Field Service Technician Thread

[decaf]

My biggest Issue working in the field is a balance between what i need to carry for tools in my pouch and weight. I use to have a tool bag and after 4 years realized it was to cumbersome to always carry. I made the switch to a tool pouch and never looked back. Sure I have to make more trips to my van but at the end of the day my back thanks me. I currently carry a Dead on Electricians bag.

I have a big issue with not having all the tools with me. I hate having to go down to the job car to retrieve what I have missed. Sometimes I had to go down 3-4 times. So then I decided to always carry with me all my tools. It gets heavy but it's worth it.

These are a few of the latest tool bags I've had.

The Parat was horrible to carry around. It weighed approximately 35 pounds with all the tools.Though it was very structured and includes everything.

When I finally got tired of carrying around the bag after 4 years, I decided to get a backpack. Then I bought a Stanley Fat Max. Very nice to carry around.

I do not know what it was but I think I did not like the structure of the backpack. So I bought an open bag type. An electrician / service bag. That's the one I have today. I like the openness and the ability to quickly get an overview of what tool you need. It is quite small and easy to carry on the shoulder. We'll see when I get tired of it too?

 

[zuk123]

Hey MrJaw, missed your post.

"I coil EVERYthing over-under...even the darn garden hose LOL"

Me too! On the west coast we called this a 'video wrap' because the vidiots used it on coax. Now I AM a vidiot, and I use it on everything.

zuk

 

[jeffmoss26]

I learned how to coil over-under from the Director of Media Services at my college, who I would NEVER call a vidiot. He's a damn genius!

 

[zuk123]

Hey Decaf, thanks for sharing! Those are some well organized bags. I've been working around the house and shop with an open top bag like your last, and I find one annoying thing that would keep me from using it as a field bag.

Every time I set it down, if I'm too close to something, it lifts the tools out of the exterior pockets. If I put it on the floor of the back seat of the car, the seat catches and lifts the screwdrivers. If I put it on the floor next to my workbench, the WALL will lift a driver if I rub against it. That one aspect drives me nuts!

Oh, and I tend to throw left overs and scraps into the top of the open bag, just because it is convenient. I tell myself I'll empty it out when I get home, but it seems that I rarely do.

Zuk

 

[zuk123]

Hey Jeff, there are a lot of scary smart people working in production. And there is a lot of 'inter-service' rivalry too......

I've been on most sides of it now, having worked pretty much all aspects except makeup and hair, or costuming (although I did work in a costume shop for one semester.)

Vidiots, noise, sparkies, wood butchers...usually it's all in good fun, but occasionally you do run into a house where it has gotten toxic. Then it is REALLY not fun.

I do miss the camaraderie, but I don't miss the (minimal) paycheck

zuk

 

[jeffmoss26]

vidiots, squeaks, squints, the good old days!

 

[Slip_Kid]

I tried the open pouch (tote) and liked it but it had a few drawbacks. It didn't keep the weather out, plus everyone can see what's in your tool bag. I will stick with my Veto LC bag.

 

[Phog Allen]

Wow. This is a great thread Holt. I don't know if I qualify as a field tech but I do a lot of industrial/commercial electrical maintenance and some low voltage card access work at university. A great many buildings scattered over a LOT of acreage. Most times in a van or utility bed truck but at times afoot. My daily carry pouch is a Klein 5167 This is a pouch designed perfectly for electricians. There is even a narrow slotted pouch on the right side made for bullet/torpedo type levels. I have carried it for over a decade. All the pouches and driver slots are perfect for the trade. I don't know who designed this for Klein but they most assuredly knew the electrical trade.

Two issues come up with this pouch though. Extra length screwdrivers and...anything else you don't need on you at all times. Holt I was really appreciative of your posts in thread about precision pliers and the one about tool cases for them and insulated tools. I see this is the thread you linked to that has the great photographs by Decaf and his Parat tool case. That set of photos makes me all weak in the knees. As I mentioned in the other thread our maintenance work can cover a lot of different jobs. Electrical, commercial appliance, data(minimal), and even card access. I am getting to the point that I have to add certain things like precision pliers and drivers. The insulated stuff is simply a must have for maintenance. And the keeping of them is just as important. You CANNOT compromise the insulation rating on hand tools. Greasy hands, banging around in old metal tool boxes or even simply up against other tools is not an option. Not if you want to be safe. Besides, I am freakish about keeping tools organised and I like them to be where I expect them.

