This went on for a while a few months back. but ive been fiddling with mine and im curious to see what everyone else has. So whats in your tool belt. and what kind of belt is it,
Mine are CLC nylon framers.
Hammer holder-
23os vaughan california framer, or 12 oz hart trimmer.
right bag-
25′ powerlock tape
utility knife of the week
4 in 1 screwdriver
flipstick
extra pencil
note pad
calculator
nail set
chakline as needed
this side also tends to get any other job specific tools
gun nails
Lft bag-
speed square
cats paw
electricians tape- mini roll
small vise grips
pencil sharpener
fasteners as needed
Replies
average day.
rt hand side ..hammer addition loop with a brick hammer ( dont ask) Malco straight snips, two 4" C vise grips, 2 needle nose grips, pop rivets of copperr, 1'' copper nails ( pouch full)..cleats..( IE strips of Cu 1x4) sharpie marker, util knifes ( hook and not) green snips and crimpers for gutter shrink.
tape measue, 25' stanly , weenie bar, stanley nail sets red an grey...spare of every thing..cuz I work HIGH UP
left side..speed sq, more CU pop rivets, roofers, bending tongs, and amd a chisel. the rest of the rig is carrying screws..we use a lot..drill holster, and snips holster center back for the reds ( dont even buy yellow snips..worthless)
drill holster on the belt ( with suspenders of course) and heavy cutting straight snips ( malco)..wonder bar, solder..flux brush, and a gomboy saw. Red snips are at the small of my back..two DW drills..one pocket, one holterd..18v. Hammer drill has a 5/32 for drilling gutter suppotrs, impact for screwing in t he various holes in mostly brick
Then I have a prep tool, in the belt slot ( solid al bar 20" long by 1/2" thick by 2'' wide, and a wonder bar ..)
solder bars, an wire brush..on a DW grinder..
I bet the rig weighs as much as I do..I am 6'4"..175 lbs.
I can also climb 40' ladder or scaffold barely..an carry up a pan of 2'x 10' copper ( actually 2 at a time)..cux I didn't know enought to use the vice grips and the rope the first time.
I dare myself daily...but I lov it..this area has no good workers any more..so, summon gotsda do it,
I'll pay YOU..for a day..at my rate..just so can I watch.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The OLYMPICS ARE HERE, THE OLYMPICS ARE HERE!!
( oh, not London KY..Shucks, I really thought PAris Ky had a chance too)
I've been tryin to lighten the load, so I gave my lead man my BB Contractor's Rig and got me some cheapo HD nylons. Here goes:
Right bag: 30' Fat Max, 3 pencils, knife, 22-oz Estwing, yellow crayon, chalkline, and a few concrete pins
Left bag: 8's, 12's, gun nails, nail set, and my Gerber multi-tool (EDIT: speed square---ddin't want ya to think I cut square by eye ;-) that's hack framing LOL
Of course I have a roofing belt and a drywall belt, and a trim/siding belt, too!
Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Edited 7/10/2005 8:45 am ET by Jason Pharez
Hey Sphere, you mentioned somewhere you found a retractable sharpie... Can you tell us where you got it? Haven't seen them, yet. Thanks.
I've seen them (retractable sharpies) at Lowes
Where else? Office Depot. wally world too I think. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
What are dreadlocks made from?
Thanks, will check it out.
Look carefully as you click it open, there is a little trap door type doodad..keeps it from drying out.
I wonder how they did that..I'm fixin to smash one open and see what gives..LOL Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
What are dreadlocks made from?
Be sure to post pics of your research. ; )
No joke, if I had a itty bitty saw blade for the dremel, I am going in.
I was real bad as a kid, that way..I took everything apart, and put most of the stuff back in working order...Mom was often upset. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
What are dreadlocks made from?
I need to get a life.
Hey - That's where my blue handled sidecutters went. I've been looking everywhere for them :)
Dustin that looks about perfect. If you ever go to the paint store the mini pry bars they sell there are a lot stiffer than that Stanley. They are shaped slightly different and say 'made in the USA'. I've also seen them at the stone quarry
Yeah, that Stanley isn't the best. I've already bent it out of shape, it's pretty much straight at this point. Next time I'm near the paint store, I'll have to look for an upgrade.
