Electrician tool belts are definitely the craftiest tools ever designed for a modern-day handyman. As important as they are, these medium-sized tool pouches add a lot to the comfort and productivity of any professional in the electrical line of work. An electrician tool belt is a perfect alternative if you want to lay down the weight of a toolbox. If you do electrical wiring for a living you have probably faced a scenario where you need only some of your tools. Of course, you can still choose a toolbox and just load and unload it with what you need, but that is both inconvenient and time-consuming. You can never really be sure of the tools you will end up using unless you are aware of the extent of the repair that you have to do.
tool belts are also time savers and allow for an electrician to have all of their tools within arms reach without having to fumble through a tool box. Electrician tool belts come in a variety of sizes, colors and materials and can be custom made to include all of the necessary tools for any job.
Most electricians prefer a tool belt that is made from durable cordura as it can stand up to the wear and tear of the job. The most important aspect of an electrician tool belt is that it fits comfortably and does not weigh the person down. Electricians typically choose a tool belt that has several pockets to hold various sizes of screwdrivers, wire cutters, levels, tape measures and other essential tools.
An electrician tool belt can also provide convenience and help increase productivity. Imagine yourself ransacking through your bag or toolbox for every little wire you have to cut and fix. Very irritating, right? With an electrician toolbox, all your tools remain on your side; all your tools are within reach. You also won’t have to go through the trouble of climbing up and down when working on an incline since you have everything you require strapped to your body.
Considering how important this piece of accessories is, you must choose the best one that suits your needs. The challenge with choosing an electrician tool belt is that there are so many in the market that it can be confusing to decide on a particular design. To assist you, we are going to look at the top considerations you have to keep in your mind before buying one.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Electrician Tool Belt
There are several things you have to keep in mind when choosing the best electrician tool belt. Here is a list of things to consider before making a final choice.
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The Tools You Have
On top of the list of things you have to consider are the tools you have. An electrician tool bag has pockets where you store your tools. So, it is important that you choose the one that can accommodate them. The challenge is that you may need to bring a different set of tools with you every single time depending on what you are working on. However, you can strike a safe middle ground depending on the estimated type of project you always find yourself working on. A tool bag that is too large, while may be good, can be heavy and uncomfortable to wear. It also does not make sense to go for a smaller one that does not fit all your tools and accessories.
To make a decision on how many pockets your electrician toolbox should have, make a list of everything you always end up carrying. After listing them, make a decision on the size and number of pockets that can fit them and add two or three more pockets for possible adjustments. When you do it this way you won’t end up with a tool belt that is too big or too small for your needs.
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Size of the Pockets
When you have a good estimate of the tools you will be using, you can easily make a decision on the number of pockets and their sizes. Your tool bag should be able to accommodate all your tools from small pencil and chalk lines to bulkier craw hammers. How you will organize your accessories on your boulder bag should also be a factor of consideration. While it may be okay to mix some tools on a large pocket alone, others work well if they have separate pockets for different tools. Refer to your list and use it to decide on the size that suits your needs.
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Comfort
Boulder tool belt design is meant to give you an easy time while you work on your projects. But it can also cause you a headache if you are not smart enough to choose it. The most common mistake people do when using boulder bags is overloading them with tools. While this serves the purpose of keeping your tools close to you, it can make you uncomfortable because it makes you balance all your weight on your hips. The long-term effect can be hip and back problems.
The main goal of a tool pouch is that it can carry all your tools; otherwise, it will not be of much help to you. However, you do not have to give up your comfort while working. You can choose a tool belt with paddings to cushion your weight around your frame better. Even better, you can buy belt suspenders to balance everything on your back and waist better.
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The Material
The main consideration when we talk of material is durability. However, the material of your tool pouch can to some extent play a role in your comfort. Some models use non-wicking cloths design, meaning they keep sticking uncomfortably against you especially if you have to wear them the whole day. Convenience should be a concern. For instance, a very popular choice for tool belts is cordura because of their durability. But, some leather, particularly dyed ones have a tendency to bleed on your clothes if you wear them for long.
For this reason, always opt for tool belts that can absorb sweat, or dry quickly. As for leather, always go for the one that has not been heavily dyed to stay on the safe side.
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Design
A boulder tool belt’s design does not necessarily refer to the number of pockets the pouch has. Other factors such as belt straps, rings, and locks are as important. Your belt strap, for instance, should only be long enough to go around your waist comfortably. The lock mechanism, which mostly comprises of clips, should be strong enough to hold with your every move. The attachment of the tool pouch to the belt should be a consideration too. Since your work mostly involves working on a construction site where you may have to climb an incline, ring fasteners that make your pouch swing freely can be inconvenient. In this scenario, clip locks are preferable since they provide additional stability.
The Bottom Line
Tool belts are work wear that you can strap around your body with pouches of different sizes. Wearing them with a suspender can help distribute your weight across your frame. The top benefit of tool belts is that they save you time from going through all your tools. It would be irritating if you always have to go back to your main toolbox because you forgot to bring something for the project.
There are so many tool belt options available in the market today. This can make it very confusing and overwhelming when choosing the right tool pouch to carry your tools. One thing you should know though is that every tool belt has its benefits and shortcomings. There is no one choice that is best than the other. The best one will depend on your needs and preferences. So, you must consider what those preferences are first before making a final choice.
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