So with that can someone tell me if the Parat cases are available in the States? I seem to recall there is a brand or two available here that seem to be fairly well made. Chicago Case maybe? The biggest issue I have are those pallets you buy to put in them. Honestly, they look very cheesy to me. Do they hold up well? Sorry for the longish post but I am quite interested in the carry gear you guys describe. Always looking for the best solution. And Holt, I agree with you. There really is no perfect solution because each person's needs differ a bit. Even the 5167 has some things I would change for ME.

 

[Phog Allen]

I have to give props to Decaf. Great photos and superb tool orginisation. Great to see those Wera screwsticks as well. I have been converting my pliers over to Knipex from Klein these last few years. I am completely sold on Knipex. Now I want to try the Wera drivers. I still carry the Klein cushion grip screw and nut drivers. Love them. But I am more than willing to try Wera. Does anyone here know if the somewhat over sized handles on the Wera make storage or pouch use a bit awkward?

 

[decaf]

I have to give props to Decaf. Great photos and superb tool orginisation. Great to see those Wera screwsticks as well. I have been converting my pliers over to Knipex from Klein these last few years. I am completely sold on Knipex. Now I want to try the Wera drivers. I still carry the Klein cushion grip screw and nut drivers. Love them. But I am more than willing to try Wera. Does anyone here know if the somewhat over sized handles on the Wera make storage or pouch use a bit awkward?

Thanks , and that's another issue I have. I want good order in my bag. Otherwise, it takes several minutes just to find my tools before i can start working. it would make me crazy.

You can not go wrong with Wera and Knipex. They are like a godsend.
Honestly, I know that many in here are buying Snap-On and Channelock or other brands made ​​in the USA. To support their homeland or feel pride in what their country can produce. I buy that. While I am looking for the tools that I like / think is best!

So Happy New Year to all and hope that 2013 will be a fantastic tool year!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Just got this box off eBay, using it for my sound/CCTV toolbox now. Have not taken it into the field, but everything fits which is #1!

 

[kc-steve]

Wow. This is a great thread Holt. I don't know if I qualify as a field tech but I do a lot of industrial/commercial electrical maintenance and some low voltage card access work at university. A great many buildings scattered over a LOT of acreage. Most times in a van or utility bed truck but at times afoot. . .

I could be wrong, and the older I get, the more wrong I get . . .

But I think the definition of "field service technician" has expanded in recent years. I have covered as much as the entire USA in one company and as little as a 4-state area with my last company. Worrying about whether you have the necessary tools was much more important than how many I had to physically walk from the rental car or tool truck. If I didn't have a tool or part, I ended up in a motel room waiting for it via FedEx.

I wouldn't have called what you do field service. Sorry.

Steve

 

[SantaAna12]

I like these:
1. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002RI670/?tag=atomicindus08-20
2. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042T23UK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
3. http://gmptools.com/nf/06265.htm

 

[Holt]

Wow. This is a great thread Holt. I don't know if I qualify as a field tech but I do a lot of industrial/commercial electrical maintenance and some low voltage card access work at university. A great many buildings scattered over a LOT of acreage. Most times in a van or utility bed truck but at times afoot

Thank You... I do also think you qualify as a Field service tech. I made the switch from Klein to Wera and Knipex. I never looked back. I was tired of drivers and cutters crapping out on me in a month time frame. I still have not found a perfect or even close solution to carrying my tools. This looks interesting though.
http://www.bestbelt.com/product.php?sku=9085&type=

And this was just announced

 

[coop]

I work for a coffee roaster. The team under my direction is responsible for the care and feeding of all our six cafes, three QC labs and roasters. We install equipment packages for wholesale accounts.For field work i use a Jensen JTK-87WW for hand tools, calibration equipment fills a HF 18x13x6 hard case, and parts go in polycarbonate clamshell lid totes. I used to carry a CLC shoulder bag, and various other open bags, but am never going to stray from a wheeled case. My shoulder thanks me daily.
I got the Jensen on Ebay for $50 after looking for a long while. I was nearly ready to drop $350 on a new Chicago case, but held out and found "he one". I used to have a mix of my own and work-provided tools, but slowly sourced all for myself and passed the work tools back into our cache.

