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Can anyone guide me in the right direction to find a tool belt the same as Norm Abrams. Is the one with the extra large pockets off-set more than a normal belt. It also has a holder for a speed square and 2 metal hammer hoops. I would really like to purchase one of these belts so any info would be greatly appreciated.
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Norm should do a signature line - like sports figures. Tim Allen has a signature hammer - it's nice, but it's not serious. Try the Hart Woodie for that.
I'll have to dig out some back issues of TOH and see what he is wearing. Apron or bags?
If you want professional bags, I recommend looking at Occidental Leather of Santa Rosa, CA. 800/743-6914 outside of CA. I've gone thru a number of other brands. Some of the stuff sold at the home stores has terrible ergonomics.
Example: ProLine (?) ProLite (?) had a bag with the tape holder on the same side as the speed square. You could not draw the square without fighting the tape. Their belt was fine (still use it - with Oxy bags) and their right side bag was fine. I have noticed an Oxy knockoff at Home Depot - green cordura and leather, but much lighter weight than Oxy.
I have been very pleased with the Oxy Light line - cordura and leather patches. One chap on the forum complained of the need to break in the all leather Oxy line.
Get their catalog and study how their bags are laid out. They know their stuff.
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Hey how about getting Norm to do designer signature stuff for Carhartt.
He'd look great in his "Eddie Bauer" Ford Explorer.
Pretty Soon every advertiser out there would want advertising space on his cap, sholder, tool belt, etc. etc.
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This thread started as a what does Norm have but I want to talk about tool belts in general. I don't like Norm's apron style. Everything connected together with the tape holder in the middle. I like the separate belt and bags. Left side for fasteners and right for tools. With the separate belt you can also put a separate hammer holder and cordless drill holster on. The holster is almost a permanent fixture on my belt. I use the 10 pocket bags from Sears. About $20 on sale. Custom made 1/4 thick belt from a saddle shop. Read a review of the Occidental bags. Said they were nice but did not allow any variation in where the tools go. You either like where they put the specific holders or too bad.
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My rig is the leather from Occidental Leather, the Pro Framer. It's one tough unit. I dont like the "apron" style that Norm wears, but its all personal preference. Where does Norm find room for the cell phone, chew can, extra sticks of gun nails, and that half a sandwich you didnt have time to eat at "lunch"!!
Dave
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Norms bags are rookie bags, norm is no rookie but I would not be caught dead in a pair. My hammer a daluge goes in a bag on one side and nailz on the outher. My tape in a bag in front of my hammer and pencils with the nailz. I have a third bag in back for speed square with a velcro flap for wax,stair nuts,blower,flush attachment for nail gun. They are made of saddle leather from olivers saddle shop. If you oil them they will last for 8 to 10 years and keep you fast.
*I am very happy with my Occidental pro-framer,especially with the suspenders. Although recently my Dad(and fellow trim man)replaced his old belt with a builder's rig from the Bucket Boss people-nice design and good price.I think my Oxy bag will outlast it but what a nice weight and price, maybe 1/3 what mine cost. Forget Norm's bag (his are most likely free anyway) and go with an Oxy light, probably the best of both world's
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First things first, I owned a Tim Allen Hammer long before he endorsed it and I loved it until I broke the handle. This I might add was way before America knew about "Home Improvement". Now I will not touch one because it is a Tim Allen special.
Second, I had a pretty good tool belt years ago and not that I cared, but I got major shi- for wearing it backwards so the pockets were on my ass.
I may be wrong, but on your ass is where you want every thing unless you are sitting on it. I am now a commercial contractor and I have carts that I keep most stuff on.
If I needed to turn them to the front, I can easily this and still continue to work.
*My Pro Framers are about 14 years old now, they are looking a lot raggedly(duct tape at the corners,etc.) but I really must say that they were the best $100(approx) I ever spent.Now, does anybody know where I can get another Super Sawcat? Mine died a horrible death of everything failure.
*Cavemike, when B&D shifted from pro tools to DYI lines, some of their good stuff was relabled under the Dewalt badge. Dewalt offers a saw identical to the 3064 Super Sawcat, except it's yellow. I'm not sure if they sell a match for the 2694 and 2695 models.Happy shopping, Steve
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Russ -
RE: Oxy bags
The reviewer must have missed the number of choices they offer in the bags, each a little different. You get to select what you like and buy "a la carte". Some models even come in left and right handed versions. Or, buy a whole rig (even there you can substitute to some extent.)
jww
*NORM'S BAGSI did check a few back issues of TOH and it would appear Norm and Tom Silva are wearing leather framer's rigs reversed - but some larger photos might show better detai. Hey - video tape TOH and so-mo those details.Most of our folks are wearing various framer's bags to port and starboard, some have bag 3 on the stern. What some of them really need is a good cell phone bag (I see Oxy offers one). Just hate to see that cell phone stuffed in a nail bag. I doubt they have been "second story tested."Main drawback to bags on side - having to go sideways thru small openings.jww
*If you want the finest and toughest bag made then you need a Diamondback. Leather is ok for trim men but framing in rain ,mud,and blistering sun is too much for them.Diamondback is Cordura,comes in a vast array of styles(bags and belts),and is nearly indestructable.I've had mine 4 years and it is not even frayed at the corners.It's pricey($140),but my last Occidental was $125 and the corners blew out after 2 years.Diamondback is in Calf.
