What is the best tool pouch? - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

subelect · 04-14-2009, 08:31 AM

My old pouch is just about shot and I wanted to know what the best one out there is.
Besides the holes worn in the sides of my existing pouch, I don't like the one large pocket for my dikes, strippers...etc. It always seems like they fall in sideways and are a bear to get out when I am in a hurry.
Do the leather ones work long enough to justify their expense or do you stay with the other choices?
I plan to reuse my existing belt and suspenders.
Thanks,
Rick

Frasbee · 04-14-2009, 08:46 AM

I bought the custom leather craft nylon/cordura pouch at home depot and am pleased with it so far.

It won't last nearly as long as a good leather pouch but my favorite thing about it is that it has 3 screw driver slots on both sides, and I have a routine with it now.

Plus if carrying it around on a belt isn't practical it comes with a shoulder strap to snap on to it. It's a good system for me.

Jeff000 · 04-14-2009, 09:11 AM

I like my Klein pouches. And I love the cordura over leather. Not sure why though. But it has a spot for all my tools, and isnt too big.

480sparky · 04-14-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subelect

What is the best tool pouch?

There is no such thing.

There may be a best tool pouch for you and the work you do, but there is no such thing as 'the best tool pouch'. If such a beast existed, then there would only be one tool pouch made.

Frasbee · 04-14-2009, 07:03 PM

Very true.

I had a wonderful system for my belt during commercial work, tool pouch on my left arranged in a specific manner, and my general pouch on my right for fasteners, level, and pencil/marker.

Now that I'm doing residential I realized I don't need to carry all the tools I used to, and customize my belt and pouches according to what I'm doing. Sometimes I put the belt on, sometimes I only carry the pouch on a strap. Or neither and just use my pockets.

william1978 · 04-14-2009, 09:36 PM

This is the pouch that I like, but not everyone likes a big pouch.

gilbequick · 04-14-2009, 09:42 PM

The best tool pouch is the one you carry. You can buy the most expensive fancy-pants tool pouch on the planet but it's not gonna do you squat if you don't use it.

nolabama · 04-14-2009, 10:07 PM

i have recently changed over to a five gallon bucket with bucket buddy from ideal and i love it - gasoline and diesel fuel does not seem to damage the bottom of it either

CFine · 04-14-2009, 10:20 PM

I just use the Klien 10 pouch tool bag, i load up with what i need for the day for what i'm doing then the rest i put in my locked tool box. that way i'm not carrying around all my tool, but i got every thing i need right by my side. only thing i hate toting around is my damn drill. haven't found a holster that i like for it yet.

electricalperson · 04-14-2009, 11:12 PM

i hate carrying a drill too. i bought the 10.6 volt drill to drive screws with. makes life easier

CFine · 04-14-2009, 11:54 PM

Drill is supplied by the company, half of us got dewalts or milwakee's. mine barely holds a charge, i'm lucky to get 2 hours of of each battery i have right now. sadly we are using preformed receptacles so i been finding my 10 in 1 to be very useful. i only use the drill when i got too. the JM hates it but he understands its faster just suggests i use the drill when i got to hang boxs real quick which i do then change out the mud rings and move a few to deeps or 4' 11s if i have too. but yea i wanna throw that drill out of the 7 story window and get a new one. lol

Mike_586 · 04-15-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricalperson

i hate carrying a drill too. i bought the 10.6 volt drill to drive screws with. makes life easier

I picked up the Milwauke 12V driver. With a few long bits, I don't even carry screw drivers on me anymore and its actually cumbersome than a bunch of different screw drivers.

As far as the best tool pouch goes. I'll agree with 480sparky. There simply isn't one. Everyone has different needs, tools, etc.

Personally I use an Ideal 35-975 Tuff-Tote to carry my tools around in, and on my tool belt I have a soft leather 3 bag pouch on one side and a couple small tool pouches on the other. Some guys like those big tool holders that can hold all the tools they ever use....

Its all a matter of personal taste and what works for you. As long as whatever system you come up with is efficient I don't see that it matters.

JohnJ0906 · 04-15-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william1978

This is the pouch that I like, but not everyone likes a big pouch.

That is the one I use. I had one last about 10 years. Easy to organize, and wears like iron.

I replaced it with a cordura nylon one (Klien as well) and it didn't hold up well at all. After about a tear and a half, I replaced it with another leather one.

ralpha494 · 04-15-2009, 03:00 PM

Which ever one you decide on, make sure you get a padded/ergonomic belt. I use a Carhartt nail apron. The weight is in front, not on either side. Minimal tools in the pouch, with my tool caddy, and 7-gallon bucket close by.

480sparky · 04-15-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william1978

This is the pouch that I like, but not everyone likes a big pouch.

I use the same one, with a leather 4-pocket nail pouch on the other side for wire nuts, EMT fittings, etc. I made my own tape holder and bolted it onto this. I also use a seperate hammer loop.

If I'm roughing NM in, I don't even wear a toolbelt. At least when I'm drilling and roping. Wire cutters in my back pocket is all I need. When I go back to do staple/stuff/make-up, then I wear the pouch, but only with the tools I need.

76nemo · 04-15-2009, 03:41 PM

Just me, but leather, (soft leather), by all means!!!! Take the time to find the one that suits you best for the tools you carry for the job.

electricalperson · 04-15-2009, 06:19 PM

i rarely wear a tool pouch for anything other than ballast changes. i need a lot of tools for that. 4 different nut drivers 1/4, 5/16,3/8,11/32 linemans, meter, dikes, slotted and philips screwdriver

Adam12 · 04-15-2009, 11:54 PM

Electricians comfort combo.

http://www.boulderbag.com/electrian.htm

chrusis · 05-06-2009, 01:53 AM

You can try Occidental leather,they use the best leather on market www.bestbelt.com.I had one last about 3 years and is like new.

NevadaBoy · 05-07-2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frasbee

I bought the custom leather craft nylon/cordura pouch at home depot and am pleased with it so far.

It won't last nearly as long as a good leather pouch but my favorite thing about it is that it has 3 screw driver slots on both sides, and I have a routine with it now.

Plus if carrying it around on a belt isn't practical it comes with a shoulder strap to snap on to it. It's a good system for me.

I use the CLC 3 piece combo(right pouch, left pouch, and padded belt). I've used it for 5 years in some really rough environments and it's holding up great. I'm positive it'll last another 5-10 years. I know several other guys with the same bags for 10 years. The come with handles so they're a lot easier to carry around if you don't want to wear them. I like them a lot. I'm considering buying another set to keep for the future in case they don't make them anymore. Although by the time they wear out I hope not to need to carry bags anymore.

http://www.goclc.com/products/detail001.asp?partNo=5607