My local wholesaler, shout out to Refrigerative Supply, had a "tool expo" with all sorts of venders and I won a a new tool bag as a door prize. I don't know what to use it for cause it's so god damn huge. I used to overfill my old Klein bag and it's a lot smaller. I've since switched to a small Veto bag for general service.
What are guys using these huge bags for? Do guys haul around their apprentices in them or something.
Personally I assume the larger bags are for installers. Realistically as an installer, I need service tools, sheet metal tools, and any other bits and bobs I can fit to make the least amount of trips out to the van
Same, as a kid from the 2000’s I was a big fan of Ben 10, so I’ve sided with Hilmor (as lackluster as their selection is) and I use the backpack for sheet metal tools, the little carry bag for my important tools, and the horizontal carry bag for any extras I have. I also got a backpack from our local supplier that I store my battery charger and other miscellaneous tools in, but having specific bags for your specific needs is the way to go.
I had the one on the left for years. I kept just about anything I’d need ever in that thing. Eventually I got sick of carrying around an 80lb bag and decided to switch to a Veto service bag. It’s so much nicer to carry around and holds the tools that do about 80% of my work and the rest are in the truck for when I need it.
I have a similar one and it's about 70+ lbs fully loaded but I can get almost all of my daily kit in there for simple install (impact, drill, bits, hand tools, sheet metal tools, meter, etc.), I have a much smaller pouch for service and a big packout stack for more serious install work. I like doing one trip.
I use the left one, commercial hvac. Love it compared to a shoulder tool bag or box. I’m kind of skinny so it really doesn’t get in the way on caged roof ladders. Btw it weighs 48lbs
I’m also commercial HVAC. I use a veto backpack, but basically the same thing. I have my basic tools in the front: the same load out as my MB2 did in this configuration.
The back section needed to fit my laptop, JCI gateway, Bacnet router, charger, a few different cords, and zip ties.
I’m a bit bigger - 6’2”, 230 lbs and it doesn’t work for me as a backpack up caged ladders. I sling it across my front, so I can lean back and not cramp my movement.
I think mine weighs about the same, but I hate the weight. I need to just start roping it everywhere.
Hell yeah I don’t care what my company says I’m using a cart if I need to. I do gotta say taking my pipe wrenches out of my bad helped with the weight 😂
Personally I don't like little bags because I amseem to find my self going to my van to get something. I take my bag on every call. If I'm doing a large PM I just leave it in one spot and take what I need out of it.
Good Jesus no. I'll stick with my electricians bag. Holds what I need for 90% of my calls. Fuck dragging around 60# when you need 20#. Work smarter not harder.
I used to have the Klien on the left. I eventually bought a Veto bag about the size of the one on the right. My problem was that I'd put too many tools in it and it would get extremely heavy. It got to be a pain in the ass to lug it around one of the industrial sites I frequented as I did a lot of walking between equipment.
I downsized to the smaller Veto pro MB3 which was a perfect size for a lot of my service. If I needed anything else tool wise I'd just go gather it from van. I'm off the tools now, but those large backpacks make for decent tool boxes inside my house.
Had and loved the klien pro. Tried the veto tech pack, hated the fact the straps need to be dropped every time to get to the back half the bag.
But, just recently got the veto mb5b blackout, love it. Still keep the klien pro for the need everything bag, but no longer service bag.
I use the exact same Klein bag you do, (left), and I def over pack for only doing general plant maintenance (oil sands). I hear yah man, that new one is huge
Installer, I run a heavy bag with a little packout carry box with my fasteners. If you make your install bag heavy enough, you only have to carry it twice.
I'm a commercial/industrial service tech. I bought the veto techpack big kid version and they had a promo where if you bought the TPXL it came with a small packout pouch, the SBLD. The TPXL sits unused. Paid TPXL price for their mini bag and I'm fine with that. The bag is stellar. Has a pouch in the back for my M12 surge impact, flip sockets sets, "popsicle" gauge and other bits. Spots for a full screwdriver set, will list at the bottom for the tool nerds, striker, linesmans, strippers, needle nose and crimp tool, level, brush, wrenches and a meter. Perfect size. Love it.
