Dear Klein Tools...

[Vod-Vil]

I am a devoted consumer of your hand tools,but PLEASE,quit taking up precious supply house shelf space with these outmoded old man's tool pouches.SERIOUSLY!!!.Does anyone buy these things?

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/Vod-Vil/5300.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/Vod-Vil/aefe826e-86fa-4c36-b361-23f9c14fefb.jpg

[electricalperson]

i dont like the white one but the brown one looks nice

[Rewire]

Me..but I'm an old man

[ultramegabob]

I have had both of those, they worked just fine, but as time went along and I got more tools I got a bigger more expensive pouch.... the only thing I have to say bad about either of those pouches, is the white one is made from chrome tanned leather which can add to corrosion on steel tools, the brown leather is vegetable tanned which is less corrosive.

[electricalperson]

the brown one looks like my first tool pouch. it was made by general electric. anyone ever see a GE tool pouch?

[480sparky]

Me..but I'm an old man


That makes two of........two of............ err.........um............http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/phiphi.gif

[electricalperson]

i like the leather pouches. i might buy one of those klein ones now :D

i have the black nylon powerline or whatever its called electricians tool rig. i got it for a present for myself when i got my license and i like it a lot. it was about 100 bucks

[SiddMartin]

thats somethin a maintence guy would wear

[Davis9]

Needs a tape measure clip/holder.

Tom:)

[electricalperson]

i love klein tools. i wont buy any other brand. i just hope they bring back the old screwdriver and nutdriver designs but i like the pliers a lot. the BX cutter 1104 is the sharpest cutter i ever used it cuts MC like butter

[ibew441dc]

I'm a "new school guy" that mixes "old school taste" with "new school", quality, comfort, and performance .......Anybody familiar with OCCIDENTAL LEATHER?:cool:

Heres a couple of bags that get an A+ in my book......As far as there leather products go ,they out do Klein in every category.....Also they have some pretty tricked out features to suit your arena, like belt less (awsome if you have a gut or where a buckle)

Here are a couple that I roll with and highly recommend! Made in USA,unparalleled quality, and the tool organization is great.

http://bestbelt.com/product/tool-bags/5049-toolbag.html

http://bestbelt.com/product/tool-bags/6101-bag.html

This is also cool for indoor commercial work, on a scissor lift, or a tight spot.....
http://bestbelt.com
/images/flash/2500.swf (http://bestbelt.com/images/flash/2500.swf)

I'll dig up a picture of my complete rig. I was never a fan of shoulder straps till I got some of the ones from OCCIDENTAL. I go with a beltless kit, the two bags above + a couple of accessories.:cool:

[electricalperson]

sounds expensive

[ibew441dc]

The cool thing about this one is you can clip your tape on as well as clip on bags and accessories.http://bestbelt.com/images/flash/2500.swf

http://bestbelt.com/product/belts-accessories/9501-clipon-bag.html:cool:

[ibew441dc]

sounds expensive

They can be a little pricey and are definitely for the dedicated professional........Although they are not as expensive as a bad back.....replacing inferior equipment.......:smile:

[iwire]

I like the tool vest I may get one, I checked and there is a dealer only 5 miles from home.

[iwire]

http://www.google.com/products?q=2550+-+SuspendaVest&rls=com.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GPEA_enUS292&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=NkjdSb-UGKXUlQehl7X1DQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

[Davis9]

The vest looks nice and comfortable, but the tools may be a tad too high for my taste.

Tom

[Pierre C Belarge]

Those beltless ones look like they could be real hot during the summer. I will admit they are better than years of a tool belt.

[electricalperson]

only bad thing about my set up is that it soaks up the sweat like a sponge

[Rewire]

I don't work with my tools as much as I did but even then I did not carry everything in a pouch. Most of the time I knew what the job was for the day and I could get by with three or four hand tools. The small pouches worked great and all the other tools stayed in my bag.

[Prene13]

i love klein tools. i wont buy any other brand. i just hope they bring back the old screwdriver and nutdriver designs but i like the pliers a lot. the BX cutter 1104 is the sharpest cutter i ever used it cuts MC like butter

Who uses MC?

[ibew441dc]

Those beltless ones look like they could be real hot during the summer. I will admit they are better than years of a tool belt.

True they can get warm.....thats what is so cool about there options......I have a couple of interchangeable set ups. It is easy with there stuff to mix and match to suit your needs.

I treat them just like the rest of my tools....for example, channelocks.......sometimes you need 430's and sometimes you need the Big AZZ (trademark) 480's.

