An electrician who understands the importance of a proper tool bag can save his customers and himself considerable time. If an electrician does not have a proper tool bag, they will waste many minute searching for that specific screwdriver or piece of fish tape while their customer wait for them to show up. The best tool bags for electricians will organize all of their tools, protect their expensive voltage testers from getting damaged, and allow them to have all of their tools within quick reach while they are balancing themselves on a ladder.
Furthermore, the best tool bags will stand up through many year of dust and many years of the weather, as well as endure an occasional coffee spill. There are various design choice that will go into the construction of the best tool bag for an electrician. Each of these design choices can make or will make a considerable difference in the use of that bag.
For instance, some of the feature that a tool bag should have include durable materials, compartments for their tools, and specific features that will make their work life easier. Each of these features will be explained along with the items that should be included in their tool bag so that each electrician can build the perfect tool bag for themselves. A good bag will utilize either canvas or ballistic nylon in the construction of the main shell of the tool bag.
Essential Features of a Great Electrician Tool Bag
1. Durable Materials: Canvas and Ballistic Nylon
Many electricians of different generations prefer canvas because canvas will breathe, become softer over time, and is more resistant to punctures. However, ballistic nylon is another good material to use in that construction because ballistic nylon resists water damage. In either case, the seam of the bag should be double stitched with bar tackings at the area of stress on the bag.
Any tool bag that splits in half after six months of use is not a helpful tool bag. Furthermore, if a tool bag splits open while being used is worse than if the electrician did not own a tool bag at all. The material of the bag is an essential feature because it determine the life span of the bag.
2. Wide Mouth Opening with Rigid Polymer Frame
Another feature that should be included in a good tool bag is a wide mouth opening with a rigid polymer frame. If the tool bag is made of floppy fabric, it will be hard to find the tools that they need. Furthermore, the frame will help to keep the tool bag open and the interior of the bag will be visible.
3. Built-in Kickstand for Stability
Additionally, some models of tool bags include a kickstand that will prop the bag up on non-level floor. This feature alone can save an electrician a considerable amount of time over their career. Another feature of a good tool bag is the interior compartments and their layouts.
4. Interior Compartments and Specialized Slots
Among these features should be tall slots for electrical measuring devices so that the screen of those devices does not hit the inside of the tool bag against another tool. Furthermore, there should be a soft lined pouch for the electrician’s high quality meter. Additionally, there should be slots or loops for each of the electrician’s other tools so that none of the tools will scratch each other.
By having each tool in it’s own place in the tool bag, an electrician can save themselves the mental energy to remember where they placed their wire nuts, for instance.
5. Reinforced Bottom with Plastic or Rubber Inserts
An electrician should ensure that their tool bag feature a reinforced bottom using either plastic or rubber inserts. If the tool bag is used to store a variety of tools including screwdrivers and awls, it is possible that the tool will puncture the tool bag.
Furthermore, a reinforced bottom will ensure that the tool bag remains upright and does not flop onto the electrician’s shoulder.
6. Detachable Parts Pouch
Another item that should be included in a good tool bag is a detachable parts pouch for items such as connectors, wire nuts, and tape. These item will tend to fall to the bottom of the tool bag while an electrician is working.
A separate, zippered pouch allow the electrician to organize these tools according to their size or type. Furthermore, the detachable parts pouch is helpful for those tight jobs sites because the electrician can avoid the need to transport the entire tool bag into tight area.
7. Weatherproofing and Rain Protection
Another feature of quality tool bags is the weatherproofing. In addition to the body of the bag being weather resistant, the zippers of the tool bag should be waterproof and the seams should be taped. Some models of tool bags include a rain hood to protect the electrician’s tools from the summer thunderstorms that can appear without warning in certain area of the country.
8. Ergonomic Handles and Webbing Loops
Another feature that can be helpful in the tool bag is a handle that distributes the weight of the tools bag to the electrician’s hand rather than dig into their hand. Furthermore, the handle can include an additional webbing loop to allow the electrician to hook the tool bag onto the rungs of a ladder. Additionally, the electrician can more easily lift the tool bag from the back of their truck with a secondary haul handle. These feature, while seemingly small, are ultimately important to the electrician’s comfort while completing projects.
9. Modular Attachment Points and Daisy Chains
Another feature of quality tool bags are the modular attachment points for other tools. For instance, webbing or daisy chains on the exterior of the bag allow the electrician to attach other tools such as a hammer, tape measure, or first aid kit. These accessories will come in handy for those morning when the electrician may need to perform other jobs in addition to the electrical work.
10. Dedicated Padded Tablet Sleeve
Another helpful feature is the dedicated sleeve for a laptop or tablet. Electrical work today require the use of screens to read schematics and inspection reports. A padded sleeve on the tool bag will allow for the tablet to not hit the electrician’s other tools while they are en route to their job site. Furthermore, another benefit of a dedicated sleeve is that an electrician can lay the tablet flat on the tool bag while they are at the job site to review schematics or diagrams.
11. High Visibility Accents and Reflective Piping
Another feature that should be included in quality tool bags is high visibility accent. For instance, bright orange or lime green accent on the top of the tool bag will allow an electrician to spot their tool bag while they are working on a project. Furthermore, if the tool bag includes reflective piping on the bag, it will catch the headlamp beams while the electrician is working after dark. These features will help to ensure that the electrician does not leave any tool behind while they are working, and it will also ensure that they do not trip over their own tool bag while they are working after the sun sets. In the end, the electrician will find that the best tool bag for an electrician is not a necessary evil but an extension of their work life.
Each electrician will eventually find themselves wishing they had choose to use the best tool bag rather than a poorly designed one. Furthermore, each electrician should choose a tool bag that feature features that match the type of work they perform the most. For instance, an electrician that performs most of their work in the residential sector will have a different preferred tool bag than an electrician that performs most of their work in the commercial sector.
Each electrician should try a few tool bags to find the best fit for them. Furthermore, they should load the bags with their tools and walk around the block to test the features. The tool bag that is most comfortable for an electrician to use will be the one they use the most.
An electrician should invest in a quality tool bag once and then maintain that quality tool bag. For instance, electricians can wipe the exterior of their tool bags to help them maintain their appearance. Additionally, the electrician should replace the worn zippers on their tool bags before they become defective.
Furthermore, they can rotate the tools within their tool bags so that the stitching does not wear down in the same spot each year. These types of care for their best tool bag will allow their tool bag to become a reliable companion for thousands of electrical service call. Ultimately, the best tool for an electrician is the one that they do not have to think about and the one that allow them to focus on the wiring in the jobs that they are completing.
