Pocket Tool Organizer

[NismoFire]

After much thought and consideration, I have found it much more "user friendly" to keep tools in my gear. However, there aren't many options in pocket tool organizers/keepers. What I HAVE found are either the wrong size for my gear, or aren't durable enough to have repeated use. I have an idea, but I'd like some input into a few things...

1. Would you even be interested in such a thing?

2. What hand-held tools do you carry in your pockets?

3. What would you like to see in an organizer/keeper?


I carry channel locks, a crescent wrench, wire cutters, EMS shears, and a folding spanner. Unfortunately, the pockets in my gear have no dividers and I find that the tools will flop around aimlessly, leaving bruises on my thigh.

I'm pretty inginuitive, so I've decided to try my hand at making my own and quite possibly making it available for others, if it all goes right.


Thanks.

[SFD1012]

On vententersearch.com go to the in your pocket section a couple of firefighters have fashioned tool organizers out of sections of old 3" hose.

[NismoFire]

I've seen it, and it's too small. These pockets are wide and the hose would just fall over.

After seeing said hose, I decided to get proactive and come up with something myself. Granted, that section of hose will leave room for other things, but I have those other things in other pockets. I have that pocket dedicated to tools.

Thanks, though.

[lrg500]

On vententersearch.com go to the in your pocket section a couple of firefighters have fashioned tool organizers out of sections of old 3" hose.

It is very easy to make and it really does work great.

[KEEPBACK200FEET]

Have you tried this?

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/pr...et_tool_pouch/

[NismoFire]

Have you tried this?

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/pr...et_tool_pouch/

Yea, but I haven't heard anything good about them. Tools cutting the rubber portion, then they fall apart easily. Plus, the slots are too big to keep the tools upright, which is the whole purpose of having an organizer. It looks great in the pic, but once you get crawling around thru a structure, the tools are coming right out.

I'm open to more suggestions, though.


It's actually gotten more attention than I thought it would.

[WFDjr1]

Yea, but I haven't heard anything good about them. Tools cutting the rubber portion, then they fall apart easily. Plus, the slots are too big to keep the tools upright, which is the whole purpose of having an organizer. It looks great in the pic, but once you get crawling around thru a structure, the tools are coming right out.

I'm open to more suggestions, though.


It's actually gotten more attention than I thought it would.

I have that one, and I love it. Haven't had any tools fall out of it after crawling, and if my channel locks haven't poked a hole in it yet, I don't think they're going to. I'll post a pic of how I have it laid out when I get the opportunity.

[NismoFire]

I have that one, and I love it. Haven't had any tools fall out of it after crawling, and if my channel locks haven't poked a hole in it yet, I don't think they're going to. I'll post a pic of how I have it laid out when I get the opportunity.

Sounds good to me. We have PBI Matrix gear, and these pockets are HUGE with no dividers, so I'm a bit concerned with everything staying in it's place.

I would constantly get poked in the leg by my channel locks, so, being fed up, I went to Home Depot 4 days ago and bought something in the toolbelt section that works pretty decent...the slots just aren't big enough to carry the size tools I carry (getting them out it easy..it's putting them back in that's the issue). We had a residential fire 2 days ago and it seemed to work just fine. Kept everything where it needed to be, and there were no bruises on my leg. Only draw back to it: not enough storage space.

[LeatherHed4Life]

i bought a tool holder that goes into a paint bucket, and cut a section as wide as my pocket. it holds a rescue wrench, plumbers dikes, trauma shears, a shove knife, and a crescent wrench.

like this

http://www.antonline.com/p_JL-89050-NX_336452.htm

[jfTL41]

I have found that an old work glove does a good job. As an aside if it is a tool that you plan to use for life saving operations (disentangling yourself or another ff) keep it out and accessable to the gloved hand, even on the outside of your coat or atached to a light strap. If you have to dig for it you can forget about finding it in a life or death situation.

[NismoFire]

keep it out and accessable to the gloved hand, even on the outside of your coat or atached to a light strap. If you have to dig for it you can forget about finding it in a life or death situation.

I don't leave anything hanging on my gear...after going thru a survival class, I don't attach anything that can't be easily pulled away. My firefighting gloves are held on with a Velcro glove keeper, and can be easily "broken away" to prevent a snag or any hang ups inside.

The whole purpose of organizing everything is so that I/we don't have to dig for anything.

[gunnyv]

A few years ago I tries using a carpenter's nail pouch, and later cut down ketchup bottles, to keep my tools from poking holes in my gear pocket. I now have one of the firestore pouches pictured previously. Our pockets are divided in half, and the pouch fits perfect. I've had it almost 2 years, it has held up fine.

[KEEPBACK200FEET]

I don't leave anything hanging on my gear...after going thru a survival class, I don't attach anything that can't be easily pulled away. My firefighting gloves are held on with a Velcro glove keeper, and can be easily "broken away" to prevent a snag or any hang ups inside.

The whole purpose of organizing everything is so that I/we don't have to dig for anything.

Just out of curiosity, what are you carrying channel locks for?

[redcat]

Have you checked this one out -

http://www.ritbag.com/product_details.php?id=9

[MemphisE34a]

Pocket Portectors?? You got to be F'ing kiddin me! lol

[NismoFire]

Pocket Portectors?? You got to be F'ing kiddin me! lol

I have HUGE pockets without dividers...loose tools wind up flopping around in them, and wind up bruising my thigh. It sucks, so a pocket "protector" is ideal.

I carry channel locks for things my crescent wrench won't fit (had to compromise size because of pocket space).


Red: That's the first I've seen that one...I like it. Thanks.

[MemphisE34a]

I have HUGE pockets without dividers...loose tools wind up flopping around in them, and wind up bruising my thigh. It sucks, so a pocket "protector" is ideal.

I carry channel locks for things my crescent wrench won't fit (had to compromise size because of pocket space).


Red: That's the first I've seen that one...I like it. Thanks.

Nismo - Typo, my head must have been ahead of my fingers. Although my spelling might be an accurate interpretation for a slight southern draw.

My reply was sarcastic by the way. Some people have a hard time deciphoring that on message boards.

[NismoFire]

Unfortunately, that's the downside to just reading...sorry about that.

I've got my guard up around here...alot of these posters are real @$$holes, ya know?


I got that southern drawl, too...born and raised in TN.

[WFDjr1]

My channel locks look similar to these...



Photo courtesy of vententersearch.com

[WFDjr1]

I've got my guard up around here...alot of these posters are real @$$holes, ya know?

I resemble that remark!

No, really, I hope I'm not one of the folks you're referring to.