Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

[N.E.Builder]

I was wondering what you guys use, Brand/style/ how you set it up and how it's working for you.

Thanks

[Bill Hicks]

Get Diamondbacks, best and most comfortable bags made. Hammer holster keeps it tucked underneath the pouch.

[Jim Nelson]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

Check out McRose leathers, finish apron. I have not tried it out, however I have been wearing his belt for years, and its a good one. He will custom make a belt to your specification.

http://www.mcroseleathers.com

[phillip]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

No belts. Roll around boxes and lots of duplicate tools. We leave tapes, squares, pencils, etc. all over the place. If I go to the saw there is everything I need laying right there. If I am working in a particular area then everything I need is lying close by. We were always bad about having the dropsys (it lays wherever you last used it) when it came to our tools. We fought it for a long time and finally gave in and bought enough tools to blanket the job. I literally have one small toolbox full of just tapes and chalkboxes. This sounds really inefficient, but it isn't if you don't have to pack and unpack your tools every day. When we leave at the end of the day we just push them over into a corner and go home. The next day they are right there waiting. This obviously won't work if you have to worry about theft.

Yup
A tape, knife, and pencil in every room and 2 by the saw

[Jeff B]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

by request....The only picture I have found of Dick Seibert in here:
www.jkburks.net/jlc/seibert.jpg
He's modeling the new power saw made for real men, not the sissy sidewinders made for girls. Looks like coveralls and a nail apron was the fashion of the day? Anyhow, the modeling gig didn't work out so Dick became a GC and the rest is history.

[Axis29]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

My toolbelt is actually one of the Occidental suspender rigs. It's the cordura one. It's held up very well for the year I've had it. The only reason I bought it was the old leather tooolbelt I had got acid spilled on it... I do like the suspender setup, but it's impossible for overhead work as they get in the way. I'll wear it when I'm framing, or doing rougher work, but when it's finish time, I usually use it like a toolbox and set it down where I'm working.

I am looking at the new suspendavest thing for finish work, it looks a little smaller than my big rig. Maybe I'll actually keep it on?

Admittedly though I am usually running around with a pencil behind my ear, a folding razor knife in my coin pocket (or whatever the hell you call the little pocket that never used to be good for anything) and a tape hangin off my pocket.... oh and my cell phone in the pocket on my thigh (see below re pants) and a small pile of tools where I'm working.

As for Jeans: I wear dickies carpenter's jeans. I really love the new brown duck ones. They're tough as nails, last a loooooong time and I don't mind getting them dirty. All my work pants have at least one finger wipe of calk on them. I'm like LittleBlueTruck, if I'm uncomfortable about getting dirty... I think I'm in the wrong business.

[mdannolfo]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

Damn Aaron, those are some dirty jeans. Mine are close to that bad, but not quite. I will check out the 2nd and we do have a BJs membership. I usually buy my Jean's at Bob's. Dickie's aren't warm enough in the winter, but I do have coveralls. Well, now I know there are other "hogs" out there too. You are right, as long as the work is good, who cares about me. My father is old school and roles his eyes every time he sees me. I think I have seen him wear jeans one time and he looked silly.

thanks,
mike

[timmyny]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

expensive and too big but the oxy pro framer carries everything, unless I'm in a kitchen, then no belt at all.
Some guys were talking about Amish style bags around here a while ago. Does anyne know where to check them out online? i've never even seen a set but if they designed it I bet they work well.
T

[dustinmckay]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

Not to sound snobbish, but no way jeans that dirty show up on one of my jobs. In fact, I don't wear jeans at all. I buy Dickies #874 for about $17 at Wal-Mart.

I keep a roll of paper towels around for real messy stuff, but usually have a rag in my back pocket.

They last about 2 years, and then the knees will wear out.

[littlebluetruck]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

I have "good" jeans and "committed" jeans, and they gradually cycle through. Sooner or later a "good" pair will become a "committed" pair, not always voluntarily. It is my opinion that you work much better when you are unafraid of getting dirty. The job is supposed to look good--not you. And this goes for truck, tools, clothes, everything.

See what I mean?

[SteveM]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

I keep a pencil behind my ear and a tape on my waist. No toolbelt, ever.

All it took was one gouge from my hammer hook in some $300 a roll wallpaper and that was the end of that.

[Cornerstone Tim]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

No belts. Roll around boxes and lots of duplicate tools. We leave tapes, squares, pencils, etc. all over the place. If I go to the saw there is everything I need laying right there. If I am working in a particular area then everything I need is lying close by. We were always bad about having the dropsys (it lays wherever you last used it) when it came to our tools. We fought it for a long time and finally gave in and bought enough tools to blanket the job....

I was very hesitant about posting on this thread because I may be the worst that has ever been when it comes to the "dropsy's". I too carry three or four tapes in my bag, and every time I am in an office supply store I pick-up a box of #2 pencils. I rarely wear my tool belt...just don’t like it. By the end of the day my pockets are stuffed with everything. When I do wear my belt I try to keep it very simple, and if I know it's something that I am not going to use in the next hour or so, I don't haul it around. On the larger jobs I do bring in my job box so I have everything I need close by. Trust me, un necessary trips to the van upset me, as does spending time looking for something I miss-placed. I know this is something I need to work on ;)

[bkerley]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

mdannolfo
Try the second hand and resale stores in your area also. My wife shops them fairly regularly for a lot of my clothes. You can pick up good, often designer, clothing in these places for little or nothing. Then, when they get a stain, you don't feel guilty about cutting them up for the rag pile.

[littlebluetruck]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

I have "good" jeans and "committed" jeans, and they gradually cycle through. Sooner or later a "good" pair will become a "committed" pair, not always voluntarily. It is my opinion that you work much better when you are unafraid of getting dirty. The job is supposed to look good--not you. And this goes for truck, tools, clothes, everything.

Now obviously a little neatness is in order in the interest of functionality and good taste... when they get really bad just toss 'em for goodness sake. (I use $12 jeans from Costco for most of the messy stuff.) I try and keep the Carhartts and Sorels looking nicer longer, but again, nothing makes me more uncomfortable than working in pants that I want to keep "clean."

Oh and btw, there's a reason drywaller's dress in white. :)


-Aaron II

[mdannolfo]

Re: Finish Carpenters Toolbelts

Not exactly on topic, but how do you guys keep your clothing, especially jean, clean? Mine are so dirty that I look like a hobo. They have glue stains all over them, caulk stains here and there, paint stains, dirt stains, and anything else I am working with that can get wiped on there. I always say I am going to carry a rag with me, but I never do. I feel like a hoodlum when the client comes on the job and sees me. I have a couple of "good" pairs, but they don't stay clean or good very long. I used to be self-conscious about going to the bank or out to lunch with dirty clothing on, but I have gotten used to it and sort of like it now. Brush up against a muddy car, no problem. Door has mud on it, just wipe on pants, etc, etc, etc...

My shirts tend to stay in pretty good shape, so I have that going for me. If I have a job meeting, I'll pack a change of clothing, but I hardly ever change into them. They just pile up in my truck until my dog can't fit in the back, then I take them all out.

I used to work for a guy who always had crisp neat blue jeans on. I couldn't figure out how he did it, until I realized he made me do everything that required getting dirty! He also could afford new jeans on a regular basis and I would rather buy new tools then jeans!

Ok, who else is a hog? Or how do you keep'em clean.

Not even close to on topic, not even close, but Kent got me thinking with the wife comment! Knee pads are a must when flooring, I agree.