The current tool thread got me wondering... do any of you guys use tool belts?

No, nope, nada. Probably the bottom line is: what or how do you want to do it and does it fall within safe operating practices? Do you have a buggy to run routes with? Are you climbing? All considerations should be made.

I have an electronic Ohaus scale to balance with; however, when I have a job on a roof where I have to climb to I generally use a little postal scale that fits into my shirt pocket. It is surprisingly accurate.

Always check calibration. A simple way is: a dollar bill weights exactly 1 gram. Put on five and then ten more does it weight them correctly? I also have a little ME-42 and photo tach to carry all fit into a pocket or pockets and many balance jobs are only 30 minutes.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sam Pickens,

quote:

Originally posted by Sam Pickens:
No, nope, nada. Probably the bottom line is: what or how do you want to do it and does it fall within safe operating practices? Do you have a buggy to run routes with? Are you climbing? All considerations should be made.

Run routes? My plant is only around 100,000 square feet, so it's a different circumstance than a lot of guys here. I do hardly any PdM at this point - I'm just moving in that direction now.

quote:

Always check calibration. A simple way is: a dollar bill weights exactly 1 gram. Put on five and then ten more does it weight them correctly? I also have a little ME-42 and photo tach to carry all fit into a pocket or pockets and many balance jobs are only 30 minutes.

I'm Canadian so I don't have dollar bills, but if I did they would weigh 0.96g. <g> I'm not even sure what a loonie (dollar coin) weighs... anyone happen to know? If I was a betting man I'd put the loonie at about 5g and the twonie (two dollar coin) at a bit more... 7g, perhaps.
I was about to ask what it was you were weighing with your scale, but I just figured it out. Balancing weights.

I hardly ever use a tool belt because I don't want to scratch the machines, but I do have one for when I'm working on ladders.

In my type of work, compressed air systems, I am using a limited number of tools so I have a small "fanny Pack" with multi sized Gearwrenches, and multi-bit screwdriver that accompanies me when doing the initial evaluation. Also in the kit is a Kestrel weather station and a small ifrared thermometer. It can be carried over the shoulder and gives the ability to address small problems.

quote:

Originally posted by Dale Burgess:
In my type of work, compressed air systems, I am using a limited number of tools so I have a small "fanny Pack" with multi sized Gearwrenches, and multi-bit screwdriver that accompanies me when doing the initial evaluation. Also in the kit is a Kestrel weather station and a small ifrared thermometer. It can be carried over the shoulder and gives the ability to address small problems.

I have seriously considered switching to that style for ladder work. It's so easy to take off and on, and it wouldn't constrict the waist of my coveralls which would be an issue in hot weather. I've seen electricians use those.

For years I did not, but recently I have begun wearing one to carry a scraper, small wire brush, notepad, strobe and let's not forget my chew. It has made it easier than carrying it all in my pockets or separate holsters.

I tried a tool belt but I would shed tools around the plant so I switched to a tool bag which for me is good. I also use a 4 wheel Rubbermaid brand push cart for bigger jobs such as alignments and remote accel installs.

For normal route data collection? No way. Too much to carry. If I can't figure out what the deal is with what I have me (data collector and strobe) I'll come back later with dynamite to get to the bottom of it. But it's a big enough hassel (especially at 53 ) to crawl around equipment without having that thing hanging on me
Danny Harvey turned me on to a little rear pocket holder that holds my scraper, stinger and a rag. That's all I want beside the collector, strobe, Pen and paper (sometimes I have a Ipod recorder instead of the paper).

Dave

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RRS_Dave,

For route collection I just carry a flash light,multitool and a pocket notebook.

Dave Dane