Had to repost this from the "what tool did you buy...)Small deal, but super handy...Check out the Big Lugg 2 drill holsters at Home Depot by Husky. Instead of an aluminum hook, it's a "bungy" type loop system that hangs on a belt clip deal. Comes with one belt clip and three bungys for $8. The bungy straps have a small ball on the end that fits into the belt clip reciever. At first glance, it seemed like a gimmick and I passed on it, but I recently bought it and it rocks!You can attach the bungy deals to a framing nailer, impact driver, even a Makita 9.6 volt angle drill or flashlight or even a cordless recip saw.This is a great system! The bungy things have some bounce to them, enough to keep it all flexible while on your hip, and the ability to hang just about anything on your hip is pretty cool, plus, when nothings hanging - there's no hook to catch something as your passin by - the "catch" on these things is very small.Highly recommended.JT
Another old fashioned fixed-blade utility knife user. I abuse mine too much to use any retractable blade knife. One time I was thumping on my knife with a hammer to cut a 6" circle in drywall to vent a Jenn-Air and the electician said, What are you doing that for...that knife's not meant for that. Two weeks later, I walked in on him...he's hittin' his knife with a hammer to cut in an old work box : )
No, you are living a charmed life. I am looking and looking at your onboard kit, and am not seeing a cat's paw. Doing it once, and right, is my goal, but I cannot seem to get away from a few nail-pulling events each day.Gene Davis, Davis Housewrights, Inc., Lake Placid, NY
No cat's paw. I usually start with the putty knife, then the pry bar, and then the side cutters. Cat's paw is reserved for framing, and I haven't been framing much lately.
lol
LOL! I know what you mean. My brother was always doing stuff like that. I never did, but I ended up as a carpenter, & he's a computer-head. How's that happen? Your Mom ever see the benefit to your "hands on experience"?
Naaa..ma witnessed my disections of major appliances and TV's.
My wife benefitted when I found a singer sewing machine at the dump..and in 20 minutes and a judicious application of force, she was sewing away.
It was a sad for me when watches went digital quartz, an old Timex was my forte. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
What are dreadlocks made from?
What's "major"? Ya mean you'd take apart the fridge, & stove, & your Mother would come home to her appliances in pieces on the kitchen floor?
LOL! That must've been something to see! My bro stuck to the radio, toaster, his bike, stuff like that. (He's never been too ambitious, come to think of it.) ; )
You got it.
Did you know the old reefers used mineral oil in the compressor?
The clincher was the Volvo 144 engine on the kitchen floor..stomborg side draft carbs on the table. I was 14.
My favorite was the Amana RADAR range..I hooked up the magnetron to a ....whoops, better stop. Kids might be reading this. Ummm..don't do it or anything with them...they pack a wallop. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
What are dreadlocks made from?
ROAR! Sounds like your Mother was a saint to let you get away with that. Seriously though, that sounds better than what some of todays kids are doing with their time. Sounds like you were at least learning, & doing something constructive, even if it started with a little bit of destruction. ; )
Me too :-)http://domania.us/FramerT/misc./11210159150000.image.jpg
I took a lot of stuff apart when I was a kid, too.
Actually, I still like to take stuff apart, and my mom's too far away to yell at me.
my wife, on the other hand...
I think I really got a whoopin when I dropped a set of ignition points in the terlet ( fiddling with them, while sitting) and I had to Rand R the terlet..I was seven. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
What are dreadlocks made from?
I remember visiting one of my uncles when I was younger. He had an electric razor, which I found fascinating, since my dad used a blade.
I dropped it in the toilet playing with it
I don't think I was able to sit for a week.
I think dieselpig did that with a new cell phone last year..the portajohn on site..LOL Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
What are dreadlocks made from?
I hope he left it there- I wouldn't want it back
besides, when your arm is blue up to your elbow, its pretty obvious what you've been doing
I did. And yes.... I left it there. Nextel's aren't cheap either. I was pizzed!
LOL. I forgot about that... thanks for reminding me.
Sphere's porta-john rules.
If yer wearing bibs, empty top pouch pockets
Remove wallet and put it in the truck
Remove cell phone ( same)
Avoid going in at all costs to avoid the first three.
Fortunatly, after all these yrs of site work ( and my disdain for strange bathrooms) I can easily evacuate in the AM at home and never have to subject my self to that horror of horrors..all dy easily.
Remind me to tell ya about a gas station and silk plant just outside the stall...when the wiper supply was gone. LOL Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Make a sweet noise, it might be the last sound you hear
lol.
Atleast you don't drop a deuce in a 5 gallon bucket, and leave it on site. I don't understand why tapers do that. It's like leaving their mark or something. Now, I carry a little bucket of drywall mud, so I don't have to open any strange buckets on site.
