TOOL TIP: A TOOL VEST

[@treasureseekerintheway3515]

Very practical video, Ron. Thank you for taking the time to make it!

[@brucepeterson6973]

Tools, tips, techniques, and projects- that's what every hungry woodworker wants to learn more about from someone more experienced than themselves. Ron, you've got the goods and I want to learn them.

[@DaveMovold]

Ron, I bought 2 from the UK. They wouldn't sell me just 1, used it today...love it!! Cheers,Dave

[@chipshot4426]

Ron I have been using the bjornklader jubilee carpenter vest for the past two years. Although it is a little hot in the summer heat it is the best vest I have found. I did have the Occidental system which ended up being a little too bulky and heavy for me when I would load it up. Thanks for the great video.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

I have followed up and searched every link provided and looked; the bad news is it seems even Skiller has gone away from this design. The new vests seem to have built in bag and are no longer modular. Personally, I will be ok as my vest should last a lifetime. If I find an alternative, I will be sure to pick one up and make a video.

[@BrandonContracting]

That sucks that you can't get this style anymore. I just ordered the bjornklader tool vest, it has built in pockets that I like. I'm sure I would like the modular system too but I can't find these anywhere for an affordable price. I'm hoping the bjornklader will work for me as I'm a finisher and need it to hold specific tools.

[@yeatdabun3114]

Check out Snickers work wear they bought out Skillers and are making vests similar.

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

@@BrandonContracting is that the same as Blaklader? I got some of THEIR tool pants that are great.

[@BrandonContracting]

@@woodworkerroyer8497 I think so. 3 years in this vest has been awesome. Probably will never wear bags again.

[@storsveguten]

Because of trademark issues in the US, Snickers Workwear of Sweden used to sell their products in North America under the name of Skillers Workwear. Thank you for your videos Ron, they're great! Ken, Norway

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

storsveguten Thank You, I wonder why they stopped shipping to the U.S.?

[@TheChipmunk2008]

storsveguten I always wondered about that Ken! None of my American friends had ever heard of Snickers workwear, but everyone here in the UK uses them!

[@icdtww6396]

For anyone seriously interested in a good custom made vest and/or pants, I highly recommend you look locally. I have never found any tool belt or any pants much less a vest that works for me. Granted there may be specialized bags that you can order to fit their style for your convenience. I paid good money for these tools I need to carry, I want them to work for me, and a local person who does sewing (found them through our volunteer local fire department) made everything to fit me and my tools.

[@michael.schuler]

Have you tried Diamondback 701 Vest? Very modular with breathable mesh construction. Though designed with DB pouches and accessories in mind, components by other brands can be added as well.

[@Jay-qq7so]

Neat bit of kit Ron.... I wear a similar product but in pants for from snickers in the UK and get them sent over here to Canada.

[@MrMike10redsox]

Been wearing snickers workwear since I start as a apprentice joiner seven years ago. Wouldn't wear any other brand of trousers other than the craftsman range. Managed recently to buy this vest which is now discontinued in the UK. I have it set up with occidental leather pouches.

[@chriscolameco6850]

What’s the deal with the notepad

[@chriscolameco6850]

Stanley fat max is budget friendly Also military surplus has a lot of Molle vests designed to evenly distribute the load for combat. You can hook drills on the back. Most are better made than Atlas/Diamondbacks and they’re like $30-50 I got mine with a hydration bladder

[@gerrithoevers]

Blaklader just came out with a really nice tool vest called the X1900. It's only sold in the UK right now but it's worth the buy. It looks almost identical to the one you're wearing.

[@carpenter33]

just got a Bjornklader here in Canada and it looks pretty nice. it's called CARPENTER JUBILEUM.

[@electriciandallastx9182]

Thanks for the ideas you have contributed here.

[@markylynch]

In Europe Snickers(Skillers) have discontinued the modular type nail and tool pouches and have changed over to a fix tool belt system....The vest is still widely available...Pretty unfortunate as its a great system.

[@ianleonlo]

I used to have that vest, in the UK they're branded snickers.

[@3dandyrandy3]

Have you compared that vest with the Blaklader vest?

[@LJG781]

LOL.... watching you empty your bag, reminds me of me..... I've been a carpenter for 42 years, and the more pouches we have the more stuff we carry,,,, ( like a walking hardware store) and then the guy working with you wears a cloth nail bag, (with two pouches, and a hammer holster....and always asks to borrow a tool....I guess I'm rude but I find myself saying....if you're not going to be prepared for the job.... Go Home....

