I'm a toolbelt guy with a heavy construction background and I used to catch a lot of shit for wearing my bags while on residential service calls yet every dude working with me loved the fact that I had every tool we ever needed right on hand! No bullshit falling out of my pockets while up on a ladder either! Have I fucked up some painted walls trying to squeeze my ass through tight spaces and furniture, yep. At the end of my day if I don't have my bags on I tend to set shit down and loose stuff so I've just trained my self to ALWAYS put my stuff back in its spot on my pouch/bags/belt! PRO TIP: NEVER set ANYTHING down on a ladder rung, EVER!!! Be safe and productive my brothers and sisters :)
Good point on losing tools and fittings... that one reason I bought into a packout system... was so tired of buying boxes of fittings - and could never find them again. I must have bought a box of 1 type of Hilti bolt 6 times. Organizing my system, standarding my tools, fittings and daily carry... means I loose less shit, am less tired as I’m not spending time searching
If a belt manufacturer created an online configuration system so you could design your own pouch arrangement and have them custom built, they would make MILLIONS!
I typically have all my tools near me in my backpack but stay task specific in my small pouch. Do what works best for YOU! Have a great day everyone, work safe!!
I have a small veto pro pac tool belt that I keep my Klein linesman/stripper, 11 in 1 and beater flat blade everything else stays in my Lenox backpack until I need it but 95% of the work I do is done with the 3 tools in my pouch
I have both a Veto Pro-Pac to carry my tools to the jobsite, but if I know I'm doing a specific task and need 3-4 tools close to me all the time have a couple smaller pouches I can slip on.
I am a maintenance electrician in a 500,000 sq ft manufacturing plant. Some days I walk 6 miles around the plant. I have a small belt, several bags and small tool boxes that I put on a Rubbermaid cart. I push the cart as close as possible to where I’m working, then Load up a bag or belt with whatever I need for the job.
Love you bro you inspired me. I'm 17 and I started watching your vedios before I got a job as a helper. You just have the best outlook on things and really care. Keep it up love the content.
here's the easiest way to resolve this debate where everyone is happy. Empty your pouches out. Put your bag close by. Think through what you're gonna be doing for the next little stretch. Take only the tools you need to accomplish your immediate mission. If you need another tool grab it if it's not a one off make a mental (or actual... gasp) note to grab that next time you do the same task. Will you forget things sometimes yes are you carrying less than the guy who carries all his tools all day yes, do you have access to your whole bag of tricks yes, are you becoming a better tradesman every day by thinking before you do and then reflecting on the outcome of the doing... HELL YEAH
2nd year apprentice, i carried a belt every day for the first year. i then purchased a bag and used for a few months..i found that having my tool belt on me at all times saves a few seconds, rather then walking back and forth to my bag. But with all the tools i accumulated i often bring both cause you know know what u might need.....
I often find myself praising the toughbuilt clip tech system for a tool belt. I use it every day and the flexibility of quickly changing your pouches to drop weight, squeeze through tight spaces, or change functions is so FANTASTIC.
Just got into the trade and went down the toughbuilt route and I love it! Got the XL rolling tool bag and really like being able clip my tool belt pouches to it.
@@itaintrocketscience I found the opposite to be true - coming from the perspective of mostly service work, and mostly residential / light commercial. But I wouldn't want one of these "master electrician" type pouches (or one on each hip with suspenders and shit) though either. I use a nylon journeyman size/style bag that has pretty much everything I need to test and repair whatever random crap I'm going to run into, but also trimmed down so I'm not carrying a bunch of stuff I don't use. Its "right sized" to fit what I need - and only what I need so I don't have a porcupine of giant screwdrivers and metal crap poking out everywhere to snag walls in hallways or floors when you kneel down or whatever.
I worked as a railroad electrician for 16 years, and did odd jobs and handyman type electrical work on the side. On the railroad, when I worked in big shops, I always worked out of a bag that I kept on a cart. When I worked in trainyards or on the road, I carried a shoulder bag with the few tools I needed for doing daily inspections. When I was doing odd jobs, adding outlets or lights, chasing breaker trips, etc, I carried a Duluth pocket pouch with pliers/screwdrivers/tick tester, and a Fluke meter in a pouch with a shoulder strap. It depends on what you're doing, where you're working, what you like to do with your tools, and how you're comfortable. Good video.
I add my own Tape Measure clips to my bags and boxes... I rivet them on... sew them on... whatever makes sense. If you can't get a designer to do it from scratch... FIX what you got. Seriously... we have the tools, we have knowledge... FIX IT to be what you want it to be. If you create solutions... you create satisfaction.
I just wear two small pouches with what I need. If I need anything else, I’ll keep my bag close by. I refuse to wear big tool belts like that. Just looking at it hurts my back 😂😂
I do the same thing. Have tried tool belts, but I am skinny and only a 32" waist, so I have been unsuccessful in finding one that fits around my wast. At the office I have a small tool belt where I place most of what I need for any give job, (I do a mix of Network and AV wiring and repairs). At home, I keep my bag near and use a pouch. The pouch is big enough to fit what I need for most jobs (some tools for rough ins, others for trim out), works well when working around furniture or in tight spaces such as the attic.
Wear a small tool pouch .... don’t carry so much, carry linesman’s,strippers, philips, flat & squaretip. I prefer a nail apron to a pouch to carry screws and small material . WAY less weight than what most carry
I worked for a company that wanted us all to wear a cloth pouch and carry our tools in out pockets. the boss would invariably show up right after I'd made my tenth trip to the van for another tool and just put my belt on and yell about the belt slowing me down. now, I'll shift my tool load for the phase of construction - pull wire with heavy needlenose, hammer, and a vest pocket full of staples, then switch to the belt for makeup. I also have a belt with grab handles, so it becomes a carry bag for when I'm doing everything in one place, or using a cart. biggest thing if you wear a belt - get one with a WIDE belt pad, and spend the money on good suspenders.
You're gonna have a bad time doing residential service calls all day every day... It really depends what you're doing. For new construction? Absolutely. Smaller pouch, carry a larger tote with everything you need in it but you pouch up just what you need right now. Get crawling around attics and crawlspaces, up and down ladders to fans, and switches, and ... you're gonna want everything you need (and nothing you don't need) on your belt at all times - and that belt shouldn't be a giant suspender rig with shit poking out everywhere so you fuck up both walls of a hallway and drop huge screwdrivers on expensive floors while trying to get to Mrs Smith's bathroom GFCI, or have to take it all off to get into a tight space.
@@kenbrown2808 I agree 100%. I don't use a suspender rig because I single bag, and service work is a lot different (think - long narrow halls with costly floors, and pictures hung floor to ceiling the whole way down) but I got the quick release padded klein belt, and it made all the difference in the world with my no-ass havinass! My bag is set up for service work. I generally dump it and load it out for specific jobs on any new construction. Don't need meters and testers to run romex! Your old boss ... I'd LOVE to get his ass out on 8 residential trouble calls in a day. See how fast ole Speedy Gonzalez and his cloth apron is ... He'd be lucky to get 3 of them done. Edit to add: Yes. yes I have completed 8 service calls in 1 8 hour day. It was a bit of a fluke, they were all pretty easy, and not a lot of drive time between them, and only 1 supply run during lunch. That's not happening every day or I'd be one rich motherfucker.
@@notsure7874 they were a tract house crew at heart. They hated service calls. Had one of the crew say "you can't make money on t&m jobs". That was another clue it was time to find a better fit.
@@kenbrown2808 There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a tract house crew, different strokes and whatnot. It's more than possible they have apprentices that would smoke me on wiring a new house. But that's definitely not the only way to make money. One thing you can't do on a T&M job - is lose money. Bid that one layout wrong though ... thats where the saying comes from - "We might lose money on every job, but we make up for it in volume!" :D Service calls have always been my best moneymaker. I'm really good at troubleshooting, and I like helping people - and my work style is a lot like the Livewire helper that's been on this show, so I'd have a hard time keeping pace with those guys I'm sure. I just hate that kind of work. Hustle hustle hustle, more paw less jaw, we don't pay you to think .... hell no. I'd much rather say "You're welcome Mrs Smith, glad I could help you!" 5x / day for service call fees / hourly rates personally. Oh and looking back on the OP's comment, I actually agree his on-person rig might need to be trimmed down a bit. That rig he's showing with the suspenders would WAY slow me down and get in my way (and break the back). I'd rather work out of a smallish tote than work with that. But you do need a good bit more than a pair of pliers, screwdriver and a roll of tape...
"All this time of your life that you're never going to get back because I'm just sitting here rambling about dumb shit like bags" is _precisely_ why I subbed, lol. Keep up the good content!