Oh yeah, I NEVER scavenge buckets anymore..BTDT. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Make a sweet noise, it might be the last sound you hear
LMAO
Curiously reading this thread and you brought back memories of some of the experiences when I was framing years ago. Guys would have to go and look for buckets or empty gun nail/PL 400 boxes and boxes are what they used more often than not. I remember someone having a disagreement with one of the plumbers and the next thing we know there is a pissed off plumber yelling about a turd-in-a-box stashed in one of his truck compartments. Crass yet funny. Another time a box was neatly stashed in the early stages of a scrap pile in the back of a two-story w/exposed basement. The two gentlemen picking up the pile started yelling "what tinks", I almost fell off that roof laughing so hard. Glad I was not wielding a chuck of plywood at that point as it was quite windy that day.
Working with another guy on outside trim job. New cedar with lots of victorian trim, couple small porch roofs too. This guy doesn't seem to ever have anything. He even has to change knives (not just blades) repeatedly. "Hey, throw me up the ..." 20 times a day. Come off the ladder - take out 8d, put in roofers; down again to put in shake and shingle nails, and on and on. Why bother wearing a pouch?
My belt has a 4 pocket and a 2 pocket pouch + the hammer loop and knife sheath. I wear full length Carhardts but at least I have 75% of what I need.
Let's see if I can do this from memory...I have the oxy lights belt (see pic below)
View Image
Right Side
Depending on task= Smooth face Estwing Hammer/22 oz. milled-face Husky framing hammer
50' Stanley Tape
Carp. Pencil
Red lumber crayon
BluePoint auto-loading utility knife
3/4" Irwin chisel
4-in-hand
torpedo level
Safety goggles
headband style ear plugs
Left Side
Speed square
cat's paw (still wishing for that stiletto dimpler to come down in price!)
8 in. tiger claw prybar
Veritas bevel square or empire combo square (sometimes both)
two nail punchs
in the upper nail pouch...sometimes drywall screws, 4d nails, or extra strips of angled nails for the pneumatic gun
in the lower nail pouch...whatever the nail of the day is, but generally coated 16d sinkers
...I think that's everything, but it feels like I might be forgetting something important - the same thought I have everytime I realize that the tool I need is in my toolbox and not at my waist where I need it!
Edit: Forgot the chalk box!
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Edited 8/2/2005 10:16 am ET by JFink
Edited 8/2/2005 10:19 am ET by JFink
When I frame:
Pencils, sharpies and keel
10d 0r 12d sinkers a handful
a 16oz Japanese style hammer wood handle
a speed square
25' Fat Max
a Vaughn cat's paw
a Starret chalkline
a razor knife
When I trim
lose the cat's paw, Fat Max and hammer, and nails throw chalk line on the bench, along with a rasp and file
replace with 14oz curve claw wood handle, 16' Powerlock preferably but Powerlock II will do
add: nail set, and a couple of drill bits 1/8 and 3/16, and a couple of racks of gun nails
I use a single nylon nail bag with four pockets, and I have a separate hammer holder
If I could get it any lighter I would, so if anybody has any ideas to lighten my load I'm all ears. Actually I've eliminated the need for pencils by scattering them all over the floor. When I need one I say to the helper, "where'd ya get that pencil" "I found it on the floor" he says. I say, "I thought it looked familiar. It's mine, give it back" It works good.
On a cloth side pouch I carry a palm pilot and my phone. these are my most important things.
Keep the catspaw in the sawzall box, should save you a pound.
I hear you, but I'm bound to my curve claw much the way I'm bound to the damn wormdrive, and the paw has to serve as many things prybar, wood splitter, nailpuller etc. As soon as I put it down I want to use it for something. I've had those little Shark brand paw's and they work fine but I'm partial to the Vaughn. Plus I want the guys to carry one and most of the time I'm do as I do not do as I say. No its more like do as I do and do as I say.
One of the dangers of supervising a lot of people is it make you a control freak. Them's the breaks of the game though. Did you see the thread about the guy having trouble with the neighbors, its amusing.
No belt, but a Bucket Boss apron.
hammer on loop, LH side
pencils, large nailset, and FD pager in chest pockets
stanley flat bar and Klein sidecutters in left pocket
tape measure in center pocket
utility knife, 4-in-1 screwdriver, and awl in right pocket
If I actually frame much I sometimes get my old Occidental leather bags out and fill them up, make myself much more uncomfortable and marginally more productive.
