Best maintenance tool bag?

[cstmg8]

I'm still in the elevator trade, but I'm switching from modernization to a maintenance route. I'll no longer need my huge toolbox full of tools, just a bag of some sort.
A few hand tools, wrenches, meter, etc will be on the list. What style does everyone like, backpack, wheeled, bucket....? Good brands/models?
Thanks for any input.

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[ddurrett896]

Backpack if you are walking a lot.

If not, I like the electrician bag for easy access to everything.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FI6SSKA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Catch_22]

I use this. I bought it when he first started making them.
He has expanded on it with the Yorktown, XL, Doublezip, detachable, etc. You have to figure out what you need. For me the basic is perfect. If I was to upgrade, I might do the XL just to make fitting a few long wrenches easier.

https://atlas46.com/products.html#!/Tool-Roll-Pouch/p/50335171/category=34912316

Don't like USA made products designed by ex military?
You can get this one instead.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3QL75X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mike93lx]

check at amazon com

That's like saying "go to the mall" when someone asks about clothes shopping.

To the OP, there are certainly tons of options. How organized does it need to be? Are there small parts to organize?

Would something like a Milwaukee pack out stack work?

 

[Wamsutta]

There's a popular tool bag brand that starts with the letter V.

The exact brand name escapes me at the moment.

 

[jfleisher]

https://www.vetopropac.com/

 

[Zewnten]

I use this. I bought it when he first started making them.
He has expanded on it with the Yorktown, XL, Doublezip, detachable, etc. You have to figure out what you need. For me the basic is perfect. If I was to upgrade, I might do the XL just to make fitting a few long wrenches easier.

https://atlas46.com/products.html#!/Tool-Roll-Pouch/p/50335171/category=34912316

Don't like USA made products designed by ex military?
You can get this one instead.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3QL75X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What if the OP doesn't want to run a round looking like a tacti-cool prepper?

To the OP's question I found a hard sided open bad with a plastic bottom (so sitting on wet ground wasn't an issue) and it works well, everything is to hand and doesn't weigh much. I think I got it at home depot.

 

[mike14_07]

I have a veto mc I believe is the model. I use to use clc bags but theyd bust apart every 6 months or so. 3 years and still looks like new with the veto.

 

[cstmg8]

That's like saying "go to the mall" when someone asks about clothes shopping.



To the OP, there are certainly tons of options. How organized does it need to be? Are there small parts to organize?



Would something like a Milwaukee pack out stack work?

I like to keep my tools pretty organized, otherwise I find that everything gets away from me. Mostly just tools, I'll probably keep a separate grip with parts.
I thought about the packouts with a separate box for each brand of elevator that I work on.

 

[cstmg8]

I've heard good things about the veto. If I go backpack, I like the pro.

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[Catch_22]

What if the OP doesn't want to run a round looking like a tacti-cool prepper?

Its not a ZOMBIE multitool Axe with tactical dovetails. Its a tool roll that uses 4 pouches instead of individual pockets.

The BucketBoss is a china clone of it. Id hardly call anything BucketBoss makes tacti-cool prepper stuff.

Is there other products atlas46 makes that could be seen as silly? Yes.
But I didn't link any of that. Just the original and the copycat.

 

[mike93lx]

I like to keep my tools pretty organized, otherwise I find that everything gets away from me. Mostly just tools, I'll probably keep a separate grip with parts.
I thought about the packouts with a separate box for each brand of elevator that I work on.

Could be nice to have a whole bunch of pack outs and just grab the ones you need for a particular job. Downside is the space they take and cost.

With foam cutouts, you can really keep the organized, if you are into that.

 

[Zewnten]

No I wasn't referring to the bucket boss as being tacti-cool, I was referring to the atlas46 and their only two colors being black and coyote compared to Veto's fluorescent orange, which I can see being very handy if you're using it in an office hallway or other high traffic area.

 

[paranoid56]

I love these bags
https://adventuretoolcompany.com/
made in the usa and super nice people.

 

[bwringer]

Some nice options at Duluth Trading
https://www.duluthtrading.com/workshop-and-gear/tool-storage/tool-bags/

I do like the idea of different "modules" you could swap out for working on different brands. Even if there's some redundancy, it could save a lot of time and trouble.

I do something similar with my tools; the tools for Asian machinery (12mm, 14mm, etc.) are here, the stuff for Euro stuff (13mm, 15mm, 16,mm etc.) is over there, the inch **** is way back there...

I have not the foggiest idea what an elevator mechanic needs, so I'd be very interested in some pics when you figure something out.

 

[CBassB]

I am in the elevator trade as well. I use a square leather tool pouch, made by Ideal I believe.
https://www.idealindustries.ca/products/35-325.html

CLC also makes one very similar that is cheaper. The Ideal one is not cheap, but mine is going on 10 years, and it still keeps its shape. I have enough room for a set of wrenches, pliers, a set of screwdrivers, a meter and other basics.


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[cstmg8]

I am in the elevator trade as well. I use a square leather tool pouch, made by Ideal I believe.
https://www.idealindustries.ca/products/35-325.html

CLC also makes one very similar that is cheaper. The Ideal one is not cheap, but mine is going on 10 years, and it still keeps its shape. I have enough room for a set of wrenches, pliers, a set of screwdrivers, a meter and other basics.


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Good to hear from another elevator mechanic. What part of the trade are you working in these days? I'm with Kone.

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[snickers muncher]

That's what my father in law did before he retired. I believe that he used one of those small fold up hand trucks. He had a large plastic tool box bungeed to it and used some sort of plain zipper top bag on top of the box also held by bungees. Those held his most used tools. When he had a route he had a van full of tools and latter took care of only one skyscraper where he had his own office and tool room. He always carried things like sliding calipers, small channellocks, flashlight, etc on his person.

