Mornin’ all,
I’d like to hear your opinions on the pros or cons of either system.
I’m in the market for a tool belt and was checking out the Duluth site. Was wondering if any out here have tried either the Skillers vest or the Skillers flexi-system. (I do mostly finish carpentry but do some framing.)
So what do you all like?
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Replies
Well, one of the ladies who works on Skagit HFH projects invested in one. She seems happy with it. I am not convinced. It would depend what you do and how much of it.
My take is that the Army and the backpack makers have invested millions in getting the load off your shoulders and onto the hips in the most comfortable fashhion possible, and now you start backsliding.
For carpentry I recommend Occidental Leather's Oxy Light bags. I use them with their suspenders and they work just fine. They are a superb tool.
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One of the Geezers had Oxy's Stronghold buscadero rig and it looked very efficient. I tried one on at the store and it was very comfy. I would like to load it up and walk around a bit. If you are s-XL, it's a system to consider.
In bag shopping, it pays to know what is good design, so look at the Oxy bags, then check the competition. I use the framing square slot as a quick test. If the bags have no place for the square that allows you instant access, keep looking.
If you do this daily, you have a closer relationship with your bags than your wife. Every little inefficency will grate. How about hammer loops that are blocked on one side by a bag. The guy had riveted a tin patch over where the claws were wearing through the bag.
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Dan,
I have the "Skillers Duck Vest System". (Don't know if it's the flexi-system or not). At least that's what I called it when I posted the purchase in "What Tool Did You Buy Today?" I bought it eleven months ago.
I am thin and don't have much in the way of hips, so my tool belt was always slipping down, pulling my pants with it. I got tired of constantly pulling everything up.
I like it a lot. As ANDYSZ2 pointed out when I bought it, it can be easy to get caulk or foam or whatever on it. But my experience is that it can be cleaned up (the foam scrapped off, haven't gotten any caulk on it I don't think). Andy also noted that the pockets will collect sawdust (or other dust).
I'm very happy I bought it and I use it alot.
My complaints:
I leave it off for tight places like crawlspaces and attics. Too many pockets catching on things and stuff falling out.
There are pockets that have liners that fit into them. I think the design is intended to make it easy to switch the contents of the pocket (take the liner with nails out and put the liner with screws in). I find these pockets very difficult to get my hand into and I've begun to start leaving the liners out altogether, but I worry that the pockets won't hold up as well without the liner.
There is one large pocket with a piece that fits into it and has several spaces for tools, etc. This piece sure likes to fall out when I'm putting the vest on or taking it off. The more stuff in it, the more likely it is to fall out.
There are a couple of very narrow pencil pockets on the breast. These have a hole halfway down for very short pencils. First time I put something in that hole (a nail set), it tore.
Shortly after I bought it, suddenly there were lots and lots of lose threads at the seams. But those threads have all worn off and everything seems stable now.
Seems like a long list, but I'm still glad I bought it. For me, this beats a belt hands down. Much more comfortable.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
RE: Bags fall down and go clank.
Thin is not an issue here. (Be happy to donate some Stored Food Reserves.) Despite that, given all the stuff in my Oxys, they would be around my knees without suspenders.
I used to use those 10$ suspenders. Always tugging at them, one side slack or the other. Then I broke down, cried and bought the Oxy suspenders. They are worth the price (which would buy you a set of knock off bags). Very comfy. No more fidding with the fit.
I also bought a belt one sides larger. Now I belt the bags below my pants belt - like a gunslinger - and my pants now remain up without their own suspenders.
In a weak moment several years ago, I bought one of the Skillers vests that sounds exactly like what Rich Beckman described.
In my case, I've used the same Oxy belt and bags for about 14 years...I'm a lean guy, too, but I wear the bags with a set of heavy-duty padded suspenders, which saves my back and raises the comfort level a bunch.
But I digress....
Just today, I dug out my Skillers vest....I'm framing and sheeting a steep roof with a bunch of dormers and bumpouts and I thought it might increase my mobility and agility to arrange my rig "above the waist," if you will.
Well, when you've been using the same rig almost daily for several years, you know where everything is and you don't even have to think to grab the right nail, or a chalkbox or retrieve or replace your hammer or chisel or whatever.
With the Skillers vest, I felt like I would if I was driving a Yugo for the first time on the left side of the road in downtown London (never been there).