[@salvatoresaccoccio2379]

HogeN1337 funny you should say that about the guy with the canvas pouch and the hammer loop. One of my favorite craftsman was like that with a hand made tool box and a six foot folding rule. He would turn his skill saw into a table saw and trust me he never asked for a tool! his work was nothing but perfect day in and day out. Those old timers are gone now but taught me well enough to go out on my own. The tools are an extension of ones mind, how you use them determines what type of craftsman you are. I’ve been around construction in one form or another starting at the age of eight. I’ve seen some great craftsman and not. Today all I see are those that talk a good job and when put to the work get lost in a glass of water!

[@packman21421]

I carry exactly what I need and if I don't have it I'll just walk back to my truck. You're going to work until the day you die while suffering from shit elbows, knees, back, joints, while I'm a first year carpenter apprentice with 10k$ worth of tools in my 65k$ truck. I'll be project manager in three years and be your boss one day. Maybe a university degree gives me an edge over you, but to each his own I guess 🤷

[@Greatscar415]

Tiger trends has cool tool vests. I have a black one.

[@ChrisPaulk]

Also Available in New Zealand at www.jaedon.co.nz/skillers-and-mascot/96-drill-tool-vest-nvy

[@jlharland01]

Chris Paulk They show prices in US Dollars, as well as other currencies, so maybe they ship to the US?

[@KEVINFERN0]

I figure I’d share my experience using a tool vest for the past few years. I have been through several pouches over the years, but now currently own these 3 from Occidental Leather: www.occidentalleather.com/product.php?sku=b5612&type= www.occidentalleather.com/product.php?sku=b5611&type= www.occidentalleather.com/product.php?sku=2500&type= The beauty of this system is you can customize your left and right sides for the type of work you do. Fully loaded, this 3-piece assembly is far too heavy, and far too wide, to the point where most doorways I have to walk through sideways. I practically permanently removed the Right side pouch (I’m right-handed), and wear just have the nail bag and the vest. The vest is comfortable, but gets hot in the summer (as you can imagine). The vest has a built-in hammer loop at what I find to be the perfect spot: right behind the right tool pouch/butt cheek. If I had to do it again, I’d forgo the leather and opt for the lighter Ballistic Nylon nail and tool bags. I think they make hybrid pouches with a mix of nylon/leather that would be the best of both worlds. Maybe their 2580 SuspendaVest OxyLight package. I guess I should mention that I do renovations and custom homes, and am involved with the building project from forms to finish.

[@Repconnw]

We still have some Skillers Tool Vests available but the sizes are limited since they are no longer being made. We also offer Mascot Tool Vests as well. Check out our website for more details and thank you for the great video Ron!

[@ChrisPaulk]

There were a few size small available on Amazon recently. (They may be gone now) and it looks like they're available in Australia www.proskill.com.au/tool-vests

[@MisterFuturtastic]

Do you keep an assortment of wood screws on you usually?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

MisterFuturtastic Yes, I keep every screw known to man, but not in my vest, rather in my trailer.

[@srbrownjr175]

Odd Question? Is that a Staedtler Pencil? If so what size? I use a 2.0mm but have some durability issues with the lead.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

It is a Fatboy by FastCap: www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/viewprd.asp?idproduct=12938

[@taken5875]

Hey ron thanks for turning me onto the snicker vest!! I have one question do you know what the button can be used for on the right breast area?

[@casperme6552]

It's used to attach a knife, search for 'hultafors' knifes. Much nicer to carry it on your leg (snickers trousers have a button on the right leg), but it works pretty well on the vest as well.

[@jasonald71]

Yeah, that's sold under the "Snickers" brand in the UK, very easily available..."Snickers direct" website is worth a look, they do a lot of bundle deals. Check site for shipping to U.S.

[@JoseRamos-hz5fc]

I’m an electrician but I would like to get me a vest just like that I’m look it up thank you for the info

[@jeffkirk6202]

blaklader workwear makes a comparible vest. personally i have the occidental leather susupendavest

[@chicagohandyman]

What about the pants? What are those?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

Blaklader www.fullsource.com/blaklader-160013709499/

[@osamshin]

I cant log in

[@jamescassidy8375]

Hi Ron. For some reason Snickers workwear was branded and marketed in Australia as Skillers . However, I think now they brand themselves as Snickers in Aus. Snickers are a Swedish company, In the UK and Europe they have always been known as Snickers. I think the model you are wearing has been superseded by a newer design - www.snickersworkwear.com/products/tool-carriers/tool-vests/toolvest-canvas/

[@taken5875]

Sorry my vest is the Snickers 4254 Toolvest, Slightly different from yours.

