Hey everyone! I recently started a job as an industrial plant mechanic. Switching from a diesel mechanic after 20 years. I work in waste water treatment plant. I’m setting up a bag/tote to carry with me when going to jobs in basements and such. I’m looking at the Milwaukee 15 inch pack out tote. But was curious what anyone else would recommend!! Thanks everyone
Plant mechanic tool bag/tote
- Thread starter joedodge
- Start date
I’ve been looking at the veto stuff. Man that’s some nice stuff. Looks worth the price. I like the small back packs they make. I honestly don’t know what wana go with lol
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Have you decided what tools you need to carry?
Pretty much yeah. Some combination wrenches, small hammer a few chisels, pry bar, some various pliers and adjustable wrenches, allen wrench sets, multi way screwdriver and some nut drivers, a couple scrapers, wire brush. That kinda stuff is the basic go to unless we need to go back to our service trucks
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,360
Joe I have the Milwaukee backpack and love it. A friend of mine that's a painter was doing all the painting at the facebook data centers in Altoona and won it in some sort of raffle or safety award type thing. He said it didn't work good for his paint stuff so wasn't going to use it. I didn't think I would really have a use for it either but I was wrong. I keep all my basic hand tools and an M12 drill and impact in there and take it everywhere with me. Has saved me a bunch of times when I needed that one tool I didn't expect. It's heavy so I don't use it as a backpack but it has nice handles on it to carry it. I've been using it for about 2 years now and it's held up great. It does tend to collect a ton of random stuff in the bottom as I'm working so have to dump it out every few months and clean it out. Not sure if that's what you're looking for or not but might want to look into them.
Thank you! I was hoping you’d chime in!! I have also been eyeing the backpacks from Milwaukee. I’m so used to having my toolbox right there. It’s different to really need to pick out the stuff I need to avoid trips up and down stairs lol.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
A backpack might be easier on your back compared to a tote hanging on one shoulder and easier than wheeling a tote up/down stairs
kngelv
Well-known member
Wastewater plants equal fluid spills and grated walkways. I would strongly advise getting either a backpack type or something like the Veto TP-XXL or the LC bags. You don't wanty to accidentally tip over an open bag and watch stuff fall throught the grates. Also make sure you have a nice plastic base on the bag for setting it down in standing water/puddles if necessary.
James
James
A back pack is definitely something I am considering. I guess my worry is getting it to heavy to want to carry
Plastic base is an absolute must. Ya know I never considered accidentally kicking it over.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
That list seems manageable in a backpack but you could get one of the Packout backpacks and add a wheeled base later if you decide to carry a lot more stuff.
redwrench60
Well-known member
I would also recommend a backpack with a plastic base. If your job leans more towards technician work or the electrical side, I’d get the Klein backpack. It’s definitely designed with screwdrivers, pliers and meters in mind. The Milwaukee is definitely designed more for mechanical work and maybe some light electrical. The Milwaukee is bigger/thicker and heavier and you really have to be careful not to overload it.
Thank you! We have plant electricians. So I’m basically working on pumps and valves, conveyor systems. Screening machines and such. I’ll have to take a closer look at the Milwaukee backpack. Im
Not sure why I never considered a backpack on my search
I’m a maintenance fitter in a food production facility. Vinyl tool bags are all the rage.
I use one of these:
Hard base. Lockable. Vinyl so you can hose it out clean.
Might be a bit small for you, but theres heaps of that style bag around.
Backpack style:
Look onto mining supplier sites.
I use one of these:
Hard base. Lockable. Vinyl so you can hose it out clean.
Might be a bit small for you, but theres heaps of that style bag around.
Backpack style:
Look onto mining supplier sites.
I don't subscribe to big brands.
Work provides me with a simple 16" toolbag like this, and I have a similar one (my own) at home.
Work provides me with a simple 16" toolbag like this, and I have a similar one (my own) at home.