38 year Master Electrician ran and worked small jobs, high rise and commercial, and multi million dollar project with 50 plus journeymen and women. I started my apprenticeship with my dad's old Boston bag from the telephone company. Removed center divider and had a small task pouch that I loaded with select tools and a cheap cloth pouch for task materials. Most jobs had a cart to move stock and tools efficiently and organized. Couple of hooks for small ladder. Worked for me and made money by limiting time looking through piles of material scattered around on floor or in boxes. Great video though. Fun to watch.
@@poundkake13 You try the padded belt? I have the same problem, the klein padded belt - the buckle doesn't loosen up, the padding grabs my hips better. I hated belts til I got one of those.
I agree belt for construction and bags for service. But I will say as a plumber I do get weird looks when I've got a belt on. Not a lot of plumbers use belts. Idk why.
I work for a property management company, we manage over 800 houses and apartment units in the Louisville area. Half of what I do is bigger remodel/repair jobs that could take anywhere from 3-5 days to a couple weeks. The rest of the time Im riding around doing smaller repairs and service calls. I wear a tool belt, Im the only one in the field that does, and I prefer it. I like having all of my most frequently used hand tools right there at my fingertips whenever I need em.
Im an apprentice still and still finding my way of doing things. For the job ive been at the longest the cart with bag on top n materials on bottom works best so far. Also my hivis vest has pockets i load up for ladder work.
👍👍👍 Agree 100%, people have too much time on there hands. Time and place for both. On a ladder you need a pouch, on the ground in one place a bag. And like you, I use both!
I work on industrial projects. I bring my packout and my work pants have the flappy pockets as an extra layer (don't seem to see them in the US, but they're common in the UK) which are like having a basic fabric belt built in to your work pants, so I can carry adjustable spanners, hacksaw, hammer, grips, screwdrivers, snips/strippers, knife, tape, notepad and pencil and an impact with bits (plus fasteners) if I wanted to, but naturally I only ever carry what I need so I can move more quickly. I also work in confined spaces so wearing a serious belt wouldn't work and would be more of a hindrance over half the time.
@@joshuawright9852 here is an example by DeWalt, but pretty much every work wear manufacturer sells one or more pairs of pants like these iforcemarketzone.com/products/dewalt-pro-tradesman-multi-pocket-work-trousers-black-grey-uk-34-w-33-l?_pos=2&_sid=9c011975c&_ss=r
@@joshuawright9852 I can fit a lot in these pants, the outer tape around the pocket can hold my screwdrivers, spanners, wrench, cutters, pliers, pockets hold all my fasteners, cleats, rawlplugs, saddles, then I've got the inner pockets (there are normal trouser pockets under the flappy pockets) can hold my phone, keys and personal items so they don't get all banged up. Best part is, you can kneel down and it all angles with gravity so it doesn't dig in to you. I usually keep my tool trolley nearish and carry what I need for a few hours at a time in these trousers, as is the industry standard around these parts. If I'm doing industrial or in a cherry picker obviously things change. But on the ground, these pants are fantastic and very common
Cool! So I work for Grand River Electric in Grand Junction, Colorado. The owner has been a master for 28 years, and he's been doing electrical far longer than that obviously. The Belt I use is a Gatorback, and I do also have service bags. I'm just an apprentice right now, but I noticed a couple years ago that depending on the nature of the job we were doing that some tools and materials I could fit into my tool belt, so I used a husky bag my brother (who's a plumber) decided he didn't need. Regarding the nature of belts, I enjoy having most of my immediate use tools on my person, and things such as say speed square, rotozip, zip ties, I can have in one of the bags for when we trim out a house, a separate commercial/EMT bag. I also have a bag for attics and crawlers. I get what he's saying, I don't enjoy stopping to go get a tool. I carry a shit ton of weight though, and manage to synch the belt right at my hips so the weight seems to be completely off my back, basically over top of the belt I wear on my pants. My biggest issue is I never have enough space for organization within the material pouches. I have one for staples, one for screws, one for wirenuts, and one for romex connecters, straps, fittings. The Gatorback has small hip pouches which I keep ground crimps and screws in one, and an assortment of screws (8/32 6/32 primarily) carrying all this weight can be difficult at first, over the last two years ive really grown accustomed to it, and added another small husky pouch on the front where I keep my tester, pens and sharpies, pencils, spare batteries, paper pad, second flashlight, nut drivers and few other small things. Just take care of yourselves first, yes this is your job/career but you're replaceable in the company's eyes.
Wow. It sounds like you literally carry a SHiT TON of unnecessary tools with you at all times. There’s absolutely no reason to carry all those things with you all the time. Bring in a big tool bag with all your primary tools and jst wear one small 4 or 5 pocket pouch with the few tools your gonna need for the task your doing. Then switch them out depending on each task you do. Saves a bunch of weight and will save your back in the long run. Literally no need to carry all that bull shit around with you that you were talking about. That’s just crazy
I just customize my tool pouches I like that way better get exactly what I need ....I prefer tool belts then bags because like he said everything is on me I don't need to be going back and forth I don't think it hurts my back hurts if just preference
Man I was just going to say I've been looking at veto bags but I hate that they always say hvac or tech yeah I know electrical trade can use them but man I'd love to see veto get in touch with you and come up with an electricians bag lineup. Bags for apprentice, journeyman and master etc.
Not an electrician but a jack of all trades in residential maintenance. I have a toughbuilt pouch I carry with me everywhere that clips onto my belt. I have a tool backpack from veto that carry’s most of my tools. I have other tool bags that holds job specific tools. Lastly I have packouts I keep power tools and parts/supplies in. Just have to figure out what works for you. Side note: Atlas 46 makes some really good stuff but it is pricey. I forgot to mention I have the Saratoga vest for framing/rough in and love it.
It's all a personal choice and depending on what task you are doing. As for.. hurting your back.. part of the job the career path you chose. People that sit at a computer get issues also. Every career has its issues.
Chicago Carpenter here we wear pouches but the OLD school Vietnam era Electricians guys just wear a small apron with some Linemans pliers and a few other small hand tools also carts are BIG
I go with the Klein Backpack and it works great just drag it around with me and I have everything I need right next to me then move to the next place with it
Been working as a carpenter for 6 years, just started my schooling in the electrical field at LTI, but i have found that clients like to see belts being worn. It appears much more put together than as you mentioned, going back and forth to your bag every time you need a tool you have to schlep back to your bag, and then by the time you get back, you realize you also need another tool. Overall both sides have a valid argument but my belt and suspenders have my loyalty
I'm a first year apprentice and I use both. My super common shit lives in my belt, everything else is in my bag. Whether im doing service work, generator installs, or construction, I have my belt on and my bag close by. Suspenders and a padded belt are a must. I balance the weight between my shoulders and hips. Reduces strain on both and I'm not restricted while I work.
I really enjoy your videos, I been thinking allot about what I wanna do in life, I'm 29, and have a wife and baby. Your videos are really helping me get started! Thank you
I've done construction for 35 years, and your comments about bags is spot on. I have tried everything, and never found the perfect bag. I thought the bucket bags were a great idea, but once you get one fully loaded, you need a hoist to lift it! Come on, someone make a bag that works like we work!
Yes. I agree that that finding a particular pouch that is fully functional and designed the way I want it to be is impossible. Like yourself, I have been looking for a way to build my own pouch. I have wonderful ideas on designs and know that whatever pouch I create will be 100% functional for me and my way of doing things.
I buy Firehose cargo pants from Duluth Trading Company. I pair them with suspenders and then I have the majority of tools that I need for the day in my pockets. Everything else is in a bag. I've found this to work the best after a lot of trial amd error.
Excellent discussion/tirade. The only time I wish I had a better belt is when I’m 20 feet up a ladder and the tool I need is still in the bag on the ground.
I recommend toughbuilt tool bags and belt, quick swapping of each bag for the type of jobs, I have main bag of all I need for service call in general, less than 2kg on my belt, quickly remove it when I drive, I attached toughbuilt original clip on my ladder, have all tools, and bits in it.
I recall many moons ago actually Home Depot sold an Electrician specific rig and it was great, they no longer produce it anymore though. I have gone from Dead-On to Toughbuilt to CLC to Husky and have yet to find bags that are made for us and made well. Bags also avoid being made for anyone who is not with a 32 in waist. Newer bag belts to me are pushing the actual tool pouch further to your back so that you almost need to spin in half to reach a tool. The one item I did spend some cash on and has been worth it was the Klein Modbox though. For those of us who work in the winter and have on extra layers a tool belt should be big enough to fit around a hoodie, and jacket as well. A 40 in max belt is not good enough.
Industrial electrician here. Always carried a shoulder strap pouch with my most used hand tools and had separate tool bags for specific need jobs. A lot of industrial guys carried the bucket liner tool bags. It all depends on if your running conduit and pulling wire, or wiring PLCs and motor controls. I was mainly industrial troubleshooting, maintenance and new equipment installation.
