Most commonly used tools.

[mikehibb]

A recent thread mentioned a chain wrench and strap wrench.

Made me think out of all my tool kit what bits get used the most often.

Strap wrench, for filters etc, but great for helping to loosen the speed log transducer without causing any damage if it gets a bit stuck.
Now bought another one for home use, SWMBO spotted me using the strap wrench the other day (coincidently after she had had a problem with a jam jar lid, she has very small hands)she says ahhhh thats what I need.

8mm spanner, nice little short one, battery terminals. Also have a nice short 10mm too if I nead to bleed the fuel line. Both of these allow me to get right in small places.

Sure that I will remember a few more.

Wondering what your mos tused tools are?

 

[richardabeattie]

A serious hammer

 

[VicS]

Adjustable spanner.

You can do anything with an adjustable spanner.

 

[mjcp]

Gaffer and electrical tape.

mjcp

 

[KenMcCulloch]

A graduate of the International College of Boatbuilding once told me 'every tool is a hammer except a screwdriver which is a chisel'....

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Swiss Army Knife . . This model

 

[VicS]

Swiss Army Knife . . This model

What no saw blade

 

[SimbaDog]

Set of decent allen keys

 

[Woodlouse]

Adjustable spanner.

You can do anything with an adjustable spanner.

The good old Mexican Speed Wrench.

An adjustable, a hammer and a screwdriver.

My Adjustable spanner has a bottle opener on it.

 

[Blueboatman]

''If your only tool is a hammer, all you can do is hit it harder'

Molegrips, posh screwdrivers and Sikaflex gun.

Vic, you left out the Stilsons, medium and enormous- Perfect for serious through-hull issues and for straightening anchors, booms etc.

These days I reckon the most useful tool onboard is a big rechargeable light on a stalk so I can see into the crevass.

If all else fails, something called a chequebook seems to work (sometimes).

 

[bob26]

Wondering what your mos tused tools are [onboard]?

A tea spoon

 

[VicS]

Vic, you left out the Stilsons, medium and enormous-

Stilsons? They're plumbers tools. I only got small and medium. Don't know what happened to the large, used to be a 24" set

A decent set of spanners is useful.

 

[Rowana]

A man after my own heart

''If your only tool is a hammer, all you can do is hit it harder'


Ah! The noble art of percussive maintenance -

If in doubt, give it a clout.
The bigger the doubt, the bigger the clout!


And of course, not forgetting "Aussie bolts", sometimes called cable ties!

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Adjustable spanner.

You can do anything with an adjustable spanner.

The devils own invention should never be taken near a nut, responsible for more problems than they ever solve, as your later photograph shows (not the stillsons) you have no need of them, they would be better employed as anchor weights

 

[PetiteFleur]

When I started my engineering apprenticeship many, many years ago - a seasoned fitter from the Maintenance Dept. told me " the only tools you need are a large adjustable spanner, a screwdriver and a hammer".
I have increased my toolbox since then and of course only use proper sized spanners - the adjustable is confined to my plumbing box as the hexagons never seem to the same....

 

[Shanty]

When I left school, I went to work in the maintenance department of a factory making gas fires. I was set to work for an ex NCB fitter. Each morning, we would go walkabout around his area of the factory, fixing any minor problems. The only tools we took with us were a hammer, a large screwdriver, and a two foot folding steel rule. We very rarely had to go back for any other tools.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

When I left school, I went to work in the maintenance department of a factory making gas fires. I was set to work for an ex NCB fitter. Each morning, we would go walkabout around his area of the factory, fixing any minor problems. The only tools we took with us were a hammer, a large screwdriver, and a two foot folding steel rule. We very rarely had to go back for any other tools.

Perhaps thats why we have little manufacturing industry left with few ENGINEERS worthy of the name either When I first became a factory manager more years ago than than I care to remember I told the works engineer to inform his fitters that I would not tolerate adjustables etc and that I would willingly replace any with a reasonable amount of spanners for anyone that cared to ask. It took two or three confiscations and public "Gas Axing" of the offending impliment for the message to get through with an improvement in basic fitting and quality of work

 

[samwise]

T-handle screwdriver in a plastic case together with a selection of small sockets and screwdriver bits plus a right angle fitment for those awkward spaces. The only thing that would make it better would be a ratchet facility ( I'm sure you can get one, but I'm too mean) . In general terms I have learned the hard way that having the right tool for the job is crucial. I can look back on a whole raft of botched jobs caused by trying to "make do."

 

[fisherman]

Full set of metric and imp spanners, but remember, after a few year's rusting they are no longer the right size. 'hammer through' screwdrivers, which have a hex drive on the end. Metric and imp allen keys (spit), pref 'unbreako', kept in an oiled rag. All sizes adjustable, but good quality that don't drift open. Stilsons up to big enough to rotate the prop shaft to unwind foulings, or bigger if any of your nuts are huge. Long paint roller handle closed at the end to make a small hook which will go down through the seacock and pull the weed/plastic bag up through. Small leccy screwdrivers. Magnet on a string.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

I have a small set of METRINCH sockets which fit everyting. The sockets bear against the faces of the nuts rather than the corners so that even rusty, worn nuts yield to their charms....excellent.