Pro Tool Reviews: This review started off as a sort of bait and switch. You see, I was asked if I would like to review “a tool belt or two” for the magazine. What should have occurred was the sound of a robotic voice, saying “Danger, Will Robinson!” Alas, I’m a bit naïve. “Sure, send them over,” I said. Choosing the best tool belt isn’t hard if you’re choosing from a couple available selections.
Of course, a week or two later I arrived home to a massive onslaught of boxes on my doorstep. A “tool belt or two” somehow evolved into a dozen tool belts with the promise of more to come. Finding the best tool belt just got a lot more time intensive.
5 comments:
I’ve been considering getting a tool belt for some time now and I haven’t been able to come to a solid decision yet. For me, I know I want nylon and I have a general idea of what I carry everyday in the shop (pencils, measuring tape, leatherman, etc.) but even that list is pretty limited based on what I can fit on my regular belt and in the pockets of my jeans. I would love to expand my everyday carry-ables in order to not have to run off to the tool room every time I need something basic. Also the benefit of having your own supply of tools is that the quality is determined by what you’re willing to provide. I definitely agree with the idea of not babying your tool-carrying device, because you need to know that it will last on the rougher days. In summation, durability, comfort, and storage are definitely the determining factors in a tool belt.
I think its safe to say that tool belts are in! As I peruse our shop here at cmu I look around and see more and more people with tool belts around their waste. I can’t argue with them either, it makes everything so easy and accessible, everything you need is right there. The thing I would be worried about is that they would pull my pants down!!!
Another useful thing about having a tool belt is you never have to be worried about someone taking your tools, for some reason people think if a tool goes untouched for 10 seconds it is up for grabs, but I cant say much because I am guilty for the same reason. It’s like a fanny pack, you always wonder why people wear them but when you think about it they are actually very useful. From looking at the products suggested in this article, it looks like a good tool belt is an investment, and you want to be sure that you buy the one that is best for you. Everyone carries around different tools and at a job site and it is important to be able to have all of them on you, so take the time and figure out what tool belt is for you.
People have told me I am easily excitable. I do not deny that I am, especially when it comes to tools and other various topics. One of those other topics is physical organization. I like things being in place. I like setting up my work station or organizing a shelf. So what happens when you combine tools and organization systems? I go a little crazy and buy 5 tool belts on amazon. I have no need for 5 tool belts and I bought them all with the intent to only keep one, and after a moth long decision, I finally returned 4. I love tool belts and bags and boxes and all that jazz (I am actually in the market for a new tool box or bag). But this article was about tool belts so I will talk about tool belts. The belt I just bought is an apron style tanned leather Born Tough carpenters belt (LOT-19). I love it. I chose it over 4 other tool belts (2 of which are featured in this article). Did I make the right decision? I do not know but I was obsessing over it for weeks so it was time to pick one. What I love about tool belts is they are comforting. Not comfortable since they are usually heavy (but they also aren’t uncomfortable), but comforting. If I am working on a project and I need a chisel, boom, its in my right pocket? Speed square? Tucked in the back. Tape measure? Right in front of me in my front pocket. I could keep going but you get the point. My other tool belt (yes I had one before I bought this one) is a McGuire Nicholas framers rig. Different from my new front facing apron style belt, this one is back facing, has more pockets and the best part: it has suspenders. I love both of my belts but they are for different things. Working in a shop to doing finish carpentry on site the apron is the way to go, but If I am on a site or doing a load in then framing rig 100%. And this brings me to my next topic: Tool belts in theater, why not? No one wears them (at least not that I have seen). If you are in a scene shop sure there are tools all around you but why not have a tool on your hip. If I put down my square, I may forget where it is so it is always tucked in my belt, I leave my right pocket mostly open for specialty tools for a project. Also I walk around a lot and no matter where I go I can do something because I didn't leave my drill or tape at my last station, or at the other end of the table. They key to utilizing a tool belt is to put things back. I have not been made fun of too much for it (atleast by people in the shop) because I think they see it helps with efficiency. On the upcoming load in I think I will wear my framers rig, not because it makes me look cool (which it does) but because it is useful and efficient. I almost forgot the most important part about my tool belt, its ability to hold screws. I can put in screws pretty darn quick because I always have some right at my hip. I could keep going but I have 3 more comments to do. Well, this comment is longer than I expected but tool belts are not something to skimp on, as they say in the article.
I've always been frustrated with finding the right tool-carrying mechanism. A bag is great, because it holds everything, but things get lost in the bottom and there's nothing I hate more than spending 15 minutes hunting through my tools to find the little thing that are swimming in the bottom. Organization is key, but how would I know what kinds of organization are best until I have spent a lot of time working with it and customizing? This review was actually helpful in that it provides a good place to start looking for a rig that I might like. While I don't do enough shop work to need a tool belt, all of the same categories apply to tool bags, carrying cases, and boxes for small supplies. I find that I need smaller tools and supplies constantly for classes, crew, and homework at home: so what can I use to carry them that will fit everything in one place and not be too bulky or inconvenient to carry? The same categories of durability, customization, comfort, and convenience apply.
The concept of a tool belt rig is not one that is really taught in school because of the proximity everything is to the shop and the lack of need for personal tools because all of our tools are stocked by the university. However, whenever I work professionally, I would never assume that the tool room is as stocked as ours is at school. I have never owned a tool belt but I can certainly see the potential that one has to offer. This Pro Tools review covers a lot of different tool belts and personally, I would have to agree with the “old school” guy when he says he prefers canvas or nylon style bags. The weight and flexibility of these fabrics are unbeatable. While I do understand the durability that leather has to offer, I could see myself not enjoying having a rigid bag tethered to my side.
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