I use a CLC backpack and a cart and carry what tools I need in a small pouch or my pockets. Unless I'm doing rough in then I'll throw on a larger belt mainly to hold screws, my tape measure and a place to hang my impact. Finish work I usually wear a Klein apron pouch. It really just depends on what you're doing like you said in the video.
I wear belts unless the environment doesnt allow it. Like a finished house/ unit in a highrise. But I make sure it's a lightened load for what my task is. But I also have the veto tech pac backpack, which is THE BEST purchase I've ever made when it comes to tool organization. I throw the back pack and a secondary bag holding all my bits and attachments, batteries in my own personal cart. The company provides cars but I'm not a fan of people taking it if you're sick for a day, or just rummaging through your cart after you've cleaned it. So I got my own. Do what works. Sometimes its overkill, what I have, but everything's close by
I use both. Have carts, open totes, & a small pouch that I wear during a job. Can have some main tools in my pouch (that’s not so heavy or bad) & just go at it. Works for me, & that’s what’s important 😁
I think you’re my long lost brother dustin. Love the channel man... I say that too, fuck whatever everybody else does and do what works best for you. Thanks for your service and what you do for all us viewers...👍👍👍
As a plant journeyman, I use both. I have a small troubleshooting bag that I carry everywhere. It has the basics for getting a piece of equipment up and running quickly. I also have a project bag, with way more tools so I don't have to take multiple trips to my locker.
Occidental leather tool bags and the open top Husky electrician’s tool tote sit on top of my cart. Bandsaw, fishtape etc. on the bottom. Pipe benders slip in the back handle. I Mounted a piece of deep strut on the front to hang my ladder on and roll it all around. Also a couple holes on the sides so I can put a piece of 1/2” pipe through them and put a few spools of wire on there for small wire pulls. It’s a pretty handy setup and I generally have everything I need for commercial work
For rough-in I wear a belt since I'm moving all over the place. For finish work and residential device swaps, I use one of those open tote bags since I'm sitting/standing in one place for a longer time. Older houses with receptacles in the baseboards you gotta sit Indian style or lay down like a plumber it makes no sense. I have one of those ultra light. (like 3.5lbs) gorilla step ladders for light fixtures and when I'm working on switches, or whatever I just put my bag on that or in the middle of the room
I work apartment maintenance in a mid rise and use a pouch for edc tools and another for electrical. I also use a tool bag for plumbing and the to store my drill bits and other tools I use every once in awhile
I love the comments. I see individuals who are human, and are solving problems that fit their individual circumstances and body ergonomics. There is no wrong way or right way. I always have a tool pouch that I carry in my main bag or bucket,just in case. I also have a light carhartt pouch that I use only when I am roping M/C Cable, which has mc straps, mc connecters, staples, anti-short bushings, square drives and self-drillers, wall anchors, etc. I added a hammer loop to this belt for obvious reasons. When it is time to make up boxes, I will grab my regular tool belt. When I am doing Industrial work, I usually have all my tools on a service cart that I wheel around all day from location to location (tool belt, bag, bucket, backpack) and is locked up at night in the building. Great video. Thanks
dustin you should talk about how to ask for a raise in our electrical trade do you thimk you deserve it vs i know im worth it selling yourself how to make a video on that and your opinions
I do industrial work, I wire and assemble the automotive robot assembly lines, it's a unique job every time because sometimes I'll need to carry tools on my body because I'm on a lift and I'm in the air and I cannot come down every 5 minutes. Sometimes, I get to wheel my packout system there and use it all day. But I keep my packout tote with me because I can load that up in the truck before I go up on the lift. It really depends on the situation, what I'm working on and the level of tools required
I think we could have a good argument here. I retired after forty years of commercial construction (union). My right leg above my knee is numb. It got that way at 27 from wearing that pouch. Over the last 20 years I worked I saw fewer and fewer pouches until they almost disappeared from larger jobs. I've had a couple of really good tool bags. Klein makes one and I don't remember who made the slightly larger one I used for years. Both are half the size of that linesman bag you are showing. A big bag isn't needed as we don't carry drill motors and things like that. We have kleins, channelocks, machinist level(stronger magnets), ruler, screwdrivers, hacksaw, wire stripper, pencil, needle nose pliers, t&b tool. Personally I also carried a six inch crescent, jack chain and string, a few drill drivers and b-cap driver, a small bit and tap set, single vial pipe level for bending, tester(knopp), small flashlight, roto splitter after I couldn't find an ideal bx cutter any more( far better tool than a roto splitter). All fit easily in a klein tool bag and there are pouches on the outside and pockets on the inside so all your tools are easily available. I had a two wheel luggage cart and my lunch box fit on it with my tool bag on top. Most people learn about tool pouches after theirs gets upended in the gang box and they spend half an hour hunting for their tools or someone comes up and borrows a tool out of their pouch while it's sitting somewhere. Normally all the necessary tools to do most jobs fit in my hip pocket. Tape measure on my right front pocket, wire stripper in my left, kleins and channellocks, screwdriver and level in my hip pocket. Not all those tools were needed on many projects so all I was hauling up and down ladders were a couple of pounds of tools at most.
I literarily have and used the same tan pouch and loved it for tools and a left pouch for task specific. I had/have back problems too. The BEST thing I found was by Klein. It was 6 inch wide thick leather "strip" with 2 leather straps to hold your belt and you wear it in the back. It felt like you had no belt at all on instead of your belt cutting into your back. But you're correct, you need both
Never found the right setup for me... I do some construction, some plumbing and some electrical. I thought having 3 separate boxes would be the winner.... but, ends up being more a hassle. May try a toolbelt approach. Although I’ve never seen anyone locally use one - it’s just not common around here
I agree that belt or bag is job specific. I was educated in electronics from the military. The crossover to a civilian job was OEM automation controls. Used a canvas riggers bag for 18 years. Most work was building control panels in shop at a table or installation of panels wiring of devices to J boxes on machinery so sometimes a few days working in the same 100 square area with bag by my side. Next life chapter found me working industrial maintenance. Found that a belt pouch with specific tools worked best for 90 percent of my work. If not then roll out the big box.
This is possibly the best video I’ve ever seen for electricians. I’m not talking about bags, belts or bull shit... The man hit it on the head... whatever works for you is the answer; as a Forman i require a pair of Klein’s , screwdriver, Tape measure & a marking Instrument (pencil or Sharpie) at all times. Once i lay them out i expect the journeyman to have certain tools for the job!
Counter offer... full pack out system that you take apart and lay in a 7x7' radius. Packout vac included buttons ever used for pulling sting through conduit
I know I am not an electrician but I was in the military for 10 years and carried a lot of tools on a belt because I was an EOD tech. Have you looked at military belts I can send you a few links if you would like but they are padded have suspender attachments and they have locking clips so they don't disconnect on you. Food for thought I used to carry a lot of weight for a long time they are the deal
I love my tool belt I am maintenance man, and have been for 35 years I have tool belt for every job I do. Example 1 tool belt for drywall 1 belt for electrical 1 tool belt for general maintenance. For ladders I have 3-5 gallon buckets full of tools hang on the ladder that way my tools stay with me at all times. I made my own leather dry wall tool belt I made my own leather 5 gallon buckets tool carriers Also made my own tool belts I use wight lifting with 3 belt holes that way never comes lose shaved down the back to make my leather tool fit then I used rivet gun to rivets to the belt on back side take 1/8 x 4" x 48" hot glue to the back leather cover up the rivets and comfortable to ware fasten the belt to gather leave that open slid the end through leather padded belt loop for right fit then buckle up. I made my own shoulder straps 1/6" x 2" x 72" I added adjustments to the leather by front buckles hole punches. Put the buckle on bottom leather with rivets add belt loop holder. on top hole bunch the leather once it's in place never unbuckles.
I use a husky utility pouch for service cause i don’t like having tools in my pockets but i have a husky bag as well where i keep all my stuff in the truck. Sometimes i have to work on ladders or bucket so the pouch definitely helps.. Cool video Dustin! God bless and take care! 👋😎👍
Depends. On residential you can get away with tools in your pocket and a bag. Commercial construction its best to go with a big tool belt as you will up and down ladders. Industrial, big belt, tool bag and sometimes a gang box depending on the job.
I totally agree I work various different jobs so I carry both a bag and belt setup. If I'll be in the same area on a small job I work out of my bag, if we are doing a rough in and I'm going back and forth etc I move the tools I need from my bag to my belt this way I'm not going to my bag all the time for pipe install or running cable.
Both bag and pouch. Bag brings the tools you need from the truck to the job, pouch carries the tools you need to the exact workspot. I do install work on ladders so my pouch is great for bringing tools up to the work. When I go down, I switch out from my bag as required.
i use both, i carry a bag for tools i occasionally use like specialty tools or might come up and my testers. i wear a tool belt to for on hand tools what i need at the moment. and my packout for power tools and bits and what not. been a comercial electrician for about 5 years now, it's the way i was taught as an apprentice. tools used for the day in a belt as well as fastners. a bag for things that might come up in comercial you never know what you might run into, in the Army i learned its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. and a beater belt for heavy duty work.
