What would you include?

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tillergirl

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If I have time (after the to do list), I have always fancied making a pull out drawer under the chart table (full size you know), fitted to accept a range of tools - nice quality of course each in its felt lined own cut out - that are commonly in use for boat maintenance - I don't mean navigation tools, I already have that in the chart drawer under the table.

It seems I should start collecting the tools - but what would you have?

For a start:

Two sizes of nice adjustables
Variety of cross head and slot screwdrivers
Pliers

What else? Being a large table that accepts a half folded full chart, there is quite a bit of room.
 
For cross head screws I can recommend a King Dick /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

On your boat a few planks of oak and an adze might be useful. I'd have a tube of filler /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I don't like adjustable spanners -a small selection of the most used sizes of combination spanners would be my choice 8mm to 14mm say.

You've got too much time on your hands Roger - what's wrong with a plastic box with a broken catch full of rusty bits and pieces /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Another vote for the proper spanner, but I can see the point in having adjustables too, just make sure moving parts are oiled regularly, a quick spray of WD40 does the job
Can also see the point behind the idea of dedicated places for tools, it's easier to find what you need quickly, but I have a sort of grab bag thinking, where if I need a tool at a particular place, then it's in my all plastic tool box that I can take with me to the job rather than finding I haven't picked up the right one
Something to add though, a good set of molegrips are very useful for when you can't quite get a proper grip with the right tool. Mine are good quality and looked after, so no rust or jamming likely
 
If I fitted all my tools on a shadowboard, I would need a drawer the size of a double bed.

I currently have 2 large tool boxes, a small tool box, 4 open top large sliding plastics drawers and a junk space.

My space, if I had one, under the chart table would be for laying down a couple of bottles of fine wine, and a decent bottle of port, in a decanter suitable secured. Perhaps there is also space for 4 cut glass crystal goblets.

Much more impressive.
 
My problem is that I have a big toolbox (with rusty hinges) with things like a medium tillson, caulking irons, big hammer, whopping open ended spanners, box spanners, pincers and pliers and so on. Generally to get the tools I require, I have to search through half an ironmonger's shop (remember them) to get something I want. Leave something at home I hear you say - Ah but I would need it then.

Mole grips is a good idea - I take the point of proper spanners (good idea) and also compass deviation. First time we went to Boulogne was due to the travel backgammon set being placed in the small drawer over the electrickery fluxgate. We thought we were going to Calais. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Too much time? It's about priorities..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif What time I can spare from the pursuit of pleasure, I devote to the neglect of my responsibilities
 
Still have a local ironmonger here, so I guess we're quite lucky, but I would go for sturdy, non metal, tool boxes. Plastic hinges don't rust. Spread stuff around if you have too much to look through, so maybe a box for heavy duty stuff, and another for light stuff (also a good place for fragile tools) and another thing to add is a multimeter.
I like Jim's idea though, much nicer to open a posh drawer and reveal some good boozing stuff than a load of tools.
 
Well I've made a mahogany wine glass rack in the port side forward locker. I could add a decanter without any trouble. Not a bad idea for decanted stuff but all that shaking on a good bottle of vintage - that's a felony init?
 
In adittion to your list and t'others above, a leatherman multi-tool, mini can of WD40 and a small roll of gaffer tape.
 
That prompts me to include self amalgamating tape. Large knockometer can stay in the ironmonger's box but I'll go for a smaller tapper. Do I need a leatherman with all this gear?
 
[ QUOTE ]
That prompts me to include self amalgamating tape. Large knockometer can stay in the ironmonger's box but I'll go for a smaller tapper. Do I need a leatherman with all this gear?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would, just so many uses.
 
A set of chisels, a plane, tenon saw and a square. I think drawers like that a made for things that need to be protected from salt and to keep edges sharp. General iron mongery can rattle about in a tool box. Or if you have a full size chart table space, make 3 drawers, one for cutting tools, one for machinery tools, and one for general stuff.

That's set me thinking, I still don't have a good tool store/chandlery locker on board. It currently all lives in an old ice chest, (about 30 cubic feet) but a nightmare to find stuff in.
 
If you want to avoid mole grips that may destroy your nuts /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif you could try a Stanley locking adjustable wrench.
It's like a normal adjustable but has a mole grip type of locking arm.
Got mine off ebay but this link should give you an idea of what they are like.
D
 
Snap, tried the flexi spanner type a while back and couldn't get on with it, so got a couple of ratshit type for the most frequent size nuts. Not a full set yet, but maybe in time. I found them indispensible for when the nut you're trying to lock onto is in an awkward place so not easy to get it in place over and over again. The ratshit type just goes on once and as long as you don't slip, it keeps a good grip on your nuts.
 
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