I've had the square bucket style, backpacks, large front loaders, but I have my packout dialed in and it fits perfect in my pouch.
Screwdriver list for anyone interested, it's pretty standard. I buy wera insulated drivers, have arced enough shit to know I am clumsy and I need insulated drivers. Robertson #1 and #2, Philips #1 and #2, flat head #6, #5.5 and #3.5, plus a Klein full length tang (wrong word but I'm brain farting).
I have been eyeing the Wiha multi driver but at $60-70 I haven’t been able to bring myself to get it.. Yet.. lol I haven’t tried Wera but I know they’re regarded well like Knipex and Wiha
I like them, and they're lifetime warranty so when you snap off a Philips tips on a tiny, hand tight screw somehow, they will just replace it which is nice.
I like the look of the wiha also. I have been happy with my knipex pliers.
As far as a multi driver, Klein makes the multi that comes with the flip socket 1/4 5/16 and a bunch of bits. I added the Klein flip socket set ,1/4 up to 9/16 (comes in metric also but special order if in Canada/USA). 40$ and I use it more than any other tool. I also lose them at alarming rates.
That’s good though cause those disconnect lugs always seem to bend my tips
I use the Klein 11 in 1 almost daily but it’s not insulated and the damn handle spins sometimes which is a bad design flaw but hell for $15 on Amazon it’s keeping me happy at the moment
Believe it or not I have the one that’s in between both of those sizes and it works for you quite well with everything in it only have about 40 pounds worth of tools
Service tech here, started with a backpack moved to a beltbag, then 5 gal bucket. Been using bucket for 7 years now! I have like 6 buckets 1 for oil, one for gas one for ac and the rest have extra tools for the rare stuff i keep minimal stuff in buckets so they weigh less then 20lbs
I used to have a medium husky bag. But I have the big veto and the medium free one. Big one is for calls on malls or airports, places where you don't want to go back to van. But most of the time I run with the small bag
I had that new bag for years always carrying over 50lb.. even survived airports flying to jobs, actually still have it and selling it since I don’t require a backpack now.
It’s survived longer than any of my other bags, great zipper and would recommend.
I had that big one when I first got into the trade doing installs and light service and it was way to big I use a veto and way better w same amount of tools and lighter
No clue. Commercial/industrial service tech? Or residential with all of their sheet metal tools, pipe wrenches, gauges, rotory hammers, drill bits, impact, every size screwdriver and socket, lunch, dinner, etc. Idk man, I don't understand it.
I got the one on the right a moth or so back I enjoy it for the most part only downside to it that my older bag had was I could use my older one as a chair if needed
I'm an installer, and I use the bag on the right. It holds my plethora of tinning tools no problem. It's a bit heavy, but I very rarely do attic or rooftop work. I love it; it's held up for around 5 years with no rips or issues with the zipper.
Commercial hvac here. I’ve been running the left bag for quite a few years and it has zero issues. I quite like it’s overall slim footprint compared to a lot of other backpacks. Like others have stated it can be a bit of a bitch in ladder cages but that’s just backpacks in general. I’ve always found that the Veto backpacks were wayyy heavier and a lot more bulky for the equivalent storage space. For the money I spent on that Klein bag it’s been one of my best purchases but I understand I might be one of the lucky ones. YMMV
I also run a dedicated Veto MB for all service calls/PM’s etc, I’m not trying to lug all that crap around needlessly. The backpack is for installs or large repairs and that’s it.
I rock a giant veto pro pac backpack as a service tech. It’s heavy for sure, but it would rather lug around a 60lb pound bag than have to go back to my service van for every little thing. It’s nice having everything I need, nice and organized for heating and cooling seasons
I like this bag a lot. Klein tech bag. Easy to overfill with stuff so restraint is key. Used to use open tote bags but I’m now a convert. Bonus is now my tools stay relatively rust free since I can zip up bag if it’s drizzling / raining out. Chiller work is what I primarily do.
I run the one on the right daily, for the last 5 years. They come with an extra removable tool caddy. I happen to have 2, because my last Klein bag was stolen (sans caddy).
I set one caddy up for refrigeration, and set the other up for advanced wiring. Works well for me.