I have a tool bag with tool pouches in it. One has wrenches and sockets and space for a level or whatever else, one has channel locks in it which can be emptied quickly if I need it, and another small empty one I load up for whatever I'm doing that day. Like he said, whatever works for you.
I generally use a tool bag with working industrial jobs because you never really know what tools you will need and it is generally a long way back to the setup/gang box. OTOH, for light commercial or residential, especially new construction, I generally wear a tool belt because I usually know exactly what I'll be working on that day and it is generally repetitive. No need to lug my entire tool collection if I am just installing devices all day. It makes having the tool readily available and increases efficiency. Definitely invest in a suspender system to take the weight off your back. That being said, I agree with Dustin about pouch design. I hate almost all pouches. They either have configurations with too many or too few slots that are not arranged to my needs. It is especially a problem for us left-handers. Canvas bags and pouches are nice, but leather is the way to go. My leather has NEVER failed.
My Dead On belt used to pop out all the time too. I fixed it by taking my channel locks and squeezing the round part of both metal spikes that stick through the holes, never had that problem again. Love the videos my electrical brother, Keep em coming
Im a maintenance electrician (appretice) and I use a tool pouch by toughbuilt 20$ and I love it. I can clip it to by belt and take it off whenever. I keep my tools in my box. I dont need to carry tools all day so the toughbuilt clips are awesome.
I like the concept of the channel, Im pretty sure it helps a lot of young cats out there and I’d like to drop my 2 cent opinion. Regardless of what tools or how many you like to carry on your tool pouches, either way my friend you will need a tool bag, back pack or one of those tool cases with wheels, for all your hand tools and, or power tools. Having the tool you need at that right moment makes a big difference. Know what you need for the whole week and get your shit together pack it all up and have a pretty easy week at work.
Join a union and the contractor will provide all the pricey power tools & once in a blue moon tools. They'll also have them in a gang box to keep you from having to run to your truck.
As a JM my approach is the same weather construction or service. I use a Milwaukee tool backpack and smaller side bag with minimal task specific tools. Some tools in my back pocket in some situations. Tool belts aren't practical most of the time especially while doing ceiling/underground crawlspaces, trenched ducts, running conduit, ladder use, lifts, ceiling grids, pulling wire or commissioning. A belt might help with mounting boxes/terminating/supporting conductors however a small organized bag with fasteners/tools is still highly mobile. Pre task planning is key to not carry more tools than required. A tool belt restricts your movement/pacing while causing back pain. I personally wear knee pads, soft insoles and a back brace at all times. I stretch daily with heat treatment. Chronic pain sucks after years in the trade. I always laugh at guys with 50lbs of tools in/on trenches getting muddy, ceiling grids getting caught, lifts getting caught, ladders with added weight. Work smart not hard. A career is 40 years after all.
You need a pouch to carry what you are currently using, and bag for all the overflow, and your drill. Get a leather electrician pouch from Occidental Leather (5589) with the squared off bottom, that way you can just sling the pouch over your shoulder if you want to, and when you set it on the floor, the square bottom won’t tent to tip over as easy. You don’t have to wear your pouch all day, you can hang it on a ladder or a nail where you are working.
We had 3 wheel cycles with steel box on back. Contained laptop and shop made canvas pouch with steal frame a little smaller than the one you are showing. A few items clipped in shirt (or coverall) top pocket and pant pocket. Nobody carried a tool pouch.
For anyone who doesn't know, toughbuilt came out with the cliptech. You have a clip on ur belt that u can put different interchangeable pouches on, they even have a padded belt so u can have multiple clips on at a time and wear what pouch u need.... I might use the suspender trick tho, seems like it would help
I have a little pouch with only the 7 or 8 most important tools that you can do 90% of the work with, and a bag close by with everything else. There is no way I can wear all the tools I need. Knowing the exact 7 or 8 tools you need on you is the trick: Linemans pliers, level, channelocks, tape measure, cutting tool, basic flat head, multi-bit screw driver for phillips and square tips, and a voltage tester.
Carpenter/trim god/ frame lord/ cabinet maker/joiner Use occidental electrician bag along with a trimmer nail pouch on the suspender system. Custom picked bags. Slim close to body. Use when framing/siding/ roof work. Out of a bag when doing most other things. Clip on pouches are great. Different rig for different job. Carts are def the fucking shit when I was in commercial world. With Elevators and a jobox to quickly put ur shit away and lock it. What’s comfortable and efficient for you, if somebody busts ur balls about not wearing bags, find someone else to work for. Preferably yourself!
DEWALT DG5582 Electrical and Maintenance Tool Carrier & Parts Tray, 11 In., 23 Pocket I've been using this for over 2 years and I love it, I can basically carry all my hand tools and my impact driver and an assortment of screws with me to the job and usually keep it nearby but than I'll wear a small 2 pocket canvas pouch especially for rough in wiring. Most of the time if I'm finishing out I'll just put a few tools in my back pocket and I'm good to go.
I miss my BAG... my wife bought me the Klein backpack for my birthday, so of course I HAD to use it. I have gotten used to it, but miss my bag. I also have my pouch that I will put on if I need more than a few tools that are in my back pocket. Hell, up until a few years ago, I was still using a damn bucket that held everything including my pouch. Nothing wrong with just a bucket
I’m a carpenter going to electrical and seeing as I was taught that you always need the essentials of what’s in your tool belt but I’ve had bad back problems. But belts with a wider belt is better for ur back, suspenders are nice.
Belts are great when you are working with your hands above your head a lot. Not having to look down to find your tools is huge and not running up and down ladders is huge too. But generally I use a bag. Out in the field I find all I need are like four tools for any given repetitive job. Toss them and your materials in a 5 gallon bucket and you're good to go most of the time.
I say both. as it minimizes trips to the truck and less trips up a ladder and allows you to have a smaller belt and you can shed unneeded tools or grab tools when needed. No pile of tools at your feet or digging through a pile of them constantly or tools that fall off a ladder and each tool has its spot in the belt for no vison grabbing.
I use both. Duh. Love my Boulder Bags with a Klein metal quick connect belt. No-suspenders doesn't put any weight on your back, lower or otherwise. The weight is on your hips. I've customized them with some extra pouches and stuff. Take five seconds to take on/off and with the handles sort of function as a bag when off.
Check out the vests with occidental work vests. I hate wearing a tool belt and I do find at times having a tool belt was better then having to carry a bag with me. So not I try and pick the tools I need for the job and that day and use a tool vest and I have little pouches I will add or remove depending on the job. But the vest so so much nicer then wearing a belt.
20 yr electrician, been contracting the past 6. I started on the Home Depot CLC so I liked it. Got used to it. But when I turned out, I thought I’d get the Klein bags like the big boys have. Hated it. Not organization on my tools. Then I got the Milwaukee. I’m happy with it. Never had the leathers tho. Might go that route next time.
I'm a toolbelt guy with a heavy construction background and I used to catch a lot of shit for wearing my bags while on residential service calls yet every dude working with me loved the fact that I had every tool we ever needed right on hand! No bullshit falling out of my pockets while up on a ladder either! Have I fucked up some painted walls trying to squeeze my ass through tight spaces and furniture, yep. At the end of my day if I don't have my bags on I tend to set shit down and loose stuff so I've just trained my self to ALWAYS put my stuff back in its spot on my pouch/bags/belt! PRO TIP: NEVER set ANYTHING down on a ladder rung, EVER!!! Be safe and productive my brothers and sisters :)
I can imagine, I'd love to have someone a my beckon call that'd carry every tool I'll ever need for me too.
Yea bro. Everyone is always ready to go to the truck or the store. I just stick my hand in my pocket
Well said and smart! Time is money. Having everything right there is the kind of worker I would hire over and over.
Good point on losing tools and fittings... that one reason I bought into a packout system... was so tired of buying boxes of fittings - and could never find them again.
I must have bought a box of 1 type of Hilti bolt 6 times.
Organizing my system, standarding my tools, fittings and daily carry... means I loose less shit, am less tired as I’m not spending time searching
Every trades person has said many times I wish I could design my own tool bags, belts, or boxes.
If a belt manufacturer created an online configuration system so you could design your own pouch arrangement and have them custom built, they would make MILLIONS!
@@TwilightxKnight13 there is a company out there that does custom belts
I typically have all my tools near me in my backpack but stay task specific in my small pouch. Do what works best for YOU!
Have a great day everyone, work safe!!
Same here. I carry my backpack into the job. If I need more than my linesmens and multi driver, I will put my pouch on.
Agree, basic rules. Work smarter, not harder.🔌⚡👷♂️
I have a small veto pro pac tool belt that I keep my Klein linesman/stripper, 11 in 1 and beater flat blade everything else stays in my Lenox backpack until I need it but 95% of the work I do is done with the 3 tools in my pouch
I still use my apprenticeship package tool belt, keep my tool belt at minimal all times.
