Which socket set?

[Daydream believer]

Kind of depends if your sailing is local to your home mooring/marina/boatyard or heading off on a circumnavigation perhaps?

If you do not have a left handed widget anywhere on the boat, then why carry a left handed widget removing tool?
More so, if nothing on the boat is left handed except you

 

[Daydream believer]

I do like Poingard's trick . I just need to remember to carry a couple of rocks.....

I expect that someone somewhere has a set of them on their boat on the basis that they are handy even if they never want them.
The wife probably has a rock garden under the spray hood

 

[Daydream believer]

Penberth3
.Buy drills in 10's for the useful sizes. It would save a lot of space and weight. Do the sharpening in the comfort of your home.



But you do not need 10s (except smallest sizes)if you keep them sharp & know how to use them

 

[Daydream believer]

.

 

[jack miller]

Tried sharpening even bought a gadget that was driven by a drill but if I need to drill at least small sizes I buy a new bit for metal…….wood and concrete are ok

Appreciate you sharing your experience! Sharpening small metal bits can definitely be tricky, even with a dedicated gadget. Sometimes, buying new ones is just the more practical option. It’s great that you’ve found a balance—keeping wood and concrete bits going while replacing the finer metal ones when needed. Thanks for the insight!

 

[penberth3]

Penberth3
.Buy drills in 10's for the useful sizes. It would save a lot of space and weight. Do the sharpening in the comfort of your home.



But you do not need 10s (except smallest sizes)if you keep them sharp & know how to use them

Re: keeping drills sharp, with modern production the sharpest drill is the one straight from the factory. Freehand home sharpening might be "good enough" but it won't be better.

 

[KevinV]

Some of my bought odd as oddments sockets have knurling on them to make them easier to turn directly with your fingers, and thats sufficiently useful that I might also specifically look for it in a set.

I nicked this from an old Britool set years ago - really handy, though I've failed to find another..

 

[penberth3]

I nicked this from an old Britool set years ago - really handy, though I've failed to find another..

View attachment 189529

That's the inside of a (probably broken) ratchet handle. I've saved one myself for the same purpose.

Similar things are available, with or without ratchet.

 

[Daydream believer]

Re: keeping drills sharp, with modern production the sharpest drill is the one straight from the factory. Freehand home sharpening might be "good enough" but it won't be better.

I do not free hand mine, I made a tool to sharpen with 4 facets. Cuts as good as any factory supplied bits.
Hand sharpening is an art. years ago a toolmaking relation visited us & he sharpened all my drills. They all cut perfectly with no sign of wander.

 

[KevinV]

That's the inside of a (probably broken) ratchet handle.

Aah, that makes sense!

 

[Boathook]

That's the inside of a (probably broken) ratchet handle. I've saved one myself for the same purpose.

Similar things are available, with or without ratchet.

View attachment 189532

I do like those. What are they called to help my search on buying sites !

 

[ducked]

I do like those. What are they called to help my search on buying sites !

You also get coin-thin knurled washers with a square drive hole in the middle that fit over the drive on a ratchet, and could probably be also used with, say a universal joint adapter. I had one in polythene that came with a cheapo 1/4 inch set about half a century ago, think it was listed as a "speed drive adapter" or suchlike. Dunno what happened to it and cant remember using it much, but I suppose one could be made, perhaps from a bottle top, if thought potentially useful

 

[lustyd]

I do like those. What are they called to help my search on buying sites !

Finger ratchets. I considered ordering some but realistically couldn’t think of a time where they’d have been better than a short extension bar that I already have.

 

[Daydream believer]

I do not think that anyone has mentioned box spanners. I have a fair selection of BA ones & much larger ones of good quality. They do have a place in my toolbox & are often quite handy; being able to reach over long studs, shafts etc. Plus one can grip them easily with the hand when spinning up a nut.

 

[Boathook]

Finger ratchets. I considered ordering some but realistically couldn’t think of a time where they’d have been better than a short extension bar that I already have.

I've just ordered some.

A few years ago I would have thought why do I do need them, but my finger grip isn't the same nowadays so assistance is required !

Just seen @Daydream believer post and hadn't thought of box spanners, but at least I have a full range of sockets to use the finger ratchets on.

 

[ducked]

I've just ordered some.

A few years ago I would have thought why do I do need them, but my finger grip isn't the same nowadays so assistance is required !

Just seen @Daydream believer post and hadn't thought of box spanners, but at least I have a full range of sockets to use the finger ratchets on.

Got something like that in Japan, but it has screwdriver bits rather than sockets. Also has a side lever that you can screw onto it for extra leverage. The ultimate stubby screwdriver, I thought.
Have had it a few years, and have never used it.
This is not necessarily a bad thing though, since it implies I have never needed to.

 

[Boathook]

Got something like that in Japan, but it has screwdriver bits rather than sockets. Also has a side lever that you can screw onto it for extra leverage. The ultimate stubby screwdriver, I thought.
Have had it a few years, and have never used it.
This is not necessarily a bad thing though, since it implies I have never needed to.

Also saw these and ordered .... These forums cost me money !!!

I'm getting worried about becoming "all the gear and no idea" type of person.

 

[johnphilip]

I use a 1/4" set for most jobs and a1/2" set comes out when it gets heavy. One very useful extra on board is a 3/8" extension bar, placed backwards on the square topped drain plug it enables undoing to be so much easier than trying to get a flat spanner against the cylinder block.

 

[lustyd]

Also saw these and ordered .... These forums cost me money !!!

I'm getting worried about becoming "all the gear and no idea" type of person.

I nearly ordered those too, but at some point I have to contain myself or the boat will sink under the weight

 

[penberth3]

I do like those. What are they called to help my search on buying sites !

Now there's a good question. The wonders of the internet, you can spend all night looking at something then never find it again!

"Palm ratchet" is the closest I could find. No idea where to find the non-ratchet type - they do exist. If you're desperate you could buy the cheapest ratchet you can find, dismantle it and use the square bit.