[iwire]

Who uses MC?

Many of us, miles and miles of it.

[Pierre C Belarge]

MC has been in use here for years...more now than ever before.

[ibew441dc]

I like the tool vest I may get one, I checked and there is a dealer only 5 miles from home.

I have one and I attach these accessories when I need them.
http://bestbelt.com/product/belts-accessories/9501-clipon-bag.html

http://bestbelt.com/images/flash/2500.swf


http://bestbelt.com/product/belts-accessories/9502-clip-on.html

They are very flexible too ones needs at any given time.


Keep in mind on there website they don't show everything they have(I don't know why)

Check out the 5595 n this page.........you can put almost any combo of bags on here.....http://www.medfordtools.com/occidental/suspenders.html

There stuff is great......:cool::grin::smile:

[ibew441dc]

Those beltless ones look like they could be real hot during the summer. I will admit they are better than years of a tool belt.


They also have a cool line that is geared too those who absolutely dislike shoulder straps regardless of the heat.

http://bestbelt.com/product/electrical/index.html

[cadpoint]

At least there's not a fuse puller in the pouch!

[peter d]

I have a similar pouch though it's not made by Klein. It's very handy for holding the basic and most frequently used tools.

You can see it in the bottom right hand corner of my tool mess....err...I mean collection. ;)

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll106/electricman277/DSC00566.jpg

[cadpoint]

Your good, no fuse puller ! :grin:

[peter d]

Your good, no fuse puller ! :grin:

I have it...it's just sitting in a tool box just outside of this shot. ;)

[ibew441dc]

3146

This is a cool one I found and almost got it......It looks good both visually and structurally. It's made in Canada by a company called Viking Leather......it's pretty good but I prefer American Made as much as I can.:smile: As far as the foreign products go this one is top knotch.

[ibew441dc]

At least there's not a fuse puller in the pouch!

http://www.toolbelts.com/borealis-360.php

I'll bet there's one in the bottom of these bags:grin: They look well built.........but they are HUGE!!!!:grin:

[ibew441dc]

http://www.toolbelts.com/grizzly-360.php


These second as a camper shell.............for a 40' boat!!!:grin:

[growler]

3146

This is a cool one I found and almost got it......It looks good both visually and structurally. It's made in Canada by a company called Viking Leather......it's pretty good but I prefer American Made as much as I can.:smile: As far as the foreign products go this one is top knotch.

I have a pouch similar to the one in the picture. It doesn't look that good now but it gave really good service for many years. It's kind of beat up these days but I don't use a pouch much anymore.

[LarryFine]

Who uses MC?I does.

[Doug S.]

Peter, It appears the "tool box" pictured has seen better days? :grin:

Once upon a time, I had one of the Klien leather pouches. It treated me well for the first week of my apprenticeship. Then came the linemen's bag to hold the overflow...

For the last 6 or 7 years I've been using CLC's (http://www.wallcoinc.com/CLC_Tool_Bags_s/360.htm) stuff.

Crawling around and doing maintenance type work, I can't stand carrying a pouch. I currently us a medium sized CLC product. (http://www.wallcoinc.com/CLC_Tool_1526_28_Pocket_Electrical_Maintenance_p/wal38-1526.htm) I call it a man-purse. =) I lets me carry most of what I need and it's size limits me to 30lbs of junk. My back appreciates that.

My 2¢
Doug S.

[1793]

This is the one I'm currently using. I would not change to anything else.

http://forums.mikeholt.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2577&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1228083309 (http://forums.mikeholt.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2577&d=1228083309)

[ibew441dc]

.... I call it a man-purse. =) I lets me carry most of what I need and it's size limits me to 30lbs of junk. My back appreciates that.

My 2¢
Doug S.

"I call it a man-purse":grin:.....

One of my good buddies in the field bought me a real cool machinist bag (for my wrenches and allens and misc. switchgear stuff)

We call it the MURSE (man-purse):grin:http://bestbelt.com/images/6000/6512-thm.jpg

[Fulthrotl]

http://www.toolbelts.com/grizzly-360.php


These second as a camper shell.............for a 40' boat!!!:grin:

i see only one problem with these..... walking..... a possible second problem...
... standing..... you're gonna carry this much stuff.... get something with
wheels.....

however, the occidental leather products are excellent... i got all excited
when i saw the masons bags..... but they aren't big enough....:mad:

i've seen some really long masons canvas bags, but cannot find them
anywhere.... the box my hilti 903 demo hammer came in died, and i'd like
to find a big enough bag to hold it, and the bits.... anybody seen anything
like that? i've found canvas masons bags 24" long... i need one 30" long....

