Tool Kit

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GrantD

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I was thinking of just buying something like this for the boat

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Actually I meant this, Im leaving the original link in so later comments make sense ?

130PC DIY Household Hand Tool Kit Set Home Garage Repair Daily Maintenance Tools | eBay

And of course then thought, something will be missing... lets get some advice.

I intend to go on an RYA Diesel maintenance course

But would that toolkit suffice?

What tools and spares would people recommend for a Beta 662 engined Sabre 27 sailing the South Coast.

What always useful bits and bobs are worth having around

Thoughts welcome
 
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Leaving aside comments on the link, a basic kit isn't a bad way to start, but it will have stuff you won't use on a boat, and will be missing stuff you will need.

Here's a little list. It'll also be missing essentials, but others will add them. I find cheap stuff will do most things; if the cheap one won't do it, it's worth investing in a good one, but such occasions are pretty rare. My exceptions to this are screwdrivers, especially posidriv, and adjustable spanners, where cheapies are the road to blue air, hypertension and frustration

Set of open ended/ring spanners
Decent adjustable wrench - I have one of these; it's expensive, but its a joy to use compared with the lump of scrap iron it replaced and its narrow jaws grip the terminals on my standing rigging a treat.
chunky pliers or, better, vice-grip
needle-nose pliers
set of screwdrivers - tiny for electrical terminals to big flat-blade, posi 0 - 2. Add a pz3 if you've got some big screws. The correct size of PZ driver is vital.
Big flat-blade screwdriver for brutalising stuff - car boot special!
Allen keys. I have a really nice set from Wera, but a set on a key ring or the one ones Lidl do regularly are fine to start with
Hammer
Socket set - a 3/8th drive will do most jobs, mine came with 1/4 for small stuff, which is useful, especially with a 7-8mm socket for jubilee clips
Multimeter - a fiver from Aldidl or similar will be fine until you know you need better, which will be rarely on a boat.
Wire cutters & strippers
A box to keep it all in. I'd get a plastic one or make a wooden one, rather than metal, to avoid rustry sharp edges. I have one box with the basics and another with the bulky stuff

At some point you'll want a decent set of ratchet crimpers, and a gurt great pop riveter (little ones are a waste of space on the boat) but they could wait until you need them or the tool budget has recovered from the initial shock. If you aren't in a hurry, most of your tools will be found in Aldidl, otherwise, I'd look at Toolstation.

An assortment of wire and connectors. Decent choc blocks will get you out of trouble, but the Toolstation cheapies will rust before your eyes.
insulating tape - a selection of colours
self-amalgamating tape
 
OMG I nearly @#** myself..... had visions of all sorts of awful browsing secrets being exposed.

Luckily it was just my politically progressive ways. Lesson 1 this term was getting the kids to do this.

You should all know for future reference; as Head of both Politics and Sex Education at my school I can explain away almost ANY links as legitimate professional research (we do actually do a module on Porn for year 10.... )

Phew

Back to talking about tools ⛵
 
Stemar said:
Leaving aside comments on the link, a basic kit isn't a bad way to start, but it will have stuff you won't use on a boat, and will be missing stuff you will need.

Here's a little list. It'll also be missing essentials, but others will add them. I find cheap stuff will do most things; if the cheap one won't do it, it's worth investing in a good one, but such occasions are pretty rare. My exceptions to this are screwdrivers, especially posidriv, and adjustable spanners, where cheapies are the road to blue air, hypertension and frustration

Set of open ended/ring spanners
Decent adjustable wrench - I have one of these; it's expensive, but its a joy to use compared with the lump of scrap iron it replaced and its narrow jaws grip the terminals on my standing rigging a treat.
chunky pliers or, better, vice-grip
needle-nose pliers
set of screwdrivers - tiny for electrical terminals to big flat-blade, posi 0 - 2. Add a pz3 if you've got some big screws. The correct size of PZ driver is vital.
Big flat-blade screwdriver for brutalising stuff - car boot special!
Allen keys. I have a really nice set from Wera, but a set on a key ring or the one ones Lidl do regularly are fine to start with
Hammer
Socket set - a 3/8th drive will do most jobs, mine came with 1/4 for small stuff, which is useful, especially with a 7-8mm socket for jubilee clips
Multimeter - a fiver from Aldidl or similar will be fine until you know you need better, which will be rarely on a boat.
Wire cutters & strippers
A box to keep it all in. I'd get a plastic one or make a wooden one, rather than metal, to avoid rustry sharp edges. I have one box with the basics and another with the bulky stuff

At some point you'll want a decent set of ratchet crimpers, and a gurt great pop riveter (little ones are a waste of space on the boat) but they could wait until you need them or the tool budget has recovered from the initial shock. If you aren't in a hurry, most of your tools will be found in Aldidl, otherwise, I'd look at Toolstation.