A hammer, tape measure, two pencils, utility knife, combination square, and required fasteners.
Carp pouch always has a stout 5-in-1 painter's tool in it:
great for prying, splitting, chiselling, wedging, lifting, digging, scraping, cutting, spreading.
5-in-1 is useful when framing walls on an uneven slab. When nailing, I place it under stud to lift and hold it in plane with the plate. Makes for straighter walls and easier drywalling.
The tools frequently jump from pocket to pocket, so I'll just list everything that I can think of.
16 oz Plumb and/or 20 oz Estwing
Two generic nail punches from HF
Speed square
Stabila pocket level
T-Bevel Square
25' Craftsman tape (Worth it because for the price of one, I've had 4 or 5)
Aviator Snips
Mini pry bar
Gun nails
Electric Tape
Pencils
On top of that, I usually bring my Bucket Boss with me because inevitably, I'll need something out of it.
Left side
30 foot fat max
ear plugs in a little plastic case
speedy square
double ended sharpie
punch
6inch level
Right side
6 bit screwdriver
6 inch bent needlenose
6 inch bar
5inch kreskin
knife
big pencil
black tape
circuit tester
plus a whole wack of nails or screws depending what I'm working on
21 once hammer
snips if I'm doing steel studs
Have a good day
Cliffy
what's a 5 in. kreskin?
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
I worked with a guy in my old Government job who came up with that term. It is our slang for a "crescent" (spelling?) adjustable wrench. The Canadians who frequent the site and read the magazine may remember "The Amazing Kreskin" who was some kind of a mentalist magician type who had a television show on one of our net works abou 25 years ago.
Have a good day, eh!
Cliffy
While I don't carry anything unusual, I do make sure the tools are in the pocket of the hand they go in....By that I mean if you're right handed, your pencil is in the right pocket and your speed square is in your left pocket. Hammer on the right, chisel on the left, (along with nailset and nails). This makes it so much easier to grab a tool unconsciously. I wonder why the bag makers haven't got wise and start to make left or right handed belts. And why not a proper pouch for the speedsquare? Build it and they will come.
I wonder why the bag makers haven't got wise and start to make left or right handed belts. And why not a proper pouch for the speedsquare?
Ask, and you shall receive.
http://www.contractorstools.com/occidental.html
Thanks for the link--I'll be searching it this week!
Everybody knows the Speed square goes in the left rear pocket of your overalls. Who puts it in the belt?
I stopped by a 20 home new home development of large single family homes just to look to at what $600.k buys these days and noticed something. This the low end section. A hundred yards down the street is a million $ plus development where NE Patriot players live.
Most of the framers use just one large bag to frame. In it they have just the basics Utility knife, pencils,speed square,and a hammer. Nails were just spikes16d and 8d.
The finish guys had twobags for nails and special tools like nailsete scribes files and a finish hammer.
I am doing some remodeling and use Oxy-Lites I carry A utility knife,cats paw multi screw driver, scribe,multi file, chalk line, hammer, pencil/keel, and tape. This is down from what I used to carry.
"I am doing some remodeling and use Oxy-Lites I carry A utility knife,cats paw multi screw driver, scribe,multi file, chalk line, hammer, pencil/keel, and tape. This is down from what I used to carry."
When remodelling, I too carry a multi driver: the MegaPro. Friend with a Quick-Pic has challenged my choice, so we had a quick draw contest. The Mega-Pro wins hands down each time.
Have you considered adding a 5-in-1 painter's tool to that? It's a versatile multi-tool and weighs but a few ounces.
I carry one all the time (Hyde brand), whether framing new, remodelling, finishing, repairing or maintaining. Others have noticed how frequently this little item solves problems, but they haven't caught on yet.
Haven't heard too many people mention carrying a framer's stout chisel. I like Stanley's Contractor chisel...good steel that takes and keeps an edge.
Funny you said that. I saw your earlier post and just happened to see one the next day so I picked one up. Hyde also makes a flatbar with a thin edge about 11/2"wide.It has a black powder coating. I use it to remove trim that I am trying to save. I don't keep in my belt because it always dissapears. Got to the point I bought one for each of the guys as part of their x-mas gift one year just so they won't take mine anymore.
