Purchasing tool belt/pouches to wear

[Jax0r]

I am looking to purchase a set of Tool Belt/Pouches and I am looking for recommendations. I was given a set of bags from a friendly journeyman who had upgraded. A year later said bags are severely worn out. I am looking for high quality bags (with suspenders of course).

I am also wondering if i should go the Nylon route, or leather. I'm assuming leather would last longer, but nylon would be lighter. Any suggestions on brands or places to look or any additional advice would be appreciated.

Are 'electricians bags' commonly adapted for tinners?

[Jax0r]

PS these caught my attention:

http://www.toolbeltstore.com/belts/tool-belt-combo

[qwerty hvac]

These are the best by far and made in the USA. I have had mine for ten years.
http://www.bestbelt.com/index.html

[5thRoot]

I have an Occidental as well. I hardly ever wear it now that I run service most of the time, but I found them to be extremely useful for installation, especially when hanging duct work. I have a 2 bag, one hook set up. I have a drill hook on the back and a "fastener bag" on the left and a tool bag on the right. Occi makes special bags designed for fasteners, I think mine is a 3 pocket. I guess you really just have to pick out a set up that works for you but I would recommend leather. And dont skimp on the price either, this is one of those things you want to invest in. Get good ones and you wont have to replace them.

[JTCHVAC]

For the fellas thas own an Occidental Leather tool belt which one do you have, and why? I am looking into 2 that I like. Any pro, or cons to these 2? Plain on using it for commercial work, hanging spiral duct, and whatever else I can, so I can try to get my money out of it. Wouldnt it be sweet if Veto Pro Pac made tool belts.

http://www.bestbelt.com/product/toolbelts/9850-toolbelt.html

http://www.bestbelt.com/product/toolbelts/b9588-toolbelt.html

[walterc]

I found this one from Husky. It's three years now and still in good shape.
I went back the other day to get another just like it and they changed the style at the store- it may be found elsewhere.
At 25 bucks it was a good buy.

I attached separate bags that hold connectors, wire nuts, jumpers, digital WB meter, screws, fuses, temp clamp and other stuff. Great for basic service.

A little heavy and it will pull your pants down if your not belted. :grin2: But you get used to it.




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/daddo/toolpouch2-7-2012003.jpg

[walterc]

I might add I prefer the tool pouch over a bag. I do have a bag, but it has test instruments only in it, then I have the cleaning bag and the installing bag.
With a pouch, I can wander all over the place, back and forth and the tools are with me. If I quickly go up a ladder- I have tools with me. Etc.

[hearthman]

saw one today in a supply house that is a combination folding stool/ tool bag. Looks just like those old X frame stools we took dove hunting with a tool backpack sewed in under the seat. Not a great tool organizer but seemed kinda cool.

[gan]

I have small tool pouch I use for about 90% of my work, if I need some serious tools I will bust out the veto. I used to be a strictly tool bag guy till I started doing controls and don't need to be lugging around all my tools, so I am on the constant search for the perfect pouch to carry around the tools I primarly use now.

[AC5096]

I found this one from Husky. It's three years now and still in good shape.
I went back the other day to get another just like it and they changed the style at the store- it may be found elsewhere.
At 25 bucks it was a good buy.

I attached separate bags that hold connectors, wire nuts, jumpers, digital WB meter, screws, fuses, temp clamp and other stuff. Great for basic service.

A little heavy and it will pull your pants down if your not belted. :grin2: But you get used to it.






http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/daddo/toolpouch2-7-2012003.jpg

Do I see a Buck skinning knife in your pouch?

I guess it pays to be prepared for that chance roadkill.:grin2:

[walterc]

Do I see a Buck skinning knife in your pouch?

I guess it pays to be prepared for that chance roadkill.:grin2:

Back in the 80's that knife saved my life perhaps.
I was attached by a young doberman in a back yard (wasn't warned about the dog by the renters and I saw no tracks in the yard to give it away). I used it to near kill the dog when he jumped me. The company paid my medical (stitches and stuff) and threatened to sue the owners if they tried to sue us/me.

I keep it with me just in case and a remembrance............and almost had to use it again last year when a women opened the front door and a big dog started going for me. You know- one of those "He wouldn't hurt a flea" dogs. I keep my hand on the knife when I hear dogs. :cheers:

[AC5096]

Back in the 80's that knife saved my life perhaps.
I was attached by a young doberman in a back yard (wasn't warned about the dog by the renters and I saw no tracks in the yard to give it away). I used it to near kill the dog when he jumped me. The company paid my medical (stitches and stuff) and threatened to sue the owners if they tried to sue us/me.

I keep it with me just in case and a remembrance............and almost had to use it again last year when a women opened the front door and a big dog started going for me. You know- one of those "He wouldn't hurt a flea" dogs. I keep my hand on the knife when I hear dogs. :cheers:

Don't blame you for carrying the knife. Sounds like a rough crowd in your locale. I keep a couple of duct board knifes in my truck, but haven't needed to use them on four legged critters.

[pops 1]

I have a pouch like walterc's, it is made by CLC and is a model 1505. They were priced $13.50, liked it so well I bought two.

