Quality Tool Kit?

On returning from overseas with just a backpack, I had to rebuild some sort of kit from scratch for life aboard.

My view is that all tools end up with Neptune eventually so "good enough to do the job, but not lifetime keepers" is the quality to aim for.

This is what I ended up with :

Halfords general toolbox (they don't seem to do the same one now, but I'm happy with the quality) containing :

Screwdrivers
Opticians screwdrivers
Allen keys
Long, combination snap ring & short nose pliers
Tape measure
Spirit level
Tin snips
Screwdriver handle, 1/4 & 1/2" drivers & sockets
Extension bars
Various bits; blade, Phillips, pz, Allen, torque
Ring/open spanners(8mm to 17mm)
Large & small adjustable spanners
Circuit tester screwdriver, crimping tool, crimped connectors
Hacksaw
Hammer

I've added :
Slip joint pliers
Oil filter pliers
Cheap battery drill & bits
6 &7 mm ring/open spanners
Pump for engine oil
12v soldering iron
Super strong riveter (up to 6.4mm Monel)
Set of needle files
Couple of old chisels
Multimeter

On land (not going to sea)
Panel saw
Orbital sander
Palm sander
Dremel "platinum" kit

Seems, so far, seems to do the job. I suspect that there will be further additions!
 
I found a Magnusson 98 piece kit on offer. It's in a sturdy plastic box and has been surprisingly good at covering my on board maintenance jobs. A hacksaw, oil filter ratchet and pointed nose pliers have been added over time.
 
Possibly the most useful individual tools I have are a pair of Stanley rotator socket wrenches, 1/4" and 3/8", on which the ratchet operates either in the conventional manner or by rotating the shaft of the handle. So useful in tight spots and anyway faster even when not in tight spots. Once readily available in B&Q, nowadays it seems you can only buy them from US or Canada via Amazon.

3/8 in Drive Rotator Ratchet
 
pvb said:
......One thing I keep meaning to get is a vice (no sniggering at the back, please), but I'm not sure where I could mount it.
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What I did years ago was bolt a vice to about 2 feet of old 9" x 3" joist. OK like that for light jobs, for anything heavier clamp it down or wedge it somewhere. On terra firma, park a vehicle wheel on top of it.
 
pvb said:
I have a cheap socket set on the boat, plus a selection of various spanners, adjustable spanners, adjustable pliers, etc. I also have a torque wrench, which has been useful a few times. And a really big pair of water pump pliers. And a 12v drill with a big selection of drill bits. One thing I keep meaning to get is a vice (no sniggering at the back, please), but I'm not sure where I could mount it.
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One of these can be useful, mounted on a companionway step, suitably protected. No good for blacksmithing but perfectly adequate for holding small items still while you work on them.

Bench Vice, Swivel Base G-clamp
 
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penberth3 said:
What I did years ago was bolt a vice to about 2 feet of old 9" x 3" joist. OK like that for light jobs, for anything heavier clamp it down or wedge it somewhere. On terra firma, park a vehicle wheel on top of it.
Click to expand...
I've got an Aldi/Lidle clamp on vice which fits on the companion way steps - been very useful.
 
Plus 1 for a Lidl vice . we had a German issued set of tools on board by one of their diy stores which is handy but now stored in garage and a replaced with soft tool bag filled with tools assembled add hock plus a socket set free at Halfords with some oil or such like. A few mini screw drivers are useful in chart table .Have a portable word drill plus a battery angle grinder from Lidl just in case and hacksaw, filter wrenches etc
 
penberth3 said:
What I did years ago was bolt a vice to about 2 feet of old 9" x 3" joist. OK like that for light jobs, for anything heavier clamp it down or wedge it somewhere. On terra firma, park a vehicle wheel on top of it.
Click to expand...
I have seen a vise mounted in a winch socket. Seemed like a really nice idea, but no idea where you would get hold of one of these
 