 

[afirover]

I'm a packaging tech I drive all over the midwest IN,OH,KY,IL,MI,PA
When someone makes a wiget it goes in a bag,box what have you when it stop doing that they call me I use
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=736910&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

rolls like a dream and hauls all my gear

 

[Holt]

Wow 750$. Im out on that but it sure does look bad azz. Any inside pics

 

[zuk123]

Yikes! I can replace all my bags for that!

Well, I do have a single piece of luggage that cost $750 and I consider that money WELL spent, so I guess this is one of those "works for me things."

I'd love to see the inside.

zuk

 

[montanafordman]

Wow, I'm not a field service technician but the thread was a fun read. I am a pilot though and the travel time away from home really struck a chord with me. Its too bad in a way because flying is my passion and I love doing it, but I can't stand being gone so much which is why I was miserable at the regional airline I once worked for. I'm now flying much more locally for a small cargo company flying medical specimens, bank documents, and pharmaceuticals. We currently don't have any overnights (but I work nights) and have weekends off. The flying is a lot of fun but the equipment is small (6-10 passenger size planes) and mostly older than I am. I get tempted by shiny jet syndrome, and seeing lots of different places and long term higher pay, but for me, for now the sacrifice is not worth it. I'd ALMOST rather start turning wrenches or work at the local big box store. These days pilots don't make much money either (seriously, you have no idea) and it certainly doesn't justify being gone 20+ days a month.

 

[Walterchang]

I have bad so many different bags and boxes for my field kit it's silly. My biggest issue is my job duties vary greatly and I need to have all types of tools and rigging hardware. I'm a Remote Head Tech in the motion picture industry. I have to travel every where in the world with my tools. I currently have a pelican 1620, 1510, 1560, plus several smaller ones for fragile bits. I hate them all. The 1620 fully loaded up for out of country work weighs 80 pounds. The 1510 is almost never used anymore not big enough. The 1560 is going to be "the setup" this year, I need to condense, organize, and prioritize.


Another huge issue is my kit usually gets shipped with the gear and I sometimes go straight to another job. I would check my tools on my flights but I don't want to pay for it, I am going to need to make a designated second kit that I only use in those instances.

When my kit comes back from Melbourne I will post a pic of the disaster that is my box.

 

[pilotman81]

Great thread Holt! Just found it after about a year on GJ. I work on natural gas compressors and large stationary engines. I'll try and post some pics of my tools and box when I finish at the nuclear plant that I'm working now (don't need to bring anything here!). Can't wait to finish reading all of the posts here and see more of what my fellow road warriors are up to.

 

[catch2otwo]

wow ill bump this thread. Im a field service tech and have been looking for a new tool box or bag. My only criteria was that it needs to be under 15 inches wide so it will fit on my cart. Lots of great ideas in here

 

[zuk123]

Walter, That sounds like a good gig!

I built scenery in LA for a couple of years. Did some cool stuff, but working in the shop there is a lot of repetition. We did mostly high end commercials, so there was lots of budget and lots of toys on shoot days. Unfortunately, even when working standby, there was never any time to really see anyone else's stuff. The camera gear and rigging always fascinated me. The combination of super precision high tech machining, and down home, get it done, field expedient problem solving solutions is something that has to be seen to be believed.

I hope you get just exactly as much opportunity to be creative as you want and can stand!

The being away from home still has to **** though.

The funny thing for me, now that I'm not traveling is -- I don't miss it. In the past I always have. Couple of weeks at home and I was working the phone. Itchy feet. I guess the difference this time is two little girls who change so much from day to day that I don't feel like I could miss a minute of it.

PilotMan81, we REALLY don't need you to try to get pix from where you are now!! We're happy to wait for something that won't get you dog piled and handcuffed....

catch2otwo- there seem to be as many boxes as there are guys and styles of work, but I'm sure you'll see one or 2 things you can use in this thread. thanks for the bump.

zuk

 

[danielhp89]

As an Electronics tech. installing two-way radios I carry my tools in this bag.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DYVHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Carry craftsman scredrivers, craftsman pro strippers, craftsman crimpers, channel locks, 2 pair of vise grips, allen wrenches, fluke meter, ratcheting rg58 crimpers, wire ties, set of standard and metric pittsburg wrenches, and assorted crimp connectors, gear wrench 4 in 1 small and large metric and standard ratcheting wrenches. I have tried a couple bags, and this bag is the best I have found. In the shop I have a 1973 craftsman box which I have been filling with snap on and knipex tools via ebay.