I have both a Veto Pro-Pac to carry my tools to the jobsite, but if I know I'm doing a specific task and need 3-4 tools close to me all the time have a couple smaller pouches I can slip on.
I am a maintenance electrician in a 500,000 sq ft manufacturing plant. Some days I walk 6 miles around the plant. I have a small belt, several bags and small tool boxes that I put on a Rubbermaid cart. I push the cart as close as possible to where I’m working, then Load up a bag or belt with whatever I need for the job.
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Love you bro you inspired me. I'm 17 and I started watching your vedios before I got a job as a helper. You just have the best outlook on things and really care. Keep it up love the content.
Im 17 and i start monday 😬😬
On most sites I bring my donkey and saddle him up with all my gear. That way I have everything there at all times. Just watch your step.....
I want a donkey but instead I have a mule
Going up stair and taking materials through and around the site just becomes very difficult for me.. so I just stick with a belt. My opinion.
You mis spelled apprentice
@@donzmilky5961 you misspelled “misspelled”
@@choahjinhuay im an electrician, not an english teacher.
here's the easiest way to resolve this debate where everyone is happy. Empty your pouches out. Put your bag close by. Think through what you're gonna be doing for the next little stretch. Take only the tools you need to accomplish your immediate mission. If you need another tool grab it if it's not a one off make a mental (or actual... gasp) note to grab that next time you do the same task. Will you forget things sometimes yes are you carrying less than the guy who carries all his tools all day yes, do you have access to your whole bag of tricks yes, are you becoming a better tradesman every day by thinking before you do and then reflecting on the outcome of the doing... HELL YEAH
2nd year apprentice, i carried a belt every day for the first year. i then purchased a bag and used for a few months..i found that having my tool belt on me at all times saves a few seconds, rather then walking back and forth to my bag. But with all the tools i accumulated i often bring both cause you know know what u might need.....
Damn skippy bro keep it up
That's what I am finding as well.
I often find myself praising the toughbuilt clip tech system for a tool belt. I use it every day and the flexibility of quickly changing your pouches to drop weight, squeeze through tight spaces, or change functions is so FANTASTIC.
Just got into the trade and went down the toughbuilt route and I love it! Got the XL rolling tool bag and really like being able clip my tool belt pouches to it.
I use both a belt and a tote, depending on the situation. New construction? Belt time. Service calls? Grab the tote.
Me too.
Belt in a customer house Is a nightmare
@@itaintrocketscience I found the opposite to be true - coming from the perspective of mostly service work, and mostly residential / light commercial. But I wouldn't want one of these "master electrician" type pouches (or one on each hip with suspenders and shit) though either. I use a nylon journeyman size/style bag that has pretty much everything I need to test and repair whatever random crap I'm going to run into, but also trimmed down so I'm not carrying a bunch of stuff I don't use. Its "right sized" to fit what I need - and only what I need so I don't have a porcupine of giant screwdrivers and metal crap poking out everywhere to snag walls in hallways or floors when you kneel down or whatever.
I worked as a railroad electrician for 16 years, and did odd jobs and handyman type electrical work on the side.
On the railroad, when I worked in big shops, I always worked out of a bag that I kept on a cart. When I worked in trainyards or on the road, I carried a shoulder bag with the few tools I needed for doing daily inspections. When I was doing odd jobs, adding outlets or lights, chasing breaker trips, etc, I carried a Duluth pocket pouch with pliers/screwdrivers/tick tester, and a Fluke meter in a pouch with a shoulder strap. It depends on what you're doing, where you're working, what you like to do with your tools, and how you're comfortable. Good video.
I add my own Tape Measure clips to my bags and boxes... I rivet them on... sew them on... whatever makes sense. If you can't get a designer to do it from scratch... FIX what you got. Seriously... we have the tools, we have knowledge... FIX IT to be what you want it to be. If you create solutions... you create satisfaction.
I just wear two small pouches with what I need. If I need anything else, I’ll keep my bag close by. I refuse to wear big tool belts like that. Just looking at it hurts my back 😂😂
I do the same thing. Have tried tool belts, but I am skinny and only a 32" waist, so I have been unsuccessful in finding one that fits around my wast. At the office I have a small tool belt where I place most of what I need for any give job, (I do a mix of Network and AV wiring and repairs). At home, I keep my bag near and use a pouch. The pouch is big enough to fit what I need for most jobs (some tools for rough ins, others for trim out), works well when working around furniture or in tight spaces such as the attic.
Darien Red Sox yeah bro same here, my waist is 30” 😂😂 Skinny dude problems . I keep no more than 5 tools at a time on me
Wear a small tool pouch .... don’t carry so much, carry linesman’s,strippers, philips, flat & squaretip. I prefer a nail apron to a pouch to carry screws and small material . WAY less weight than what most carry
I worked for a company that wanted us all to wear a cloth pouch and carry our tools in out pockets. the boss would invariably show up right after I'd made my tenth trip to the van for another tool and just put my belt on and yell about the belt slowing me down. now, I'll shift my tool load for the phase of construction - pull wire with heavy needlenose, hammer, and a vest pocket full of staples, then switch to the belt for makeup. I also have a belt with grab handles, so it becomes a carry bag for when I'm doing everything in one place, or using a cart.
biggest thing if you wear a belt - get one with a WIDE belt pad, and spend the money on good suspenders.
You're gonna have a bad time doing residential service calls all day every day... It really depends what you're doing. For new construction? Absolutely. Smaller pouch, carry a larger tote with everything you need in it but you pouch up just what you need right now.
Get crawling around attics and crawlspaces, up and down ladders to fans, and switches, and ... you're gonna want everything you need (and nothing you don't need) on your belt at all times - and that belt shouldn't be a giant suspender rig with shit poking out everywhere so you fuck up both walls of a hallway and drop huge screwdrivers on expensive floors while trying to get to Mrs Smith's bathroom GFCI, or have to take it all off to get into a tight space.
@@kenbrown2808 I agree 100%. I don't use a suspender rig because I single bag, and service work is a lot different (think - long narrow halls with costly floors, and pictures hung floor to ceiling the whole way down) but I got the quick release padded klein belt, and it made all the difference in the world with my no-ass havinass!
My bag is set up for service work. I generally dump it and load it out for specific jobs on any new construction. Don't need meters and testers to run romex!
Your old boss ... I'd LOVE to get his ass out on 8 residential trouble calls in a day. See how fast ole Speedy Gonzalez and his cloth apron is ... He'd be lucky to get 3 of them done.
Edit to add: Yes. yes I have completed 8 service calls in 1 8 hour day. It was a bit of a fluke, they were all pretty easy, and not a lot of drive time between them, and only 1 supply run during lunch. That's not happening every day or I'd be one rich motherfucker.
@@notsure7874 they were a tract house crew at heart. They hated service calls. Had one of the crew say "you can't make money on t&m jobs". That was another clue it was time to find a better fit.
@@kenbrown2808 There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a tract house crew, different strokes and whatnot. It's more than possible they have apprentices that would smoke me on wiring a new house. But that's definitely not the only way to make money. One thing you can't do on a T&M job - is lose money. Bid that one layout wrong though ... thats where the saying comes from - "We might lose money on every job, but we make up for it in volume!" :D
Service calls have always been my best moneymaker. I'm really good at troubleshooting, and I like helping people - and my work style is a lot like the Livewire helper that's been on this show, so I'd have a hard time keeping pace with those guys I'm sure. I just hate that kind of work. Hustle hustle hustle, more paw less jaw, we don't pay you to think .... hell no. I'd much rather say "You're welcome Mrs Smith, glad I could help you!" 5x / day for service call fees / hourly rates personally.
Oh and looking back on the OP's comment, I actually agree his on-person rig might need to be trimmed down a bit. That rig he's showing with the suspenders would WAY slow me down and get in my way (and break the back). I'd rather work out of a smallish tote than work with that. But you do need a good bit more than a pair of pliers, screwdriver and a roll of tape...
"All this time of your life that you're never going to get back because I'm just sitting here rambling about dumb shit like bags" is _precisely_ why I subbed, lol. Keep up the good content!
38 year Master Electrician ran and worked small jobs, high rise and commercial, and multi million dollar project with 50 plus journeymen and women. I started my apprenticeship with my dad's old Boston bag from the telephone company. Removed center divider and had a small task pouch that I loaded with select tools and a cheap cloth pouch for task materials. Most jobs had a cart to move stock and tools efficiently and organized. Couple of hooks for small ladder. Worked for me and made money by limiting time looking through piles of material scattered around on floor or in boxes. Great video though. Fun to watch.
I’m running the Veto XL tool bag with most of my tools in it and the essentials in a small TP1L tool pouch! Perfect combo if you ask me!!!
