Gear up- tool belts, knee pads, gloves, etc.

[MushCreek]

I'd like to talk about some of the smaller accessories you guys use for building. I have nearly every tool known to man, and I'm good on hard hats, goggles and hearing protection. Lately I've been looking at other things for safety and comfort. I don't know about you guys, but this old mule has some hard miles on him, and I'd like to survive my build in one piece. I'm planning to build a barn and a house, so there's a lot of work ahead of me. Here's a few things:

Knee pads- My knees are in good shape, but the days of kneeling all day laying flooring are over. The ones I've tried and like have a flat sole like a sneaker on the knee pad, and gel cushioning. I didn't like the way the rounded caps roll under your knee- felt unstable. I'll need them for roofing and flooring, plus various other activities. I want grippy caps to feel secure on the roof.

Safety harness- Speaking of roofs, I won't go up there to work without a safety harness. A co-worker in otherwise good health died in a fall from his cabin roof. Is there anything to look for in harnesses?

Tool belts- Boy, they sure have some monster tool belts these days! When I was doing a lot of this kind of work, all I ever had was a nail apron (remember when they were free?) and whatever I could carry in my overalls. The overalls have a hammer loop and pencil pocket, so you can do quite a bit with 'em. Of course, I lusted after the biggest baddest tool belt in the store, but after strapping it on (empty) it already seemed like a bit too much. Stuffed full of tools, it would be a lot to haul around, and it seems like it would be in the way a lot. Maybe I should just get a single carpenter's bag, and thread it on a big, sturdy belt I already have. HD has a nifty hook for a cordless drill that I could add on.

Gloves- Anyone use 'em? My hands are pretty tough, but an over-size splinter can really ruin your day.

What else? I have some heavy duty work boots, and I wear sneakers on the roof. Have you guys got any opinions on any of the above? I hate to buy tools for the sake of just buying them (OK, that's a big fat lie) and I'd like to get as much bang for the buck as I can.

[muldoon]

I try to not buy a tool until I need it, and then to buy the best one I can.  Over the years I have ended up with a decent set of quality tools which is not something I would have gotten had I bought the big bargain bin set up front. 

In my opinion, for safety, you gotta ask yourself a few questions before every job.

what am I doing? what could go wrong?  how could I get hurt?  You'll find the obvious things are only the tip of the iceburg.  Sure trips and falls are obvious, but electrical hazards, burning hazards, chemicals, dropped tools, dangers of all sorts working overhead, ladders, eye protection..  then you get a bit more into it, cutting wheels and grinders that can break up at high revolutions, tools with frayed cords shocking you, and the biggest threat, clutter.  a messy jobsite can be very dangerous - especially as you carry unweildly pieces of material to and from that may obscure your vision. 

What I am getting at, is the biggest part of safety is your brain.  You can buy a million "safety" accessories but the best thing is to get in the habit of stopping to seriously consider what your about to do and how it could possibly go wrong and how you could get hurt.  Then address what safety equipment would help you in those areas.

as for gloves, it depends on what your doing.  leather work gloves are great for callous making type work.  but the mechanix type work gloves they sell at oreilleys are good when you need the dexterity of your fingers.  steel toe boots are great when your working with things what can fall on you, but wearing 15 pounds of boots for 12 hours can make you tired and more apt to make a mistake.   Again, it's all in attitude.  slow down, work safe, work in a clean environment will go an aweful long way to preventing injuries. 

[rocking23nf]

As a former electrician, Klien is the only electicial tool i would ever buy.

I dont use any accesorys at the cabin, its too warm when your working. Shorts and tee shirt, my days of heavy coveralls and steel toe boots are over with.

[Redoverfarm]

If you are in the market for tool belts don't get the real bulky ones as they hinder movement.  Also buy the ones that rest on your hips w/suspenders rather than the ones that hang in the front as they will cause back fatigue.  The old ones (which I have and almost worn out) are the front pockets but my building days are almost to a conclusion so why reinvest now.  Actually they have some really nice ones now that have the wide back support built right in.  That's nice when you are juggling 2X's around.   

[Jeff922]

I'm a real junk hound.  I stop at yard sales, flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores all the time.  I will buy pretty much any tool if it's cheap - even if I don't need it.  Sometimes a tool will sit in my shop for many years but they always get used.  This strategy has worked out well for me and I've probably saved a lot of gas money running around trying to find a tool when I needed it.

For safety, definitely wear sneakers when you can.  Big, clunky steel-toes are a hazard when you're climbing around on a roof, scaffolding, ladders, etc.

