What's in YOUR toolbox?

[thataway]

I have witnesses and the story is indeed true. The Avon RIB had a bow dodger, which had an enclosed zipper compartment. Inside of this compartment there were several square inches of hypalon, which we used to cut and form a new diaphragm for the fuel pump. But remember when I was a kid I got 1930's vintage outboards running again, with what ever parts I could find or fabricate, so I started doing that sort of thing a long time ago.

We get very spoiled by going to the parts store and finding exactly what we want. Most of the world "makes do". For example I neede a new alternator mount in Greece, and went to a machine shop--I figured he could weld me up one in a few minutes. But no--the machinest, started with a block of steel and a hack saw. It took several hours, but he fabricated an exact copy of the original. I could have done it faster on the boat, since had power tools, but it was fastinating watching what can be done. If you send time in 3rd world countries (and I am not necessarily putting Greece in that category)--you will find that many mechanical items are running on just that type of what you call " McGiver" techinques.

[mailbox101]

Instead of a tool box, I keep my boat tools in a 5 gallon bucket that slides up nicely under the v-berth, with a piece of anti-slide foam under it. The bucket can come in handy on occasion, and limiting myself to that space keeps the boat from sinking under the weight of all the tools I would otherwise bring.

For spare parts that are needed, but rarely, I like to stash them in hard to get to spots that I wouldn't use for regular equipment, such as behind the pull-out drawer. That way they don't take up usable space and I can forget about them until needed.

Also, collapsible dock poles aren't just for docking. They are also good for untangling kelp without leaving the boat, or leaning way out.

David

[SEA3PO]

Not only do I carry plenty of tools....(I try to buy stainless tools when available) but I carry a first class FIRST AID kit when I go long distance... I have taken First Responder, CPR and Oxygen provider classes...so I also carry a small Oxygen tank ... At the age of the group I think it is a good idea to be prepared... I am a volinteer fireman and we are required to keep our certifications current... so I do...

NOW...what do YOU carry as First Aid equipment ?

(I am also an Eagle Scout)

Joel
SEA3PO

[journey on]

Those screws on the windows are square drive because they were made in Canada. As a matter of fact, it's a rare Canadian hardware store that carries Phillips head screws.

They're very proud of the fact that a square recessed drive was invented in Canada after WWII. Though a Fresno we had on the ranch had that drive and it was from the 20's.

Another piece of trivia.

Boris

[CAVU]

Boris,
A Canadian, Peter Robertson, invented the square-drive screw and received a patent for it in 1907. He set up his own factory to manufacture the new screws and one of his biggest customers was the Ford Model-T plant in Windsor, Ontario. So it is not surprising that you had a Fresno from the 1920's with Robertson drive screws.

[rogerbum]

What's a Fresno (other than a town in California)?

[DaveM]

[quote="thataway"]We get very spoiled by going to the parts store and finding exactly what we want. Most of the world "makes do". For example I neede a new alternator mount in Greece, and went to a machine shop--I figured he could weld me up one in a few minutes. But no--the machinest, started with a block of steel and a hack saw. It took several hours, but he fabricated an exact copy of the original. I could have done it faster on the boat, since had power tools, but it was fastinating watching what can be done. If you send time in 3rd world countries (and I am not necessarily putting Greece in that category)--you will find that many mechanical items are running on just that type of what you call " McGiver" techinques.[/quote]

Bob, I agree, we are spoiled. I've just completed restoring a 1975 BMW R90S and while I've fixed a few parts like the fiberglass fairing, I've been able to source new parts from around the world (starter, alternator, stator, diode board, carb rebuild kits, brake master cylinder, brake levers, mirrors, valves and on and on). With such ease of parts availability and a forum that is comparable to C-Brats in skill and good humor it was a great project and I am spoiled to have a like-new R90S.

