New tool bag from occidental leather

[Julian Tracy]

We must work different or do different jobs then,

The Veto open top bags or any bag that's similar is about the most efficient way I've found to carry all of my hand tools to a job.  I want to set the bag down and grab a tool and then be able to immediately pick up the bag and move to another spot.  Unlatching and latching a Systainer every time I need a screwdriver would drive me batty.

And I can't imagine reaching down into the depths of a Systainer 5 to find every tool I might need, and if this great tool rack you've got holds each tool in place, then what - you've still got to lift up on the rack to get to the smaller tools.

Seems like a whole lot of bulk, and a lot of hassle to carry simple handtools.

I used to think the Systainers and fans were a bit much, and still do to a little point.  Now I've got a ton of them, including 5-6 extras and I'm starting to utilize them for some other tools as well.

But I'm not packing bandaids, or my lunch or notebooks or printer ink cartridges and who knows what else into them.

They're great onsite for organization, but not everything is better in one.  Not at the retail prices they cost for a square empty box with troublesome latches.

Jt

 

[Frank Pellow]

Yes Julian, I guess we organize and transport our hand tools and supplies differently.  I wouldn't call your way silly and I certainly don't think that you should call my way silly.

I have 4 nested trays in my systainer.  The trays and the items within the trays are easy to lift out and, after all the use this particular systainer has had, the latches are very easy to snap open.  

I find that I don't have a photo of the loaded trays, but here they are just after I made them and before I populated them:

[attachimg=#1]

 

[upscale]

They're great onsite for organization, but not everything is better in one.  Not at the retail prices they cost for a square empty box with troublesome latches.

I have to agree with you on this one point. A systainer, (any kind of systainer including sysports) are not as efficient space wise or cost wise as long as long as they're sitting in one spot (such as a home workshop) and not being moved. For those purposes, I use a dedicated metal tool box with an array of drawers. Snapon, Stanley, Waterloo, Stanley FatMax, Husky, Black & Decker are just a few manufacturers that come to mind. Another advantage of the metal tool box is that they can often be locked and not as easily broken into. Children's prying eyes and hands contribute to safety in this instance.

 

[upscale]

I find that I don't have a photo of the loaded trays, but here they are just after I made them and before I populated them.

I think you're like me in this instance Frank. One of the greatest joys I get is when I'm setting up a workshop or building something for one (such as your trays) to make it more efficient and organized. The time or cost doesn't matter so much as long as one doesn't get ridiculous. It's all about enjoying one's self while doing it.

 

[gates559]

Oh please - $500 for a bag with some pockets is expensive, no matter how you try to slice it.

Sure it's nice, yes it's up to whomever to spend their own money - but don't try to make it out as a great value or a wise purchase.

It's an expensive luxury.  No more, no less.  If that's how you want to spend the green, more power to you, but no need to convince us.

And carrying handtools in Systainers is just as damn silly.

JT

[thanks] [thumbs up]

 

[Julian Tracy]

Nice job on those trays Frank.  I too enjoy building custom-fit projects like that as well.  To heck with how long it takes you, it pays you back every time you use it.

I don't subscribe to the ideal that a tool needs to pay for itself in order to make sense for it to be bought.  If that was the case, I wouldn't have my (coming along nicely) budding machine shop in my basement adjacent to my wood shop.  Nor my lathe, or any number of specialty tools that add no support to my day job as a remodeler/handyman guy.

Anyone that's seen the Studley tool chest can appreciate the joy of having well made, fitted storage.  Heck - I was impressed with myself with the simple fitted insert I made for 6" abrasives in a systainer 3.

Relative value is up to the purchaser who spends the money.  There's quite a few Festool's I have that I wouldn't have if not for having been bought used.  I appreciate their quality and utility for the price I have into them, but question that value/cost equation at full retail.

Folks around here will give newbies asking advice all kinds of ways to spend $5K and give that advice in a way which makes it seem like some of the recommendations are must-have items.  In reality, in terms of true value for the cost, there are some gems in Festool's lineup (alot of them), but there are also some "nice to own, but not necessarily the wisest choice" tools/accesories that a buyer/contractor/ww on a budget would do well to hold off on and spend the limited cash elsewhere. 

Practicallity in advice is in short supply around here at times, but hey - we're in the choir pit, so everyone's singing the same song. 

Julian

 

[Kevin Stricker]

I think the key take away is that everyone has different values and more importantly work habits.  If you always did the same type of jobs then the Dr. might make sense, if you do lot's of different jobs then a few Veto's with job specific tools might make sense.  For some highly organized individuals the systainer approach makes sense.  I know if I had a bunch of trays like that it would be chaos in short order, I need a place for each tool otherwise I have a hard time finding anything as everything is dumped into the first spot available.

