Bucket Boss Builder’s Rig Air-Lift bags
GoldenWreckedAngle
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Do any of you wear the Bucket Boss 55039 Builder’s Rig Air-Lift bags? I’ve seen similar suspended bags for a lot more money but can’t discern any significant difference in the illustrations and descriptions.
While I’ve been interested in the suspended bag systems for a while I haven’t wanted to put $150 plus on the line to see how they feel. At $39.99 for the Bucket Boss Air-Lift bags I’m am thinking it might be worth a trial run but I’m also a firm believer that you usually get what you pay for.
Anybody wear them? Are they any good?
Kevin Halliburton
“I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity.” – I.M. Pei –
Replies
I got a pair for X-mas (i put them on my list and was a good boy)
I like them so far, but I dont wear my tool belt alot.
theyseem to have a good number of well thought out pockets.
and I can get nails out and in easily.
For the price I would say they are an excellent value.
I just don't have a need for a 150$ tool belt wit a 300$ hammer that both hang on a nail while I use a nail gun.
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
My personal opinion with Bucket Boss tool bags of any sort is that you get what you pay for. Kid on my crew bought the builder's rig and within a week everytime I'd look over at him he'd be adjusting his bags. The nylon was weak at the loops and the bags would constantly bunch up, either in front of his hips (in the way), or over his butt cheek, depending on what he was doing. I think he bought CLC's about a month later when the plastic "quick release" buckle broke.
I think they should have stopped at the original Bucket Boss.
plastic "quick release"
?!
Thanks, 'nuff said... That's why I asked.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Kevin
just look at it at toolcrib. I'm going to get a new set of bags someday soon... I looked at the bucket boss line and the price was a big temptation, but if you look cloesly at the pictures they just look cheap and not up to daily use.
Now for an Architect, they just might be ok, but for someone that uses them... :-)
anyway back to serious...
I think I'm going to order the occi proframer set, they seem expensive but when I priced them compared to getting 2 good bags and a belt at the local lumber yard the occi's are only about 25-40 bucks more.Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.
Now for an Architect, they just might be ok, but for someone that uses them... :-)
Hey pal, for your info you gotta carry a bunch of pencils, pens, tablets, calculators, business cards and stuff to be a good architect. That's not even counting all the stuff you have to carry when you do field measurements and punch list inspections.
That's just for the design stuff too. I gotta have a whole 'nother set of bags for photo gear and marketing tools to document and brag about all the cool stuff we designed and built. Ha! And you tool jockeys think you need lots of pockets...
It gets heavy carrying all that stuff around your waste you know! Besides all that, when your posing for those weekend warrior photo ops you gotta be stylin'. I can't just hang my new Douglas nail smacker off any old set of bags you know!
Image is everything in this business. OCCI proframers hu? Can you get those in custom colors? I've got a couple of my favorite ties that I'd like to work with if you can.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Glad ta see someone else is giving you a rough time......................(-:If a tree in the forest falls on a mime, and no one is around, does anyone care?
Glad ta see someone else is giving you a rough time......................(-:
Yea, it's great! I haven't felt this much affection since those two girls used to chase me down and pinch me in kindergarten... :-)>Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Don't all of your arkytekt "tools" fit in you pocket protecter??Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
Don't all of your arkytekt "tools" fit in you pocket protecter??
They use'ta but then I realized I didn't look perfessional enough. Now I make sure I show up at all job sites in a 3/4 ton panel truck with my loaded bags on. As I'm walking around the job site I notice a lot of guys laughing at my associate who isn't wearing his. You gotta look like a pro if you want people to take you seriously...Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Here's the one he needs
View ImageNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.
I like it!! After Rugby's post however, I've just got one question... Does it come in leather?Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
"I've just got one question... Does it come in leather?"
Kevin:
Evidently they do. :) Read about 2/3 of the way down the page in the link below.
http://www.ieee.org/organizations/history_center/pocketprotector.html
Regarding the hammer holder on the back of the belt.....For whatever personal preference, I've always liked my tools bags pulled pretty close to the front of my body (not hanging directly at my sides) which allows the hammer holder to slid to the right just off the back of my hip. That makes the hammer alot more convenient to get at. I usually keep a lighter hammer in the leather hammer loop. I certainly agree that having that hammer holder clear in the back is an inconvenience and I think it puts your shoulder joint in a pretty vulnerable position. I also remember reading in FH some time back that its dangerous as well if you would happen to fall backwards and the hammer ends up being wedged between you and the floor or ground.
