Masthead "tool box"

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Graham_Wright

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Location
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www.mastaclimba.com
During my adventures washing halyards, I lost one (the worst one).

Subsequently, (and consequently), I spent an hour at the masthead trying to insert a mousing line through an inaccessible hole over the sheave. It's a fun place to be with the backstay(s I have two) cuddling your shoulder blades and struggling to access the bits and pieces you take with you in the bosun's chair pouch (except, of course, the one you really need).

Previously, I had installed the power/foredeck light with a cordless drill, bits, taps, spare battery etc in a canvas bag I have used for years. Only after descending did I find a large hole in one end. Although my winch wench was wearing her hard hat, a cordless drill descending on it could well have caused her considerable damage. Fortunately, she always stands well clear of the mast foot when not needed at the winch.

For up-mast work, you really need something you can look into rather than groping within. I have a Stanley tool bag but it is heavy and far too big for the job.

I am now searching ebay for a Gladstone bag which has an opening which stays locked (I think), is strong and is an ideal size. Tied to a short line with a Grigri on the end it should do the job.

What do others use?
 
A deep plastic bucket on a spare halyard, e.g., the one for the asymmetric or a topping lift, with both ends made fast to the bucket. This allows the person at the masthead to pick what is needed and the assistant on deck to lower and re-hoist as and when necessary, keeping it clear of the rigging. It helps to have a short lanyard tied to the tools in use so that they do not go swimming.
Thinking through what needs to be done means foreseeing the tools that may be needed; others can be provided, if/when required, via the bucket.
 
penberth3 said:
I've got a traditional canvas bucket with a rope handle, seems ideal for this sort of work.
Click to expand...

The problem with canvas buckets is that they are prone to being punctured by pointed tools. Another problem is that, if they do not have a rigid rim, it is often difficult to see the tool that needs to be picked without rummaging.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
Or more importantly, to stop dropped tools hitting someone.
Click to expand...

True, but once someone has reached the masthead and clipped himself securely there is no need for anyone to be directly below him. The deck person who is 'manning' the bucket can still do so while standing away from the mast, also ensuring that the tool kit does not foul the rigging and the spreaders.
 
+1 for a bucket on a halyard, just the ordinary plastic one you wash the deck with. There'll always be some tool you need unexpectedly, so you might as well plan from the beginning to be sending stuff up and down rather than thinking you can take it all with you.

My original gas soldering iron could be quite tricky to light, even more so in a breeze, so I've had it sent up in the bucket already burning before :)

Pete
 
prv said:
+1 for a bucket on a halyard, just the ordinary plastic one you wash the deck with. There'll always be some tool you need unexpectedly, so you might as well plan from the beginning to be sending stuff up and down rather than thinking you can take it all with you.

My original gas soldering iron could be quite tricky to light, even more so in a breeze, so I've had it sent up in the bucket already burning before :)

Pete
Click to expand...

that would be quite exciting in a plastic bucket :D
 
Graham_Wright said:
……………until?
Click to expand...

Until I took it out to solder the foghorn cables with :)

It had a little stand built in so it could sit on a workbench without burning it, the same thing works on the flat floor of a bucket.

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Pete
 
I've always used a plastic bucket on a light line, hauled up after I get to where I need to be. Hefty items like drills have a lanyard on them, clipped to the bucket handle, so if they go awol they don't fall far. I usually also take a handheld with me so I can ask for something to be added to the bucket when I find out what I've forgotten....
 
One issue with buckets is windage the other is that they can tip over. I have a small Ryobi holdall that can be zipped up that's good or the OP could use a gas mask bag/carrier.
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
True, but once someone has reached the masthead and clipped himself securely there is no need for anyone to be directly below him. The deck person who is 'manning' the bucket can still do so while standing away from the mast, also ensuring that the tool kit does not foul the rigging and the spreaders.
Click to expand...

Tools can hit things and deflect or fire off at an angle to vertical when in use e.g. hit a spreader and land on the pontoon, slip on a nut / screw when applying force. It is a good idea to always use tools that are fixed with a lanyard as the risk is higher when in awkward positions and limbs are strained / tired. It can be quite easy to do before going up and then secure them to the bucket etc.

In my industry there are many injuries a year caused by dropped objects, a whole organisation dedicated to preventing dropped objects and various tool kits and equipment to help stop tools being dropped.

Anyway, it is not just injury and lost tools, who wants a chip out their GRP / Paint / Varnish or the inconvenience of having to be lowered down.

I think we all agree that tying off tools is a good idea when working up the mast.

For Information, anyone who is interested, probably a bit OTT for yachtsmen but the principles are the same: -

http://www.dropsonline.org
http://www.stopdroptooling.com
http://www.stopdroptooling.com/product-details/Stopdrop-Tooling-Round-Bags-for-working-at-height/
 
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