I think carrying unecessary tools ona boat is a bit silly. You have the option of losing them over board or finding them in a corner rusted to uselessness. As said much depends on the size of the boat and the uses you put the boat to. ie day tripper versus live aboard long distance cruising. I am the day tripper and us such keep very few tools on the boat. They would be described as rubbish by most. I use slip jaw pliers that despite rust and abuse they never seize up. Being so cheap they would never leap over board like expensive ones. Knife for safety screw drivers phillips and straight plus set spanners to suit rigging screws. A heavy winch handle doubles as a hammer. A can of WD is always good but often leaks. Now I should explain I don't carry a motor so that makes tool need a lot less. But I would suggest you choose what tools you really need to carry and source them from car boot sales. Keep all your good tools at home. yes I know this advice is contrary to above comments and would not suit most people however I think leaning my way a little might be useful. ol'will
 
colind3782 said:
The Lidl and Aldi tools are surprisingly good for the price.
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They are indeed very good value and are well-made structurally. However, the plating is not as good as the more expensive tools mentioned above. This is not really a problem in a garage environment but, if they are kept onboard, then corrosion is likely to occur. Provided that the corrosion is not allowed to continue unabated, the tools will still work well but they will suffer cosmetically.

Richard
 
I bought the force4 kit as a wanted a fairly comprehensive tool kit for odd jobs/emergencies and to keep on the boat in a tidy fashion. BIG MISTAKE. The box it comes in, although big, is fairly thin and a place can be found to to lie it flat, so it is efficient in space as stuff can be piled on top of it - I was willing to pay over the top to achieve this. However, it is completely useless. After removing a tool a few times, they no longer stay in place, especially the screwdrivers, and trying to close it again is infuriating, with tools falling out whenever I try to close the damn thing. The quality of the tools are adequate for my requirements, as when it comes to annual servicing etc. I use tools from home. Most of the tools are ok, but I have had to duplicate a few. Save your money.
 
Cheap & nasty tools for a cheap & nasty job. Dont get this nonsense about losing expensive tools overboard.
I never have.
 
My main on board toolkit is a cheap Amtech kit which cost me £19 about 3 years ago, (see photo 1) it covers most of the normal tools needed, additionally I have a couple of adjustable spanners, a ball pain hammer, small electricians screwdriver, a cheap digital multimeter, a small portable gas soldering iron decent hacksaw (not junior) and a small vice that can be clamped on somewhere if needed.
None of these are expensive tools as I prefer to keep my good quality tools at home away from the rigours of salt water.
Photo 2 shows a bit of rusting on the round nosed pliers from the Amtech kit but this will clean off, and is a result of me using them in the mud on my mooring a few weeks back, but considering this kit has now survived 3 seasons, and looks good for several more, I really don't see any advantage in keeping my best tools on board.
It would perhaps be different if I were on a circumnavigation where I might need a decent workshop in the middle of nowhere but that's a different situation.
 

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If you go to Wolseley right now they are disposing of a suitcase tool kit for £50 +vat. It was originally listed at about £150, and they never sold. Is it truly professional quality? No. Is it good enough for boat use...definitely Yes. I bought one to replace my somewhat worn out basic boat toolkit I bought in a rush at Homebase about 14 years ago.

It goes under their trade name Raptor. They have a number of 'sell off' items as well....though the best deals have gone. I think their Raptor brand turned into a money pit as they didn't market it properly and it wasn't truly aimed at tradesmen..who are their core customer. All the same, at that price its a complete bargain. It contains spanners, sockets and ratchet, bits, screwdrivers (lots) hacksaw, tape measure, hammer, grips, pliers (long nose short nose and snips) , files, knives and spare blade packs and other stuff I can't remember.
I imagine that if you lay an impregnated oil cloth (or similar) over each layer in the toolcase it will protect it from corrosion quite well
 
Sandyman said:
Cheap & nasty tools for a cheap & nasty job. Dont get this nonsense about losing expensive tools overboard.
I never have.
Click to expand...

Best drill I've ever had was the £39 Parkside mains hammer drill from Lidl. They work just as well and last just as long as the Bosch ones costing £150. Mine did nine years of coring holes in walls before the brushes gave out. It wasn't worth repairing. Just get another one. Yes I've also used Bosch and Makita and De Walt over the years. I've nothing against them, they are very good, but I'm always amazed just how good the Lidl Parkside stuff has been.

Rothenberger stuff is expensive, but is often just rebranded versions of cheaper tools, so I judge on a case by case basis. Tool fairies steal expensive tools as well. They tend to pass over the cheapies as ebay sellers are not interested at the price they fetch. Having no tools one morning means no job at all.
 
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I buy tools from where I find good quality some time it from a second shop as in times of hardship like we are in now people needing money will sell good tools and sometimes unusual tools at a low cost.

I find that if I don't keep my tools in a rack I tend to loose then when I need then.

Keeping then in a rack also shows when a tool is missing so you can look for it or buy replacement ready for next time you need it desperately.
 
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