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>I sent for info on "Diamondback" bags and received some, but said he was backlogged into March. He also asked if anyone wanted to sew for him. :)
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Greetings! I have used the contractors rigs (at least that's what I think they are called) from the Duluth Trading people for the last year of so and have really loved them. Especially the hammer sleeve that keeps the hammer from banging off the back of my knees. Any other bags with this feature? The original tape pocket was way too small, but I think that they have remedied that. I work in Eugene, Or and the nylon bags dry out quickly, definately a plus here. I've also thrown them in the washing machine with great success. Good luck to all out there! Dave
*FASHIONS IN FRAMING In the March/April 98 issue of TOH, Tom Silva is seen wearing a stylish one-piece leather apron with a Hart Woodie in the hammer loop. He is also wearing a cell phone in case (sold separately, phone not included). Continuing the product placement: two Stanley tapes and one Porter Cable drill. For a differing viewpoint, check out master framer Robert Reade, profiled in the "An American Craftsman" series. He is wearing a one piece, all leather rig. The belt is lined with sheepskin. It looks very much like the Oxy Pro Carpenter 4 Bag Assembly. So, what works for you?WORK PANTS - One chap in the thread mentioned Carharts . Am I the only one wearing logger jeans with authentic matching suspenders (Stihl, Logger's World, Cutter Supply, Endangered Species)?
*I wouldn't buy anything like a tool belt until I could try it out. The tv guys always go for style it seems... but after being snowed in and eating so much --I'm thinking of getting the bucket boss pro and tucking it in around my waist(into my pants) cause I got rounder in a couple weeks --and right after xmas too, guys! Think of all those pockets.........
*I have had a Nickolas tool belt for about 8 yrs. I like the flexibility of having the removable bags and I like leather over cordura. I have gone a step further and taken my bags to a shoe repair shop for customizing. I now have leather loops inside the larger pouches for a screwdriver,mini prybar,nips, and a few other small tools that typically end up stuffed in the bottom sideways and a major pain in the ass to retrieve quickly. I also have a larger piece of leather to seperate my speed square from my folding stick rule to help prevent the numbers from rubbing off the rule. He can also repair holes in bags and hammer loops that break. For customizing and repairs I've probably paid about 15 dollars or so. Money very well spent. Other crew members who carry similar small tools love it and threaten to do the same.
*The Occidentals Pro Framers I've tried on all had the tool slots, leather holders, pockets, etc. on the right hand bag. Left bag was just pockets. Yes you can switch the bags to the opposite side but the individual tool holders are already stitched in. You don't have to use them but then they just catch things when putting your tools in and out. The tape holder is stitched in one of the bags. I like my tape in a bag. I tried one of those special holders and the tape fell out too often. Yes I could cut the Occidental prestitched one off but...
*Fine Homebuilding did a review of the Diamondback, made in California bags, a few years or less ago in the Tools short review section in each magazine. Rated very well. Said it was made by a former carpenter. Said it was getting up there in price.
*I also have used the contractors rigs from the Duluth Trading, best bags around here. All of the other local trash have way to small pockets. Dial 1-800-505-8888 for a free catalog. Mine got a rip in it and they sent me another at no charge. Did have to return it though. or try "www.duluthtrading.com"
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I am a mostly commercial contractor and I want a tool belt, but most of those I see are way to complex. I want one side to hold tools, and the other to hold screws. Every one seems to have a bag that has 5 nail bags and multiple tool slots in the same bag. Way to complex, I tend to deal only in one size fastener and would like a seperate bag for a limited # of tools.
Is there anyone that has this concept. I've had tool belt and abandoned them because I found them to be unsuitable. I almost like those cheap canvas jobs with 2 pockets and 2 stringsbetter than any thing I've used.
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I have Nickolas separates. This allows me to choose between the multi tool holders, electricians pouch, or straight nail bag depending on the job. I too, put the tape in a pocket and only use the hammer tail (rear carrier) when on the level. I prefer leather as the cordura bags seem to put the rivets in the perfect places to catch my finger nails.
BTW, I got my last set at Home Depot when they discontinued the Nickolas brand for the current junk they carry.
Cheers; JE
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Steve,
What I am looking for is a model 3047 Super Sawcat from D&D. not one of those yellow abominations from Dewalt. The Supers where last made about 1991 I think. They are IMHO the best saws ever made. S, again I will ask; Any body out there have one?
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Luke, after following this thread I see no one answered your question. If you contact William Alden (they have a web site) you will be able to find what you are looking for. It was in their catalog last fall. They do not show it in their latest offering but perhaps you could still get it from them. I believe the cost is about $55.00.
I too use the oxy-lite set with great satisfaction. I prefer the bags on the sides it seems more comfortable that way.
Good luck on your search.
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I'm with you on this issue J.D.!
I'm using a relativley cheap green cordura style from home depot at 25$ each. There are three pockets on the bag, but I only use the big one. I stuff a calculator into a smaller one sometimes.
I'd cut the extra pockets off, but they lay so flat, it's not worth the effort.
Just cause they're there doesn't mean ya' gotta' stuff 'em!
blue in MI,
"Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot."
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Can anyone guide me in the right direction to find a tool belt the same as Norm Abrams. Is the one with the extra large pockets off-set more than a normal belt. It also has a holder for a speed square and 2 metal hammer hoops. I would really like to purchase one of these belts so any info would be greatly appreciated.
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Luke: Tool belt info.. Check www,toolcribofthenorth.com. They carry Occidental Leather tool belts which meet your needs.