Rugby
a recent Levenger's catalogue offers a leather pocket protector for $19.95!!
Whoooeeee... I'm gonna be a babe magnet now!Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Neil...here comes my two cents. Go for the Oxy Lights. I ordered all my stuff seperate cuz I'm half left handed, half right handed, half dead, half azzed etc. plus I wanted the double smaller nail bags on the left side and a tail bag to boot. Only mistake I made was ordering that "comfy padded belt" (if it was the sheepskin lined one that you were refering to). When you slide your bags on that belt, the leather loops of the bag cover the most important part of the sheepskin padding...right at your hip bones. So I then ordered the sheepskin lined hip pad things with a regular leather belt....sweeeeeet set up dude. I carry three bagasaurauses, two hip pads and the hammer holder all day long and I'm a pig....look in my belt at any given time and you'll find about 2lbs of 16d's, 2 lbs of 8d's, a dozen clips of 8 rings, a dozen clips of 12's, various screws, stainless steel nails, lags, carriage bolts, blade wrenches, bricks, mushrooms, a cell phone, Jeff Buck's sunglasses, plans from a house I built last winter...etc.
Like Strap said, I've heard some horror stories about breaking in those all leather bags, although they do look sharp. Stay away from the "Barrel Bag" configuarations, I had a set two years ago and they barely made it through a year. Go for the green ones dude, you'll love em. They felt like "my bags" within a week.
lol
I was talking to my uncle last night and told him I was going to buy a set $160 bags, amoung thinks like "idiot" & "stupid" etc. he told me I would be the best dressed guy on the job site.
he wasn't so sure I needed to spend that much.. :)Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.
Neil,
My crewmates gave me hell for buying my Occi's, and they were stiff and uncomfortable until recently, but I rate them as the best, most durable bags made. Now if I were the foreman or the cut man and didn't need lots of nails, and etc., yeah I'd wear some cheesy HD suede models. But hey, I'm a nailer, so on any given day I'll be carrying hand 12d's and 8d's, about 10 clips of gun nails, some concrete pins, some roofing tacks, a few Grip-Caps, and some 16d casing nails for doors. That kind of load will split and sag a lesser quality bag in a few days. If you're going to buy a set of Occi's, now is the time to do it, since it's hot and rainy (here in Ala, at least)--the sweat and rain will help soften the leather up a lot.
BTW, I have a Bucket Boss Contractor Rig brand new that I still haven't even tried out...maybe one day. Bottom line, they're money well spent in the long run.Quality before Quantity
Checked out the Occidental Leather suspended bags out of curiosity. Couldn't help but notice the plastic clips on the "Oxy Tool Chest" bags. They are clearly a superior set of bags but I'm wondering if I may be judging the Bucket Boss bags a little harshly for having a plastic clip.
I've never liked having my hammer hanging in the back like the Air Lifts either. It just seems too far to reach for it most of the time. I wonder if I could move the hammer a little more around to the side where the Oxy Tool Chest bags have it. Then again, I did that on my current bags and I've just never liked the way it worked out.
Occi is definitely proud of their stuff. Be sure to pose 'em for us in the "what tool did you buy today thread" if you decide to get them.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Oh I've decided, now I just need to stop finding other thinks I "need" more then a new set of bags...
I don't think I'd like the suspended bag system, I also don't like the hammer hanging behind, never have.
I have no practical basis for this opinion, but I don't think the plastic clip on the suspended bags would be all that bad, compared to one around your waste, I think there would be less stress on it up top vs. right around your mid section.
I'm thinking of this set
http://www.occidentalleather.com/sets/9500.html
or this one
http://www.occidentalleather.com/sets/5080db.html
Just have to decide if I want leather or nylon, either way I'm hoping I can fit my hammer through the leather strap on the side and ditch the back hammer holderNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.
The hammer in the back has always bugged me for a lot of reasons.
