What's in your site tool bag? 1

[skeletron]

For those that go to inspect buildings and residences, whether for forensics, restoration, or renovations:

What is in your tool bag? And what is your tool bag of choice?


I'm using a backpack but I've been unsure how to upgrade to either a contractor type carry-tool bag, a side pack, or a different backpack. I can't decide because I'm so used to using the backpack (I just hate the setup).

I have an notebook with stationary, a digital camera (phone as backup), measuring tape and laser. I'm curious to see if any of you bring an awl or hammer, or even a rebound hammer. I want to have a better way (maybe a more "visual way" for people on site) to test concrete and wood quality.

I don't often take my cheat sheet notes (binder with typical values) because it's a bit of a burden and I'd rather crunch numbers at home.

 

[milkshakelake]

Messenger bag is better because I get access to tools and notes without having to take the backpack off. Besides, it looks classier. I use something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/GES-Laptop-B...ords=messenger+tool+bag&qid=1601383924&sr=8-2

My setup is almost exactly like yours. My tools are tape measure, laser measure, pen, clipboard and paper, caliper, and camera Sony RX100 V (it has a better sensor than VI and VII in my opinion so I specifically got the older one). I'll bring a hammer when needed to check for concrete spalling, but I try to keep my pack light so I don't bring it everywhere. I also have a belt so I can clip on the tape measure when I use it a lot and put the laser measure or camera in my back pocket.

I bring my laptop when it's going to be a full day site visit and I need to write a report or crunch some numbers in my car. I keep all my spreadsheets and references on my laptop. I also don't like to crunch numbers on site.

 

[XR250]

I use a clipboard that has integrated storage.
It contains the following...

Headlamp
Backup flashlight
Sharpies and highlighters
Laser measurement device
12 ft.Tape Measure
Arch. scale
disposable gloves
N95 mask
Phillips screwdriver for poking wood and removing hinges of pesky crawlspace doors.
Replacement AAA batteries
Business cards
Magnifying glass

I use my phone as a camera, backup flashlight and to measure roof pitches

 

[MrHershey]

I need to pick up a laser measure. Always think it'd be awfully nice when I'm in the field and then forget and find myself stuck with the tape measure again.

Beyond standard PPE I'd add:
- flashlight or headlamp
- crack meter
- something (often a coin) to use as a size reference in photos
- notecards if I need to notate something in photos
- mask or bandana (often not real interested in smelling whatever's been festering in some building's basement since the mid-70s), N95 if concerned with mold
- tennis shoes or other flexible footgear to swap in for work boots if I'm going to need to be climbing around somewhere where I'm more concerned with falls than getting my feet crushed
- work gloves, preferably with touch screen fingers
- depending on what's going on on site, ear plugs
- phone charger/battery
- printouts of any plans or reference documents, if too clunky to carry than convert to PDF on tablet (or phone if I've forgotten tablet)

 

[Celt83]

along with everything already mentioned I like to keep a good pencil with me as well, having been on site in single digit temperatures pens tend to freeze so always good to have a pencil fall back. I keep a Staedtler 2mm lead holder with me since the top has a built in sharpener and the 2mm lead can take a bit more pressure for accidental drops and is a bit easier to handle when using gloves.

Do a lot of concrete work so also have one of those plastic crack gauge cards.

Usually bring at least an 11x17 copy of the drawings and small scale as well, used to use plangrid or mobile bluebeam when it was available on IOS but ran out of battery enough times that I don't bother anymore.

My Personal Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

Open Source Structural GitHub Group:

https://github.com/open-struct-engineer

 

[milkshakelake]

- flashlight or headlamp

This is the most important thing.

 

[phamENG]

PPE:
Hard hat
Safety goggles
Heading protection
Gloves
Coveralls
Steel toe boots
High vis vest

Primary tool bag: (husky wide mouth from home depot)
Tape measure
Laser measuring tool (with indirect and digital angle)
Folding measuring stick
Stud finder
Moisture meter
Caliper
Screwdrivers
Wire brush
Awl
Ball peen hammer
Utility knife
Head lamp
Extra batteries
Wifi borescope inspection camera
Secondary belt clip to hold a few tools

Folding ladder (not giving up my 40mpg commuter for a pickup just to carry a ladder that doesn't fold up)
6ft level

I got a nice phone that allows me to annotate photographs on site by hand, and takes pictures to rival my $800 Canon Rebel DSLR.