[@InwoodRenos]

Most of the other ones out there seem like cheap knockoffs compared to that one. I used to have the occidental leather tool vest and pouches but found I could never get comfortable in that one. By the time I got it adjusted to where it was not digging in to the back of my neck, it was way too high and awkward. I also never liked the way the pouches were right on the sides of your hips, causing you to walk around with your arms out looking like a wannabe tough guy. Even though it's not for me, it is a quality product and I know plenty of carpenters that love using them www.amazon.com/Occidental-Leather-2535-Builders-Vest/dp/B001E5J6BY Lately I just use a tool belt with a pair of suspenders and a couple leather pouches. Nothing fancy but it works for now.

[@InwoodRenos]

I just found this website that sells the Snickers brand work wear including your vest. It's called the Snickers vest but as far as I can tell it's very similar to your Skillers. They ship to Canada too! mammothworkwear.com/snickers-workwear/ mammothworkwear.com/snickers-4252-toolvest-canvas-p3573.htm

[@InwoodRenos]

This Helly Hansen one looks a lot like yours too mammothworkwear.com/helly-hansen-chelsea-construction-vest-p1227.htm

[@rodneyferrufino833]

I love it but I can find one I live in USA

[@vancejeannet1637]

Skillers workwear was purchased by Snickers workwear a few years ago. Snickers workwear killed off the skillers name and because of trademark issues with the name Snickers workwear in the US they decided to discontinue selling in the United States. The company that was the distributor for North America, Repcon NW, still has a few vests and pants of skillers workwear available on there website. www.repconnw.com/product-category/tool-vests/

[@timthompson7858]

i use an army surplus molle vest

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

Tim Thompson send a pic or a link so we can see what you are using.

[@timthompson7858]

www.ebay.com/itm/USGI-Military-ACU-DIGITAL-MOLLE-II-Fighting-Load-Carrier-FLC-VEST-w-ZIPPER-EXC-/301128790149 there are molle pouches that attach to it or some tools can just be put through the loops on the vest

[@l3ootleg]

Repcon NW carries Macsot workwear. Cant speak for their vests, but they make good pants. Repcon also carries some leftover Skillers stuff as well as Hultafors hand tools which are excellent for their price point. I'm in Florida and always receive my orders within a week. Hope this helps! www.repconnw.com/product-category/tool-vests/

[@sciencemansandera]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3awmn1joMZniLM The samurai Carpender shows you how to make a better one plus he's got one hell of a channel

[@BobFleege]

Atlas 46 is very similar to the one you describe in this video. These are 100% MADE IN AMERICA. They have both Vest and Apron. Here is the link: www.atlas46.com/products.html

[@3dandyrandy3]

He talks about Skillers pants but he's using Blaklader pants.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

I am wearing Blaklader pants but listen again. I was not talking about the pants I am wearing. I had Skillers pants long before Blaklader which was back when I purchased the vest. When I went to get another pair of carpenters pants, I discovered that Skiller is no longer available in the U.S. This video is about the vest, not the pants I am wearing.

[@3dandyrandy3]

But you are using the Blaklader 1600 pants, a very nice pant indeed! You say you got a vest with the pants leading me to believe that it's a skiller set. I with the very keen eye can see the 1600 Blaklader pants. Have you used the ¾ pants?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

Randy, this is not about the pants. I am talking about my vest, which I discovered when shopping for SKILLER carpenter's pants. I found, liked and purchased Skiller carpenter pants, which lead me to the vest. It was later when I went to get a second pair of Skiller pants, I discovered that they were no longer available in the U.S. so I purchased the Blaklader pants which were fantastic but have been replaced by Atla pants now. I am not talking about the pants Skiller or Blaklader in this video. I only refer to pants as they are what lead me to discover the vest. If I said, when shopping for my Blaklader pants, I discovered Skiller vest, it would not have been true nor made any sense, as at the time I am referring to, I had never heard of Blaklader. So please listen/watch the video again and note when I touch my Blaklader pants, I am not referring to those specific pants, only carpenter's pants in general. One more time, THIS VIDEO IS NOT ABOUT MY PANTS; IT IS ABOUT THE VEST. If you are fixated on carpenter's pants or better yet shorts check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqGTmXefq9yWq6M t=52s I guess this is what I get for English not being my first language.

[@3dandyrandy3]

So how do you like the Blaklader 1600 work pants?? I love them. The vest for me sucks as I work in a very hot place and the funk that builds up in 2 days is just too much to handle.