He hates escalators with a passion. He says they're too dangerous for the general public, and judging by some of the videos I've seen I guess he's right.

 

[Szilagyi]

I found myself in a similar need of a mobile tool bag doing aircraft work. I started just using my dewalt drill bag, but have now landed on what I think is the best option for me, it's a Klein linesman bucket/bag, this particular one having lots of pockets for organization. If I remember I can take pictures of how I have it set up, and for size comparisons. I carry a roll up wrench set, 1/4 socket set, screwdrivers, dewalt driver and a bunch of other little things.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TW5PUK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[sweet victory]

Photo of my Veto Tech Pac MC-LT. Freaking awesome if you need to carry a combination of tools and a laptop/tablet. They have one without the laptop sleeve that allows for more hand tools. I use this bag for field service engineer work and love it.





For around the house I have the veto tech mct. Perfect for carrying pliers, screw drivers, multi meter, milwaukee m12 tools, etc. It's got enough tools to do some hvac, plumbing, electrical, etc.




Out of all the Veto products, the TP4B is my favorite and most used tool pouch. I'm renovating my house so when I change fixtures, outlets, mounting a tv/art, etc, this is all I need. I carry my milwaukee hex driver, drill bits, impact bits, 11 in 1 screw driver, a few pliers, tape measure, small level, laser guide, and few other things in here that can do 80% of what I need around the house. It's rare that I have to pull out the tech mct.

 

[sparky 1971]

I don't know how or care to post links. I have the Occidental Leather 5585 Journeymans tote. It is expensive, but it should last many years. Open top so I can see everything and the pockets are small enough that nothing can really fall over and get buried/hidden in the bottom.

 

[gearhead1]

I don't know how or care to post links. I have the Occidental Leather 5585 Journeymans tote. It is expensive, but it should last many years. Open top so I can see everything and the pockets are small enough that nothing can really fall over and get buried/hidden in the bottom.

The journeyman mechanics where I work are using these or something very close. The leather is thick and very durable.

 

[1950mercury]

I've been a commercial HVAC tech for 25 years and the veto bags are by far the best I've used. I've had my current one for over 5 years. Most bags last a year to a year and a half.

 

[JordanOH]

Klein bags are lifetime guarantee.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MS16CU6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JRas]

Backpack if you are walking a lot.

If not, I like the electrician bag for easy access to everything.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FI6SSKA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I use the bigger version of that one.

Besides being imported, It's a great bag. Only thing I've had to do is tighten the grab handle occasionally when I see it getting loose.

Took the shoulder strap off, probably should of kept thing is heavy..lifetime warranty. Owned for ~3 years.

I've seen the nice backpacks etc but I carry small supplies, wire nuts, staples, drywall screws, anchors, etc need a plastic organizer like it has built in.

 

[IUEC Medic]

I’m a repair mechanic for Schindler. I keep have several different bags/boxes on the truck... My main “go-to” bag is a veto pro-pac backpack and I have a large clc backpack set up for escalators. But I’m also working out of a dually longbed with a lift gate so I’ve got lots of room.


Good luck in service! What’s your route look like? Ours have started getting pretty stacked up... I’ve heard of guys having 150+ units.

 

[stroked80z28]

I work for the IUEC out of Local 19 as a service mechanic. I have used several VetoProPacs, I had a bad habit of overloading them. The bags handle the weight easily but I got tired of lugging around all kinds of tools that I did not need for every job. I have the MC, TechMCT, TechPac, MB and MB2. Currently I use an MB2 for my meter, service tool, jumpers, fuses, pliers and screwdrivers. For wrenches and other small hand tools, I carry a small CDC tool box.

 

[BMack37]

Veto is the best but they're heavy and expensive.

I like CLC, for cheaper bags because they're light but durable(depending on the trade) and they're fairly well thought out. They also make Dewalt bags.

Husky's new(the past 2-3 years) bags are really good. I'm pretty sure they're made by Bucket Boss. They also have clip-on accessory bags/pouches/bit holders and extra clips to make use of those. Definitely worth doing.

I'm a big fan of customizing your bag. I normally use an awl and nylon for adding things to bags. Use paracord on the handles if they're the nylon strap type.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've had my main portable toolkit in a veto pro pack - I think it's an LC for several years.

It's been tossed in and out of my truck hundreds of times, used in mud and rain, and drug in and out of all kinds of places.

The Veto bags are tough. They have good zippers. They open so you can see the tools - there is a pocket for everything so you can easily see if you lost something, and they close up so the tools stay put in their spot. They have a plastic base (see the pictures above) so you can set them down in mud or a puddle and they don't get wet inside.

Yeah they are heavy and expensive, but if you are a pro, there is no excuse for not having one.

 

[cstmg8]

Update:. I went with the Veto backpack. So far I'm impressed with the build quality and storage space. It would be very easy to overload to an unmanageable weight, lol.
The comfort of the straps, fitment and padding on the back surface is great.

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[mrjaw14]

I have a veto mc I believe is the model. I use to use clc bags but theyd bust apart every 6 months or so. 3 years and still looks like new with the veto.

I have a CLC bag that I've had for 15 years that still looks great. Doesn't see daily usage anymore, but did for 5-7 years of it's life.

 

[jimreed2160]

Milwaukee Packout. Best ever.

 

[Climatecreator]

Love my veto MC...it's my main service bag.

CC

 

[barnettnce]

Buy a Milwaukee backpack. I am very happy to use this bag. Great Backpack and lot of space.