I like to go light. I only carry the bare necessities. If I need a screwdriver, hammer, prybar,etc. I add them but don't lug any extra tools if I'm not using them.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
With all of the recent heat I am now carrying two water bottles in a nylon holder from an outdoor stroe at the local mall. This added weight is well worth it!!
speed square
chalk box
max
utility knife
125 pencils
nail set
titanium w wood handle
small paw
large speed square tucked in my back (most of the time)
free 8's and 16's
gun nails
torpedo
chrome plated (insert name of boss or laborer)
(you know, a blower nozzle for the air hose
wave multi-tool
Finishing:
Utility knife
8 pencils
scribe compass
5 in 1
little 9" pry bar/ scraper
Little LN block plane
nail sets
chisel
gun nails
wood rasp
shims
16 oz straight claw
bevel set
combo square
torp levelFraming:
Speed sq
22 oz straight claw
gun nails
large nail set
tape
chalk box
Utility knife
4 carp pencils
plumb bob
torp level
8 & 12d commons
drill holster for when I need itWallet in the truck
phone in little lower side pocketusual stuffWhen I'm dancing for the Chipendales I use the black leather handled hammer and the diamond studded strap on drill in my lambswool belt.
well here it goes hope I don't forget anything
First the harness is a http://www.elkriver.com/eagle.htm the model is th eiron eagle. Great harness distrubutes weight evenly.
Left side hammer is a Vaugan Ti tech 16 oz
klien rebar pliers
8" adjustable wrench
swanson speed square
also a sears 25' tape that has both metric and imperial.
pencil
stabila torpedo level
timaji knife the 1" blade
renovation pry bar
http://www.jacquescoulombe.com/silky07.htm
A 12" cresent when do columns and walls
back pouch has calculator assorted bits and pencils.
Right side
3" duplex nails 3" commons and 2" commons
chalkline starret with black chalk
and cats paw nail bar.
herculese 16 oz plumb bob
Other tools added and taken away as needed
Edited 8/7/2005 12:37 am ET by ENCARSIA2
Okay...Occidental LEFTY Framer bags (yup another lefty...)Left side:- two pencils (sharpened at both ends)
- Ace knife (knife with the butt end that you pull and turn for changing blades)
- 8 oz plumb bob on a 6' surveyors gammon reel (compact, self reeling, fits in slot)
- Malco scratch Awl (orange plastic, looks like a screwdriver handle)
- crown tools 1" wide butt chisel (compact and takes a beating, not as designed really)
- Tajima self winding chalk line ( good for most short runs and ply marking etc..)
- constuction master IV calculator (plastic/rubber armadillo case, Great)Hammer -Dalluge 21oz framer (replacement handle=stilleto axe handle)right side:- LA-CO aluminum crayon holder (stays and doesn't slip)
- speed square (still the best)aluminum
- stilleto claw( haven't broke it yet, light and used as a pry bar,walljack etc..)
- fastcap "old standby" 16 ft tape or the 25 footer depending (only 16 ft tape w/1" blade)
- nails and fasteners as needed...gripe>>>the stilleto claw is a little too long and add blade wrench from death stick claw and it would rock!!! (get rid of the dimple ring...)ADDed a 2" bent D ring to the belt for hooking gun, saw, hitachi impact driver while climbing ladders and scrambling where both hands are free...If anybody cares.
I cut the board twice and its still too short ! ! !
where did you find the LA-CO aluminum crayon holder . All I ever see is the dixon walnut ones that every one has and I want to be different
A local place called FKS, I'll ask who their supplier is.
Maybe online? I saw it, bought one, liked it so I bought five more and stashed em in my office closet along with all the other "toys" I find.quick search and found it...
http://www.laco.com on the "holders" tab item# 108
Edited 8/7/2005 3:36 pm ET by Lemonjello
My right hand pouches contain pliers, nail sets, some broken pencils that are stuck down in there, cant get em out. A piece of an old candy bar, my hammer, no wait, theres also a hammer loop on my left side but its not there either! Damn! " Hey, have you seen my hammer?" Some old rusted nails, some good roofing nails, lots of sawdust. There might be a chisel down there somewhere?
On my left side the pouches hold a speed square and some other stuff. I found a five dollar bill in there once! Theres also a couple of pockets in the back where i stick stuff and forget its there.
I've actually been wearing a shop apron lately, and only put whatever tools in that I need for the job at hand. I keep a wooden tool box handy with all the other stuff that is only occcasionally needed. Tool belts have not been kind to my back. I've tried all kinds and now only put them on if I'm framing or something like that. Putting on the belt with all that stuff used to make me feel special, but now it feels like how the yoke must feel to the ox.