Custom Leathercraft 1529 16-Pocket, 16-Inch Center Tray Tool Bag : Custom Leathercraft: Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
Custom Leathercraft 1529 16-Pocket, 16-Inch Center Tray Tool Bag : Custom Leathercraft: Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
www.amazon.ca
Snapped-off
Well-known member
I use this bag. Has a laptop sleeve and hard bottom. I didn't go with the deeper bag because I've gotta climb ladders occasionally.
Fits mostly everything I need. I toss a socket set in when it's needed.
Fits mostly everything I need. I toss a socket set in when it's needed.
Nick Rivers
Well-known member
Looking at your list of the tools you plan to carry, I'd go with a lightweight tool belt that incorporates a shoulder harness. This keeps both hands free and unlike a backpack, the weight is distributed on your hips and not just your shoulders/back.
MODbox by Klein:
Side pouches are optional:
MODbox by Klein:
Side pouches are optional:
I'd use a 5 gallon bucket and $10.00 huskey bucket organizer. Throw a grease gun in one of those backpacks or totes and see what happens. The gun will ride in the middle of the bucket. Get a extra $5.00 bucket to carry the extra material in if it gets to heavy. Easy to rope up on a roof. Get a rubbermade cart to push it all in from the service truck. Ever try to make a seat out of one of those back packs?
rkevins
Well-known member
Klein makes some nice bags too, our electricians and one of our maintenance techs in the hospital carry them, I have a husky (I think) brand that I use but usually have it setting on a cart when I take it, a lot of the things we work on you can do with the tools you can carry in your pockets.
I do electrical and mechanical plant maintenance and use a Velocity Rogue 3.0 XL Open Tote. (Pretty sure VETO do a similar bag as I heard velocity are annoying to get outside the UK) I put my spanners in a spanner roll and have a wera socket set as its very compact vs other options and swapped out less used sockets and 1/4" bits for ones I use and added a stubby ratchet too that live in the middle compartment, and use parts bags to store smaller bits and regular consumables in like chainlinks, glands, fuses, spare nuts and washers etc and another with drillbits and taps in.
Some of the guys I work with use Stanley FatMax backpacks and seem to like them.
Personally if you'll be doing a lot of climbing ladders / up and down stairs or walking long distances etc I would go with a backpack that opens fully up to give full access to everything.
Some of the guys I work with use Stanley FatMax backpacks and seem to like them.
Personally if you'll be doing a lot of climbing ladders / up and down stairs or walking long distances etc I would go with a backpack that opens fully up to give full access to everything.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Check out the Klein 55604.
I use the Bauer tool backpack daily, but have had this one on my radar since its release.
I love that its a backpack, but also has a handle and wheels.
The hard-molded base has standoffs that keep it off the ground.
I second the idea of having an empty 5 gallon bucket around for nasty jobs and carrying supplies.
I also really like and use the big wide mouth vinyl/leather bottom canvas bags with two leather buckle straps. They work well for chains, pipe wrenches, rigging, and other large items.
Keep in mind that if you have my luck, you’ll be working in rain at the most inconvenient times. Plan accordingly.
https://www.acmetools.com/klein-too...c-WNgpk8qoR3O49DtMlu6KILSGsj0RiqypQEXj1E9ptrS
I use the Bauer tool backpack daily, but have had this one on my radar since its release.
I love that its a backpack, but also has a handle and wheels.
The hard-molded base has standoffs that keep it off the ground.
I second the idea of having an empty 5 gallon bucket around for nasty jobs and carrying supplies.
I also really like and use the big wide mouth vinyl/leather bottom canvas bags with two leather buckle straps. They work well for chains, pipe wrenches, rigging, and other large items.
Keep in mind that if you have my luck, you’ll be working in rain at the most inconvenient times. Plan accordingly.
https://www.acmetools.com/klein-too...c-WNgpk8qoR3O49DtMlu6KILSGsj0RiqypQEXj1E9ptrS