox there are good options for racks and storage that will improve your efficiency, such as the racks that ID what is where and I do use them in my toolbox. But in the field use is what I am looking at for my toolbags, of which I want to keep a mostly complete set in all my vehicles.
I have a couple of the style that 1/4 twist lock the socket on. They get me everyime.... me tugging on the socket I want... "why won't you come off?!" 
I'm middle aged and not lazy but I installed a lift so I don't have to lay on the ground anymore.I'm old, fat, and lazy; once I'm on the ground, I don't like have to get up again for another socket.
You must be short, onlt truck I wouldn't have to lay down under is a monster truck, even my military trucks with 52" tires are to short for me to sit under.
I think they hold just fine. I also think they will stand up straight with deep walls on them. They sit pretty darn flat. You can see the little rubber end caps I was talking about that keep them from sliding off. I think if you had heavy sockets you'd want a little screw on one end or on both ends that you could take off pretty quick with a wing nut. Overall though they don't slide for me but they may get weaker over time but I don't know why unless you're sliding them off and on all the time. So I guess in short, I am happy with Ares but you could probably find something better if you looked. Depends on your needs, but for the price I think you'll have a hard time topping these at $9.99 to $11.99 on Amazon.
@jimmyleetn of figured I’d cut them to length and then use my wife’s hot glue gun to “permanently” set the caps. The only reason I’d remove them would be if a socket holder failed.
Hahaha I thought when you said lift you were talking about suspension lift on your truck! Not a two post in the shop. Duh!
Oh and 6' is short to me, and I can't work under most lifts because they don't get high enough, I am 6'8"
Got my other two racks in yesterday. Ernst and Mechanics Time Savers. First impressions are the Ernst is cheap lightweight plastic, the Mechanics Time Savers, which I am going to call MTS from now on, are probably the manufacturers of the Craftsman it has identical post on it right down to the pat# but the rails are different slightly.
The Ernst rail grips a socket very well even though it looks like it would just slip off. The post are held in place by little detents of plastic down the outside of the rail. The rail has magnets at each end that are nice and strong, enough to bend the plastic rail to match the body line of my car, so this might be a plus for the plastic rail over the aluminum ones. The rail has lots of reinforcements cast into it so it might actually be worth buying, it is much lighter than the aluminum ones. Overall much better than first impression.
The Ernst rail grips a socket very well even though it looks like it would just slip off. The post are held in place by little detents of plastic down the outside of the rail. The rail has magnets at each end that are nice and strong, enough to bend the plastic rail to match the body line of my car, so this might be a plus for the plastic rail over the aluminum ones. The rail has lots of reinforcements cast into it so it might actually be worth buying, it is much lighter than the aluminum ones. Overall much better than first impression.
The MTS rail has a different extrusion of aluminum and different ends, the holes on the MTS are smaller than the Craftsman and not countersunk, also the ends are shorter. The inside rubber strips that provide friction for the post to keep from sliding are side by side in the middle. The MTS is quite a bit longer and has room for two more post if you fill it up side by side. MTS has 1 year warranty.
runamok151
1 ton status
I like that style too, no post to break off. Ares makes them too.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XV2XJN...pY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1
Do they hold tight enough to keep the sockets from falling out if upside down?
runamok151
1 ton status
I've never had a reason to take them on a carnival ride to test it.
Then you aren't riding with me, everything in my blazer has to be buckled down. My wife won't ride with me if it's not, the spare tire got her once!