Another thing I personally think is VERY important is physical conditioning.  When it comes down to it, our bodies are the most important tool we have.  I suffered a work related injury to my right wrist/thumb called  de quervain's tenosynovitis (a type of super-stubborn tendonitis).  I had every type of treatment you can think of:  three cortisone shots, ultrasound therapy, acupuncture, massage.  It ended with surgery after 10 months.  A year of my life went by with limited use of my right hand because of this.  One of my doctors told me I'd never make a living with my hands again.  I was also told that my right hand would only recover about 90% of its former capabilities.

I'm happy to report that I did make a full recovery and I drove every nail by hand in my Victoria's Cottage.  I credit this recovery to stretching exercises, and vigilance.  I don't get macho and "turn off the pain" like when I was younger.  If my body is trying to tell me something I listen. 

I advise taking a little time to stretch each day before you work and periodically throughout the day. 

[MikeT]

I do not like tool belts.  But as a result, I leave tools lying around and have spent too much time searching.  Thankfully, I do not do this for a living.

For gloves, it depends on what I am doing.  I have also found that the disposable neoprene gloves come in handy too.  They allow for dexterity, etc.

I have a safety harness that I use when on the roof but have never "needed".  Saying that, if I were to do it again, I would look for a harness that detaches in the front.  As it is now, if I fall and the harness stops me, I need help to get out of that situation.  I would be hanging there for a bit.....

mt

[rocking23nf]

The hanging is what kills you, I cant remember the exact number, but its something like 30 mins hanging in the air and you are likely dead.

This was preached to me alot when I worked on scisser lifts and scaffolding on the job site.

[Don_P]

It depends on what you are hanging in, if it's just a belt, it can be pretty quick. If you are sitting you can hang out till you starve. If you tie off to the bumper of the wife's car, take the keys  . I like loose bags on a wide belt, no front mount tape, heavy leather hammer loop if possible rather than a steel ring. Don't get the quick hammer loop with click in jaws... they'd just as soon latch onto a ladder. For ladders type 1 or 1A, the rest are widowmakers. I don't wear gloves or my ring if I don't have to... hmmm part of that sentence just didn't come out right

[dug]

I used a roofing type harness that clipped in the back- hated it. Borrowed a rock climbing harness from a friend that fit a lot better, was much lighter and less cumbersome, and felt a lot more secure overall. About the same price from what I hear.

[Squirl]

Tool belt.  I've had one since weekend two or three.  I remembered my father always having one and once I started building, I realized why.  Where did my hammer go?  Also, when I was working alone, I needed a small handful of things handy at all times.  I got the smallest one with a hammer loop, four pockets,  a couple of spots for pencils, and a clip belt.  I don't like wearing it, but I notice quickly when I'm not.  It has been a great investment. The belt usually holds a hammer, nails, tape measure, pencil, and thumb saver.  I wish there was a handy way to carry the square.

Gloves I don't wear, but I should.  Another piece of safety equipment that I was happy I invested in was a good mask.  One of those $30 or $40 ones from Lowe's. I hate those little paper ones.  They never really do anything and they always fall off.  You need a mask for painting, dry walling, and insulation.  I also use it working around old houses, dusty projects, and lots of sawing.  I have used it a lot more than I thought I would.

One other note.  I built my shed with no power. (All hand tools)  So I think the thumbsaver was also one of the better purchases.  It extends your reach by about 6 inches, and it really did save my thumbs.  I quickly remember why I bought it when I stop using it.  (ouch)  Also the magnet has helped pick up dropped nails.  For $10 for two, I couldn't beat it.

[MushCreek]

One thing I've looked into is a cell phone with a place to clip a lanyard. Sure as shootin' if I fall off the roof and I'm doing my Spiderman imitation in mid-air, I'll drop the phone trying to call for help. I've heard you can get phones with a place to attach a lanyard. I agree with having a front attachment for the harness. At least a strong person could haul themselves back up on the roof. With a back attachment point, I don't think you could.

Lots of good tips on here about safety, and the physical conditioning is a big one. We have a personal trainer at work, so I'm a lot stronger and more flexible than I was a couple years ago. Doesn't hurt to keep the weight down, too- less to haul up and down the ladder! I've been working with machinery my whole life, so I'm well aware the damage that power tools (and even hand tools) can do to our puny bodies. Anything that can slice through oak isn't going to be phased in the least by body parts.

[MaineRhino]

I don't wear gloves or my ring if I don't have to...

Great advice!  Working at my friends camp a few weeks ago I came down from his loft (no ladder) and caught my ring on something which ripped and bent it. I was lucky to get it off my finger before it started to swell.  It went numb, so I wasn't sure if it was still there. It was.