Occidental Tool Vest?

[Dan Clark]

Hi. When I'm working on a project where I need a fair number tools at hand, it's nice to wear a tool belt or apron. I have several, but none seem to quite hit the mark.

Occidental has a new "Oxy™ Cordless Tool Vest":http://www.occidentalleather.com/product/belt-free/2555_beltless.html. Detailed View here:http://www.occidentalleather.com/product/belt-free/2555_view.html (mouse-over the little buttons on the right). It's only been available since April 16th, so there's not much info on it.

At $90-$95, it's a bit pricey but it looks interesting. It looks more usable than most aprons and not as bulky as a tool belt. Also, it seems more oriented to carpenters than wood workers, but might be used for both.

Any opinions? Obvious good points or bad points?

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Dan,

What's the difference from a "corded" tool vest then?  I have enough danger of electrocution just plugging things in.  There's being "wired" and then there's being "wired", if you know what I mean.

;D

Dave

 

[Jeff W.]

Dan:

I was also intrigued by this new vest from Occidental Leather.  I have two of their framing belts, a 7 bag framer and there standard framer both in oxy light, which I really love.  I tried on the tool vest at a local lumber yard the other day and found it to be uncomfortable.  It just seems awkward to wear to me.  Each time I see a picture of it I think that looks great, but each time I've tried it on I think this just doesn't work (He's tried it on twice now)...  I currently use the ballistic apron from Fastcap, which I've used for the past couple of years in my cabinetshop, but am always looking for something that is a little more comfortable and user friendly.  Anyone have any suggestions for the perfect woodworking apron?

 

[Dan Clark]

Jeff,

I finally decided to try the Oxy tool vest.  I didn't like it and sent it back. 

In replacement, I bought two new Oxy bags for my current workbelt.  Overall I like the Oxy bags.  Now I have several bags that I swap out for specific projects. 

I'd like an apron too, but still haven't found one that works well for me.

Regards,

DAn.

 

[Eli]

I was looking at buying one of the oxy vests, but they have no plans for a left handed version, which isn't a deal breaker, but I did decide to hold off on purchase. My friend bought one, and I noticed over a two week period that everything he owned migrated out of his toolbag and onto his body. Makes life heavier than I'd like. So then how do you like the Fastcap ballistic apron Jeff? If I wear anything at all, I just use a single leather pouch with a tool hook for the driver clipped to the side.

 

[Dan Clark]

Eli,

One key issue with the vest is that it depends on your height.  Since I'm vertically challenged (5'6"), the vest fit badly.  The Oxy bags that I bought fit nicely since it's doesn't matter much how tall you are.  I little on the heavy side, but they work well.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Eli]

Funny you should say that, my friend is about 6'3". I'm 5'11", so it'd be probably be fine for me, but unless you're up in the roof, do you really need to carry everything?

 

[Brice Burrell]

Eli, I use a Skillers tool belt, Flexi
System, great product. It is a modular system, so it can be setup for lefties. Here is a link to the Skiller's USA site to see the product. Skillers USA

Skillers Australia, however the site is under costruction, they do have contact info on this site.

 

[Dan Clark]

Funny you should say that, my friend is about 6'3". I'm 5'11", so it'd be probably be fine for me, but unless you're up in the roof, do you really need to carry everything?

Actually, that's why I like a belt tool better...

If I'm working where there's a bench handy, I use that.  But if working outside, on a ladder, or on more "construction-like" projects, a belt is very handy.   I have multiple pouches and just configure the belt to suit the task.   A lot of times I just wear a lightweight belt with a small pouch to hold a tape measure, pencil, combi square and maybe a couple of other things. 

A vest sounds like a good idea, but all those pockets tend to attract things you don't need.   And, even though the Oxy vest was pretty open, it was a lot hotter than a belt.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Eli]

I agree, I pretty much try not to carry anything more than a tape measure, matte (marking) knife, and maybe a roll of painter's tape hung from a cat collar. Anything else can lay around if it isn't in my hand. I'm thinking about building a new small toolbox as well. Got a few design changes....

 

[Michael Kellough]

I agree, I pretty much try not to carry anything more than a tape measure, matte (marking) knife,...Got a few design changes...I was looking at buying one of the oxy vests, but they have no plans for a left handed version...

Eli, are we in the same club? Left handed and art schooled? It's taken me 30 years to routinely say utility knife instead of matte knife.

 

[Eli]

Well, same school different buildings. I was an English major and until recently in the film business. If I had been a little more focused I might have thought art school in the first place and saved myself a lot of wandering around, but it makes for decent stories. Left handed yes. Still haven't met a coffee mug with the slogan in the right place, and I write on the wrong side of the page in my notebooks.

 

[Michael Kellough]

...Left handed yes. Still haven't met a coffee mug with the slogan in the right place, and I write on the wrong side of the page in my notebooks.

Now there a safety issue that hasn't received enough attention! 

I write on both sides of the pages so I'm not sure which is the wrong side.
Maybe your method is better so which side is it?

 

[Eli]

Well if i don't turn the whole book horizontal, I usually write on the left hand page so my hand is hanging off the left edge instead of over the binding. Lately I've just been using three-ring binders and punching holes in graph paper so I can use it looseleaf.

 

[Eli]

Time for a left hander's thread......

 

[greg mann]

Lefty here too. When I use a notepad with a spiral binder at the top I turn it upside down, same with a clipboard. Us lefties know that some things are a pain but it is a real hoot watching a righty trying to do some really difficult task that must be done with the left hand. My unscientific research indicates that lefties have about twice as much dexterity in their offhand as righties do in theirs. Not that I am demonstrating any bias here. In fact, I am willing to bet there is a disproportionate number of lefties in this forum. Want to do a poll, Michael?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Want to do a poll, Michael?

I don't have the knowledge or the time right not to start a poll but I'll vote if you start one.

 

[Eli]

Started a poll...

 

[woodshopdemos]

I don't know. I looked at many work aprons and vests for use in the shop and still think the waist aprons works best.

 

OR WITH VEST: (do we need a poll?)

 

[Eli]

Hey John
I've read all the threads on your site and I love the whole thing, I keep re-reading it when I run out of other stuff. I agree with you, aprons would be a better choice for your shop. (although I notice you didn't post any pix of the low-cut vests you used to wear in the sixties).

What brand of waist apron did you go with?