I seem to remember a few years back all the discussions about how Veto bags were way overpriced.  I still find value in my XL, it is a big step up from the bucket organizers I used to use.  I think we can all agree that the Doctor is overpriced, but then again so are most of the Festools we love so much. 

 

[Eli]

There have easily been things I love, use, and don't need that are expensive. I'm a rigger, every single thing you use on rope is $100 or up. I like Occy stuff and think it's probably worth it if it suits the method and user.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

And I can't imagine reaching down into the depths of a Systainer 5 to find every tool I might need, and if this great tool rack you've got holds each tool in place, then what - you've still got to lift up on the rack to get to the smaller tools.

I also cannot imagine people working - for money - on a jobsite and storing their tools in a multi-tiered Systainer.  Either you'd be lifting and replacing racks all day long, or you'd have a bunch of trays spread out.  I don't see what work flow  could possibly make it more efficient than a single open tool bag.

 

[Frank Pellow]

And I can't imagine reaching down into the depths of a Systainer 5 to find every tool I might need, and if this great tool rack you've got holds each tool in place, then what - you've still got to lift up on the rack to get to the smaller tools.

I also cannot imagine people working - for money - on a jobsite and storing their tools in a multi-tiered Systainer.  Either you'd be lifting and replacing racks all day long, or you'd have a bunch of trays spread out.  I don't see what work flow  could possibly make it more efficient than a single open tool bag.

I spread my 2, 3, or 4 trays (depending on the work) out on some raised and semi-premanent object at the job site and, for me, that works better than digging into a bag, milk crate, or bucket used to work.

 

[Julian Tracy]

Here's my Veto LC opentop bag loaded:

Previously, I used the Veto XXL zippered model, here's it loaded:

Julian

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Heck Julian you have over $300 in those two Veto's alone......

 

[Julian Tracy]

I don't use two Vetos.  The XXL was my initial setup, I went to the LC opentop after that and currently use it.

Bought the XXL used for $85 a few years ago, found the LC on CL for $60 a year ago.

JT

 

[Kevin Stricker]

I was just razzing you....should have known you got them used.  Only problem with those opentops is the weight, suckers are heavy.

 

[Frank Pellow]

I was just razzing you....should have known you got them used.  Only problem with those opentops is the weight, suckers are heavy.

Another problem with open tops is rain.  And this is exacerbated when transporting them in an open boat (as I often do).

 

[TJ Cornish]

I have a Veto XXL and I went to that from the "bucket liner".  I liked some thing about the bucket, but after the 72nd time I dumped it over in the vehicle I was done.  I've never tipped the Veto over, but I am glad it zips closed.  My XXL is pretty heavy with a set of cordless tools on one side and the other side filled with hand tools, but I prefer that to multiple bags so far.

 

[Julian Tracy]

I don't work much in the rain and certainly don't work on a boat.

I now use the XXL for my general purpose truck/motorcycle wrenching tool bag.  The LC stays on the trailer and has the stuff I'll need for working in client's houses.  For the truck/camping/motorcycles, I don't need folding rules, squares, chisels, etc, so it's a different use.

One thing I love about the Veto's is the larger plastic tub bottom - I can set it anywhere on the ground - wet or dry and no worries.  Plus for that bag, the zippers work for me.

I started with a Veto XL, which is currently un-used and I'll probably sell it.  It's got simply too many pockets for handtools, and not enough space for larger and bulky items.

Julian

 

[Eli]

I was just razzing you....should have known you got them used.  Only problem with those opentops is the weight, suckers are heavy.

Another problem with open tops is rain.  And this is exacerbated when transporting them in an open boat (as I often do).

Do you put window gasket in the tops, or do they deflect splashes pretty well?

 

[Frank Pellow]

I was just razzing you....should have known you got them used.  Only problem with those opentops is the weight, suckers are heavy.

Another problem with open tops is rain.  And this is exacerbated when transporting them in an open boat (as I often do).

Do you put window gasket in the tops, or do they deflect splashes pretty well?

I don't use any type of gasket and I have never had a systainer leak.

 

[honeydoman]

Well been using my tool bag for 4 days now and it has been working out very well. I find that I put tools back in it at the end of the day and don't have to look for them the next day so that is a time saver. It is not that heave and I have cut down my trips to the van to get one tool or another as I used to do as now they are all right there

Yes I could have done that with my veto bags but I usually did not. And both customers also made note of what a nice tool bag.

Onward band back to rocking and rolling we are working on an awesome deck railing looking at lake Norman 68 degrees clear skies. What a great day!  Only thing missing are some nice looking women sunbathing !

Or as we say on the jobsite where Are the babes!  Lol

But got tunes cranking as nobody home so led zeppelin rock on!
USO
G my kapex and stand !