Replies

1. 
   TTF | Dec 30, 2005 06:47am | #1

   I ma a lefty as well. I gave up on finding a left-handed belt, and made my own. I took a pretty simple and good quality tool belt (just a few pockets) and added on the hammer, drill and knife pouches.

   We could have a "lefty tool" rant in general. I hate having the trigger lock get pushed unintentionally when I use a drill with my left hand!

    

1. 
   Catspaw | Dec 30, 2005 05:23pm | #2

   I have the Occi left hand belt.  It works great - everything in the right place.

   It may be expensive but it will last much longer than cheaper belts.

2. 
   Toolpig | Dec 30, 2005 09:10pm | #3

   Oh, I've ranted a few times here about that very subject.  Luckily, I'm finding that most drills, jig-saws, etc. these days are more "universal," meaning that the trigger-lock is centered on the handle someplace and out of the way. 

   My biggest rant was about circular saws (blade too close to my fingers, sawdust shooting up in my eyes, etc.).  But I since bought a Porter Cable "blade left" and find it's great for lefties like me!Toolfanatic (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak")

2. 
   doodabug | Dec 31, 2005 01:39am | #4

   Everybody is born righthanded.

   Only the greatest can overcome it.

3. 
   dieselpig | Dec 31, 2005 02:04am | #5

   I've had the lefty Occi's for about three or four years and hope they never wear out.  I wear 'em daily for framing and they're standing up to the abuse quite nicely.  Before I bought these, I used to need a new belt every 6 months or so.  Buy 'em.  They take about a month to really break in, but once they do... they are totally yours.  Like a good pair of boots.

4. 
   Shep | Dec 31, 2005 05:19am | #6

   you lefties get even by getting manufacturers to put the hammer loops on work jeans on the left side.

   every once in a while it'd be nice to use that loop without having to be a contortionist

1. 
   DaveMason2 | Dec 31, 2005 07:33am | #7

     I've had my Occi. lites for about 12 yrs now. Used everyday and still going strong. I've had to hot glue some holes in the corners but other than that they're great.

    I'm not sure how the hammer loop got put on the left side of some carpenter pants but I sure do appreciate it. I do know that Carharts loop is acually for holding welding rod hence the pocket underneath the loop. 

     dave

2. 
   DougU | Dec 31, 2005 07:35am | #8

   Well its about damn time we lefties got a break!!!

   Just trying to survive in the right mans world

   Doug

1. 
   AJinNZ | Dec 31, 2005 03:56pm | #9

   I got the Occys, very nice bags. Well worth the money and the exchange rate and the freight. :-)

    

   My pet hate with a tool right now is the 'cant start it till the stupid little button is pushed in' on my sabresaw. Naturally its set up for a righty. Gotta do all kinds of contortions to get it going. Gonna have to glue the sucker in permanent like or something 

   Whatever it was.................I didnt do it.

2. 
   Shep | Dec 31, 2005 05:25pm | #10

   OK, we'll let you lefties have this one.

   But don't get greedy.

1. 
   Snort | Dec 31, 2005 05:42pm | #11

   Hey brothermen, I use oxy lite framers, too...the trimmer's don't have a speed square slot!? Think I got them from Medford tool, leftys were hard to find...just wish they had a better set up for pencils.Hey Shep, those hammer loops are on the "right" side<G> Hey, pocket doors can't come off the track if they're nailed open

1. 
   gdcarpenter | Dec 31, 2005 09:43pm | #12

   I'm kinda 1/2 & 1/2 as a lefty, writing left but swinging a hammer right. Have the Occidental leftie set up and have no regrets as to the cost because they've taken a beating for years and look like there's many more years left in them.Did you know the Latin word sinister means left, no wonder we're an oppressed minority. One of the neatest left handed items I've seen was a left handed chess set, all the men carried their weapons in their left hands.Let's not confuse the issue with facts!

2. 
   Stuart | Jan 01, 2006 02:04am | #13

   It may seem trivial, but one of my favorite left handed tools is a pair of lefty Fiskars scissors.  It's also a lot of fun to watch a right handed person try to use them.

3. 
   Toolpig | Jan 01, 2006 11:44pm | #15

   What's really funny is to see my wife trying to use the computer mouse at home (I've got it set up on the left side of the keyboard). 

   Well, I took the plunge and ordered the Occidental 5087LH's from toolbarn.com.  Cost me almost $190 with shipping.  Ouch!!  I hope they're worth it.Toolfanatic (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak")

5. 
   davidhawks | Jan 01, 2006 10:59pm | #14

   Ima southpaw too, and since 1984 have been using a model 424 Nicholas 3-tiered bag on my right side, and a standard 2-tiered bag on the left.  Usually the 2-tiers have 2 hammer/tool rings, so there's always one facing front for your hammer.  The 3-tier model has a molded leather tape holder that's super convenient to grab w/ your right hand, then extend out w/ your left.  Good Luck!!

6. 
   Toolpig | Jan 15, 2006 06:04pm | #16

   Bit the bullet and got the Oxy's.  Nice bags!!!  I got the 5087-LH (link below).  These are specifically built for lefties.  The "fastener" bags are on the right and the "tool" bags are on the left.  A bonus is that this particular rig has a pouch for the tape measure on the right side.  This is great because I usually grab the tape with my right hand and pull it out with my left when measuring.  They're also beefy and should last forever.  I need to get some beefy suspenders, though, because they want to pull my pants down (no hips!).  Not always a bad thing, but probably not a good idea if I'm using the chop saw.  HA!!!  I say buy 'em!!  Worth the $180 at Toolbarn.com.

   http://www.bestbelt.com/product/left/5087lh-toolbelt.html

   Toolfanatic (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak")

    

    

   
   

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   Edited 1/15/2006 10:26 am ET by Toolfanatic