Craftsman 4 Rail Socket Holder

Organizing sockets has always been a bit of a chore for me, and finding a solution that keeps everything in order while still being portable can be quite the challenge. When I got my hands on the Craftsman 4 Rail Socket Holder (model CMMT99419), I was eager to see if it could address these issues. This socket holder claims to offer a full range of socket organization in a sturdy, rust-resistant package, and I wanted to put it to the test.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that struck me about this socket holder is its plastic construction. While some might prefer metal for its durability, I found the plastic to be surprisingly robust. It's lightweight, making it easy to carry around, and the material is rust and corrosion resistant, which should help it stand up to the test of time. The plastic also allows for easy identification of sockets, a feature that proved quite handy when I needed to quickly grab the right size for a job.

Socket Organization

One of the standout features of this holder is its ability to hold a full range of sockets. It comes with clips for 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sockets, providing ample storage for most standard and metric socket sets. The sockets snap in securely, and I was able to carry the entire tray to my work area without any of them falling off. This level of security is a significant improvement over the old metal clip systems, which often resulted in sockets slipping off and getting lost.

However, I did notice an imbalance in the types of clips provided. There seemed to be an excess of 1/2" socket clips and not enough 1/4" and 3/8" clips. This mismatch required me to purchase additional clips separately to accommodate all my sockets. While this wasn't a deal-breaker, it was an inconvenience that could have been avoided with a more balanced clip distribution.

Ease of Use

Setting up the socket holder was straightforward. The clips are easy to move around on the rails, allowing for some level of customization depending on your needs. However, the lack of readily available additional clips in stores was a bit frustrating. I had to search online to find the extra clips I needed, which added time and cost to the setup process.

Once everything was in place, using the socket holder was a breeze. The sockets snap on and off the clips easily, yet they hold firmly enough to prevent any accidental dislodging. This balance between security and ease of access makes the holder incredibly user-friendly, especially when you're in the middle of a project and need to quickly switch between different socket sizes.

Portability and Storage

One of the primary reasons I wanted this socket holder was for its portability. The handle on the tray makes it easy to carry around, and the compact design fits well in my toolbox. However, I did run into an issue with the fit. The tray didn't quite fit perfectly in the top drawer of my toolbox, which required me to place it sideways. This wasn't a major problem, but it did leave some unused space in the drawer that could have been better utilized.

Value for Money

The Craftsman 4 Rail Socket Holder is priced reasonably, but it's worth noting that there are cheaper alternatives available online that offer similar functionality. The Craftsman name does carry some weight in terms of brand trust and quality, but it was a bit disappointing to find out that the extra clips needed to fully utilize the holder weren't readily available in stores. This added expense and effort might make some users question the overall value.

Final Thoughts

The Craftsman 4 Rail Socket Holder offers a solid solution for organizing and storing sockets. Its plastic construction is both lightweight and durable, making it easy to carry around and resistant to rust and corrosion. The sockets snap in securely and are easy to access, which is a significant improvement over older metal clip systems.

However, the imbalance in the types of socket clips provided and the difficulty in finding additional clips are notable drawbacks. These issues could be easily addressed by Craftsman by offering a more balanced clip distribution or making additional clips more readily available in stores.

Recommendation

Would I recommend the Craftsman 4 Rail Socket Holder? Yes, but with a few caveats. If you're looking for a sturdy, portable socket holder that organizes your sockets securely and you don't mind the extra effort to find additional clips, this product is a great choice. Its durability and ease of use make it a valuable addition to any toolbox.

However, if you're on a tight budget or need a more customizable solution right out of the box, you might want to explore other options. The need to purchase additional clips separately and the occasional fit issues in toolboxes could be a deal-breaker for some.

In summary, the Craftsman 4 Rail Socket Holder is a solid tool for organizing sockets, but it could benefit from a few improvements to make it truly exceptional.