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the original parachute bags

Dreamcatcher | Posted in Tools for Home Building on November 23, 2007 07:41am

I need some parachute bags but can’t find the original bags anywhere. You know what I mean, real canvas, 6 pockets, a center pull handle. Simple effective and durable.

I can easily find the cheap plastic/nylon 18 pocket bags that just wear through the bottoms in a few months of real work. Not to mention who needs all those pockets. I want a bag that is easy to carry not one that weighs 45 pounds, won’t fit in a 5gal bucket and drops my tools every time i move it.
I also found some thin canvas, six pocket bags but the pull cord is on the side…who decided that was an improvement?

Does it ever seem to you that by the time the really high quality tools, clothes, etc. you have wear out, they stopped making that item. By then the comparable replacement is only comparable in name; the quality and usefullnes has been designed out. A work shirt that used to last 10 years last 10 months. Circular saw lifespan was 25yrs. now is 25 months. And a clothes washing machine used to start showing wear at about 10-15 years now you have to buy an extra service contract because it will probably break down in 1-2years and be worthless in about 5-7years. Sorry this is an ongoing rant.

Anyways, the point is I can’t find the real deal parachute bags. Anyone got a source?

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Replies

  1. rlrefalo | Nov 23, 2007 07:59pm | #1

        Don't know about the bags but know what you mean  about tools, machines, products. When something works really well it's a joy to use and have around. When it doesn't it's a thorn in your side. I fear we have alot more thorns coming with more and more products from china.

  2. User avater
    EricPaulson | Nov 23, 2007 08:04pm | #2

    Duluth Trading?

    [email protected]

     

     

     

     

  3. renosteinke | Nov 23, 2007 08:09pm | #3

    Check the net ... Bucket Boss brand made the 'original.' Their current model is of heavy duty nylon - you won't be disappointed.

    Also check Klein ... they once had a canvas version.

    1. User avater
      Dreamcatcher | Nov 23, 2007 09:39pm | #4

      Yeah, My old ones were bucket boss. I have looked there and Duluth Trading, and Klein, and Pull'r Ind., and done countless searches. I am convinced that the olny way to get them now is to find someone with a backstock.I've tried the newer Bucket Boss nylon version but the bottoms wore through in less than a year. I used it exactly the same way I used the old canvas set. Stack and store it in a bucket, carry/toss it by the pull cord, kick it to slide it across the floor. Those old ones were REAL canvas. Brown duck like a Carhartt jacket. Real braided cord. Military spec stuff. Now all availible is cheap chineese spec bags.Still LookingGK

      1. rasconc | Nov 23, 2007 10:47pm | #8

        I cut some gores to fit the sections and put in the bottom of one that son gave me that was almost worn out.  It will keep the objects in the bag from eating up the bottom. Many more years use.  You can spray some of the plastic dip type stuff on botton too.

  4. User avater
    Sphere | Nov 23, 2007 09:53pm | #5

    LOL..I just posted to you about the saw.

    Anyway, I happened to buy my wife a sewing machine a few yrs ago..guess what?

    A 600+$ machine, and a semi- retired woman, can crank out a much better tool roll, or chute bag ( take one apart and make her a pattern, buy yer own grommets and chute cord) than whats avaiable from Chiner.

    Cord from Campmoor, clothe from any old pants she feels like cutting up when doing laundry and they just look like a "washer stangler"..

    How many ya want?  Elephant foot or true?

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    "If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"

    1. User avater
      Dreamcatcher | Nov 23, 2007 09:59pm | #6

      Good point, Christmas is on the way and the wife could use a new sewing machine and a new hobby. We do save all my old work pants; she made an all denim quilt several years back out of old dickies and carharts. Surely a new machine for her could coax her into working for me.Thanks
      gk

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Nov 23, 2007 10:29pm | #7

        My wife really gets her happy from "fiber Arts" so don't take it as you should pressure your wife to be cranking out things of carpenter usage, and lemme tell ya, DO NOT ever get a 600$ Dyson vacuume for her B-Day.

        Uh, I am a goofy sized guy, 38 inseam, 32 waist, really wide shoulders, and no chest..so almost everything I buy has to be tailored in some way, so she looks at me like a "project".

        The material saved from the mid body of flannel shirts off the rack, could cover most of Darfur, shame they can't eat flannel.

        But here's the deal, a really good sewing machine is a thing of beauty in it's self, and they get really specialized in doing things that would slay your mind, I, my self, made a log carrier out of poly olefin feed bags, handles and all..and I used mono filimaent 8lb test, just to keep my man hood intact!

        Sew on Brother man, sew on..

         Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        "If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"

  5. GregDi | Nov 23, 2007 11:05pm | #9

    I have an original canvas Bucket Boss bag that I have sitting empty waiting to go onto eBay.

    $15 + s&h and its yours...

    1. User avater
      Dreamcatcher | Nov 24, 2007 05:54am | #21

      GregDi,I may be interested. Brand new? The real deal? Prove it, lets see the pics. gk

      1. GregDi | Nov 24, 2007 04:30pm | #22

        It's not brand new, but I never really used it for much other than filled it up, forgot about it and found it one day.

  6. User avater
    Gunner | Nov 23, 2007 11:33pm | #10

       I've got a couple from Ideal. Bought them at an electric supply house. Pretty solid. I saw some on Duluths web site this morning too.

     

     

     "You can't roller skate in a Buffalo herd." Roger Miller

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x8B6C54ggY&feature=related

  7. Danno | Nov 23, 2007 11:59pm | #11

    What about those canvas duffle bags like I've seeen people carry stuff in on the beach? Like bags used for sleeping bags. Seems like I even owned one at one time. Lost it, along with my Ushanka and a rain poncho.

  8. Shoeman | Nov 24, 2007 01:03am | #12

    Think this is what you are looking for

    http://www.sandman.com/pdf/Page15.pdf

    upper right hand corner of the page

    1. User avater
      Dreamcatcher | Nov 24, 2007 05:48am | #19

      Shoeman,Yes, That is exactly what I am looking for. I tried contacting him but no answer. We'll see, although there just seems something strange about that website.I was really hoping you guys knew of a trustworthy source. Am I really the only one here who uses these bags? Thanks fellas...may just have to move on.

      1. DanH | Nov 24, 2007 05:54am | #20

        I have them and know why you love them. I'll try checking our local Northern for them tomorrow.
        If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

      2. Shoeman | Nov 24, 2007 06:16pm | #23

        Yeah, I have not used that source, but, those are the bags I have.  I was looking for some more a couple of years back and having the same trouble as you.  Then, on my way home from work one day, I stopped at a garage sale.  Lady had 3 brand new Parachute Brand (just like in that add) priced at $4 each.  I picked one up to see if it was the real deal - while I was looking she said $10 if you take all three. 

        Some days are just good like that

        1. JulianTracy | Nov 24, 2007 06:49pm | #24

          That's how I found mine too - at a garage sale for $2 each or so. The original can't kill em versions.Amazon has Stanley 30' powerlocks for $6.70 and also the Busketboss 3 pk of the red nylon Parachute bags for $5.99 and than if you buy 3 items, you get 1 free.So I got (3) 30' stanley tape measures and 3 parachute bags for $19.96 shipped.I might take the advice given here and line the bottom of these new bags with a scrap of canvas or leather or something.JT

      3. renosteinke | Nov 24, 2007 08:51pm | #25

        Lee Valley has a polyester version. OK, it's not canvas ... but I can't imagine them selling junk, either. I have two that I use .... one the original in brown duck, the other a 'super chute' made of black and yellow nylon. Both serve me well, though I have no use for the little pockets on the 'super chute.'

  9. renosteinke | Nov 24, 2007 01:41am | #13

    Here's another possibility:

    http://www.tools-plus.com/bucket-boss-25002.html?utm_medium=shopeng&utm_source=shopping&utm_term=PBL25002&ZD84rE

    1. DanH | Nov 24, 2007 02:07am | #15

      The Sandman looks like the Real McCoy. That Bucket Boss is the inferior product that I remembered -- lightweight fabric and a handle in the middle instead of using the pull cords for a handle, so it doesn't close automatically when you pick it up.
      If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

  10. DanH | Nov 24, 2007 02:02am | #14

    I think I got all mine from Northern. I'd guess that Harbor Freight might have them too.

    (Yeah, I tried an immitation from Bucket Boss and tossed it.)

    If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
    1. DanH | Nov 25, 2007 01:05am | #27

      Well, stopped by Northern and they didn't have any. And the salesdrone told me that they most recently carried the (crummy) Bucket Boss units.They used to be more surplusy, with the good no-name canvas bags, but it seems like they've gone upscale and don't carry that sort of stuff anymore.
      If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

  11. User avater
    maddog3 | Nov 24, 2007 02:08am | #16

    this?

    http://www.kleintoolz.com/product/5151

    .

    .

    .

    .

    , wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?

