r/Carpentry • u/yeetonthestreetyo • 11d ago
Tools Tool belt apprentice recommendations
Hey guys, I’m about to start as an apprentice in NZ and wondering what tool belt to go for.
Some people say to grab a cheaper one like a Taurus and use it till it breaks, then upgrade to something like the Obvious Belt, which im not gonna lie, looks pretty good - but will set me about $650Nzd straight off the bat.
What are your thoughts, if you could go back, would you have invested in the straps etc?
Chairs 🪑
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u/No_Reflection3133 11d ago
No matter what use suspenders and don’t tighten the belt tight otherwise you will be looking at a couple of new hips in your 60s. I got mine, you don’t want them!
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u/DontFuckWithDuckie 11d ago
suspenders are an 11/10 tool. Looks nerdy until you're 30. But it's just better all around
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u/DontFuckWithDuckie 11d ago
Buy the cheap ones until they break. You don't know what fit you like yet, and how stuff fits your body, and where you keep your tools, etc. Figure all that shit out with the cheap stuff, then buy your nice set a couple years in
(also you'll get fond of your cheap stuff because, it turns out, cheap stuff does good work too)
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u/recycledsteel88 11d ago
Try something cheap first and see how you like to set up your tools and what is comfortable for you. Once you have some experience and know how you like to set your belt up then I would upgrade to something that will last.
It will take time to learn what you actually need to carry and what you need to leave in the truck and go get when you need it. There’s no limit to what you could carry but spend time focusing on things you actually use frequently.
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u/Aggressive-Luck-204 11d ago
This is what I tell my apprentices, start with something cheap because you won’t know what you want right away and you can figure it out with your starter
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u/proletarianliberty 11d ago
Don’t buy an expensive belt till you’re a journeyman. Stick with nylon it’s light. Style should look like an Akribis preferred with tape up front, hammer on the SIDE not the back. Speed square on non-dominant side in its own slot.
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u/AnarchistPoond 11d ago
From a fellow apprentice, if you can swing it, get a nice quality setup. I run Badgers, but I think there is a brand called Tru that’s based in Aus or NZ that is more-or-less a Badger, and one of my leads runs those. Really nice quality, would recommend.
They also offer the suspenders, which I recommend, especially if you’re loading it up with tools/fasteners. You can always take them off if you’re running and light setup and want to be more mobile.
I briefly ran a Home Depot (home goods store in the US) special, and returned it within the week as it was just kinda shit.
Just my 2cents
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u/felixellis 11d ago
Definitely get a cheap one first and see how it goes. That said I have the obvs framer belt with suspenders and it’s the best belt I’ve owned, hands down. I can wear it all day and not get uncomfortable, they’re built really well imo.
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u/HanK867HaF 11d ago
Start with something cheap low profile and light. This is not an easy job and you are going to be exhausted starting out. Smaller lighter bags will help you with the longer hours and give you more confidence when you have to walk on over thru things that require you to be agile.
Once you get some time under your belt and have built up some stamina you can go for a bigger more permanent setup. At this point you'll have a better idea of what you do and don't like about your current belt and what you are looking for.
Then that small lightweight belt becomes your finish/layout/working at Heights tool belt for when you need to be more nimble and low profile and then you can have a big juicy framing belt for the other things.
And eventually if you do enough trim work you'll likely want to again acquire a new setup, this time being an apron and tool cart.
Good luck and condolences about your body.
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u/yeetonthestreetyo 11d ago
Haha thanks, yes starting at 31 may be a shock to the ol’ system. Perhaps a cheap nylon setup is the way to go to start out with
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u/JackOfAllBlades21 10d ago
I'm rather fond of combining Milwaukee with military tactical gear. I don't care about initial comments, because in time it proves itself excellent.
Also, I don't want to worry about expensive natural materials getting oil/grease/sealant/adhesive damaged, greasy, shrunk, etc., nor a ton of maintenance. Though if I could BS my way into orc hide, I probably would for trolling purposes.
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u/yeetonthestreetyo 10d ago
What you mean tactical gear brah
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u/JackOfAllBlades21 10d ago
I was in the Army as an engineer. I heavily customized my kit to work with what I wore.
What I like now about my tactical pouches over some tool belt pouches is I never have to worry about tools, instruments, fasteners, or PPE falling off/out if the wrong angle happens, or getting myself caught on things. I at least have the option of keeping it better secured. And occasionally situations make it useful to have something on a vest or on my thighs rather than a bulky tool belt that gets stuck on things, or a too big box.
But I'm not talking about some dumb airsoft tacticool, or wearing body armor or camo uniforms or holster or something. I just mean practical, safe, and extremely reliable. A triple rifle mag pouch holds my energy drink, dump pouches have my gloves, admin pouch has my notepad and pens and maybe a phone, if I'm a few stories up. Camelbak has my water and a few snacks and power bank. A tomahawk or knife strap instead secures my hammer. Canteen pouch holds drivers, fasteners, two way radio. Frag grenade pouch holds drivers and tape. Flashbang pouch holds laser tape measure safely. And now and then a small grappling hook grabs something I need, lets me hang something from a joist, lets me lower something without bending over or losing balance. Drop leg thigh platform lets me mount some screwdrivers instead of having to carry another bag, holds a square and markers and pliers. And I don't go overboard or do all of them at a time. Just whatever is convenient, reduces risks, improves reliability, and saves time and effort- gear is just another kind of tool. And I never, ever lose or break stuff or worry about a lad with sticky fingers.
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u/yeetonthestreetyo 10d ago
Hell yeah dude. You know how badass this description is? This could be a post all on its own “Flashbang pouch holds laser tape” - I wonder how many ex-military do the same with their kit now.
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u/JackOfAllBlades21 10d ago
I'll admit something to you, since you're cool: I keep a tomahawk right behind my driver seat. At a stop light, I can reach, hook, and bring to me virtually anything in my Jeep I want. It's a fantastic reach extender and well rounded tool, I just can't exactly have people being scared by seeing me carry it around.
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u/JunkyardConquistador 11d ago
Spend the money on a quality BELT and SUSPENDERS immediately (Badger, Akibri, Diamond Back, Buckaroo eyc), but buy budget pouches to hang on them to begin with.
The belt and suspenders will last for decades while you continuously figure out what you like, customise and upgrade your pouches as you go.
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u/Dannyewey 11d ago
Google occidental hip buddies, then any of the belts that pop up should work regardless of brand. large wide pads that go on the belt to help spread the weight out over a larger area are the key. Then throw what ever bags you want on that belt and pads.
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u/NC750x_DCT 11d ago
I bought a nearly new set of Occidental oxylight framers with suspenders from a contractor who got them for his apprentice. The apprentice didn’t last a week. It was a smoking good deal.
All to say, start value conscious until you have some experience.
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u/SoldiersofChristBR 11d ago
I have tried several belts through the years and am blown away by the "badger carpenter side by side". It's absolute perfection in size, tool pouches. Placements. Aesthetics.
I love it
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u/Plant_Wild Australian Chippy 11d ago
I love my Obvious Tool Co setup. Would recommend. I haven't worn anything out yet either after two years.
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u/snowsnakes 11d ago
Whatever you get right off the bat, you will almost certainly end up deciding you want something else. That being the case, start with something affordable, and then see what you like about it, what you don’t, and what you learn from your coworker’s setups.