 

[pilotman81]

Some of my stuff. More to follow.

 

[archirelic]

Some of my stuff. More to follow.

In your last picture, the one with the Knipex Cobra pliers...does that one pair have orange/black comfort grips? Who rebadged them?

 

[pilotman81]

In your last picture, the one with the Knipex Cobra pliers...does that one pair have orange/black comfort grips? Who rebadged them?

Yes they do. Matco. I got them off of a guy outside Oklahoma City last summer.

 

[RedBKM]

I work as a field service tech for a state agency. We service mobile and portable radios as well as tower sites and offices. I would estimate about 25% radio, 25% tower site, 10% phone, 40% computer. My area is 15 counties including 11 tower sites.

My truck has a Space Kap classic and this is my setup. My tool bag is mostly hand tools and a 40+ year old Snap-On 1/4 socket set in a tin case. The set was the original set purchased for my position back in the 60s.

The gray boxes in the picture hold the heavy stuff and parts. The little controller on the right box is a remote for my 2500W AC inverter.

 

[Craptain]

I used to be an amusement vending tech. Jukes, pinball, pool etc. Mostly electronics but a healthy amount of light mechanical and some construction/install as well. My everyday tools were pretty much the same as when I worked in the shop. Fluke meter, soldering, screwing and wrenching tools. Also a few telecom tools, as these often helped with diagnosis. I walked on site with a SO ratcheting screwdriver and a pair of Klein pliers. The rest of the tools stayed in my truck unless needed. I also had my installation tools which included hammer-drill and bits, saws and even hammers and wrecking bars. The service tools were kept in a carry case and the install tools in a couple of Craftsman boxes and original cases. Also had a couple of tackle boxes for parts.
I still have my old case somewhere in the shop, and will add pics if I can find it. I actually still have all of my tools, some re-purposed and some just because they are tools and I like tools. Even the ones I no longer use.

 

[nev]

I have the same stanley fatmax back pack. Will post pics later.
Had a CK(eell known electrician tools in uk) but could not get used to the lay out

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Dave455]

I have dabbled in machine repairs for a number of years, my little tool bag has most of what I need for a multitude of jobs. This is one of the last US made versions of these bags, probbally never be able to find a replacement!

Steve

I have one of those bags I bought for exactly the same purpose!

Mine came from a surplus shop in the east end of London called Silvermans! Mine is U.S. made and I just checked their website and they still have them, priced at £13! (listed as a U.S army tool bag). Assume they are still U.S. made.

Silvermans tend to source stuff from the original manufacturers long after the military have found somewhere cheaper! Their biggest custiomers are service personnel who find the cheaper replacements useless!!

Great bags!

 

[nev]

My fatmax bag. Needs more added to it. Crimper, hammer, molegrips were on my bench
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[nev]

Oh and this comes on nearly every job!



Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[vidtech]

I'm a filed tech for a local AV company. Right now, I am just using the standard issue laptop bag they gave me when I started. (on the second one now, blew out the first one) With AV stuff involving computers so much now, I have my laptop, charger, interface cables, test cables, hand tools, a 12V Milwaukee drill, some bits, tape, spare connectors and adapters. Needless to say, this bag is very heave. More so when my ladder is on my other shoulder.

If anyone is aware of it, what I (and my fellow techs) are trying to find is a backpack that can carry our laptops and still have our tools organized in a useful manner.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

nev how heavy is thath backpack does it hurt your shoulders

 

[decaf]

My fatmax bag. Needs more added to it. Crimper, hammer, molegrips were on my bench
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

That bag swallow a LOT of Tools, without hurting the shoulders.

I´m starting to like mine after 2 years.

But it weighs a bit too much now 24kg or 59lbs.
it's not comfortable anymore

Anyway, its a great backpack....

 

[Holt]

Vidtech check out the new veto propac back pac coming out.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Here's my bag from a side job this AM. I think it's time to replace it!

 

[Holt]

Hey jeff what is in the paladin case in the picture.

 

[jeffmoss26]

That's my Ideal VDV tester.
http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=33-856&div=2