Time for a new tool/belt nail bags. Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated. Leather or nylon? Suspenders or not? Brands?
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Steve Merrette was asking the same question a while back and I replied to
him then:
Due to my back weakening with age and needing to preserve its function for critical things, like packing beams or bundles of framing lumber on my shoulder, I would not have a toolbelt without a good set of padded suspenders.
And if you have to work in the wet much, go with the cordura, not the leather, particularly on the pouches. My mainstay pouch is cordura but has leather reinforcement on the pouch bottoms and it has taken a lot of abuse in a lot of bad weather and is in fine shape after about 11 years.
Actually, now that I think about it, I didn't buy a toolbag unit all made up; I started with a good, wide, oxidental leather belt and added the pouches, hammer loop, suspenders, etc., as the need arose and I could fork out for good ones.
Have fun shopping!
leather occidentals(the brand name) w/ suspenders had a set for 12yrs a few minor fix ups here and there i live in new england/ new york with no maintenance i'm sold there hads down the best. although there are bulky, and heavy its worth those down sides. I.M.H.O cheers bear
Edited 7/13/2002 12:58:39 AM ET by the bear
I prefer nylon bags with padded suspenders. I use the MTM brand, IMO the best and beefiest nylon bags made!
Ken Hill
Definitely suspenders.
Nylon or cardura - my leather occidentals are too stiff and heavy.Excellence is its own reward!
I must be the only one to wear a single sidebag, and that only goes on when I need it.
I've always been jealous of people like you who could probably rebuild the WTC towers out of a single side bag. Me, I think I'm just disorganized, but I find myself hauling all kinds of crap up ladders and scaffolding just to reduce the potential additional trips up and down. Trouble is, 2 full bags filled with nails, chisel, bevel square, speed square, nail punches, hammer and an assortment of bent nails and plex caps and junk in a dedicated "junk pouch" means that undoubtedly some of the stuff is gonna fall out and I'm gonna have to climb down and retrieve it anyway!
So your post has re-inspired me! I'm going to turn over a new leaf and MAKE myself get by with one bag, starting Monday. So thanks! (I'll still use the padded suspenders though). (Or maybe just one side padded).
Edited 7/13/2002 9:19:30 PM ET by Notchman
I forget how long it has been since I wore the dbl bagger, but I gave it away to my homeowner buddy a couple of years ago. He is in this old house heaven now.
I guess I get away with it because I work small jobs, and do mostly interior work. I mostly just have a knife, chisel, dykes and nail sets in it. Speed sq, if needed, thru the belt. Room for a couple of other things, depending on what I am doing. If I did a lot of crazy remodels I might want some more room, but I have another bag I can add if it ever comes to that.
Hi guys,
I am a diy'er and I guess I have a different take on things. I love my big heavy leather occidentals, but, I leave them empty most of the time and just put in what I need for the job, I guess i use mine more like a walking tool bench. I don't wear them all of the time, but I love having the reassurance that I can put in a bunch of stuff, and climb up a ladder more safely. I just like knowing that I have all that space if I need it. But they do get heavy, I do kind of wish that I had the cordura set, or a set of the oxy reds. Ahhh but leather is so traditional, and no one else I know around here has as good a looking set of bags as I do. It's also hard to find bags that are roomy enough, most of the cheap ones they aren't roomy enough for me and I cant get my hands down in them well.
Hey occy owners does your utility knife or torpedo level fit in any of the tool loops? I like the fat quick change stanley knife, and it won't fit nor will any torpedo level on the market. Just curious?
C
Edited 7/15/2002 6:06:33 PM ET by CLWEBB
Edited 7/15/2002 6:15:19 PM ET by CLWEBB
Yes and No.... I have the Oxy framers. I also have a Stabila torpedo, which came with a leather holder. I cut off the slot for a tri-square(on the oxies) and riveted on the stabila holster. I put my sharky(cats paw) in the holder beihind the torpedo. I also riveted on a cell phone holder behind the little bag on the right side. My yellow stanley contractors knife goes in the biggest slot inside the big right side bag at the back.
I'd like to take the cell phone and park it under the front tire of the truck. I remember a more peaceful time, when if you needed to get in touch with someone, you went to the nearest phone booth, and if they wanted you, they came and saw you....technology sucks sometimes......
Bottom line...Oxy gives you a good platform from which to customize and build.....
CL,
You are referring to those of us who wear Occidentals, no? If yes: I use Stanley utility knife model #10-175, and in the past I've used models 10-099 and 10-079. Ive also used Lutz brand knives; they look like Stanley 10-179. These all work in my bags, in the rear-most pocket on the right side. If you're fanatic about the quick-change knives, try model #11-921. (I didn't mean this to be a Stanley ad, I just remembered that I have the catalog, so I might as well get specific for you.)
Now, Torpedo Level. Nope, not a pocket that really works for it. I took my bags to a shoe repair guy who added some pockets for me. On the left, two vertically-oriented thin pockets in the biggest pocket, one aft for the torpedo level & one forward for the sliding-bevel.
The best use of that giant loop on the right bag, front, is to hold tin snips, IMO.