My son recently pulled off a minor work of magic when the shift linkage in his '98 Jetta broke. The linkage near the transmission is a piece of plastic and he fabricated a substitute with fuel tubing washers and a bolt. He did this in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. My point in bringing up the story about my son (in addition to being the proud Dad) is to carry material that can be crafted or be willing to cannibalize when you need to.

Delightful comments! Thank you.

[joefish]

Prop wrench and spare prop.

I probably missed these in there somewhere but since I just put these on my boat about an hour ago I'll mention them.

Great thread! It feels good to be prepared.

[journey on]

Roger,

Here's a Fresno. It's a hand operated scraper, pulled by a pair of mules, or (in our case) a small tractor. Run by the handle sticking out back. To dig dirt, lift the handle partway up, when full, push the handle down. To dump, lift the handle straight up. Between a shovel/wheelbarrow and todays earthmovers. The bolt with a square drive is in the middle of the red circle.

Of course my brother (older) drove the tractor and I (younger) got to run the thing. This Fresno was old when I was young.



Boris

[BrentB]

I keep a notepad, pencil, pen, Sharpie, China wax pencil, small first aid kit, waterless handcleaner, alcohol hand sanitizer, darn-it trophies in the tool box

[DaveM]

Here's the combined list from the excellent posts. If I've missed a tool or spare bit, it was my error.

Wrenches:
. SAE open end wrenches from 7/16 to 7/8"
. SAE sockets from 1/4" to 7/8"
. Two cresent wrenches
. Metric open end wrenches from 8mm to 15mm
. Metric socket set from 8mm to 19mm
. SAE allen wrenches
. Metric allen wrenches
. Torx wrenches
. Strap wrench
. Prop wrench (27mm socket)
Pliers:
. Needle nose pliers
. Duck bill pliers
. Wire cutters
. Large Vise-Grip pliers
. Solderless crimper
Cutting / Sawing / Shaping:
. Swiss Army knife
. Files and rasps
. Hack saw
. Rechargeable electric drill and bits, include a rotary rasp
. Hatchet
Screw drivers:
. Standard blade screw drivers
. Philips screw drivers
. Square drive screw drivers
Electrical specialty:
. Volt-Ohm meter
. Electrical tape and duct tape
. Soldering kit
Lubricants, solvents, adhesives:
. GE Silicone
. Spray lubricant - I prefer white lithium grease
. Rescue tape
. JB Weld
. Epoxy
. WD-40 (solvent and "Water Displacement" not a lubricant)
. Adhesives: 3M 4200, Marine Tex (epoxy filler), Gasket maker, contact cement, mixing sticks, putty knives
Specialty tools:
. Jumper cables
. BIC lighter
. Flash light (e.g LED "head light")
. Steel wool
. Pry bar
. Ball peen hammer
. Calipers
. Upholstery sized sewing needles, heavy duty nylon and polyester thread
Spares and bits:
. Spare light bulbs
. Assortment of fuses
. Zip ties, including several huge zip ties
. Assortment of hose clamps (several smaller than 1" dia and several approximately 3" dia)
. Fuel filter
. Water-fuel separator element
. Oil filter
. Set of spark plugs and spark plug wrench
. Several feet of fuel line
. Gasket material
. Assortment of stainless screws (machine, sheet metal) and nuts
. engine oil
. Spare wire in several gauges, connectors and crimper
. Cotter pin assortment (especially for prop nut)

[Sea Wolf]

DaveM-

Thanks! I was think of doing the combined list myself, but hoping someone else would beat me to it!

Ought to be made into a "Sticky" and put somewhere easy to find.

I think I'll make one into a checklist and put it in the boat, too!!!

Thanks, again!

Joe.

[Socrateur]

Anyone who intends to carry all of this stuff, please raise your hand. Seems to me each person has to make his own choices from the universe of tools, parts, equipment and materials available out there. Either that or get a bigger boat.

[Sea Wolf]

[breausaw]

I carry the basics that will fit in a small tool box. Spare fuses and fuel filters are probable the most important. It’s imposable to be prepared for everything so in port inspections and preventive maintenance are at the top of my list.