[ibew441dc]

however, the occidental leather products are excellent... i got all excited
when i saw the masons bags..... but they aren't big enough....:mad:

i've seen some really long masons canvas bags, but cannot find them
anywhere.... the box my hilti 903 demo hammer came in died, and i'd like
to find a big enough bag to hold it, and the bits.... anybody seen anything
like that? i've found canvas masons bags 24" long... i need one 30" long....

This is Nylon.......but there tough as nails, and would most likely work for your Hilti 903http://www.acetoolonline.com/v/vspfiles/photos/KLE-5180-1.jpg:cool:

http://www.acetoolonline.com/Klein-5180-Nylon-Tool-Bag-w-Vinyl-X-Large-p/kle-5180.htm

[Fulthrotl]

This is Nylon.......but there tough as nails, and would most likely work for your Hilti 903http://www.acetoolonline.com/v/vspfiles/photos/KLE-5180-1.jpg:cool:

http://www.acetoolonline.com/Klein-5180-Nylon-Tool-Bag-w-Vinyl-X-Large-p/kle-5180.htm

it would, if it were 30" long... alas, it's 24" long. diagonally, it's 30" however.
hm... it's gonna be level 8 funky dragging it around.... with the hammer twisted
cattywompus in the bag.... hm... if i had panels in the ends of the bag, the
demo hammer might not twist the bag all up.... and the bits could go in the
bottom of the bag.... i can go look and see... thanks for the info....

i hate when i get like this.... get over it, randy, it's just a bag for a chipping
hammer.... geez.

[wireguru]

dont know if you want to be carrying around a dewalt bag, but they make a 30" bag that I think would work well. Its $20something bucks on amazon.

[JohnJ0906]

This is the one I'm currently using. I would not change to anything else.

http://forums.mikeholt.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2577&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1228083309 (http://forums.mikeholt.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2577&d=1228083309)

I've used the same one for years.

[nhfire77]

I like the tool vest I may get one, I checked and there is a dealer only 5 miles from home.

Let me know if you do. I am interested in using that. Individual user experience may differ.

[masterinbama]

I use one of these I can't wear a tool belt due to nerve damage in my legs.

http://www.mytoolstore.com/ideal/ide15-01.html

[mikeames]

the brown one looks like my first tool pouch. it was made by general electric. anyone ever see a GE tool pouch?

I have one and I still use it. I have had it for about 10 years. The new ones no longer have the GE patch on it but the same model is made by Macguire Nicholas.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4171K14uEmL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

[augie47]

I am a devoted consumer of your hand tools,but PLEASE,quit taking up precious supply house shelf space with these outmoded old man's tool pouches.SERIOUSLY!!!.Does anyone buy these things?

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/Vod-Vil/5300.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/Vod-Vil/aefe826e-86fa-4c36-b361-23f9c14fefb.jpg
and your suggestion for us OLD men wearing this ancient artifacts is that we change to what ???????

[ibew441dc]

and your suggestion for us OLD men wearing this ancient artifacts is that we change to what ???????

My suggestion for you OLD men and/or women..............http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=112504

The second post........Tim Allen would be proud!

[electricalperson]

http://www.toolbelts.com/borealis-360.php

I'll bet there's one in the bottom of these bags:grin: They look well built.........but they are HUGE!!!!:grin:

do you really need to carry that many tools at once?

[480sparky]

do you really need to carry that many tools at once?

Us old geezers don't. We can do 98% of our work with our 9-kliens, T-strippers and 10-in-1 stuffed in our pocket. I have yet to figure out why some guys want to lug 120 pounds of tools around all day.

[augie47]

maybe it is another of my "old age" things, but during the years when my job included supervision, 90% of the time, my guys better have some type tool pouch ON.
If you happen to be at a "sit down" job (control panel, etc) or crawling in a particulary tight spot were valid exceptions. But for most of our jobs you needed enough basics that a tool pouch was not optional. Having to climb up or down to get a tool or borrowing a basic tool from a co-worker raised my b/p 100 points.

[ibew441dc]

do you really need to carry that many tools at once?

Me.........No Way..............I might use that bag for grocery shopping though....you could easily fill a fridge:grin:

[mivey]

I use the brown one when I need more than I can stuff in my pockets but less than my tool bag.

