Originally Posted By: khamilton This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi guys, Here comes another Rookie question? When you guys are conductiong an inspection, how do you carry around your “stuff”? Do you carry around a tool satchel, wear a carpenter’s nail apron (2 pockets with tape in the middle), an electrician’s single pouch, or what? I know this has a lot to do with personal choice, but what’s the best solution?
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I hate tool pouches, etc. because either you have to take them off getting into or out of attics and crawl spaces, or they get caught on things. I keep my flashlight in a belt ring, an outlet tester in each pocket, my laser thermometer in a belt pouch, my refrigerant thermometer in my breast pocket, my digital camera around my neck, two screwdrivers in my back pocket and a water pressure gauge in the other back pocket. Now that I think about it, painters pants would work nicely if they were more professional
The rest of my tools sit in my tool bag, which I leave in the kitchen and get them as needed. Others guys will do different things, and there is no right or wrong, so try any of them that you think will work for you and make your inspection as efficient as possible.
Originally Posted By: dvalley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Kip,
I carry a large canvas tool bag that has many pockets (inside & out) for all my misc. tools.
While performing my exterior inspection, the only tools I use is my ladder, binoculars, a 1,000,000 candlelight power flashlight, and a long termite probe. My tool bag stays in the car until I start inspecting the interior of the house. On the interior inspection, I stick my temperature probe, moisture meter, and electrical tester in my pant pockets, with flashlight in hand.
Then when I'm inspecting the full-basement area, (95% of our homes have these) I bring along my entire toolbag. There are many tools that are necessary to perform a detailed inspection in our basements here in Massachusetts. Having my toolbag with me prevents all the running up & down to get specific tools when needed (Which I was doing when I started out).
Always remember, Do not start placing your tools down in locations throughout the house. Hang onto them. You will be purchasing tools every week. When I started out, I kept forgeting my damn flashlight and other misc. tools at homes that were always an hours drive away. If a tool has to be placed somewhere, place it right in your bag.
Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I just want to ditto Dave’s post about laying down tools. I have had to purchase more nut driver sets than I care to think about. Good thing I have stock in Sears!!
Originally Posted By: dbush This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I use a tool bucket with pouches to carry all my tools in the house. I use a carpenter’s apron on a leather belt to carry my screwdrivers, pressure gauge, canned smoke, thermometer, electric testers, etc. My flashlight is carried with a police baton holder. I also have a walkie talkie (police radio) adjustable holder that carries my TIF 8800. It works real well for the TIF. My bacharach stays in the bucket until I need it, as well as the 1,000,000 candle flashlight.
Originally Posted By: rsummers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I also have my tools in a large canvas tool bag but while inspecting the home I wear my tool bags. I’ve found that by wearing a tool apron I have everything that is needed with me and don’t waste a lot of time looking going back to my main tool box. It also keeps you from lying things down and having to search around the house looking for them.
Originally Posted By: afernbaugh This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I have recently started using a photographers vest with a dozen pockets or more. I have found it very easy to carry my small tools including a camera (imagine that) and some test equipment. I can easily remove it when going on a roof, in a crawl space or an attic. Just a thought…
Originally Posted By: jburkeson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I carry two Multi-Purpose Aluminum Briefcases one is mainly for my BlueTooth printer the other is for tools, here is a link. http://www.case-depot.com/ac_1.htm
Joe.
-- Joseph Burkeson, RPI (Hooperette)
?Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle.?
~ Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi to all,
I'm with Joe B on this one, I tried the tool belts.......to restrictive, I tried the bag..........and was always grovelling around in the bottom for the small stuff, now I keep the always used stuff in a fitted case. The other thing that i like about the case is that if I've forgotten to put something back I tend to notice it very quickly.
In the top are hand tools, test leads and one of 3 back-up flash lights.
the left section has equipment charger, spare batteries & elevtrical test stuff.
The mid section has moisture meter and co meter.
The right section has cordless charger IR thermometer, lazer measure and small tools pouch.
Originally Posted By: wpedley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi Gerry,
Why did you steal my tool case?I thought I left it in the last house.
I've found this to be the best approach so far!!  
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
There are many companies that are making tool boxes on wheels, including sears. Most are big enough to accomodate most of my equipment, as well as a printer and a surge strip for the laptop and printer.
I currently am using the sears SST2 which also has a telescoping handle. Cost is around $50.
Originally Posted By: phinsperger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Like Joe B., I carry two alum cases which I bring into the house. About $20 CAN each at Walmart. I think it gives a more scientifict impression to the clients. I use one for all my tools and the other is for my laptop and access. I leave the printer and cig lighter power converter in the van. I use a normal desktop printer instead of a small protable model. They print faster and I think more reliable. The snap-in ink cartriges are kept with the laptop case to prevent temp extreams from messing them up. When I am done with the expection I excuse myself for about 10min or so to go to the van and print the report. Agent and client discuss chit chat and before they know it I’m back with the report printed and bindered.
Originally Posted By: dhartke This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
If you’re a gadget guy you need spare batteries and several different sizes. Consider getting a cheap pistol case (plastic body with foam inside). Make your own fitted case by using a Dremel or similar to carve out the foam to fit your D, C, A, AA, 9 volt, or whatever. It will hold them in place to avoid shorting out against one another and at a glance you can take inventory and restock.
Originally Posted By: kleonard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Kip,
I have a belt ring for my flashlight, I carry my PDA(in a protective aluminum case), Stylus camera, digital voice recorder, small poker, and my electrical tester in a fanny pac. It snaps right on and all the tools that I use most frequently are right there.
I also have a 4' step ladder, a little giant ladder, & a Craftsman SST2 toolbox that I keep all of my other tools in. These stay in the back of my Tahoe and I get them as I need them. I then put them right back when I am done with them. They don't get lost that way. 
The fanny pac works great because it's like having 3 extra large pockets all with zippers & all with great access.
P.S. Most of your other basic tools should fit in a small hand tool bag like the BucketBoss GateMouth, or the one I like which is the "GateMouth Sidekick" ... very handy, organized, and easy to carry around ... 
I myself am partial to the "Electrician's bolero", which is an asymetrical toolbelt designed for electricians with one, largish pouch with many pockets of vaying sizes on one side, and a very small flat pocket designed for pens, pencils, pencil magnets, markers etc. on the other. Found it at Home Depot and am very happy with it. I routinely wear it into attics and can easily squeeze by the delicate Ming vases in furnished interior rooms.
-Jim Gallant
ReportHost staff
Owner of All Point Home Inspections in Poulsbo, WA
Originally Posted By: kluce This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The best way to carry the tools is the helper. I never have to look for the tools. They don’t get lost and if they do, he pays for them. Never have too many tools on me at one time. It works great. I would recommend one to anyone.
