Just saw the “What’s in you toolbelt?” thread. Now that I do mostly finish work, my toolbelt has been neglected for the most part. Unless I’m framing, or on a ladder or roof (rare these days), it hangs around the van or work bench instead of my waist. I can’t quite give it up, so it still makes the rounds with me…I just hardly ever wear the thing anymore.
Anyone else drag it along like a Linus and his blanket, but seldom strap the thing on?
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Replies
Depends on the type of work I'm doing, about the same as you. Guess though I'm an old timer of sorts,(45) can't bring myself to be on a job site and not have the bags on....even if I'm doing finish work I've got them, I just have to turnover the stuff I'm carrying, I think maybe I should get another set so I can be function specific.
Too many pups down here I've seen recently don't even have bags and I've seen a few running around with those cheap cloth aprons and trying to use them as bags.
I use the nylon ones but always have a good adjustable leather belt, am not one much for those with the sliding clip, too much hassle when the weather conditions change and you have to re-adjust.....
If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....
yup....
Same here. Wear my Occy framers belt when on a ladder, or actually framing, which isn't much, these days. Most of the time we're trimming, so it gets used more as a tool carrier.
Great analogy, by the way, comparing it to Linus's blanket. ; )
Anyone have a "baby belt", or compact set-up they like when trimming? I have the Occy trimmers belt as well, but still rarely use it. Just too worried about bumping into cabinets & finished work when wearing it.
my framing belt has a metal hammer holder. found it makes a mess of freshly painted walls. when I do trim I use a cloth apron. just carry a tape, pencil, pad and olfa knife. leave other tools at saw table
The old-timer I learned from always wore a cloth apron. Guy was amazing- no pneumatic tools (this was 20 years ago), just his 16 oz. curved claw stanley for everything from frame to finish. Definitely a minimalist, but a helluva good carpenter. Thanks for reminding me of that- I may have to go track down an old-timer apron.
I use some of the spiral wire wrap on my belt metal hammer loops. Helps protect and makes them quieter.
I might be better off with a Veto ProPac or something, instead of using my toolbelt as a carrier...but it just seems wrong to turn in the tool belt. That's what got me thinking of Linus, I have grown accustomed to having that belt with me even though I don't really use it as a belt much anymore. An odd attachment exists.
Know what you mean. I'd feel naked without mine, even though it hardly sees much use as a true toolbelt.Hey, about the Veto... I bought one at JLC Live a few years ago... Nice setup, IMHO. I found you can jam a lot of tools in there, & still have it organized, & easy to access. They've since come out with a couple other sizes, so you have several options, depending on what kind of weight you want to lug around. (Those things can get heavy all loaded up).
The smaller and lighter the better. With the construction market humming and aerospace industry on standby...you'd think there would be some rocket scientist available to design a new generation of contactor tools made of lightweight composites, titanium, etc.
Something I've noticed lately, fitting for both threads, is a gross overloading of pouches, especially on younger (than me) guys. A crew that is framing for my company has several of those huge Bucket Boss rigs with a thousand pockets and room for everything. I bet the belts themselves weigh 50 lbs with just a few nails. Seems like they are so overloaded with useless tools that there's no room for enough nails.
I agree with the neglect. Usually when I trim I have my Skillers vest around, but seldom wear it. The tools end up in my pockets and the pencils tucked up into my hat or behind the ear!
Quality, Craftsmanship, Detail
I'm one of those wirey little guys w/o a butt, and since I never liked suspenders...a tool belt loaded with more than the essentials ends up slippin' down around my ankles.
I hear ya, 'cept I took a liking to spenders a few years ago. I remember getting made fun of when I showed up to a new job with my green Oxy lites with the essentials (4 way driver, chalk, chisel, cats paw, tape, knife, 28 oz hammer) That was 9 yrs ago when I got the bags. Still carry the same stuff, except a 20 oz'er now, and the bags keep getting bigger.
I couldn't do it without the spenders. I tried a while ago, didn't work. I guess thats why the vest works well as a trimmer. Does get rather warm, though, when I do wear it.Quality, Craftsmanship, Detail
I ditched the toolbelt for trim years ago in favor of cahart bibs with the front pouches, I can load whatever small tools i need to cary in the pouches and side pockets and cary pens, pencils, scribes, cell phone...etc in the chest pockets. works for me.
Now that i think about it i even frame without the belt as oft and not.. just having those two bags on the front of the overalls more or less free'ed me from the belt, but is is still in the truck. oh i do drag a veto pack about but that often times stays near the saws.
james
Pockets and a 5 gallon bucket. My hard earned rotund waist line means the belt is now simply an aide in pushing my pants down----and suspenders chaff against my neck on both sides when working overhead.