I DO, however, think a vest has some possibilities and one of my employees and I have discussed potential features over many a lunch.
But for me, the Skillers vest just doesn't work very well, though I'm determined to give it a few more trials (hopefully not once every six years, however!).
I use the Skillers vest for finish work. Very pleased with it. I have a problem with pencils falling out when I bend over, so I'm trying to figure a solution. I would recommend the purchase. I know there is a vest out there that is more "airy" so it might be cooler and possibly lighter, maybe that has been mentioned.
I still use my oxy-lights bags for framing and siding, etc. I love them and have made my own modifications. Funny, I bought those before some of their newer styles were available in my area. I also use padded suspenders.
ADH Carpentry & Woodwork
Quality, Craftsmanship, Detail
Thanks for the input, guys.
Toolbear, I agree on the square slot, I use combination square a lot and hate having to dig in the bottom of the bag for it. (screw/nail/staple points under the finger nail hurts)
Rich, thanks for your review. I’m thin too, and know all about the tool belt pulling down pants. I hate that so I usually go with a minimalist approach (belt and framer pouch) and leave tools scattered about which is ok if your working by yourself but not so good when your working with others (things walking away). Also, most of my work is finish and I don’t like swinging tools hanging off of me scratching furniture, cabinets, doors… I was thinking if the tools were closer to your upper body you’d be more aware of your width and less likely to bump into things.
Notchman, if I understand you, you’re saying if you used it more and were used to where everything is at, you’d like the vest a whole lot better. So I can count you as being positive overall(?) .
And Hook, you are also pleased overall but switch out for framing.
Right now I’m leaning towards getting one. When I do I’ll report back in the “What tool did you buy today†thread after I’ve had a chance to use it for awhile.
Thank you all for your feedback. It really helps when you’re thinking of buying something you can’t get a chance to physically see.
Dan019
I
im leaning over too much, kneeling too much and on my knees down at baseboard level too much to add wieght for my shoulders and back to bear.
Years ago i gave up my fishing vest because it always got in my way, got too heavy, and was a pain in the arse to look around for my fishing equipment. Thats enough to tell me i wouldnt want my tools in a vest, ill keep my tools and fishing equipment around my waist where im more mobile, have better agility, and not supporting that weight on my back and shoulders.
I use the Oxys with suspenders. Pretty heavy duty.
They were stiff when I got them 5 years ago and haven't changed much. I remodel and they didn't have enough pockets to suit me. The big pouches are probably great for nails but I do everything pneumatic. Got some leather and built custom pockets in one of the pouches. One holds a variety of long drill bits, another pocket for pliers, dikes and a small Crescent, a third holds my rock knife, etc. Been a couple of years and all seems well. Tape pouch is a tad too small for my 25". May soak that down some evening and wedge in one of those Fat Max's I carry in the truck. Not too excited about the hammer loop (the metal one) but use it about even with the crack in my butt to keep from banging into stuff. Use the leather loop almost all the time. Seem to remember them running around $125.00 so figured they were good to customize. Agree on the square slot. Use it daily. Biggest problem is getting them into the side tool box because of the stiffness. Customizing them didn't make them stiffer. Tyr
About the square.... I just thought of it this morning while cleaning out a tool drawer.
I save lots of stuff that I don't need, just in case. One of those items was a nylon webbing case the mini-mag flashlights come in. Was thinking wonder if...sure as heck it fit. Now just got to attach it to the belt.
Dan
Attach the minimag case to a length of leather wrapped around the belt with pop rivets and use the poprivet washers to distribute the load. You might have something like the belt keeper or some other slide on stuff (like that hammer holder I have) and you could poprivet to that. Interesting, there is a long leather loop (not big diameter) on the side of one of my pouches. It is perfect for a Mini-Mag and when I'm under a wall mounted sink it give just enough light, or I can usually locate a stud under the drywall if I hold it so it will highlight any depression. The Mini-Mag is tough and even if I just grab the belt, not wear it, I have the tools I need. I had a leather punch to make the holes (garage sale) for my custom bags. Part of what my wife calls, "men crap or junk". I asked how many times they helped me fix something SHE wanted (rare... but it happens sometimes). No comment. I think I have a Leatherman pouch around maybe I can............:) Tyr