Ladies and gentlemen , I am looking to purchase a new vest tool bag from occidental leather . A beltless system , they have three systems . the suspendavest , the oxy chest and the original stronghold beltless system , and i am upin the air about which one to get, leaning towards the suspendavest with removable bags ! any input would be helpfull thanks in advance
Maguire
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I have the tool chest I think it is called, removeable bags, 31 or more pockets. It is sweet for roofing that I have been doing, I riveted even MORE on to it due to the fact that I needed more specialty holders for snips ( I carry 2 pr, popriveter, and hand tongs, and downspout crimpers, that is a lot of similar handles)..Caution,,,It CAN BE HOT o the shoulders in really warm weather, and it is black.
Onlt real gripe is that I am 6'4 and have about a 35" sleeve, I sometimes can't quite reach the bottom of the bags , without having it hiked all the way up, which I find awkward feeling..so it is a trade off I guess. The upper teeny tiny Pockets are about useless cept for drill bits, and that even is pushing the design limits.
They hold a lot of weight,sometimes too much...just for a mental boost, i unload before I put it on and THEN add tools...otherwise, you'd never want to think of stapping it on.
The last few weeks I have been alternating to a traditional suspenderrs and belt rig, depends on the tool load that day.
I think 189.00 was a bit high, but after 2 mos. I am satisfied.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"I don't think it's funny no more" Nick Lowe.
I switched to the Stronghold system trying to relieve back pain from the bags I previously wore and it worked well for a while. But then it got worse, much worse. My chiropractor said that the system loads the spine badly, especially when bending and twisting. But I liked the bags a lot. Freedom of movement and convenience. It was easy to shift the bags around for comfort when working in awkward positions like on a roof.
I wear an old style canvas apron now, or a cheap finish carpenters shop vest, or I just work out of a tool bucket. The two guys who work for me had started to not wear bags and they were scattering tools around or grinding them into customers floors walking on em, so I had to insist that they wear theirs and use them!
There was a brand of bags around called Diamondback that reportedly worked well for those with back problems but they arent around any more. Any old carpenters have good solutions? I'm not familiar with the Suspendavest.
Tom
I'm not old, but I spent the first 4 years wearing the tried and true Carhartts(company policy). They only suck when you have to get a nail while bending over. The white version are suprisingly cool in the summer. I supplemented mine by pinning(with a large safety pin) a leather hammer loop in the back.
Summer.
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Winter.View Image
I'm remembering when I was a wee lad the Carpenters who remodeled our house wore those style bibs. Old school is my style for sure, thanks.
Tom
another vote for aprons.....resist the urge to load everything you might need in a big set of belts, & you'll live longer!
hey thanks guys , wish everything floated in front of me within reach! I have the diamondback belt and have had it for atleast 8 years . Its still good but lately i've been getting this crazy pain in the front fo my hips to the point that i could not stand up straight right away ! almost reminded me of having a hip pointer back in my high school football days . One day It started up on me and I realized that it was my belt causing it every time I bent over the belt part would drive into my hips right at the point it was killing me ! I have a bad back anyways ! part of my vertabrae taken out and bulging disc in the upper back ,but i chose this proffession so i have no right to whine. i'm leaning towards the suspendavest cause it has alot of compartments which hopefully I can keep empty most of the time but you can also take off bags down lower with one clip in a heart beat ! i'll keep the old bag as a back up and give th hips a rest anymore input would be great if anyone can add any more to this conversation ! Should have been a rock star!!!!
While you're checking, look into the Skillers vest system. There's also another vest brand, but the name escapes me. I use the vest for trim and cabinets. Four decently sized pockets and two velcro loops for hammer holders and whatnot. Also has specialty pockets on the breasts and large, deeper pockets under the breast pockets.
Not exactly sure how well the vest works for framing and siding. For about $60, though, not much for a trial investment.
I also use a Oxy Lights bags setup with padded 'spenders for framing and siding, etc. After 10 years it might be time to replace. I have been looking at the beltless systems as well. I may just go with another belt and 'spenders. Trying to do less work that requires me to wear an extra 30# of crap!!
I get paid to do carpentry. That makes me a professional.
If I work on my own house does that make me a DIY?