ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Tool Pouches

Tool Pouch? I carry two, one has the carhartt logo on it, one doesn't


I was just taught to do most things with 4 tools - Kleins, channel locks, flat head and phillips head. They all fit into those 2 nice little pouches.

This particular model of tool pouch, has a bonus pocket to carry a fluke tester.

If I can't fix it with those 5 items, then it's specialized and we go get the right tool.

Otherwise, a tool belt and pouch is just a burden.

One thing that I've noticed over the years is that the longer one is in the trade, the fewer tools Everyone carries. The Master who had the greatest influence on me carried a pair of dikes and a common screwdriver and got more done than anyone else with 18 tools at hand. My sciatic nerve gets pinched when I wear a conventional pouch, causing a portion of my left leg to go numb after about 20 minutes. I bought an Ideal square pouch, now carry about twice the tools that the old hip pouch carried, it's too heavy to be practical, but the commodious interior allows me to have room for a beer bottle on those rare Saturday afternoons wiring up Rock n Roll concert stuff.

I have experimented with a few pocket pouches such as Duluth Trading sells, that seems to be the right direction, whatever the task, you really don't need but a few items to get it accomplished. I have some blue plastic caddys such as Malco (the sheetmetal & tinners supply folks) and they give me room for parts and tools for the job at hand, and are especially valuable when crawling under/over in residential.

At my most efficient, I had the conventional leather Klein pouch, a canvas riggers bag and a canvas parachute bag from Duluth.

In the parachure bag I carry a carefully arranged selection of stuff as follows:
1.) # 6 screws & blue/org scotchloks. 2.)Yellow wingnuts and # 8 screws. 3.)Red scotchloks & green wingnuts w/ # 10 screws. 4.)Grey & Blue scotchloks with a few # 12 & 1/4" screws. 5.) Romex connectors and a handful of various nails. 6.)Plastic RX staples. This selection has evolved over 10 years and puts almost every common piece/part at my fingertips. The pockets have both machine and pan head sheet metal screws.
Now the riggers bag mostly stays on the truck and I put the tools of the day into the Ideal pouch, then work out of it. I am still figuring out how to make this work, the conventional pouch on my hip allowed me to reach for the tool without looking, as I knew where every tool was and could feel the correct one with my finger tips.

Have you ever noticed how tool pouches are carried?

90% of the time, the "rool belts" I see have but a single overstuffed pouch... and are carried with the belt slung over one shoulder. Once at the work site, it gets plopped on the floor.

MAYBE- the pouch needs a 'make-over.' Perhaps, starting with a belt intended for the shoulder (no purse jokes, please!)
Next, perhaps it should be constructed so as to stand upright on the floor. A variation of the picture frame fold-out flap would work.
More 'tubes' intended for things like screwdrivers, nut drivers, etc. A place for a 'stick' meter.

Reno,

I used this one, or one like it for years


it let's you carry it with the handle or the strap over the shoulder, set it on the floor, etc.

but, mostly it would stay in my truck. I preferred my two 'pouches' over carrying this thing.

[This message has been edited by mahlere (edited 10-14-2006).]

I use a CLC toolbelt with suspenders. Hang a lot of pipe up in a lift and like to have my tools at my fingertips. I hook a milk crate on the lift railing for the cordless screw gun, Hatchet, clamps, tek screws and fittings. I don't like to bend over 1000 times a day to pick stuff up.

I have the Klein pouch that has a spot for 2 screwdrivers,pliers and strippers and the dykes go in the back pocket. All the "stuff goes in the carpenters leather apron. Tape measure in the middle,wire nuts in the large right, sheetrock screws in the small right, staples in the front left, Large left is a catch all: tape, large wire nuts,small wire nuts and the best thing an old Altoids tin that has various 6-32,8-32 and ground screws in it. I have a Veto Pro Pack (medium size) that I love. That has needle nose,channel locks (just 1)adjustable wrench,nut drivers,rotosplitters,hammer.meter and stud finder. This set up is working ok. The truck has everything else.

I agree Peter, and I wonder why some of us must carry those 30' tape measures? Heavy as a brick, I also have only a 12' tape that I carry around now.

Maybe I need to learn to only carry the essentials. Kliens, couple screwdrivers, and some '33' & keep everything else close by on a cart.

Hey Mahlere, I have a bag just like that. I love the thing, got rid of the tool box for it. Everythings right there, out in the open. Instead of buried under a pile in the bottom of a tool box.

I carried one like Mahlere for several years until my tools wore thru the material and scratched a customers floor.

Now I carry a Veto Pro Pak
http://www.toolsandaccessories.com/a-B00009K77K/Default.aspx

It's heavy but holds everything. Works good for resi service calls. Carries what you'll need for a quick trip from the truck to the customers door and reduces the number of trips back to the truck. It's not something you'll carry very far. I think it weighs 12 lbs empty.

Mostly, I carry a 10 in 1 Klien screwdriver, side cutters, and needle nose in my pockets.


[This message has been edited by PE&Master (edited 10-16-2006).]

I use a CLC backpack with pockets on it. Inside is a Klein zipper bag with hand tools. Ther's loose stuff like ty-wraps, folding rule, level, etc. in the bag too. When it's on your back you still have two free hands to carry a ladder and stuff. When I get to the place I'm working I only use my pockets. The bag is there if I need something else.

I didn't tell you what is in the tool belt:

Rightside top: Lineman's & Klien 10-in-1
Rightside bottom: a few wirenuts

Leftside top: Smokes, lighter, sunflowerseeds, maybe binoculars (for looking at the secretarys on the street or the boats in the bay)
Leftside bottom: Nothing

The whole purpose of my toolbelt is to carry my "stuff"..not tools