Top 5 Items For Every Technician's Gig Bag
I have been on so many gigs over the years and these are the items I use all the time and wish I had starting out as a young technician.
1. Ear Protection:
SureFire EP4 Sonic Defenders Plus
My favorite earplugs to use are these ones right here. They are super comfortable and available in 3 sizes. As a woman it is hard to find tools that are made for us but these earplugs in size small were great for me. What I love most about these earplugs is that they stay in my ear and I can still hear conversations. They have an additional plug to block out louder sounds should you need it.
2. Glove Clips
Multipurpose Webbing Industrial Glove Clamp
I love glove clips. I find myself buying them to have in every bag I own. My gloves don't always fit in my pockets and to be honest, who wants to walk around with a stuffed pocked. It's comfortable and not a good look. This glove clips attaches to your overalls, your bag, your belt loop, or even your safety harness. It is a very sturdy clip and this best part is you can use it to clip on to other things, not just gloves. I have seen colleagues use it for helmets, keys, wrenches and so many other things.
3. Fine Tweezers
Majestic Bombay Fine Point Tweezers for Women and Men
How many times have you gotten a splinter? Too many times to count right? I have used these babies for metal and wood splinters. The super sharp point is great for digging anything out and grabs even the smallest shard. I keep a pair in my backpack, my purse, my gig bag and my tool box. You can't have enough pairs because a splinter is always lurking close by.
4. Multi-tool
Gerber Gear Dime 12-in-1 Mini EDC Multitool
As cliche as it sounds, I feel like every gig bag should have a multi-tool. This one by Gerber is small enough to fit on your keychain. I remember my first multi-tool was given to me as an end of the year gift by the fellas at my very first carpentry job. It was "wrapped" in a metal cage I had to take an angle grinder to. I still have it and absolutely use it regularly when I am on the go and need an emergency tool for a quick fix.
4. Laser Measure
BOSCH GLM100-23 100 Ft Blaze Laser Distance Measure
This is a more specific tool and not always used as often but it has come in handy when trying to measure things overhead or even when a tape measure is not an option. I use this laser to measure trim levels for battens, catwalk distances and grid heights. It has a feature that lets you account for the body or measure from the top of the body giving you options for whatever task you need.
Final Thoughts:
Whatever you decide to get for your gig bag, remember to always thing ahead and reflect on past jobs to know what you might need for the next one. Every job is different but your tools are always the same.
Happy Tech-ing!!!