 

[dik]

... pretty much that, but I have a pocket microscope graduated in 0.1mm. additional nitrile gloves and ziplock bags and seals. A placticised 'surveyor's notebook' like a surveyor's book, but has plastic writeable pages, and a couple of 4H pencils. I usually use my Sony a6000 camera, but use my phone in a pinch. I've propped it up and used the self timer to take nameplate photos from 10'-15'. I prefer a camera, but use my Huawei P30 Pro (takes nearly as good a picture and has a built in flashlight). I don't usually bring it, by my Hilti laser level, rod and folding aluminum ladder. also a small level (4" long) and an adjustable inclinometer (about 6") also bigger levels that I leave at home, plastic tape and a couple of 'targets' for scale.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?
-Dik

 

[Ingenuity]

What, no pocket protectors!

I guess the owner/s & contractor/s can identify the 'engineer is on site' with all that other geeky gear

 

[gharli]

Something not mentioned to date but extremely useful is my trusty Geopick. This is particularly useful for doing light hammer tap tests on spalling concrete, reverse is great for prying action to get to rebar when required. This is the exact one I use : Link

_________________
Jones & Wagener

http://www.jaws.co.za

 

[WARose]

I'd like to add to the above: I (also) typically have a caliper.....but a electronic one. (I.e. a digital reading.) Makes things easier.

Alos: a rolotape. Where you need long distances measured.

 

[dik]

The sliderule in my pocket is a dead giveaway...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?
-Dik

 

[Ron247]

-Cheese crackers
-kitchen garbage can size drawstring trash bag-good for bringing back examples of rot, rust and damage

 

[ldeem]

Lots of good stuff, I would add a set of fillet weld gauges and a welding chipping hammer, sometimes I take my small sledge as well. I use a torpedo level so I can measure small angles.

Tag out tags, a couple locks and one of those multi-lock clasps. In my field people expect you to add your own lock when needed.

Bag wise I use old backpacks left over from my kids. I do a lot of ladder climbing (industrial/mining plants).

 

[BUGGAR]

Along with everything mentioned, I like to wear a fisherman's vest with all the pockets.

 

[phamENG]

Forgot to add lumber crayon to my list. Less mess than having a bag of chalk, and it's more durable than my sons' crayolas (though I have used those in a pinch). Good for numbering items in photographs and leaving references for inspection follow-ups.

As far as bags go, I thought about getting one of these. My system works well enough that I haven't really felt the need to spend the money on it. Seems like a decent piece of kit, though.

 

[Tomfh]

In addition to the above items

-Hammer and cold chisel.

-Basic Laser level.
This is really useful for assessing the deflected shape of the structure (e.g. midspan deflection), for assessing differential settlement, etc. It often shows things up immediately, e.g. if a beam is too saggy, or if one side of the house is sinking.

-Digital SLR with telephoto zoom (55-250mm). This can pick out details 20m away that a phone has no hope in hell of resolving.

 

[milkshakelake]

[deleted]

 

[phamENG]

Now we're getting a bit ridiculous. Do we realistically carry all these things?

How is this ridiculous? These are all tools that are important to observe, measure, and document the conditions of existing structures or structures under construction. Can you get by with less? Sure, but you'll be lacking certain pieces of data that will translate into lower quality reports in many cases. I have used every tool listed several times over, and my product is the better for it. Do I carry it all up to the door when I knock? No. Most of it stays in the trunk of the car until I determine that it's needed, then I pull it out and use it.

 

[milkshakelake]

@phamENG Totally agreed. I deleted my comment but you read it; I wish I didn't post it, because I thought about it afterward. Like you, I leave the reserve tools in my car.