I'm a backpack and belt guy.
If it's light and I need the mobility it's belt all day. Most of the service work i do, definitely my backpack.
I’ve seen guys wearing tool pouches with suspenders and they literally have channel locks and a pipe reamer lol
Lol I cant use bags without suspenders because i have no butt. My back with a crack can barely keep my pants up much less any tools.
Poundcake Makes that and the way gravity works is bad stress on your hips
You don't take the suspenders off (and lose them) every time you carry fewer tools. That would just be retarded.
Who's cares good to have both
@@poundkake13 You try the padded belt? I have the same problem, the klein padded belt - the buckle doesn't loosen up, the padding grabs my hips better. I hated belts til I got one of those.
I agree belt for construction and bags for service. But I will say as a plumber I do get weird looks when I've got a belt on. Not a lot of plumbers use belts. Idk why.
I work for a property management company, we manage over 800 houses and apartment units in the Louisville area. Half of what I do is bigger remodel/repair jobs that could take anywhere from 3-5 days to a couple weeks. The rest of the time Im riding around doing smaller repairs and service calls. I wear a tool belt, Im the only one in the field that does, and I prefer it. I like having all of my most frequently used hand tools right there at my fingertips whenever I need em.
Im an apprentice still and still finding my way of doing things. For the job ive been at the longest the cart with bag on top n materials on bottom works best so far. Also my hivis vest has pockets i load up for ladder work.
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Agree 100%, people have too much time on there hands. Time and place for both. On a ladder you need a pouch, on the ground in one place a bag. And like you, I use both!
I work on industrial projects. I bring my packout and my work pants have the flappy pockets as an extra layer (don't seem to see them in the US, but they're common in the UK) which are like having a basic fabric belt built in to your work pants, so I can carry adjustable spanners, hacksaw, hammer, grips, screwdrivers, snips/strippers, knife, tape, notepad and pencil and an impact with bits (plus fasteners) if I wanted to, but naturally I only ever carry what I need so I can move more quickly. I also work in confined spaces so wearing a serious belt wouldn't work and would be more of a hindrance over half the time.
What kind of pants are they?
Post a link, I'd love to at least see them. Sounds interesting.
@@joshuawright9852 here is an example by DeWalt, but pretty much every work wear manufacturer sells one or more pairs of pants like these iforcemarketzone.com/products/dewalt-pro-tradesman-multi-pocket-work-trousers-black-grey-uk-34-w-33-l?_pos=2&_sid=9c011975c&_ss=r
@@joshuawright9852 I can fit a lot in these pants, the outer tape around the pocket can hold my screwdrivers, spanners, wrench, cutters, pliers, pockets hold all my fasteners, cleats, rawlplugs, saddles, then I've got the inner pockets (there are normal trouser pockets under the flappy pockets) can hold my phone, keys and personal items so they don't get all banged up.
Best part is, you can kneel down and it all angles with gravity so it doesn't dig in to you.
I usually keep my tool trolley nearish and carry what I need for a few hours at a time in these trousers, as is the industry standard around these parts.
If I'm doing industrial or in a cherry picker obviously things change. But on the ground, these pants are fantastic and very common
Cool! So I work for Grand River Electric in Grand Junction, Colorado. The owner has been a master for 28 years, and he's been doing electrical far longer than that obviously. The Belt I use is a Gatorback, and I do also have service bags. I'm just an apprentice right now, but I noticed a couple years ago that depending on the nature of the job we were doing that some tools and materials I could fit into my tool belt, so I used a husky bag my brother (who's a plumber) decided he didn't need. Regarding the nature of belts, I enjoy having most of my immediate use tools on my person, and things such as say speed square, rotozip, zip ties, I can have in one of the bags for when we trim out a house, a separate commercial/EMT bag. I also have a bag for attics and crawlers. I get what he's saying, I don't enjoy stopping to go get a tool. I carry a shit ton of weight though, and manage to synch the belt right at my hips so the weight seems to be completely off my back, basically over top of the belt I wear on my pants. My biggest issue is I never have enough space for organization within the material pouches. I have one for staples, one for screws, one for wirenuts, and one for romex connecters, straps, fittings. The Gatorback has small hip pouches which I keep ground crimps and screws in one, and an assortment of screws (8/32 6/32 primarily) carrying all this weight can be difficult at first, over the last two years ive really grown accustomed to it, and added another small husky pouch on the front where I keep my tester, pens and sharpies, pencils, spare batteries, paper pad, second flashlight, nut drivers and few other small things.
Just take care of yourselves first, yes this is your job/career but you're replaceable in the company's eyes.
Wow. It sounds like you literally carry a SHiT TON of unnecessary tools with you at all times. There’s absolutely no reason to carry all those things with you all the time. Bring in a big tool bag with all your primary tools and jst wear one small 4 or 5 pocket pouch with the few tools your gonna need for the task your doing. Then switch them out depending on each task you do. Saves a bunch of weight and will save your back in the long run. Literally no need to carry all that bull shit around with you that you were talking about. That’s just crazy
I just customize my tool pouches I like that way better get exactly what I need ....I prefer tool belts then bags because like he said everything is on me I don't need to be going back and forth I don't think it hurts my back hurts if just preference
Veto is the greatest bag out there enough said!!!
Man I was just going to say I've been looking at veto bags but I hate that they always say hvac or tech yeah I know electrical trade can use them but man I'd love to see veto get in touch with you and come up with an electricians bag lineup. Bags for apprentice, journeyman and master etc.
Not an electrician but a jack of all trades in residential maintenance. I have a toughbuilt pouch I carry with me everywhere that clips onto my belt. I have a tool backpack from veto that carry’s most of my tools. I have other tool bags that holds job specific tools. Lastly I have packouts I keep power tools and parts/supplies in. Just have to figure out what works for you.
Side note: Atlas 46 makes some really good stuff but it is pricey. I forgot to mention I have the Saratoga vest for framing/rough in and love it.
It's all a personal choice and depending on what task you are doing.
As for.. hurting your back.. part of the job the career path you chose.
People that sit at a computer get issues also. Every career has its issues.
Chicago Carpenter here we wear pouches but the OLD school Vietnam era Electricians guys just wear a small apron with some Linemans pliers and a few other small hand tools also carts are BIG
I go with the Klein Backpack and it works great just drag it around with me and I have everything I need right next to me then move to the next place with it
Been working as a carpenter for 6 years, just started my schooling in the electrical field at LTI, but i have found that clients like to see belts being worn. It appears much more put together than as you mentioned, going back and forth to your bag every time you need a tool you have to schlep back to your bag, and then by the time you get back, you realize you also need another tool. Overall both sides have a valid argument but my belt and suspenders have my loyalty
I'm a first year apprentice and I use both. My super common shit lives in my belt, everything else is in my bag. Whether im doing service work, generator installs, or construction, I have my belt on and my bag close by. Suspenders and a padded belt are a must. I balance the weight between my shoulders and hips. Reduces strain on both and I'm not restricted while I work.
I really enjoy your videos, I been thinking allot about what I wanna do in life, I'm 29, and have a wife and baby. Your videos are really helping me get started! Thank you
I've done construction for 35 years, and your comments about bags is spot on. I have tried everything, and never found the perfect bag. I thought the bucket bags were a great idea, but once you get one fully loaded, you need a hoist to lift it! Come on, someone make a bag that works like we work!
Yes. I agree that that finding a particular pouch that is fully functional and designed the way I want it to be is impossible. Like yourself, I have been looking for a way to build my own pouch. I have wonderful ideas on designs and know that whatever pouch I create will be 100% functional for me and my way of doing things.
I buy Firehose cargo pants from Duluth Trading Company. I pair them with suspenders and then I have the majority of tools that I need for the day in my pockets. Everything else is in a bag. I've found this to work the best after a lot of trial amd error.
Excellent discussion/tirade. The only time I wish I had a better belt is when I’m 20 feet up a ladder and the tool I need is still in the bag on the ground.
I have Both. Like you said I have different specific jobs I can fill my tool belt with. Ex.Demo,Roughing in,Trim etc…
I recommend toughbuilt tool bags and belt, quick swapping of each bag for the type of jobs, I have main bag of all I need for service call in general, less than 2kg on my belt, quickly remove it when I drive, I attached toughbuilt original clip on my ladder, have all tools, and bits in it.
I recall many moons ago actually Home Depot sold an Electrician specific rig and it was great, they no longer produce it anymore though. I have gone from Dead-On to Toughbuilt to CLC to Husky and have yet to find bags that are made for us and made well. Bags also avoid being made for anyone who is not with a 32 in waist. Newer bag belts to me are pushing the actual tool pouch further to your back so that you almost need to spin in half to reach a tool. The one item I did spend some cash on and has been worth it was the Klein Modbox though. For those of us who work in the winter and have on extra layers a tool belt should be big enough to fit around a hoodie, and jacket as well. A 40 in max belt is not good enough.