An assortment of wire and connectors. Decent choc blocks will get you out of trouble, but the Toolstation cheapies will rust before your eyes.
insulating tape - a selection of colours
self-amalgamating tape
Click to expand...
Stemar
.thanks for that detail, very helpful
 
The kit shown in the link is OK-ish, but the case is waste of space. An ammunition box is very useful for keeping them in; the type whose lid has a neoprene seal and a big over-centre clip to keep it closed and exclude the salt air. This sort of thing:1599736316497.png
I would just buy a selection of screwdrivers, pliers, add vice grips large and small , perhaps an adjustable wrench, a strap- or chain-wrench for screw-on filter elements, a set of combination spanners, a set of allen keys, a hammer, junior hacksaw, (big screwdriver for doing damage:) ). It might also be advisable to include one of those little magnets on a telescopic stalk, and its cousin, the extendable mirror. A socket set is also de rigeur, to include a range of smaller sockets with 1/4 inch drive and their dedicated ratchet and extension bars. Add a hacksaw (and spare blades) if you don't already have one as part of your emergency equipment. A micrometer, either digital or analogue, is a useful thing to have on board, for measuring various things, and a measuring tape. Don't forget a cordless drill, drill bits screwdriver bits and a MAGNETIC bit holder.
At this point you need to examine all the systems and fixings in the boat ensure you have tools to adequately deal with them all.
I'm going to go to the boat now, and see if I missed anything:)
 
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Llook at the 810 piece kit. This will cover 99% of what you want and you can add any shortfall as you go along. I have had this set for over a year and although not the finest quality it's far from the worst. Several friends have also got them.
 
I found out years ago that cheap tools aren't worth it. You don't need to pay Snap-On prices but decent tools are worth the extra money. Cheap ones break/round things off/don't fit etc etc.

For sockets I find the Halfords Professional range excellent. (Wait until they have an offer on as they do major reductions from time to time.)
Screwdrivers - any half decent set from one of the suppliers like Screwfix or Tool Station.
If you're going to service your own engine, you'll probably need a strap wrench for getting the filters off. It's better then the mess you get when you stick a screwdriver through the side to get leverage...
One thing you can get away with cheap is the multimeter where cheap and cheerful will be fine.
Tool station do a metric spanner set in a roll that is excellent. I don't know how they make a profit at the price they charge.
I tend to buy tools when I need them and buy the best I can afford at the time.
 
I would also agree that the Halfords Professional range are a good buy and can be had for reasonable money if you find a deal is on.
 
A bit-holding screwdriver with a reasonable selection of good quality bits is a great space saver and works out to be good value over time. I have a ratchet one and a fixed one. Bits also include small sockets, Allen type and a few more obscure ones. Changing to a fresh bit can help avoid damaging screw heads when a little more force is required.

But as Stemar said earlier, a regular large flat-head is also invaluable.
 
Tools in cases waste space in most cases.

Socket set (usually in a case, not too bad for wasting space)
Spanner set, in a roll.
Screwdriver set, in a roll.
Pliers, wire cutters etc, in a roll.

Maybe some alley keys and whatever "special" tools you need for the gear onboard.
Multimeter, a must, cheap ones usually OK for DIY use.
Decent wire strippers and ratchet crimps.

Cheap and nasty tools are an absolute waste of money. Some good tips in post #10 regarding sourcing.
 
PaulRainbow said:
Tools in cases waste space in most cases.

Socket set (usually in a case, not too bad for wasting space)
Spanner set, in a roll.
Screwdriver set, in a roll.
Pliers, wire cutters etc, in a roll...…
Click to expand...

I prefer a roll, something like this will take all you need for everyday use and most servicing. I never liked Ammo boxes - too deep and narrow and only one compartment, you have to tip everything out to find what you want.

C.K Tool Roll T1718 | C.K Tools Superstore
 
Be Sure to have:

A very large screwdriver with at least 15mm wide blade
Ditto phillips screwdriver
Wire coat hanger for DIY lashings
Super glue
2 part epoxy DIY glue
White grease to keep metals rust free
Selection of SS jubilee clips up to size for your exhaust pipe - largest likely application
Short plank of wood for use as work table - better than wrecking your chart table.
Small clamp on vice for holding repair jobs
Long cable ties
I short length of 15 and 22mm copper tube
Various grades of emery paper
Wide range of SS nuts and bolts and screws.
Electric mains drill and pieces
Short lengths of small bore electric cable
Chemical metal and GRP repair in tubes

Much of this and other contributions above come in low cost at Lidl and are of suitable quality.
Recently available there, a tool box in stout fabric - much more forgiving and flexible than steel or plastic cases.

Then there's the list of stuff we all take to sea and eventually learn we don't need so remove, allowing some space for the pleasures of life; Beginning with -

another time for that one...

Ok peek view - rigging wire cutters for when your mast crashes down (it won't)....

PWG
 
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