[marcerrin]

The cool thing about this one is you can clip your tape on as well as clip on bags and accessories.http://bestbelt.com/images/flash/2500.swf

http://bestbelt.com/product/belts-accessories/9501-clipon-bag.html:cool:

I bought this belt last year and it screwed my neck and back up. It put too much pressure on my lower neck. I tried adjusting it every which way I could, but ended up going back to my old Cordura set-up. If anyone wants to buy one for a great deal PM me and I'll send pics.

[ibew441dc]

I bought this belt last year and it screwed my neck and back up. It put too much pressure on my lower neck. I tried adjusting it every which way I could, but ended up going back to my old Cordura set-up. If anyone wants to buy one for a great deal PM me and I'll send pics.

You bought a Occidental Suspenda-vest last year and it screwed your neck and back up??:confused:

I know 3 people who use them regularly with completely opposite feed back. I myself have one, the only complaint I have is the heat factor in the summer....it's great for indoor commercial work, awesome on a scissor lift, and great for tight areas:cool:.

How many tools did you load it up with? Around the shoulders ,or the most common, around the waste..............too much weight and worse off , unbalance, can really screw ya up.

[marcerrin]

You bought a Occidental Suspenda-vest last year and it screwed your neck and back up??:confused:

I know 3 people who use them regularly with completely opposite feed back. I myself have one, the only complaint I have is the heat factor in the summer....it's great for indoor commercial work, awesome on a scissor lift, and great for tight areas:cool:.

How many tools did you load it up with? Around the shoulders ,or the most common, around the waste..............too much weight and worse off , unbalance, can really screw ya up.


Yeah, got it from occidental last year, with a leather pouch for one side. Slid on my own nail-bag on the other side. I dont load up too heavy; t-5s, dikes, kleins, knife, philips, flathead, speed driver, 6" needle nose on one side; wirenuts, staples, tape measure, torpedo, misc, bits, pencils, and sharpie on the other. My hammer hangs on a loop directly off the back of my belt. When I use a cordless I use the small 11v Makita pistol impact driver mostly.

It may just be the way it fit me specifically. It actually flattened my lower neck because the side pouches cant sit far enough back, so it was constantly pulling forward on my lower neck.

[ibew441dc]

It may just be the way it fit me specifically. It actually flattened my lower neck because the side pouches cant sit far enough back, so it was constantly pulling forward on my lower neck.

My first recommendation would be to shed some weight from your Suspenda-vest before calling it quits.
I found that the removable clip on bags are much better than putting full bags on there. With the clip ons , well the benefit should be obvious......when your not using them take them off, if you need more stuff load them up.

Have you considered the stronghold suspension kit? They make a retro-fit system with strong shoulder straps, and you can put any bags you want on there. The plus to these( I prefer this set up) is that they are cooler.

[iwire]

I bought this belt last year and it screwed my neck and back up. It put too much pressure on my lower neck. I tried adjusting it every which way I could, but ended up going back to my old Cordura set-up. If anyone wants to buy one for a great deal PM me and I'll send pics.

Are you tall?

Another guy had the same issue in the user reviews at Amazon.

[mlp425]

You bought a Occidental Suspenda-vest last year and it screwed your neck and back up??:confused:

I know 3 people who use them regularly with completely opposite feed back. I myself have one, the only complaint I have is the heat factor in the summer....it's great for indoor commercial work, awesome on a scissor lift, and great for tight areas:cool:.

How many tools did you load it up with? Around the shoulders ,or the most common, around the waste..............too much weight and worse off , unbalance, can really screw ya up.

The company I work for requires a safety harness to be worn while in a scissor lift. Doesn't the Suspenda-vest interfere with the harness?

[marcerrin]

Are you tall?

Another guy had the same issue in the user reviews at Amazon.

I'm 5'9" 175lbs.

[ibew441dc]

The company I work for requires a safety harness to be worn while in a scissor lift. Doesn't the Suspenda-vest interfere with the harness?


I guess it depends on the harness......I'm sure some are good, while others like a full harness may not be so good.

[cadpoint]

Originally Posted by cadpoint
At least there's not a fuse puller in the pouch!:

http://www.toolbelts.com/borealis-360.php

I'll bet there's one in the bottom of these bags:grin: They look well built.........but they are HUGE!!!!:grin:

If this is a starter tool bag, than they won't get in trouble with any one of these tools in thier hand as presented in orginal OP. :)

Point being that another manufacturer sells a bag of tools that does includes a fuse puller.
I don't think that having that one tool in a starter set is a wise move, either!

