Tool Belt suggestions

[parnelli]

I've finally gotten sick of getting up and down the ladder stumbling around to find things over and over.

So....I'm looking to finally buy a toolbelt. Especially since I'm planning on doing second story windows in the spring!

Does anyone have any suggestions on what (or not) to get?

I'm open to any comments- nylon, leather, suspenders etc etc.

Thanks!

[Bill Stock]

I kinda like this one:

http://a.abcnews.com/images/Entertai...080710_ssh.jpg

[crokett]

Mine has a hammer loop. Two actually and several pockets. I would make sure yours has some accessible thin pockets to store pencils. I also have a pouch I got separately for my tape measure. Make sure the belt is a wide, strong one. The tools can get heavy.

[chopnhack]

I have used the bucket boss brand extensively and its ok for the price. The more you use a belt though the more you will notice small things like, how hard it might be to get to the bottom of a smaller pocket on a belt with stiff material, easy of adjustment and do the pockets stay where you adjust them to? Nothing worse than pocket creep IMHO :P That being said, if its for occasional use or around the house handywork and you don't use one daily almost any would do. Select according to some basic fullfilment of your needs and your wallets too.

[Tom Slick]

I have this one and mostly like it.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/d...ure=product_27
I added a hammer loop in the front. I need suspenders 'cause I got a belly but no butt or hips so just a belt slides right off.

I think for handyman type work an electrician's style is better than a framer style because it has more pockets for pliers and screwdrivers. Some cheaper belts seem to have pockets just a little too small so tools like tape measures don't end up back in their intended pocket, everything ends up in the bigger pockets.

[Thalermade]

I have an older McGuire Nicholas framer style. Split leather, not the oil tanned.

It has a hammer loop on each end (not quite the sides), 2 large and 2 medium pockets, 4 pencil holders and the center mount tape measure holder. Plus I added one of those hooks to hang a drill/driver from. Works great on the ground.

I did find when I am up on a ladder, the hammer would catch every so often when I would turn a little. So my suggestion is too make sure the hammer holder is more to the side than the front.

be safe and have fun,
Russ

[dbhost]

I don't see them online, and it's not a belt per se, but I got a Husky ballistics Nylon shop apron that has tool hoops, and pockets galore. The neck strap isn't the best, but I added a padded cover for backpack straps from the sporting goods store and it works really well....

[Uncle Cracker]

Never been comfortable with a tool belt/pouch (tried several). To me, they are very unwieldy, often get in the way, and it seems that I've always got every tool in there except the one I need...

[Shep]

Make sure you get one that fits. I received a nice leather Craftsman tool belt a couple years ago, and aparently I'm a little too skinny for it. I thought it wouldn't be a big deal until it fell of my hips one day. Don't get me wrong I'm not rail thin (size 34) but apparently I should have tried it on first.

[Rand]

I have one that I don't like very much. The nail pockets have rivets in the center of them that are just perfect for catching a fingernail. Gets painful after a while.

[Black wallnut]

I first bought just one and a belt like this. I found that to not be very comfortable. I purchased a second pouch and added suspenders. I do not know the brands I have but both are nylon, each has two hammer loops and stay open pockets.

[cabinetman]

I have a couple of electrician styles that I use rarely. I find that strapping tools on the waist can be tiring. Having the pouch catch on the ladder is another problem. If I have a variety of fasteners, I'll use a nail pouch. For the tools, I'll attach the pouch to the ladder.
.

[Handy Al]

Check this out: http://www.utilikilts.com/

One of these would be great for 2nd story work.

[Uncle Cracker]

Check this out: http://www.utilikilts.com/

One of these would be great for 2nd story work.

That would certainly leave too many tools in plain sight...

[eezlock]

tool belt suggestions

My suggestion to the toolbelt question is....how about a carpenters nail apron?
I did electrical work years ago, wearing a tool belt 8 hrs. a day, that got tiring and very heavy after a while.When you wear a heavy toolbelt with all the necessary tools ( or the ones you think you need) at the end of the day
it will drag your hip pockets to about knee level after half a day! Believe me!
The old electricians I worked with wore a nail apron, carrying only a skinning knife, 6 ft. wooden folding rule, Klein side cutters, (1) Klein screwdriver, and a
claw hammer on their side. We wired a bunch of houses all the time, and we found that lighter the load on us the easier we made it thru the workday!
Something to think about anyway.....by the way I still have that same toolpouch/toolbelt...I can hardly stand to strap it on anymore. liked the other
way better.