Putting together toolkit

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eddystone

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In the process of putting together toolkit for boat that doesn't seem to have any (except bolt croppers). Do you think 3/8" rather than 1/2" socket set is adequate for range of tasks likely on 32ft boat - presumably Volvo Penta is metric but Sadler was imperial?
 
eddystone said:
In the process of putting together toolkit for boat that doesn't seem to have any (except bolt croppers). Do you think 3/8" rather than 1/2" socket set is adequate for range of tasks likely on 32ft boat - presumably Volvo Penta is metric but Sadler was imperial?
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For most purposes the 3/8" set will be adequate. Its what i have used mainly for all my car maintenance ( and I have always done just about all of it myself.)

I do now have the benefit of my fathers old 1/2" drive set and it does make life easier with the heavier jobs requiring the larger socket sizes.

In awkward / confined spaces the 3/8" set is by far the more convenient .

So I'd suggest a 3/8" set plus a few of the larger sockets in 1/2" ........or possibly just a 1/2" ratchet or tommy bar and an adapter to fit the 3/8" sockets .

Dont buy whole sets... just buy the sizes you will need.
 
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eddystone said:
In the process of putting together toolkit for boat that doesn't seem to have any (except bolt croppers). Do you think 3/8" rather than 1/2" socket set is adequate for range of tasks likely on 32ft boat - presumably Volvo Penta is metric but Sadler was imperial?
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Sadler did not make engines but did fit Bukh engines though I believe other inferior engines were fitted from time to time - metric nuts and bolts. Prop shaft 1" on the 34. As Vic says - only buy what you need - not full sets.
 
Stork_III said:
A set of flex head ratchet ring spanners is useful for those inaccessible engine bits., Halfords Professional.
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Or a whole set for the price of one in Halfords from Aldi ........ I bought a set but not used them yet ( actually only want one for a specific fairly light job) They look Ok though!
 
nigelmercier said:
It might be cheaper to buy a set. Individual sockets are a few quid.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004QX6ED4/dolcetto-21

My first socket set is 42 this year, still going strong, although the metal case is rusty.

+1 to Aldi/Lidl ratchet ring spanners. In fact all their tools are OK, just buy two sets and chuck them when they fail.
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I have had my original set of "car" tools for just coming up to 50 years . Short pattern opened spanners and ring spanners. Rachet ( 3/8") and extensions were odd bits my father had I think so he added to them ..... but some of the sockets have never been used.
Originally all Imperial AF sizes of course so have had to buy metric ones since. Got rid of the last car that had Imperial sizes about 24 years ago... and that wretched thing was a mixture of Imperial and metric.

Evinrude outboard is Imperial so still use some of the old ones!

The short pattern spanners are useful in confined spaces!
 
One trick to reduce rust might be to make a fabric tool roll out of cotton or linen then soak the tools in oil. Some of the oil will get into the fabric but that is good.
However regarding a tool kit. Especially if youre boat is not too far from home I advocate just assembling tools you expect to need. ie for metric mostly 10 12 14 and 17mm sockets or spanners will fit most things. Then adjustable spanner, pliers screw drivers small and large multimeter. Often along with the tools is the spares you might need. Include WD spray insulation tape wire fuses whipping twine needle, grease shackles nuts and bolts etc.
I think with experience you will find what things you need. I keep most of my tools and spares at home. But on the little boat most used is slip jaw pliers (no amount of rust can kill them) screw drivers allen key for winches. I tend to review all my tools and spares each winter (boat at home) and remove all the unnecessary just keep the needed stuff. Most of my good tools are too good for leaving on the boat. good luck olewill
 
You are faced with the horrible boat tool dilemma. When you're hanging over the engine in a slightly anxious state on a wobbly boat the last thing you want is to be hampered by poor tools too. However good ones will rust about as fast as cheap ones. I buy cheap and accept the pain of throwing them away after a few seasons.

My experience is that cheap sockets have thick walls which can stop them fitting in at least one of the places I want to use them on my stove. Have bought a single for that job now, but it was annoying the day I found out I needed it.

I have five small tool boxes and tools to do almost anything that might need doing on the boat, but than I have an old traditional idiosyncratic boat, and the tools get much use.
 
sailorbaz said:
I thought of buying stainless spanners to keep on the boat - as the ones I have are all rusty - but they are incredibly expensive.
Any thoughts on what to keep the tool kit in to stop the rust?
Sailorbaz
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Wd40 sprayed on your tools. (Wd standing for water displacement, and being used for what it was intended for! - it was designed to stop corrosion on nuclear rockets)
 
I'd agree that 1/2" drive is overkill for almost everything on a small craft, although either a 3/8 to 1/2" converter or 1/2" tommy bar is useful for the small number of sockets you'd actually need in the bigger sizes.

In fact I get the most use from a 1/4" drive socket set: better in confined spaces, and brilliant with' stubby' hex key sockets (the short hex prevents the wrist-shattering wind-up of ordinary hex keys). It's surprising how many fasteners on a boat are 5 or 6mm...not to mention all those (mostly) 7mm hose-clip fastener heads.

Slightly beyond the OP's question, but good screwdrivers are a rarity in most boats whose toolkits I've observed, not to mention a reluctance to distinguish between Pozi and Phillips heads. And surely the one 'must-have' is a decent crimping tool.
 
macd said:
Slightly beyond the OP's question, but good screwdrivers are a rarity in most boats whose toolkits I've observed, not to mention a reluctance to distinguish between Pozi and Phillips heads.
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I recently dumped the miscellaneous collection of screwdrivers that had accumulated over the years and bought a set of seven (I think) from Wickes. They are superb, properly hardened tips that don't bend, Pozi and Phillips included, decent sized rubber handles with steel ends that can be hammered if necessary. I then bought a cheap set from the local market to keep on board Cecilia. They were utter rubbish, tips bent within a month, so I dumped them and bought another Wickes set.
 
I recently added a bendy nut driver - jubille clip driver - really good for awkward to get at spots and should be marketed as a "knuckle saver".
 
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