Birthday approaches II - Definitive Tool Kit

[Kristal]

The other option, and one that is more practical, is to rebuild my on-board tool kit. This has been wanting for some time, consisting of two cheap Halfords boxes of a bygone age, one featuring some frighteningly rusted sockets and half-full of rainwater (came with the boat, and I must admit, was not the jewel in the crown of her inventory) and the other wrested from the assortment I carry in my aged Alfa Romeo to threaten it with.

Hence, I could be sensible and put together a top-notch tool kit instead of a shiny interior fitting (see part one). What I'd need to know, though, is:

1. Is there any reliable way to protect tools in a marine environment? Is it possible to get high-quality waterproof tool boxes in small-boat dimensions?

and 2. What would be in your ideal on-board, wooden-boat tool kit (bearing in mind this is for fixing the engine and emergencies afloat, NOT for general maintenance - I am given to understand that the ideal tool kit for that would require something the size of a horsebox...)

Come on, let's compile the definitive list.

/<

 

[Mirelle]

Moving swiftly on to question (2)...

....since I have never found an answer to (1)....

Vice, Record, small, cramp to table top type

Pair of adjustable spanners (before the purists look horrified, Mirelle's antique Volvo actually has one, stamped "Volvo", as part of its tool kit!

Set of spanners, engine for use of on.

Pliers, electrical, cable stripper, crimping tool, screwdriver, electrical.

Hacksaws large and small

Hand drill and bits

Mole grips, large

Feeler gauges

Screwdrivers, various

Sump pump.

 

[Forbsie]

If you haven't finished all your woodworking, I would suggest a set of These.

Brilliant to work with and have lasted aboard my boat for 3 years although on river so no salty environment.

 

[Kristal]

Those look absolutely lovely... I shall consider a complete set for my shorebased kit, and a good all-rounder to go in the new onboard kit.

 

[burgundyben]

Re: Moving swiftly on to question (2)...

Ref point 1) - Me neither, I do keep them in a plastic box under the bunk in the cabin, they seem to stay in reasonable shape, I tend to buy my tools for the boat form the local sunday market, I find its best to second hand tools of higher quality than the more widely available Draper junk.

My socket set on the boat is seems not to rust, I think its the oily diesel covered hand prints from pinky and perky, two of Perkins finest that keeps them this way.

 

[wrr]

How much do your loved ones value you? Enough for an all stainless steel tool kit? See http://www.cdet.co.uk/

 

[Mirelle]

Agree

About buying tools at car boot sales. Better quality and wider choice at half the price.

 

[Santana379]

Re: Agree

Kristal

Just before launch each year I don rubber gloves (read on, its quite OK), cover the kitchen table in newspaper and and use 3 in 1 oil, coated very liberally using a soaked rag, over all the boat tools. It works fantastically, and the (inexpensive) boat tools are more rust free than the home ones. None have slipped out my hand yet, though we may be the only crew with a construction helmet aboard for the winchman to wear when the mate is working at the mast head!

Francis Fletcher

 

[Talbot]

keep a block of camphor in the tool box. As it sublimates, it will put an oily coating over all the tools in the box and help to protect them from rust.

Screwfix does a nice set of japanese pull saws which I love for fine joinery.

 

[Spuddy]

Re: Agree

car boot tools might be nicked. My garden furniture prob went that way.
I've just got too many tools.I gradually transfer them to boat with each job done until they have filled it up and then I shift em back again.
The 2 sensible choices seem to be to have a set of cheap, almost disposables or else everything in SS.
" Cheap tools are a waste of time. Buy cheap, buy twice" comes the cry. Well as a time served chippy, my Diston saws and best chisels stay indoors - not even in the garage.
My dream??? A hand forged hatchet with a laminated steel blade - backed with a spikey, hammery, twisty thing so i could reverse it.
Then I'd design a boat around the tool so that this was all I needed for repairs and maintenance as well as chopping the onions and shaving. "Impractical" you say? Well OK, the axe part would tend to rust. But I could either keep it plunged in a bucket of sand soaked in extra virgin olive oil or else in a leather holster - red patent leather would look a bit tarty I feel; black would be for psychopaths only so maybe fuzzy side out caribou skin??

 

[Stemar]

Re: Agree

Buy cheap buy twice is true, but in my experience, buy expensive, buy twice applies on the boat just as much.

The bugrit factor is a lot higher when your shiney stainless £20 gizmo fails its swimming test than if it's a £2 job from the local market.

 

[apindrans]

There is no point buying cheap tools just because they are going to live on a boat. Luckily I have a shop up the road that sells second hand tools so I can get good used tools without having to pay new prices.

Keep the buggers dry. A simple plastic tool box has done me for years. Howver if the tools get exposed to the element wipe them of the best you can, and spray some silicon spray over them. Just it off when you use them.

old tools tarnish anyway so don't worry about keeping them pristine. They are there to do the work, not to look at and admire.

For coastal cruising I have survived with a small selection of screw drivers.
Mole grips.
A hammer
Electrical wire cutters, and pliers.
A set of spanners to fit the engine, and others.
A good knive.
And a couple of clamps.
A supply of tape,string, and goop also helps.

Keep the expensive ttols at home where you can't drop them overboard.