I bit the bullet and ordered the Cresent tool kit last week.
I still have a few mixed tool boxes onboard that I will sort out and reduce, but this kit that stores in a magazine rack in the garage will service most of my maintenance and I would highly recommend .
Yep, it is a good beginning.
(actually it is a beaut!)
However, never ever leave the impact drive home. It is the most important tool you will ever need beside your hammer, to make it work. (especially with those old 'normal' cut mostly brass screws!!!)
The other important tool is the vice grip and the third is one's soldering iron which is good for what is made for and to shrink the shrink wrap or cover over a connection.
The hammer l already mentioned and the brass or rubber hammer comes next.
And the list goes on and on and on and... the bloody shed...
Got the exact same kit SA, nicely laid out for most of the commonly used tools. After nearly 4yrs on the boat, everything still in very good working condition.
and....don't forget the mini vice & hacksaw and the manual drill and the drill bits and..hang it all, move the contents of the shed onto the boat and you're done
I have the view that I must be able to fix at sea anything that can go wrong that must be fixed at sea. If it can wait till I'm at my destination I don't care.
The only possible breakage that I may not be able to fix at sea is a collapsed standing rig. I have hacksaws, big wire cutters and such but if the mast came down it is touch and go if I could cut it away.
My answer is not to load the rig. It is in very good condition, replaced in November 2016, and I take care not to put loads on it, reduce sail and don't let the sails flap heavily. A angle grinder might be useful but I have little confidence in using one on a heaving wave soaked deck.
This is the socket / tool set I carry. The best part is the plastic case, as it sturdy, doesn't rust or damage you boat. Being a big boat I can carry a lot of tools. In fact I have a tool room with a work bench. I carry enough tools and spares that I can jus about rebuild anything on the run.
www.kincrome.com.au/166pce-14-38-12-tool-case-mp
Two sidchrome socket sets from 5mm to 45mm ,the usual collection of screw drivers,3 vice grips ,hammers,soldering iron, 18 volt dewalt set ( angle grinder,drill,circ saw,multitool,sabre saw,jig saw) wire cutters ,hack saw, 20 metres of small rigging wire ,thimbles and crimpers . 1 litre of epoxy , 500 ml of fibre glass resin ,glass matting and one piece of 8 mm ply that sits on the floor under the table . Roll of 4mm copper wire ,spare oil , filters,impeller,hoses etc for engine.be surprised what can be packed in spots around the boat.
I forgot to add I carry spare sea water filters, lots of fuel filters, oil, coolant, fuses, wire, nuts and bolts etc.
I don't carry spare throttle or gear cables as I replaced them not that long ago and can use engine controls in extremis. MB has about 80 metres of spare 12mm sheet rope and assorted other ropes. A bag full of spare shackles and such bits and pieces.
I have been sorting out the garage today..... Why the heck do I need 3 sets of Allen keys, 3 sets of socket sets,, 20 screw drivers! When I only have a engine , windlass and mast to service! Cresent will do most of this work!
A workshop on the boat - you're torturing me!
Living on a 28' as a couple for an extended cruise means every item is subject to scrutiny.
With the tool kit I need to be able to fix up in an emergency, carry out a more permanent repair to get to the next supply point, then there's maintenance and improvements!
I've found the dremel tool an invaluable addition - it works as a little angle grinder, sander, router etc.
If we need to do a more major job, we tend to buy a cheap but acceptable quality power tool from bunnings and, if it's too big to keep, give it to a mate - still way cheaper than paying someone else to do the job.
Still, it can lead to entertaining improvisation. Out bush, I managed to resolder some electronics using a big steel tent peg heated in the campfire.
Here's my kit :
Full set screwdrivers
Ring & open spanners. Large, med & sml adjustable spanners.
Sockets with breaker bar & extensions
Wood saw., junior&std hacksaws
Electrical : soldering iron, crimping tool, multimeter
Hammer, wrecking bar
Std & electrical pliers
Filter & mole grips
Clamp
Files
Allen keys
Manual & battery drill. Bits.
Dremel
Stanley knife
Whooping rigging cutters
Sewing kit
Wire brushes
Multitool
Splicing fids
Punches
Riveting tool
Brass eye tool
Chisel set
Tiny but effective knife sharpener
Obviously, there are spares for engine and everything else as well as consumables such as tape, wire etc
I'd put in a special mention for a couple of knackered screwdrivers - great for poking, scraping, banging, and chiselling when you wouldn't want to risk anything decent - I found both of mine.
The leatherman wave has been a constant companion for years and is always on my belt. Ashore I favour a Swiss Army knife "camper" model.
I bet I've forgotten something!
Cheers
Bristol
Rather than have this as a conversation starter in the book shelf:-
I would have something like this to promote some scintillating intellectual intercourse.
One advantage one having tools in a dedicated case is that you can see if anything is missing when you are finished using them and look for it
Regards Don