#1 I hate the handle smacking me in the back of the leg all the time
#2 I don't like squatting down and having my hammer hit the floor and get pushed up my back
#3 When I'm balanced on top of a 22' ladder with the board I'm fixing to nail in one hand I don't like to have to go very far with that second hand when I let go to get my hammer out
#4 When I monkey around trying to reach behind myself too far and fall off that ladder, the last thing I want pointed directly at my spine is 22 oz of steel with a 16" long fulcrum attached. Psychologically it just feels kind of like someone has a gun to my back.
#5 I grew up wearing my hammer on my right side and nothing else feels right - period.
Seriously, it's all about speed and fluidity. You don't see the Outlaw Josie Wales reaching around to pull that big ole' long barreled colt 45 out of his rear end now do you?
Hey that gives me an idea! What if I got a second hammer loop and strapped it to my thigh for the hammer handle to drop into? Do you think I could pick up a fraction of a second or two on my draw? Yup, reckon so... Awe, who am I kiddin'? I never liked spittin' tobacco juice on a dog's head anyway.
Maybe I'll check at Lowes and see if they have one of those cotton aprons I can pick up real cheap. Probably the best bag out there... for the money.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
You guys gonna pull them hammers or whistle dixie??
Ptouuie.
Framin' ain't much of a livin'.Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
LOL!
Reckon that's still the best western ever made.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
CAG: Just a few thoughts. I've got the Occidental 5080 (no double bag on right) set. Definate break in period before they become real comfortable. The older they get the better they feel and the easier your tools go in and out of the pockets. They're like a quality pair of leather boots.
The leathers get a bit heavy when the bags are really loaded down. I really feel it in my hips sometimes. From the overall weight not from the belt or bags themselves.
An Estwing 24 oz framer fits in the leather hammer loop. Mine was a little tight when the bags were new. Got better over time. A Fat Max tape does not fit in the tape holder until it gets stretched a whole lot. Regular 25" tape is fine.
I haven't worn Occi's nylon or the Oxy Lights but sometimes I think a little less weight would be nice.
Rugby
kind of what I am thinking on the nylon, lighter, less break in time, and call me a sissy, but that padded belt sure looks more comfortableNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.
But on the other hand leather seems to appeal to the opposite sex........I was wearing an old set of el cheapo bags one day and my wife stopped by. She looks at me and says, "What are you wearing those for? You look sexier in your leather tool belt." Sure glad no one was around to hear that. I can't figure that woman out?
CAG, my Occi's are the 5080DB that you listed, and like I've said before, they are strictly first class. If I had to do it over I'd have gone with the Oxy Lights or the Barrel Bag Six Pack, though. Look into the synthetics and the nylon/leather combos, as the full leather Occi's like mine get really heavy when wet. And you will love the side hammer loop--it's my favorite feature. Always at your side but high enough to not bang your leg all day.Quality before Quantity
Hey Guys,
I wear the DeWalt ballistic bags, they are very comfy and the belt gives good back support. And they have plenty of room no matter who has them on.
They are also middle of the road in price, nailed mine for $90.
Keep Building With Yellow & Black
Ernie
I bought a pair of Occidentals in the early 80s and they outlasted many bags I had before. I think they lasted about 10 years. They had the bags sewn into the belt which was about 20 bucks more. I also sprung for the suspenders. The bags were fine for heavy framing in the old way when you loaded a huge amount of 16s into each pocket. These days I think they are too heavy. The large openings fill with snow in the winter when I brush a tree or bush and when they get wet and frozen they are not very comfy. The suspenders were always needing adjusting and the shoulder pads were a joke.
I added a hammer loop in the back. The loop on the side always bounced the 16" handle off my leg causing a sore spot. I found the back mount to be the most comfy after all the years. Dangerous? Thats hooey. Hard to reach? No way.
With the Occi's, I looked like the pro though and with my hammer in the back and some cool sunglasses I was stylin'.
For about the last 5 years I have been getting along fine with some cordura slow depot bags. They were about $60.00. I replaced the plastic buckle with a metal one and they are still going strong. They have about half the cubic inch capacity of the Occidentals but I use a nailer mostly now and don't need to carry around a huge bag of loose nails.