Industrial electrician here. Always carried a shoulder strap pouch with my most used hand tools and had separate tool bags for specific need jobs. A lot of industrial guys carried the bucket liner tool bags. It all depends on if your running conduit and pulling wire, or wiring PLCs and motor controls. I was mainly industrial troubleshooting, maintenance and new equipment installation.
I use a CLC backpack and a cart and carry what tools I need in a small pouch or my pockets. Unless I'm doing rough in then I'll throw on a larger belt mainly to hold screws, my tape measure and a place to hang my impact. Finish work I usually wear a Klein apron pouch. It really just depends on what you're doing like you said in the video.
I wear belts unless the environment doesnt allow it. Like a finished house/ unit in a highrise. But I make sure it's a lightened load for what my task is. But I also have the veto tech pac backpack, which is THE BEST purchase I've ever made when it comes to tool organization. I throw the back pack and a secondary bag holding all my bits and attachments, batteries in my own personal cart. The company provides cars but I'm not a fan of people taking it if you're sick for a day, or just rummaging through your cart after you've cleaned it. So I got my own. Do what works. Sometimes its overkill, what I have, but everything's close by
I use both. Have carts, open totes, & a small pouch that I wear during a job. Can have some main tools in my pouch (that’s not so heavy or bad) & just go at it. Works for me, & that’s what’s important 😁
I think you’re my long lost brother dustin. Love the channel man... I say that too, fuck whatever everybody else does and do what works best for you. Thanks for your service and what you do for all us viewers...👍👍👍
I feel the same
As a plant journeyman, I use both. I have a small troubleshooting bag that I carry everywhere. It has the basics for getting a piece of equipment up and running quickly. I also have a project bag, with way more tools so I don't have to take multiple trips to my locker.
Occidental leather tool bags and the open top Husky electrician’s tool tote sit on top of my cart. Bandsaw, fishtape etc. on the bottom. Pipe benders slip in the back handle. I Mounted a piece of deep strut on the front to hang my ladder on and roll it all around. Also a couple holes on the sides so I can put a piece of 1/2” pipe through them and put a few spools of wire on there for small wire pulls. It’s a pretty handy setup and I generally have everything I need for commercial work
For rough-in I wear a belt since I'm moving all over the place. For finish work and residential device swaps, I use one of those open tote bags since I'm sitting/standing in one place for a longer time.
Older houses with receptacles in the baseboards you gotta sit Indian style or lay down like a plumber it makes no sense.
I have one of those ultra light. (like 3.5lbs) gorilla step ladders for light fixtures and when I'm working on switches, or whatever I just put my bag on that or in the middle of the room
I work apartment maintenance in a mid rise and use a pouch for edc tools and another for electrical. I also use a tool bag for plumbing and the to store my drill bits and other tools I use every once in awhile
You’re so right about having both a tool belt and Bags. I have always had both for the 5 years I been doing Electrical work.
I love the comments. I see individuals who are human, and are solving problems that fit their individual circumstances and body ergonomics. There is no wrong way or right way. I always have a tool pouch that I carry in my main bag or bucket,just in case. I also have a light carhartt pouch that I use only when I am roping M/C Cable, which has mc straps, mc connecters, staples, anti-short bushings, square drives and self-drillers, wall anchors, etc. I added a hammer loop to this belt for obvious reasons. When it is time to make up boxes, I will grab my regular tool belt. When I am doing Industrial work, I usually have all my tools on a service cart that I wheel around all day from location to location (tool belt, bag, bucket, backpack) and is locked up at night in the building. Great video. Thanks
dustin you should talk about how to ask for a raise in our electrical trade do you thimk you deserve it vs i know im worth it selling yourself how to make a video on that and your opinions
I do industrial work, I wire and assemble the automotive robot assembly lines, it's a unique job every time because sometimes I'll need to carry tools on my body because I'm on a lift and I'm in the air and I cannot come down every 5 minutes. Sometimes, I get to wheel my packout system there and use it all day.
But I keep my packout tote with me because I can load that up in the truck before I go up on the lift. It really depends on the situation, what I'm working on and the level of tools required
I think we could have a good argument here. I retired after forty years of commercial construction (union). My right leg above my knee is numb. It got that way at 27 from wearing that pouch. Over the last 20 years I worked I saw fewer and fewer pouches until they almost disappeared from larger jobs. I've had a couple of really good tool bags. Klein makes one and I don't remember who made the slightly larger one I used for years. Both are half the size of that linesman bag you are showing. A big bag isn't needed as we don't carry drill motors and things like that. We have kleins, channelocks, machinist level(stronger magnets), ruler, screwdrivers, hacksaw, wire stripper, pencil, needle nose pliers, t&b tool. Personally I also carried a six inch crescent, jack chain and string, a few drill drivers and b-cap driver, a small bit and tap set, single vial pipe level for bending, tester(knopp), small flashlight, roto splitter after I couldn't find an ideal bx cutter any more( far better tool than a roto splitter). All fit easily in a klein tool bag and there are pouches on the outside and pockets on the inside so all your tools are easily available. I had a two wheel luggage cart and my lunch box fit on it with my tool bag on top. Most people learn about tool pouches after theirs gets upended in the gang box and they spend half an hour hunting for their tools or someone comes up and borrows a tool out of their pouch while it's sitting somewhere. Normally all the necessary tools to do most jobs fit in my hip pocket. Tape measure on my right front pocket, wire stripper in my left, kleins and channellocks, screwdriver and level in my hip pocket. Not all those tools were needed on many projects so all I was hauling up and down ladders were a couple of pounds of tools at most.
I wear atlas 46 when I'm doing work. Works really well, does get to the lumber sometimes.
I literarily have and used the same tan pouch and loved it for tools and a left pouch for task specific.
I had/have back problems too. The BEST thing I found was by Klein. It was 6 inch wide thick leather "strip" with 2 leather straps to hold your belt and you wear it in the back. It felt like you had no belt at all on instead of your belt cutting into your back.
But you're correct, you need both
Absolutely right. Different setups work for different people and jobs. I’m with you on the never found a perfect bag yet. But I’ll keep looking.
Never found the right setup for me... I do some construction, some plumbing and some electrical.
I thought having 3 separate boxes would be the winner.... but, ends up being more a hassle.
May try a toolbelt approach. Although I’ve never seen anyone locally use one - it’s just not common around here
I agree that belt or bag is job specific. I was educated in electronics from the military. The crossover to a civilian job was OEM automation controls. Used a canvas riggers bag for 18 years. Most work was building control panels in shop at a table or installation of panels wiring of devices to J boxes on machinery so sometimes a few days working in the same 100 square area with bag by my side. Next life chapter found me working industrial maintenance. Found that a belt pouch with specific tools worked best for 90 percent of my work. If not then roll out the big box.
This is possibly the best video I’ve ever seen for electricians. I’m not talking about bags, belts or bull shit... The man hit it on the head... whatever works for you is the answer; as a Forman i require a pair of Klein’s , screwdriver, Tape measure & a marking Instrument (pencil or Sharpie) at all times. Once i lay them out i expect the journeyman to have certain tools for the job!
I personally carry a tool belt and pouch inside or with my tool bag. I only put it on if and when I need it.
Counter offer... full pack out system that you take apart and lay in a 7x7' radius. Packout vac included buttons ever used for pulling sting through conduit
I know I am not an electrician but I was in the military for 10 years and carried a lot of tools on a belt because I was an EOD tech. Have you looked at military belts I can send you a few links if you would like but they are padded have suspender attachments and they have locking clips so they don't disconnect on you. Food for thought I used to carry a lot of weight for a long time they are the deal
I love my tool belt I am maintenance man, and have been for 35 years I have tool belt for every job I do. Example 1 tool belt for drywall 1 belt for electrical 1 tool belt for general maintenance. For ladders I have 3-5 gallon buckets full of tools hang on the ladder that way my tools stay with me at all times.
I made my own leather dry wall tool belt
I made my own leather 5 gallon buckets tool carriers
Also made my own tool belts I use wight lifting with 3 belt holes that way never comes lose shaved down the back to make my leather tool fit then I used rivet gun to rivets to the belt on back side take 1/8 x 4" x 48" hot glue to the back leather cover up the rivets and comfortable to ware fasten the belt to gather leave that open slid the end through leather padded belt loop for right fit then buckle up. I made my own shoulder straps 1/6" x 2" x 72" I added adjustments to the leather by front buckles hole punches. Put the buckle on bottom leather with rivets add belt loop holder. on top hole bunch the leather once it's in place never unbuckles.
I use a husky utility pouch for service cause i don’t like having tools in my pockets but i have a husky bag as well where i keep all my stuff in the truck. Sometimes i have to work on ladders or bucket so the pouch definitely helps..
Cool video Dustin! God bless and take care! 👋😎👍
Depends.
