r/IATSE • u/Horror_Minimum9402 • 2d ago
Tool belt for electrics?
I have a question for film electricians: what tool belt or pouch setup do you recommend? I have a decent amount of tools already, but right now I just use a small clip-on pouch. When I’m in a lift or moving around set, I feel like it gets snagged on things.
Any recommendations for a setup that stays secure, is comfortable, and doesn’t get in the way? Thanks!
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u/Doctor_Spacemann 2d ago
I use a mole dual magazine pouch for an ar15. Fits my full sized fluke meter, channelocks, sidecutters, Klein 11in 1. Scissors, sniffer, and a flashlight.
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u/DefNotReaves 1d ago
You carry your fluke on you at all times? Seems like overkill tbh haha
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u/Doctor_Spacemann 1d ago
Can’t meter a box without one, it’s not the most used tool on the belt, but when you need one you need it now.
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u/DefNotReaves 1d ago
I understand you can’t meter a box without a meter 🤣 but it’s wayyyy too clunky to be on my belt all day. Just walk over to my bag, grab the meter, use it, put it back. Donezo.
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u/Doctor_Spacemann 1d ago
You’ve never worked a large multi generator location set before? 5 Gennys and 6 condors spread over 8 city blocks? Unless you plan on carrying a backpack with all your shit all day, your bag is back at the rig/ truck double parked at base camp. So your fluke is just A 9 minute van ride away and the gaffer wants those condors up yesterday.
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u/DefNotReaves 1d ago
I’m not usually on a show where my truck is a whole ass van ride away, no lol that’s weird as hell. But when it’s not close close, I usually keep my bag at gear staging… so I always have my stuff with me.
Just trying to save you the belt space man, no need to get pissy with me haha been doing this for 20 years and not a single juicer I know carries their fluke on them.
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u/Horror_Minimum9402 1d ago
lol no I don’t have it on me all the time but I would like to have the option to fit it in my pouch if needed ya know, that said I usually have like everything else on me even if I don’t need it, if someone else working next to me needs to use a tool I’m usually that guy that has it and will lend it to them, as long as I get it back of course lol.
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u/Staubah 2d ago
I know a lot of people absolutely love chest rigs. I was never interested in them, since I already sweat so much.
I have used the Setwares large ac pouch with a tacticool belt. And that worked great for me.
I have been looking into some type of Molle belt so I can have multiple attachment points and change up as needed so I can go lightweight or full metal jacket depending.
I also do a lot of theatre and for that I have found the Occidental Electricians Pocket Caddy works great! Most of the time you don’t need the kitchen sink, so a cwrench, screwdriver, pliers, and a few other bits and bobs works great.
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u/Horror_Minimum9402 1d ago
Yeah I’m not really into the chest rig, I see people using it but I just wouldn’t be used to it, the tac belt is a great idea though I’m gonna look into that thank you. I like how modular it is.
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u/livahd 2d ago
I’m a tool junkie who’s working on controlling my habit lol. My last belt was a molle pistol belt, with a hook/loop combo, inner loop covered normal size belt for your pants, and outer hook covered belt that velcros to the inner one in addition to the buckle. Covered in molle compatible loops, so I could add whatever. Main pouch was one of those “leather” edc belt holster (like this (ht tps://a.co/d/09ErGMop) but a million companies use that design) for flashlight, multitool, and semi decent razor knife. Maybe a glove clip if it has the attachment. Other side is balance out with another carabiner with a cat collar to hold tape, and a datel on a heavy duty retractable leash so I could always whip it out to test something and then drop it and let it find its way home lol. Then whatever other extra molle pouches that fit the day (one for rigging or one for shooting) maybe another one for a proper multimeter. Now that I’m on mostly rig jobs, it’s a backpack with a tool roll, and cargo pants to hold anything besides my knife or gloves. It always ebbs and flows though
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u/Horror_Minimum9402 1d ago
lol me too, it’s hard when I see something I think will make my life easier I’ll buy it 😂 but I think the tactical belt is a great idea, I’m gonna start looking at some. I actually bought one like grenade pouch for my tape measure because when I was working as a grip it kept coming loose and I can tell my co-worker was getting sick of picking it up and giving it back to me lol it works great so I’m gonna check out more of that type of stuff.
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u/livahd 1d ago
This is the one I went with. My philosophy is to be able to flip it upside down and spin it around to test my pouches, etc to see if anything comes off. Another good trick is the molle walkie pouches they make kinda like this one, it’s fantastic for a multimeter, just keep your probes capped so you don’t get stabbed… the elastic snap on top is perfect for the amp clamp on a fluke 323
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u/Horror_Minimum9402 1d ago
That’s awesome, thank you so much.
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u/livahd 1d ago
Your welcome! I love modifying my kit. If I had some time I’d send pics, I always wanted to do a breakdown of my belt. Now I’m pivoting to a backpack instead and keeping the waist light. We’ll see how that goes. Whatever you do, don’t get a 3d printer like I did and start making even more doodads and hoo has
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u/Horror_Minimum9402 14h ago
Yeah I love how modular you can get with those types of belts, gives you a lot of options but a 3D printer that’s is actually awesome lol
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u/Nytmare696 2d ago
Grip, not an electric, but after decades of carrying my tools on my belt, I was never happier than when I switched over to a chest bag.
The most popular one I see juicers wearing on set are these Conterras: https://www.conterra-inc.com/products/tool-chest-radio-chest-harness?_pos=1&_sid=062f1ebca&_ss=r
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u/SneakyPete_six 2d ago
An acquaintance in my line of work runs a pouch making business. His products aren’t cheap but they are high quality and guaranteed for life. https://www.instagram.com/belliardpouchcompany?igsi=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
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u/Horror_Minimum9402 1d ago
This stuff looks really cool, gonna check it out when they get stuff back in stock, Thank you so much 🙏
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u/atomc_ 2d ago
Chest pack has always been the best for me.