A correct practice is to not apply any tool incorrectly! While that is the correct tool for that job, that perticular application is not something applied as passively as appling any other tool that's in that tool bag!

I don't have a fuse pulled one, and while not in that line of work, I can't even rememeber requiring one either, lately! :roll:

[Fulthrotl]

maybe it is another of my "old age" things, but during the years when my job included supervision, 90% of the time, my guys better have some type tool pouch ON.
If you happen to be at a "sit down" job (control panel, etc) or crawling in a particulary tight spot were valid exceptions. But for most of our jobs you needed enough basics that a tool pouch was not optional. Having to climb up or down to get a tool or borrowing a basic tool from a co-worker raised my b/p 100 points.

it just depends how much got done at the end of the day, from my point of
view.... i've seen guys with enough tools to sink a 10 meter zodiac boat
hanging off them, and there's a tremendous flurry around them, and squat
doesn't get done.

old age, treachery, and experience are worth a lot. any tool i'm carrying on
me that i don't use isn't helping. i've ran across some really old guys who
didn't carry much, didn't seem to do much, and got 25% more done by
the end of the day than i did.

look at someone whose work you know is excellent, and he's quiet, attentive,
and doesn't waste a move. he's not following one set path. the work, and his
thoughts are both changing, affecting each other, until he is satisfied, at
the same instant the work is done. it's like meditation. and the day flies by.

if i have to wear a tool belt to impress you, just spin me now, and save us
both the pain..... :D

[ibew441dc]

if i have to wear a tool belt to impress you, just spin me now, and save us
both the pain..... :D

Don't worry boss!:D If he quits I'll take his spot:D My bags are sweet!!!8-):grin:

[dreamsville]

I use one of these I can't wear a tool belt due to nerve damage in my legs.

http://www.mytoolstore.com/ideal/ide15-01.html

I agree with bama master. I've had back operations and prefer a bag that can stand on it's own. Here's my Ideal bag. Same as the one in the link above. :D

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt145/dreamsville/MyPouch003.jpg

[djohns6]

What's the deal with fuse pullers ? Did I miss something ? :confused:

[General Lighting]

Personally I feel the more equipment I can carry, the more efficient i can be on the job. The Klein Tool bag is not big enough, that's why i use the CLC electricians belt + suspenders.

[TradePro]

I started in the trade in 1983 and progressed from laborer up to company owner. Along the way I have tried and used every sort of pouch, bag, box, bucket, I came across. What I have observed over the last 25 years or so is that you can tell a lot about a man by his tools. The newbie usually had the minimum pliers and screwdriver as skills and experience grew so did the tool collection until around the forth year or so when guys were carrying a pouch on each side with a total of 60 #'s of "stuff" and by "stuff" I mean the entire set of nutdrivers and two adjustable wrences etc. The interesting thing is that sometime around year 7 or 8 guys (at least the good ones in my opinion) started cutting back and around year 10 they were back to the basics. I have found that I can do 90+ percent of everything I need to with a screwdriver, 420 channellocks and a set of Klein side-cutters. I'm not sure if it's 'cause I do less or if it's because I'm better at using what I have to get the job done.

[76nemo]

You guys are all complaining on wearing belts across your hips. I have a tool pouch, but I carry it strapped over my shoulder and can strap it on top of a ladder. It's one thing to wear a nail pouch with nuts, redheads, connectors, etc., but that's no wear on the backbone. Do you really need a fully loaded belt strapped at your waist for the entire day????????

[TOOL_5150]

Who uses MC?

I use it almost daily. Its a workaround to get a final inspection before the walls go up.

~Matt

[TOOL_5150]

I have a similar pouch though it's not made by Klein. It's very handy for holding the basic and most frequently used tools.

You can see it in the bottom right hand corner of my tool mess....err...I mean collection. ;)

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll106/electricman277/DSC00566.jpg

Every time i see that pic i laugh. It looks like you threw your bag across the room in a fit of rage, and it hit a wall and all falls to a pile. :D

~Matt

[e57]

Not too much of a fan of BAGS and belts - sciatica has the best of me.... I'm sure there also a few of those out there....

IMO there are too many people busting themselves up carrying WAY too many tools for the tasks of the day. I have a few dopes under me with bags that seem 5' wide and wiegh 50 pounds... Sure they feel macho now but they won't when they're 40!

