Custom rebolting tool bags

Hi y'all,

Over the last couple years of rebolting I tried quite a few hardware store bought bags and climbing bucket bags, but they never quite did what I needed or had me digging for tools. Out of frustration I prototyped my own. I thought I'd share the most recent ones here and see what people think. I already sew bicycle bags so this has been an interesting side project.

I make the small bags (~5L) with repurposed webbing from climbing gear (if it's still looking good), or all new if people prefer. The large bag (~20L) is the style I've used the most the last couple of years. I wanted something that stays open and has more tool slots, especially near the rim of the bag when it's larger. It also folds shut when not in use. The prototypes for it utilized old tent poles inside the walls, but the new one has a bolted on HDPE frame with stainless spur grommets and bolts. You can also replace the corners if it's ever needed, since they wear out the most. Everything is done on a variety of industrial machines to handle nylon binding and ballistic fabric.

I've been asking 75 for the small and 250 for the larger bag. I thought it might be much, but labor and materials have not been insignificant. If enough people are interested in these (especially the larger one) I can source materials for a batch of bags. I'll donate the cost of roughly one bolt to the ASCA for every bag I sell. 

I recall Greg German's idea to use a bag with a canvas bottom, so I make canvas pads for my bags now. I've dropped a hot drill bit in a bag once and it melted through nylon, luckily not all the way through. Pads/rags can be washed or replaced too.

Curious if others have made their own too and what you find useful. Happy rebolting in the new year!

Nice bags! A holster for a caulking gun would be helpful

Alec Bakerwrote:

Nice bags! A holster for a caulking gun would be helpful

A big pvc/abs coupler works really well for this. Just dill a couple of holes in the side to thread some cord for an attachment point. For catching all the dribbles, get some thick painting plastic and packing tape and make a glue condom. Cut a square the circumference of the coupler plus an inch or two wide by the length of your glue-gun with the nozzle long. Wrap it around the coupler and tape. Then run tape down the seam and fold the bottom twice and tape.

Nice looking bag! love it.
Lineman bags are super good for this purpose too. Klein makes some nice ones, and lots of different styles.They are also pretty affordable.
Maybe some inspiration for future renditions.

Would you consider the smaller bag as burly as a haul bag? Would you haul it up a couple hundred feet of slab?

matt hoffmanwrote:

Would you consider the smaller bag as burly as a haul bag? Would you haul it up a couple hundred feet of slab?

The small bag is pretty burly and abrasion resistant. It’s made with 1680d ballistic, doubled seams. It’s not as thick as the PU or PVC coated stuff haul bags use, but durable and slippery against rock. I can add an option for 1050d high tenacity ballistic nylon with a PU coating if interested. Both will hold up getting dragged, but the 1050 will likely last longer. I warranty craftsmanship or will make repairs on wear and tear.

I love the lineman bags - I was looking at that style when designing the larger bag. Also have some heavy (#1 - 6) numbered canvas on the way I’m gonna play with. I‘m concerned about tear strength with grommets and abrasion, but a mostly canvas bag is enticing.

We have a site you can buy from (under construction) - https://tramvaigoods.com/product-category/tool-bags/

Also working on a glue bag / holster soon. Thanks for the comments!

I'm curious how you would hang the bigger bag - when I've used bags of that size, they hang too low when clipped to my harness so I end up clipping them to an ascender above me, but this has its own issues.

Btw nice site name...

Thanks! Borrowed a Romanian word and some stories from back home.

Yeah as you guessed the larger bag needs to hang a bit from above. I keep my ascender eye level or a bit higher usually to keep the bag at my waist (I'm 5'7"), and the tool slots are high in the bag to keep you from digging. If you hang it off your belay loop you've gotta work a bit to reach the tools.

Here's a couple photos of a slightly wider prototype with tent pole sides. (Kept abrading at corners, hence the bolt on / replaceable corners)

Alex Mandrilawrote:

Thanks! Borrowed a Romanian word and some stories from back home.

Yeah as you guessed the larger bag needs to hang a bit from above. I keep my ascender eye level or a bit higher usually to keep the bag at my waist (I'm 5'7"), and the tool slots are high in the bag to keep you from digging. If you hang it off your belay loop you've gotta work a bit to reach the tools.

Here's a couple photos of a slightly wider prototype with tent pole sides. (Kept abrading at corners, hence the bolt on / replaceable corners)

Not gonna lie, Thats a lot of stuff. Ive spent whole lot of time bolting and have not once required that much stuff on me at once, is that how you always roll?!
Not knocking your set up at all to be clear. Perhaps your just need all that on you for this particular install/area/replacement? Really.....I'm hoping you have some cool tricks/tools/etc in those bags of yours to share....

I just usually go with minimum on my person as I've usually rapped down the route and know pretty much what I'm getting into.
Nice plank bosun's chair BTW.  I'm always blown away when people pay a lot of money for one. Luxurious addition for steep routing.

We get all sorts of weird stuff in the Front Range, and often a mix of bolt types in the same route requiring more tools when rebolting. I’ll speak for Alex than when we don’t bring the tool is when we need it.

I’ve been using the smaller bag for the last year, and it shows no wear. It is just big enough for me to carry all the smaller rebolting tools, hammer, YABR, blower and torque wrench. While working I only have the smaller tools in it, and it’s a nice size. Easy to get tools out but not huge. The tool pockets are big enough to easily get tools in and out of, including small bits like taps, but secure enough that things stay in place. The bag itself is ridged enough to stay open for easy access, but can be compressed when stuffing into a pack. I love it, and have not found anything near as good.

I’ve hauled it a few time, and had not issue with the resilience of the bag/material. They’re well made and very durable.

As a plug for Alex, he’s one of the most prolific rebolters. Each of the last two years he’s personally replaced 300+ bolts in the front range, and regularly teaches newer rebolters. He makes great bags, and is a great person to support with some business. 

Yeah I was leaning it towards being that much shit because its rebolting project.
You very much need a bag of tricks, and the bag of tools to match depending on what you're going to run into and what manner of pulling/pounding/chopping/coring/tuning forking/thoughts and prayers..... etc.

Huge props to Alex for the selfless work.
Us folk who replace old hardware seldom get praise. Usually just sprayed by some old timer crying foul for retro bolting or not getting approval or some crap. Like friend, some of us do try and respect the old timey laws of route establishment ethics and reach out to pertinent parties before we engage in sin.

Now, back to the bag...
the replaceable corners are a sweet touch as well. Simple and helps to lengthen product life span. Dope.
I'm down to support Alex and get a bag or two cause it better than paying a big ass company who doesn't really need the financial support of the climbing community to make ends meet.

What are the rough dimensions of the junior bag? Height, width, etc.

Thanks for the kind words! Glad to hear your bag is holding up, Peter. And yeah I definitely had a few extras in those photos. I’m a little less risk averse now, but still pack a lot for group rebolt days  . I like having separate PPE bags, glue bags, trash hardware bags, etc.

The junior bag is 10.5” tall and 5.25” wide and deep. Here’s a few photos with items for scale and large tools packed. Also how it compares to the larger bag (custom cord).

The Jr bags with recycled parts are selling for $65 pre-made, with good condition webbing and remnants, photos for each. The regular new bags are still $75, with upgrades for materials. Offering UHMWPE now.

Awesome, thanks Alex!

Beautiful bags, any thoughts of making a size between the two?

These are fantastic! Will be buying one once the snow melts around these parts!

This company makes great bags and accessories... neverletgo.com