I just recently switched from Occidental to Diamondback. I absolutely love these bags. Go to the link I sent you. I bought the deluxe framing belt and they are very well made and have plenty of room. There is not one thing about them that I dislike. I have had them for about 5 weeks now. I switched from Occidental because my Oxylights wore out in less than a year and the pouches were too small for me hands, especially when I wear gloves in the winter. Just my $.02
http://toolbelts.com/
Just wondering if I`m the only one who prefers the apron style belt? I purchased a new one a couple months back and contimplated going for one of the big Oxys and the like, but after 15 yrs with the old one, I couldnt do it. Most of the work I do is finish carpentry, but even on the framing jobs I find the apron style belt does the job.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Overheard a couple of the young guys say ," what the hell is the old dude wearin" , refering to me and my nail bag. 1. Two floaters from Sears w/ tape floater 2 Klien pole climbers belt . 3 ALICE military suspenders. I adjust for climate and smile to myself.
yeah I vote for one or zero bags on your belt. Unless we're framing I rarely wear my bags. I think it's a lot more comfortable this way.
that said I prefer to buy a belt and then add bags, even from different manufacturers if the bag is compatible with the belt, to get exactly what I want.
an apron pouch works great for trim or drywall, and I've found the Klein pouches (with two ring-straps and locks) work great to hang near your work area for random tools. And the secret of life: overalls! Or I guess any pair of pants with a hammer loop.
best, GO
I love my Oxy framer, however, I was young, dumb and full... when I bought it 7 years ago. They told me that for my $150 it hade a lifetime warranty. I've actually used the warranty through the dealer who sold it to me. since they went belly up 2 years ago, all of the corners in the pouch spit nails like mad. Now I go anywhere they are sold and ask about the warranty and I'm giggled at. I know I need to get to a shoe guy but I bought this thing thinking it was the last belt I'd ever buy. Yes, it is big and heavy, but once it breaks in it's like an extension of your pants. Suspenders are the only way to go for me only because I have no #### to hold any of it up.
Dump the bags unless you walk to the job site from home and need someplace to carry your lunch. Anything hanging off your waist or sholders in front or back is going to eventually cause you back problems. I used to wear them cuz I thought they were cool. Man I said, I love the feel of that 27 oz framing hammer handle bangin on my knee.... I was pretty young then and pretty stupid too. I wear Carharrt bibs in the winter and pants and shorts in the summer. There are enough pockets and holders to haul around everything that I need for nearly every job. If I need more I go get a wheel barrow.
This should be taken with both humor and reality in mind.Steve - in Northern California
i carry the carhart appron with four pockets two for fastners and two for tools i fond this makes me stop and think aout what i need for the job and id is soft enuf not to scratch finished products imo
I've been wearing my occidentals for 10 years now,they took awhile to break in but now their like an old friend,fun to have around and don't give me a hard time.
If it wasn't for the forty pounds of crap I always seen to load them up with I wouldn't even know I had them on. Vince Carbone
I've been using the Oxy framers for a couple years now and love them. I'm lost without my belt if the tool isn't attached to my hip somehow I spend too much time looking for where I last set something down. One item I'm going to try after helping a HVAC friend is one of those open mouth leather bags. I found it great for working in a small area and just lifting tools out of a bag sitting on the floor.
Question for the guys using Oxy's with suspenders… What type of suspenders are you using? Sounds like something I need to try.
Scott R.
Oxy beltless. Just thinking of it makes me want to go to the third floor in only one trip! When you're a man sized man like me, (waist bigger than hips) it's the only way. I've had the cordura bags for a year. If it wasn't for the caulk, they would look box new. Also, the D-ring does work as a safety feature(kidding).
Edited 7/28/2002 12:07:10 AM ET by wdbtchr
JC: I just went through the new bag research too. I have been eyeing the occidental bags for sometime. But the leather reds seemed too stiff and heavy for me ( I do finish work.) So I went with the OxyLights 8080DB Proframer, they are about 3/4 to a 1 lbs lighter then all leather. Only have had them for a week or so but they are nice, abit wider then my old set which I have had for 15 years.
Oxys are spendy paid $145 online, but hopefully they will last. Don't wear suspenders, too sweaty? If your packing a load it is a good idea saves your back.
Just get a cheap pair of suspenders hook them on to your bags now and try them out, before you buy a new system. Have fun Jeff
Hey y'all, I have some Oxys, and for those who wonder if you can fit a torpedo level in the right bag pouches, the answer is yes, unless its a Stabila. Just cram it in there! The leather will stretch. In fact, it might even stretch enough for the Stabila eventually.
I'm always confused when most people say that suspenders save your back. I think they take weight off your hips, and transfer it to your back. I've tried it both ways, but always go back to just a belt. I'm much more mobile that way too.
Tom
I had a California Nailer (nylon) that was good but it was destroyed in a flood / raw sewage! I now use the new nylon Dewalt Belt with susspenders. Its comfortable and made well. From what I read though I'm probaly the only person to own one!
There are a lotta good bags out there- just don't try to get by cheap on this. Check em out make sure they have plenty of rivets and stuff. Personally I've been using the highest end craftsman nylon w/leather reinforcments for about 3 years now and there still like new. My buddy has been using the same pair of nicholsen-mgregger(or what ever there called) leather bags for 16 years. As for the suspendors-that depends on how long you would like your back to last. I would also reccomend the widest leather tool belt you can find.