So I started work as an instrument operator in early February and the nail belt I was issued is not very good. In particular, the nail belt tends to slide down and my hammer tends to fall out the hammer loop. I was curious if there is a brand of nail belt that people on the forum would recommend. ?ÿ
Bump TTT
This works for we. I used to have all leather, but replaced them with Lowes products after each wore out.
I have a hammer sleeve on the right side, a duct tape pouch on the left side of my belt. Anything else I might need to carry goes in the 4wheeler, or lath bag when hiking.
For construction staking one of these is frequently more useful than a tool belt.
Nevertheless, I've been using this combination for about 15 years now.
I use a 2lb drilling hammer mostly, and it usually goes in the back of the vest rather than the hammer loop on the tool bag.
When I worked in Nebraska; everyone wore a tool belt; nobody wore a vest. Worked out good in the summer; your tan was a lot more even. We used a lot of red-heads, so that was helpful too.
When I moved to Washington; everyone wore a vest; nobody wore a tool belt. Of course; there were exceptions to the rules; but generally, this was the regional preference.
When I wore a tool belt it was usually a single pouch; slung low on my left hip. I carried red-heads, a hatchet, plumb bob, permanent marker, paint stick, scribe, and various other implements we use daily.
I think I prefer the vest, carry essentials a lot more efficiently; a hatchet tends to tear up the back pocket though.
They come in different shapes and sizes, and a wide range of prices. Get one that's going to last.
The bucket's nice for staking, and with a bucket tool pouch, you can still keep your tan even!
Less is better. Minimalize based on experience. Old age comes far too soon.
One thing I want to get for current tool belt is a magnet inside the nail pouch so that I stop losing as many concrete nails when I crouch down. I just haven't had time to find one that would fit inside without taking up too much room.
For the hammer, I would like to come up with a better solution than the loop that is so prevalent on commercial tool belts, like a quick way to strap it to my thigh, so it doesn't swing as much and the bottom of the handle doesn't dip in the mud on those rainy days.
Unfortunately, on most of the construction sites I work on you are required to wear a vest or some other hi-vis clothing. Along with hard hat, hard toed boots and safety glasses.
@oldpacer I was wondering weather using leather would be a good idea or if staking nails would wear them out over time.
You can buy a leather hammer holster that goes on a belt and has steel hinged jaws so you just slap the hammer into it instead of having to thread it into a loop. I had one, but have misplaced it. Very handy if you use the hammer often.
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Not as good as I would like but the best I have found.
@oldpacer I was wondering weather using leather would be a good idea or if staking nails would wear them out over time.
I have never had leather wear out due to nails or pointy action. It was always wet/dry, chaffing and thread rot that ended their life.