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How to Setup Electrician Tool Belt? All You Need to Know!

Fact checked by Andrew Carnegie

how to setup electrician tool belt

Worn around the waist, tool belts are designed to carry and organize a wide range of tools, such as hammers, chisels, tapes, and even screws and nails. Because of this, they are considered essential accessories when working in the trades, primarily for professionals.

To maximize the accessory to its full potential, professionals, especially electricians, set it up according to their desired comfort and job demand. But is there a right or wrong way to do it?

Just keep reading to learn more about how to setup electrician tool belt.

Steps to Setup Electrician Tool Belt

Step #1: Pick a tool belt.

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The difference between an electrician tool belt among other tool belts is its number of pockets and pouches. This is because it needs to support tools that are more in quantity but smaller in size compared to carpenters’ tools.

The ideal number of pockets you should look for to have a proper electrician tool bag set up is 10 to 15. It is also good to pick one with two big pouches that can rest on your thighs.

Aside from pockets and pouches, you should also consider the hooks and loops that can hold hammers and drills.

Step #2: Place heavier tools on your dominant-hand side.

Your dominant hand is the one you use to do fine motor skills like writing, throwing a ball, or brushing your teeth.

This step is one of the golden rules of electrician tool pouch setup. If the heavier tools are to be kept on your non-dominant hand side, there is a high possibility that you will encounter accidents and deal with discomfort.

Aside from the weight, it is also good to consider placing the tools you frequently use on the side of your dominant hand to guarantee that you can easily reach for them.

Step #3: Have your less heavier tools on your non-dominant hand side.

electrician-tool-set

Your non-dominant or “helper” hand tends to be less stronger and has a lesser grip compared to your dominant hand. Therefore, as much as possible, don’t use this hand to handle heavy tools.

In tool belt organization, it is common to keep the lighter tools on your dominant hand side.

You may also place tools you rarely use on this side.

Step #4: Consider turning the tool belt around.

Most tool belts have big pockets placed on the front. When these pockets are filled with tools, they tend to restrict mobility and cause discomfort. For example, the big pockets can get in the way

To improve mobility, it is advised to wear a tool belt the other way around. Have the big pockets on the back and the small pockets on the front.

It is also recommended to get tool belts with detachable pockets so you can easily customize your tool belts.

Step #5: Wear suspenders.

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Wearing a tool belt with suspenders can be considered a pro tip to make carrying heavy tools more bearable. Instead of having the entire weight rest on your waist and hips, the suspenders distribute the weight of the tools to the other parts of the body, such as the chest and shoulders.

Aside from the weight support, suspenders also keep your tool belt secured. They prevent it from rotating or even from falling off if the tools get heavy.

The Importance of Tool Belt for Electricians

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For electricians, tool belts are more than just accessories that keep their tools organized.

Electricians usually do their jobs up on a ladder or an electric post. This being said, it is not convenient and logical for them to go up and down just to fetch the tools they need for work. Aside from being inconvenient, it is also dangerous.

Therefore, it is safe to say that a tool belt, to electricians, is not just an accessory. It is a must-have and a lifeline.

Types of Electrician Tool Belts

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If you are planning to buy one, it is good to know that there are two main types of tool pouch for electricians.

1. Standard Tool Belt

A standard tool belt is one that is worn around the waist. It consists of several pockets or pouches that can hold most, if not all, of the tools that electricians need.

One of the reasons to consider this tool belt is the price. Compared to other tool belts, it is more affordable.

However, since it is worn around the waist, the weight of the tools is concentrated on the waist/ hips. In this regard, those who wear it may experience lower back pain.

2. Harness Tool Belt

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Unlike the standard tool belt, a harness is worn across the body. Because of this, the weight of the tools is not concentrated on one part of the body and reduces the risk of body pain.

The harness tool belt’s additional support makes it a recommended belt to those who work with heavy tools. However, this type of tool belt is more pricey and you would want to reconsider this if you are only working with a few tools.

Helpful Tips:

  • Tip #1: If you don’t need it, don’t keep it! Remove the unnecessary tools from your tool belt so you won’t have to carry their weight.
  • Tip #2: Reduce body strain and pain by wearing padded tool belts and suspenders.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do you fit a tool belt?

Most tool belts come with adjustable waist bands. Because of this mechanism, making a tool belt fit around your waist is no longer a hassle.

All you have to do is wear it and adjust the waist band according to your desired fit and comfort.

Where should my tool belt sit?

Your electrician tool belt worn around your waist and just above the hips, whether what you have is a standard or a harness tool belt.

However, if you are wearing a standard tool belt, it is advisable to let the pockets or pouches rest on your hips. This part of the body is stronger than the waist and can endure the pressure from the weight of the tools.

What should I put in my electrician tool set?

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If you are an electrician, some of the tools that you may include in your tool set are the following:

  • Lineman pliers
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Screwdriver with straight tip
  • Measuring tape
  • Electrician hammer
  • Torpedo level
  • Wire strippers

These tools are considered basic, and you can add more depending on the demands of your job.

How do I break in a new leather tool belt?

In breaking in a leather tool belt, you may take note of the following tips:

  • Stretch it with lighter fluid.
  • Fill it with your tools to stretch the material.
  • Condition your tool belt using natural oils or leather conditioners.
  • Wear your tool belt from time to time so the leather can conform to your body.

What do I have to look for in a tool belt?

There are a lot of tool belts available in the market, and choosing “the one” can be a very painstaking job. To make sure that your purchase is regret-free, make sure to consider the following qualities in buying your tool belt.

  • Durability

You want to make sure that your tool belt can support all the tools that you use at work. Make sure not to overlook the tool belt’s material and quality as they are the major determinants of its durability!

There are three materials that are commonly used in electrician tool belts: leather, nylon, and polyester.

Leather is the most durable and advisable for heavier tools. However, it requires proper maintenance and is also more expensive.

Nylon is also heavy-duty, but unlike leather, it is more lightweight and inexpensive. Because of such qualities, it is a highly recommended material for electricians.

Polyester, on the other hand, is the least durable.

  • Comfort

As a professional, you would want to make sure that your tool belt won’t cause any discomfort that might distract you as you work. Therefore, before paying at the cash register, don’t forget to try on your tool belt and see if it is comfortable for you.

Conclusion

Although there is no best way to organize duty belt for electricians, it is important to know how to setup electrician tool belt and its basic rules and tips.

You can stick to the steps and other organization tips indicated here, or you can add more according to your liking. At the end of the day, all you have to ensure is that your tool belt remains durable and does its job to make your work convenient and comfortable.

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