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メナHi, I’m Mena (@menachite), a hybrid engineer who handles both mechanical and electrical work.
Since I also do mechanical assembly work, I set up each of my tool pouches as detachable equipment so I can adapt to either type of work.
In this post, I’ll introduce the tool belt setup I use as a working electrician.
A tool belt is something craftsmen customize to their own taste — it’s practically a work of art packed with personal preferences.
I put a lot of care into building my own tool belt.
Let me invite you into the fascinating world of tool belts today.
If you’re not sure what a tool belt is, check out this article for reference.
My Tool Belt
This is the tool belt I use.
I built it while keeping costs down.
My tool belt breakdown
- SK II support belt — ¥2,000
- Titan safety harness & safety belt — ¥10,000
- Dogyu Industries holder ×4 — ¥3,200
- Kakui folding carabiner hook — ¥1,300
- Tape holder — ¥800
- Nix parts pouch — ¥2,000
- Nix electric driver holder — ¥2,000
- Crimping plier pouch — DIY, materials ¥2,000
- Plier & driver holder — DIY, materials ¥3,000
- Dust cup from Amazon — ¥1,000
Total around ¥28,000.
If you went with Nix’s top-tier models across the board, you’d be looking at over ¥100,000, so I think mine is pretty cost-effective.
Main Safety Belt
I use the SK2 support belt combined with a Titan safety harness belt, so I’m also ready for light elevated work.
With recent changes in regulations, full-body harnesses have become the standard.
If you’re buying new, it’s worth considering a model that’s compatible with full-body harnesses.
If you’re using it for daily work rather than elevated work, my belt setup will work just fine!
Belt Details
This is what it looks like when you remove all the pouches from the belt.
The inside of the support belt has a urethane cushion that fits snugly against the waist, distributing the load from the weight very effectively!
Without this, the strain on your lower back would be completely different.
The belt buckle uses a spring locking mechanism.
There’s no worry about the buckle coming loose easily — it lives up to its name as a safety belt.
One-touch lock styles are fine too, but I find this style easier to use since it accommodates any situation, clothing, or changes in body shape!
Power Driver Holder
I use a combination of the Dogyu Industries swinging holder and the Nix power driver holder.
Since I use it frequently, I set it on my right hip area.
From the side, you can see it’s hooked into the holder like this.
Attaching the holder by itself doesn’t allow angle adjustment, so I attach it to a swinging holder to improve maneuverability.
Just having this holder means the tool doesn’t get in the way when sitting, the retrieval height is just right so you don’t need to bend your elbow, and it makes things super convenient!
When you try to pull it out, it’s designed to catch on the metal tab so it won’t fall out.
This prevents the entire holder from being lifted along with the power driver when you grab it — whoever designed this was pretty clever…
The downside is that if you’re crouching and it gets pushed upward, the holder pops out easily — but mounting it on a swinging holder solves both the retrieval height and the push-out problem at once. Two birds, one stone.
Crimping Plier Double Pouch
This is a wide pouch for crimping pliers that fits two side by side.
What I’m using here is actually a DIY pouch I made myself.
For how to make it, please refer to this article. I plan to write a how-to guide at some point.
The buckle I use in making this pouch is called a Cobra Buckle, and its load rating exceeds 1 ton (lol).
I’m using the 45mm width Cobra Buckle.
It’s obviously overkill, but overkill is the romance of men!
Since the same series of Cobra Buckles can be attached regardless of belt width, I adopted the Cobra Buckle to allow for future expansion.
By the way, Cobra Buckles run about ¥3,000 each, so they’re not cheap.
But the quality is absolutely worth the price!
Above all, the machined aluminum makes them light and height-adjustable, making them perfect as tool belt joints.
Plus, they just look cool — that’s honestly a big reason for choosing them.
When you snap it in, that satisfying metallic click…
メナOh YESSSS!!!
Plier & Driver Holder
This is also a DIY 3-slot holder I made myself.
The nipper slot is cup-shaped and fits both drivers and nippers.
You can swap them depending on the task.
Everything else is the same as the review above.
When you snap something in…
メナOh YESSSS!!!
Dust Cup (Trash Holder)
I’m using a military-style cup I found on Amazon.
It has a drawcord so there’s no worry about spilling the contents even in awkward positions.
It works as a trash holder and the side pockets can hold items too, which makes it very useful.
There are moments when you suddenly need somewhere to put small items, so this is definitely a recommendation.
Parts Box
This is Nix’s “Shaka-Shaka Box” — a parts box with a cute name.
There’s a magnetic sheet inside the box that keeps iron screws stuck in place so they don’t go missing — a great feature.
Even though it’s called a parts box, I use it as a wire stripper holder.
The basic structure is hook-type, same as the power driver holder.
The zippers are on both sides, so whether the box is attached on the left or right, retrieval is always smooth.
Both sides also have pockets for pens and similar items.
I shoved a driver in and broke the side panel, so it’s not made of super-strong material there.
The main center section is reinforced so that’s fine — just something to watch out for on the sides.
Solid Nix quality as expected.
Carabiner, Hooks, and Accessories
Not tool pouches, but handy accessories to have.
Folding Aluminum Carabiner Hook
I use the Kakui folding aluminum carabiner hook. Aluminum vs. steel makes a bigger weight difference than you’d expect, so I try to go aluminum wherever possible.
Available at home improvement stores like Hodaka.
It’s functionally the same as Tajima’s folding holder.
Normally I fold it up when not in use, then hook things like monkey wrenches onto it when I need them.
Tape Hook
I use the E-VALUE tape hook.
It’s convenient because you can hook it anywhere and adjust the length.
Some tape hooks drop the tape even though they’re called “tape hooks,” but this one hasn’t dropped anything yet. The price is reasonable too — a good buy.
Magnetic Joint
I use this for cable tie removal — it’s a ¥100 piece from Seria (a 100-yen store).
Don’t underestimate it just because it’s ¥100! The magnetic force is surprisingly strong so it won’t come off easily.
Also, that classic 100-yen store thing where just the magnet pops out and breaks — hasn’t happened with this one.
It’s so convenient I want to buy a few more.
Summary
How was the world of tool belts?
There’s a joy in obsessing over your tool belt — endlessly tweaking it for your own practical needs.
In my case, I’ve set mine up so I can attach and detach pouches depending on the task, or rearrange them as needed.
Some people keep everything attached at all times, which is actually the more common approach.
I work in tight spaces too, so this style suits me best.
メナI hope this helps you build your own proudly customized tool belt, thinking about what kind of work you do and what you need.