Since Julian Illet challenged me to reveal what was in my handbag, I decided to do an impromptu video of the contents of a minimalist bag of tools I use when I'm travelling about. It doesn't have everything for every task, but it covers most spontaneous repairs.
The tools in the bag were specifically chosen for maximum versatility to keep the number and weight down as low as possible. The exception might seem to be the stubby ratchets, deep sockets and adjustable wrenches, but no single type will actually cover all eventualities. The multi-bit drivers bits are actually a medley of bits from various other sets to make up a diverse, but practical set of bits. They're never going to be suitable for high torque applications or narrow access situations. But they save a lot of space. The "normal" screwdrivers are chosen for high torque or deep terminal applications.
The main tools are all high profile brands due to the heavy use they get. Cheap tools will just break, and if you have to stop working as a result then it's a very false economy.
The bag itself was chosen as a direct result of frequently seeing a maintenance man who worked at a local shopping centre (Plasa - East Kilbride) when I was a kid. I regularly saw him walking about in the malls with a bag like this over his shoulder. With his beard, beanie, blue nylon boilersuit (coverall) and the bag of tools, he just looked like I thought maintenance guys should look like. It turns out that his tool bag of choice was a good one.
The tools in the bag were specifically chosen for maximum versatility to keep the number and weight down as low as possible. The exception might seem to be the stubby ratchets, deep sockets and adjustable wrenches, but no single type will actually cover all eventualities. The multi-bit drivers bits are actually a medley of bits from various other sets to make up a diverse, but practical set of bits. They're never going to be suitable for high torque applications or narrow access situations. But they save a lot of space. The "normal" screwdrivers are chosen for high torque or deep terminal applications.
The main tools are all high profile brands due to the heavy use they get. Cheap tools will just break, and if you have to stop working as a result then it's a very false economy.
The bag itself was chosen as a direct result of frequently seeing a maintenance man who worked at a local shopping centre (Plasa - East Kilbride) when I was a kid. I regularly saw him walking about in the malls with a bag like this over his shoulder. With his beard, beanie, blue nylon boilersuit (coverall) and the bag of tools, he just looked like I thought maintenance guys should look like. It turns out that his tool bag of choice was a good one.
Nice
I have one of those bags, or perhaps slightly smaller! Bought in the early 1970's from an army surplus shop. The material is really thick and tough & almost impossible to wear out. I use mine for tools when doing unwisely adventurous DIY in precarious places up ladders and the like.
Mr Clive,
We love you. Just wanted you to know.
AnywYs have you heard of a company called Atlas 46?
I recently got myself a tool vest by them. It’s called a Saratoga. It has addons and magnets etc.
I don’t know how I got along with out one for so long. Tool vest is so useful!
Cheap allens with the spring un-retainers and a mains tester susceptible to phantom voltage, you're a masochist!
No Lip Gloss Clive, disappointing?!
Do you by chance wear arc flash protection when working on voltage higher than SELV?
I can’t help thinking this was prompted by those articles on “What’s in the Queen’s handbag!”
i gave my wera, or was it felo, side cutters to somebody to cut cable ties… it came back and later i noticed that two sides are misaligned now. i did cut a lot of things before with them, that never happened so i have no idea how to do that in just under a hour. i'm pretty sure just cutting a tie won't do it : P i have been wondering if i could somehow twist-bend them back the other way. but yeah, why i like my tools with me
It does look like a gas mask bag.
Good eye.
Hello Clive do you ever get nervous working on a high voltage situation ?
We need. 2021 version.
My grandfather served with the Toronto Scots in the second world war. He ended up in Italy and Holland. He brought back his kit and I used those bags all through highschool. They were great!
I'm intrigued that you have no 1000V rated electrical drivers.
I too have the same canvas bag, only a black one, for my tools when I was mobile years ago, my Fluke 87V meter fitted perfectly into the end pocket. I made a rule to only carry the most essential tools through the high street to do my maintenance work. Yeah right, within a month my collar bone was almost snapped, most of the tools on the van were eventually compressed into it in the end, along with any "that'll come in handy" fixings left over from some job, weighed a bleedin ton 😂😂😂
JW did a tool box strip down ages ago. Great vid BC 👍👍
A "podger" screwdriver? – I kept my dad's miniature podger bar after he died, and it now resides in the tool bag in my car. It's one of the most used and cherished items he left behind. As for the tool bag itself, you'd have made my dad proud, using ex military kit. He used a WW2 "respirator pack" (bag) for his lunch bag. Other ex military bags were used for tools and materials.
You have an interesting mix of 'good stuff' (Fluke, BAHCO and the like) and the cheaper stuff. I guess that's where years of experience tell you "For this aspect of a job you need quality" or, "For that part of the job, any tool that gets the job done".
As for wing nuts – Isn't that what podger bars are for?! 🤦😱🙈🙉🙊