I'm also just barley old enough to remember that an electricians pouch is what you see in the OP, and except for the heavy tools you walked in with in your tool box that got laid on the floor where you work is all that you needed, apart from that - a nail apron with staples and wire-nuts....

As for tools for the day - most often for me it's my laptop to pound out RFI's, cans of inverted spray paint, markers, a tape measure, lasers, a pair of Knipex linemans, and a beater flat-head. Most of my day is pointing at work for other people to do......

When I do get down and dirty I have several vests and tool boxes - all task specific. Two of the vests are Skillers, and one is one I made MYSELF that I use on rare occasion still in rough wood framing - I have been a tool vest guy for a long time. My first was one issued to me in the Marines - it was a shell that fit over a flack jacket with a few slots for tools and a couple of pockets that coud also be used for grenades..... ;) I lost it when it was stolen, and I later made my own. It got re-worked a few times then I re-hashed one out of a hunting vest. Then I found the Skillers ones, and now have a few of those - I like them, and I like their velcro-on tool pouches.

I wouldn't mind checking out the Occidental vest either - looks a little too over built though.

[nakulak]

Not too much of a fan of BAGS and belts - sciatica has the best of me.... I'm sure there also a few of those out there....

IMO there are too many people busting themselves up carrying WAY too many tools for the tasks of the day. I have a few dopes under me with bags that seem 5' wide and wiegh 50 pounds... Sure they feel macho now but they won't when they're 40!

I'm also just barley old enough to remember that an electricians pouch is what you see in the OP, and except for the heavy tools you walked in with in your tool box that got laid on the floor where you work is all that you needed, apart from that - a nail apron with staples and wire-nuts....

As for tools for the day - most often for me it's my laptop to pound out RFI's, cans of inverted spray paint, markers, a tape measure, lasers, a pair of Knipex linemans, and a beater flat-head. Most of my day is pointing at work for other people to do......

When I do get down and dirty I have several vests and tool boxes - all task specific. Two of the vests are Skillers, and one is one I made MYSELF that I use on rare occasion still in rough wood framing - I have been a tool vest guy for a long time. My first was one issued to me in the Marines - it was a shell that fit over a flack jacket with a few slots for tools and a couple of pockets that coud also be used for grenades..... ;) I lost it when it was stolen, and I later made my own. It got re-worked a few times then I re-hashed one out of a hunting vest. Then I found the Skillers ones, and now have a few of those - I like them, and I like their velcro-on tool pouches.

I wouldn't mind checking out the Occidental vest either - looks a little too over built though.

there are a lot of days when I wish I had a grenade or two in my tool bag

[Pierre C Belarge]

I know that tool belts are a part of our industry.
With what I have experienced (wore a tool belt for too long, I thought I was cool), I would never, never, did I say never, wear or ask anyone to wear a tool belt again. It is not good for anyone. There may be a few individuals who have worn a belt without adverse affects, but that is rare.

I recommend a tool box or organizer of some kind, preferably one that can be closed, as open tool boxes invite others to take your tools.

More productivety is lost due to sore/bad backs and legs, especially as one gets older. The aches and pains definitely slow one down whether we like to believe it or not.
Then the financial cost of bad backs is extremely high. What about enjoying one's retirement? That is tough when one is always suffering fromm the pain that has been caused by the belt.

I am not saying I know what the answer is, just that belts are not the answer.

[Okie Sparky]

Pierre, I agree with your thoughts, I too wore a tool belt loaded with tools too long. The first boss (tyrant) I worked for demanded that all of his guys wore a tool belt. In fact, if I remember correctly, I think he said any helper or j'man he caught without one on would be fired. Don't think he ever fired someone for this but nobody that I know of broke the rule. I agree with TradePro that a fourth year apprentice or first or second year j'man has a miserably heavy tool pouch. I think your in the trying to attain mode, attaining by wearing. You'll kill your hips, at least I did. When I climb a ladder very much my hips hurt at the end of the day. Fortunately I have come to the point in my career that I don't have to carry tools much any more. But when I do I use a Klein black tool bucket and a small Occidental Leather hip pocket pouch. A friend of my has a hardware store in a small town a few miles away and sales their products, they are top quality.

[daleuger]

Peter, if that's your tool box I would REALLY hate to see your van.



For the last 6 or 7 years I've been using CLC's (http://www.wallcoinc.com/CLC_Tool_Bags_s/360.htm) stuff.


I have that same bag.

there are a lot of days when I wish I had a grenade or two in my tool bag

Haven't we all?