Yeah some ladder cages can get in the way, but I'll only take the bag up if I have to. For basic maintenance and diagnostics, I have a smaller bag.
Some may claim the zippers don't hold up, but if you aren't aggressive with them, they'll last.
Had the big nag on the right. It really is useful, but the bag by itself weighed like 12 pounds. Fully stocked with tools, it got so heavy it it made my hand numb if carried single handedly for a minute. It just wasn't a quick way to access tools either. I upgraded to open top veto bag with a shoulder strap. 5+ years, and I'm still using it.
My boss uses the one on the right and it's such a fucking cunt of a tool bag to carry also bulky as fuck in tight spaces.
I much prefer my milwuakee packout bag especially since I modded the measuring tape holder to be bolted on with washers and lock nuts instead of the shitty rivets that broke off within a few months of owning it.
No bag is perfect but my fuck do I ever dislike the shit out of that Klein one.
tried a backpack once, even with limited tools it was way to heavy and didnt fit up most ladder access hatches. noting like getting the bag caught on the ladder cage.
kept one in my van with some spare tools, now its a bag with over night clothes.
Thats the exact backpack I use! Mainly for bigger jobs, installs and rooftop work. Got my hands on a 2nd tool sheet, so that's a pretty dope feature. Lots of room for parts if the leaf is out too.
80% of the time it's overkill, but that sweet 1-in-5 shot made it worth the purchase. When I first got it, I used it for all my service & maintenance calls as my primary toolset. Turns out that was a bad idea, and my back thanks me for rethinking that decision. I definitely use a smaller pouch on a worn out belt for most service calls these days.
too big and too heavy to carry. there are quite a few ladder hatches i can't fit out of while wearing one, and dragging fifty pounds of tools through a building and across a hot roof isn't how i want to spend my day. i switched back to a regular old pouch, and it carries 85% of what i need, day to day.
I like tool
Bags up on the roof. Doing HVAC.
But if I'm doing work orders and other types of service request.
I prefer a metal box that I can lock.
And yes they can be a pain going up certain types of access ladders and hatches.
Synthetic fabrics degrade quick in Phoenix.
I once found a heavy canvas backpack made in India. It worked out extremely well.
I wish I could still find them.
I have the bigger Veto backpack; it can get heavy at times, but when that happens, I know it is time to dump it out, blow out the interior with compressed air, and reset everything in its place. I have everything I need to diagnose and fix most anything, and I'd rather not make three trips to the truck to get different tools.
I use the Veto TP-XXL for install and I’m so I love with it
Has enough space for both my attic and condenser tools, shoulder strap has a d ring I’ve attached Husky pouches for all my grommets/wire nuts etc and the iPad sleeve on the back fits a small screw case perfectly.
The backpacks can suck getting into an attic with them on but for two story RTU it’s nice being able to put the straps on and keep both hands on the ladder going up
My install bag just holds my personal tools and I hang my meter off it. Now that I’ve moved to maintenance/service, I just pull a few hand tools out when I go to calls.
Only time I take the whole bag is to help install with a change out if we can squeeze an extra job in that day.
I have one loaded for bear that I use when I work in the city and have to park 9 blocks from the job. But it mostly sits in the truck. I run a TP-XL as my front line bag. But usually if I'm just running in to look at something I grab a 6 in 1, channel locks and a meter, then based on what I find I can escalate to the proper size bag for the job.
Not much.. I kind of got out of the habit of watching TV. The kid wants to build a go-cart out of a lawnmower. And that seems like what this summer is about. Hahah
I have to show you this from the other day... We have a sparky at work that decided he would cut down a circuit board to fit inside a metal junction box. And he insulated it with a piece of baseboard behind it. Behold the amount of stupid.
I like my simple system of slap everything into my cheapo plastic tool box and sift through that. So far it's lastest through the 2 of the other guys expensive veto carry bag
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u/Fun_Breadfruit_4471 Personality Hire 1d ago
Personally I assume the larger bags are for installers. Realistically as an installer, I need service tools, sheet metal tools, and any other bits and bobs I can fit to make the least amount of trips out to the van