On residential you can get away with tools in your pocket and a bag.
Commercial construction its best to go with a big tool belt as you will up and down ladders.
Industrial, big belt, tool bag and sometimes a gang box depending on the job.
I totally agree I work various different jobs so I carry both a bag and belt setup. If I'll be in the same area on a small job I work out of my bag, if we are doing a rough in and I'm going back and forth etc I move the tools I need from my bag to my belt this way I'm not going to my bag all the time for pipe install or running cable.
I've found using vests is best. Hip and leg pouches are fun, but something about reaching in and pulling out tools you need.
Both bag and pouch. Bag brings the tools you need from the truck to the job, pouch carries the tools you need to the exact workspot. I do install work on ladders so my pouch is great for bringing tools up to the work. When I go down, I switch out from my bag as required.
If you design it, I will build it! I've been doing custom Leatherwork for 30 years...
i use both, i carry a bag for tools i occasionally use like specialty tools or might come up and my testers. i wear a tool belt to for on hand tools what i need at the moment. and my packout for power tools and bits and what not. been a comercial electrician for about 5 years now, it's the way i was taught as an apprentice. tools used for the day in a belt as well as fastners. a bag for things that might come up in comercial you never know what you might run into, in the Army i learned its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. and a beater belt for heavy duty work.
I have a tool bag with tool pouches in it. One has wrenches and sockets and space for a level or whatever else, one has channel locks in it which can be emptied quickly if I need it, and another small empty one I load up for whatever I'm doing that day. Like he said, whatever works for you.
I generally use a tool bag with working industrial jobs because you never really know what tools you will need and it is generally a long way back to the setup/gang box. OTOH, for light commercial or residential, especially new construction, I generally wear a tool belt because I usually know exactly what I'll be working on that day and it is generally repetitive. No need to lug my entire tool collection if I am just installing devices all day. It makes having the tool readily available and increases efficiency. Definitely invest in a suspender system to take the weight off your back. That being said, I agree with Dustin about pouch design. I hate almost all pouches. They either have configurations with too many or too few slots that are not arranged to my needs. It is especially a problem for us left-handers. Canvas bags and pouches are nice, but leather is the way to go. My leather has NEVER failed.
My Dead On belt used to pop out all the time too. I fixed it by taking my channel locks and squeezing the round part of both metal spikes that stick through the holes, never had that problem again. Love the videos my electrical brother, Keep em coming
Im a maintenance electrician (appretice) and I use a tool pouch by toughbuilt 20$ and I love it. I can clip it to by belt and take it off whenever. I keep my tools in my box. I dont need to carry tools all day so the toughbuilt clips are awesome.
New construction I always use a tool belt. Fixing or doing small jobs I use bags.
I like the concept of the channel, Im pretty sure it helps a lot of young cats out there and I’d like to drop my 2 cent opinion. Regardless of what tools or how many you like to carry on your tool pouches, either way my friend you will need a tool bag, back pack or one of those tool cases with wheels, for all your hand tools and, or power tools. Having the tool you need at that right moment makes a big difference. Know what you need for the whole week and get your shit together pack it all up and have a pretty easy week at work.
Join a union and the contractor will provide all the pricey power tools & once in a blue moon tools. They'll also have them in a gang box to keep you from having to run to your truck.
As a JM my approach is the same weather construction or service. I use a Milwaukee tool backpack and smaller side bag with minimal task specific tools. Some tools in my back pocket in some situations. Tool belts aren't practical most of the time especially while doing ceiling/underground crawlspaces, trenched ducts, running conduit, ladder use, lifts, ceiling grids, pulling wire or commissioning. A belt might help with mounting boxes/terminating/supporting conductors however a small organized bag with fasteners/tools is still highly mobile. Pre task planning is key to not carry more tools than required. A tool belt restricts your movement/pacing while causing back pain. I personally wear knee pads, soft insoles and a back brace at all times. I stretch daily with heat treatment. Chronic pain sucks after years in the trade. I always laugh at guys with 50lbs of tools in/on trenches getting muddy, ceiling grids getting caught, lifts getting caught, ladders with added weight. Work smart not hard. A career is 40 years after all.
You need a pouch to carry what you are currently using, and bag for all the overflow, and your drill. Get a leather electrician pouch from Occidental Leather (5589) with the squared off bottom, that way you can just sling the pouch over your shoulder if you want to, and when you set it on the floor, the square bottom won’t tent to tip over as easy. You don’t have to wear your pouch all day, you can hang it on a ladder or a nail where you are working.
We had 3 wheel cycles with steel box on back. Contained laptop and shop made canvas pouch with steal frame a little smaller than the one you are showing. A few items clipped in shirt (or coverall) top pocket and pant pocket. Nobody carried a tool pouch.
For anyone who doesn't know, toughbuilt came out with the cliptech. You have a clip on ur belt that u can put different interchangeable pouches on, they even have a padded belt so u can have multiple clips on at a time and wear what pouch u need.... I might use the suspender trick tho, seems like it would help
I have a little pouch with only the 7 or 8 most important tools that you can do 90% of the work with, and a bag close by with everything else. There is no way I can wear all the tools I need. Knowing the exact 7 or 8 tools you need on you is the trick: Linemans pliers, level, channelocks, tape measure, cutting tool, basic flat head, multi-bit screw driver for phillips and square tips, and a voltage tester.
I’ve had a Klein leather electrician pouch for 25 years. Only gets better over time.
Carpenter/trim god/ frame lord/ cabinet maker/joiner
Use occidental electrician bag along with a trimmer nail pouch on the suspender system. Custom picked bags. Slim close to body. Use when framing/siding/ roof work.
Out of a bag when doing most other things.
Clip on pouches are great. Different rig for different job. Carts are def the fucking shit when I was in commercial world. With Elevators and a jobox to quickly put ur shit away and lock it. What’s comfortable and efficient for you, if somebody busts ur balls about not wearing bags, find someone else to work for. Preferably yourself!
DEWALT DG5582 Electrical and Maintenance Tool Carrier & Parts Tray, 11 In., 23 Pocket
I've been using this for over 2 years and I love it, I can basically carry all my hand tools and my impact driver and an assortment of screws with me to the job and usually keep it nearby but than I'll wear a small 2 pocket canvas pouch especially for rough in wiring. Most of the time if I'm finishing out I'll just put a few tools in my back pocket and I'm good to go.
I miss my BAG... my wife bought me the Klein backpack for my birthday, so of course I HAD to use it. I have gotten used to it, but miss my bag. I also have my pouch that I will put on if I need more than a few tools that are in my back pocket. Hell, up until a few years ago, I was still using a damn bucket that held everything including my pouch. Nothing wrong with just a bucket
We use heavy duty carts on wheels for all our sizable commercial or residential jobs. We put our tools and materials on them. Solves multiple issues.
I’m a carpenter going to electrical and seeing as I was taught that you always need the essentials of what’s in your tool belt but I’ve had bad back problems. But belts with a wider belt is better for ur back, suspenders are nice.
Where can I get one of those shirts? Great videos, keep up the good work!
Belts are great when you are working with your hands above your head a lot. Not having to look down to find your tools is huge and not running up and down ladders is huge too. But generally I use a bag. Out in the field I find all I need are like four tools for any given repetitive job. Toss them and your materials in a 5 gallon bucket and you're good to go most of the time.
I say both. as it minimizes trips to the truck and less trips up a ladder and allows you to have a smaller belt and you can shed unneeded tools or grab tools when needed. No pile of tools at your feet or digging through a pile of them constantly or tools that fall off a ladder and each tool has its spot in the belt for no vison grabbing.
I use both. Duh.
Love my Boulder Bags with a Klein metal quick connect belt. No-suspenders doesn't put any weight on your back, lower or otherwise. The weight is on your hips. I've customized them with some extra pouches and stuff. Take five seconds to take on/off and with the handles sort of function as a bag when off.
I started out at a non union shop and they were adamant you wore a toolbelt. The first thing my union journeyman told me was to drop the tool belt.
We got the Klein backpacks for my class. Obviously I’m just a student but I love that backpack!
Check out the vests with occidental work vests. I hate wearing a tool belt and I do find at times having a tool belt was better then having to carry a bag with me. So not I try and pick the tools I need for the job and that day and use a tool vest and I have little pouches I will add or remove depending on the job. But the vest so so much nicer then wearing a belt.
I do residential work and I use the veto mp1 for the essentials and bring a tool bag if I need any other tools
I've been waiting for a video on this topic and finally found someone who explains well
20 yr electrician, been contracting the past 6. I started on the Home Depot CLC so I liked it. Got used to it. But when I turned out, I thought I’d get the Klein bags like the big boys have. Hated it. Not organization on my tools. Then I got the Milwaukee. I’m happy with it. Never had the leathers tho. Might go that route next time.
Agree completely about hating most toolbelts. Can never find one that has a design that I need