  12. DanH | Nov 24, 2007 02:28am | #17

    This is the 20-pocket variety, but has the drawcord done right (it appears). Can't tell what it's made of.

    http://www.acetoolonline.com/Milwaukee-49-17-0110-PARACHUTE-Bag-p/mil-49-17-0110.htm

    If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
    1. DanH | Nov 24, 2007 02:39am | #18

      On looking at the larger photo I see they screwed up the drawstring.
      If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

  13. Sawdaddy | Nov 24, 2007 10:01pm | #26

    Hey Dreamcatcher,

     

    I see you're in Michigan. Have you ever been to Performance Line tools down in Pontiac? Great tool store. I was there last week and they had a whole rack of brown canvas parachute bags on the back wall.

    Gives you a good excuse to head down there and drool on the tools...

     

    -Sawdaddy

     

    1. User avater
      Dreamcatcher | Nov 25, 2007 01:21am | #28

      Sawdaddy,Yeah, Performance Tool is my go-to tool store. Their new building is great, really shows off their vast variety of machinery and dodads. I actually bought three of those bags you speak of, only to get home and find out that they are the type that has the draw string on the side and they just look brown duck but are really nylon outside and plastic inside, real flimsy. I got them because I was doing a job in Ann Arbor for the university putting an experimental modular house on a special modular foundation with steel stantions. The bolting combination was very specific so I had 1-1/2" hex bolts in one and nuts, washers, lock washers, and torque spec washers in another. I figured as I was crawling around, often on my back or belly, I could drag them behind me. Well it wasn't long before I pulled in the wrong way and the heavy nut side made the whole bag dump. Did this many times, probably lost alot of time and materials. Bucket Boss used to have good products, dunno what happened. BTW right now at Performance the Bosch 4000 TS with Gravity Rise stand is only $499 (is $549 at Amazon) a good deal maybe made better by going to Lowes for price comparison deal. I forgot to do that last part so I just got it for $499.GK

      1. JulianTracy | Nov 25, 2007 03:44am | #29

        That Performance Tool store has got to be the very best tool store in the world.Funny thing is, the last few times I've been there, I walk around the entire place and walk out buying nothing.What that really means is that I have way too many tools already.JT
        (Live in Redford, about 15 miles south of the PT store)

        1. User avater
          Dreamcatcher | Nov 25, 2007 10:14am | #30

          LOL, I said the same thing just a few days agohttp://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=20001.7307Either I've just been in a rut doing the same sorts of jobs too often lately or maybe it's this Michigan building climate. I guess I need to find a way to attract clients who want a wider array of services; Then I could justify the need to buy more exotic tools.What's your perspective?GK

          1. JulianTracy | Nov 25, 2007 10:40am | #31

            Well,I've been buying tools only when they are so cheap that I can't resist. Usually, the crazy Amazon deal or garage sale buy on a tool that I didn't necessarily need at the time pays off huge when a job comes up and I truly put that particular tool to use .Sometimes, timing is everything - came across a Milwaukee deep-cut bandsaw with case and bunch of blades at garage sale for $100 - the day before I was doing a huge metal banister staircase job. Made a temp stand-up bracket for it and cut each bannister like it was butter.Picked up the Festool Domino for the same job - made it much easier and better for joining the rail sections together.Found a guy selling a Virutex handheld laminate slitter and cool Virutex miter shear table and some crazy bearing/insert flush trim bits on Woodnet quite a while back. Had a laminate counter job and than a bath vanity refacing job recently that went a lot faster and smoother cause I had those new tools. The shear runs like $300 or so - wouldn't have bought it for that, but I think I paid effectively $70 for it maybe - and it was def. worth that.The other thing I'm always doing is selling stuff - because I'm always coming across deals on stuff I may already have, I just sell whatever I don't really need to make space and cash - can't stand having tools that don't get used.I'm a believer in Tools= capability, and I'm just about as set up as I need to be, but if I come across a crazy deal on something - I'll buy it even if I don't really need it just in case the need or job comes up.Right now I have (3) router tables, (2) belt sanders, (2) Little Giant Ladders, and a bunch of other stuff that I need to sell - I end up doing a lot of Craigslist. Where are you located?Julian

  14. DanH | Nov 26, 2007 10:53pm | #32

    Well, called Sandman and they'd discontinued them because they couldn't get the good ones. Ya gotta respect them for doing that vs selling ####.

    If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
  15. DanH | Nov 28, 2007 03:23pm | #33

    Got to thinking on this problem and it occurred to me that, with enough orders, this is something we could likely get the Amish to produce. Price would probably be about $30 a throw, but the quality should be good.

    Only real problem is figuring out if there's a patent in the way that we'd be infringing. Does anyone have a bag that's tagged in a way sufficient to locate the manufacturer and query them?

    If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

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