[walterc]

I have a pouch like walterc's, it is made by CLC and is a model 1505. They were priced $13.50, liked it so well I bought two.

I'm glad you bought two. They don't make it anymore. I called CLC about it and the closest they have is the CLC#1503 which is smaller.
Why when they have a good product they quit making it, I don't know. I guess they see change as good. I paid 29.00 for mine. :toetap:

[Pops']

Glad I did, I bought mine at Sutherlands building materials in Alexandria, La. I got the last two on the rack. Pops

[tinman97030]

I have used several different sets of bags as a tinner, my favorite, hands down, is made by Bucket Boss: Airlift Builders Rig. It is the most comfortable and the lightest. The big pouches have lots of smaller pouches or loops sewn in already, so most of the small stuff is standing up and easy to access.
Now I am doing service work, I have hung up my tool belt and am now using a new over the shoulder bag by CLC. I am on roofs and in weather a lot and this particular bag has full zipper center section and two side compartments, all the zippers are water-resistant and keep my stuff dry, has a nice solid bottom and is bright yellow.
Hope this helps you decide.

[neophytes serendipity]

I am looking to purchase a set of Tool Belt/Pouches and I am looking for recommendations. I was given a set of bags from a friendly journeyman who had upgraded. A year later said bags are severely worn out. I am looking for high quality bags (with suspenders of course).

I am also wondering if i should go the Nylon route, or leather. I'm assuming leather would last longer, but nylon would be lighter. Any suggestions on brands or places to look or any additional advice would be appreciated.

Are 'electricians bags' commonly adapted for tinners?

Occidental. See below.

Electricians bags will only carry basic hand tools. If you do commercial work and bring the minimum tools and rely on your employer or co-worker to supply what you do not have with you, they will work.


For the fellas thas own an Occidental Leather tool belt which one do you have, and why? I am looking into 2 that I like. Any pro, or cons to these 2? Plain on using it for commercial work, hanging spiral duct, and whatever else I can, so I can try to get my money out of it. Wouldnt it be sweet if Veto Pro Pac made tool belts.

http://www.bestbelt.com/product/toolbelts/9850-toolbelt.html

http://www.bestbelt.com/product/toolbelts/b9588-toolbelt.html

In time, the leather will conform to you.

I own the older model of the nylon version in your link. I have had it for 10 years plus.

Definitely get the suspenders made to go with it.

The hooks on the toolbelt are steel and the hardware on the suspenders is pot metal. I have had to replace the hook hardware on my suspenders with brass stuff from a saddle shop. This is my only beef with these Occidental products. They could have used forged steel safety hardware and it would be better for a small weight penalty. I would pay the extra money.

The Occidental belt with the fixed suspender attachment points is far superior to anything else. Even better than their kit that creates suspender loops on any belt.

Jobsite safety harnesses will fit over the Occidental rig with their suspenders.

The quality of the Occidental product blows Veto out of the water- plus it is USA made.

If you want something else at or above the Occidental quality point, good luck finding it. There is/was a guy making 100% custom leather tool pouches, and I think that's about it in the USA.

[JTCHVAC]

I ended up getting the Occidental Leather. Its sweet!!!!

[ORV]

that bag makes me want to go hang duct...holy smokes

[WestcoastApprentice]

Hey guys, I just wanted to echo the great warranty stories from Veto that The big veto fans throughout this site have mentioned- to me that kind of customer service weighs in a lot when deciding on a bag to purchase.

I bought my LC three years ago, and after the zipper failed about a year and a half ago, I just dealt with it and got by- you'ss see in the pics, one side still worked, so I just grinned and bear'd it. I talked to them less than three weeks ago, and although I was given the "zero-downtime-warranty" option (a new bag mailed out to me with pre-paid postage for the old one) what BLEW me away was the fact that Jim (co-owner of veto) had emailed me back on two seperate occasions within LITERALLY 5 minutes. To make the story even better, the first time was on a Friday evening, the second was on a Sunday morning.......if there was ever a comany that DEFINED customer service, veto is IT.

PS- the picture that is more zoomed out and shows the overall condition of the bag is the condition of a veto after 3 years of hard use and abuse.

[JTCHVAC]

:hijacked::bump:
Hey guys, I just wanted to echo the great warranty stories from Veto that The big veto fans throughout this site have mentioned- to me that kind of customer service weighs in a lot when deciding on a bag to purchase.

I bought my LC three years ago, and after the zipper failed about a year and a half ago, I just dealt with it and got by- you'ss see in the pics, one side still worked, so I just grinned and bear'd it. I talked to them less than three weeks ago, and although I was given the "zero-downtime-warranty" option (a new bag mailed out to me with pre-paid postage for the old one) what BLEW me away was the fact that Jim (co-owner of veto) had emailed me back on two seperate occasions within LITERALLY 5 minutes. To make the story even better, the first time was on a Friday evening, the second was on a Sunday morning.......if there was ever a comany that DEFINED customer service, veto is IT.

PS- the picture that is more zoomed out and shows the overall condition of the bag is the condition of a veto after 3 years of hard use and abuse.

[tinman97030]

that is an impressive story. If I ever have to switch from CLC and Bucket Boss, I will look at Veto real hard, thanks for sharing! Did you buy that at Nordstroms?