What should be in my basic toolkit?

[Starcoaster]

My current toolkit consists of a mooring hammer, a fake leatherman, a multi-head screwdriver and a broken knife, and frankly, none of those items are really up to the task, regardless of what "the task" at hand happens to be.

 

So because I am a Grown Up, and live on a boat, I have finally come around to the fact that I need a tool kit of my own, and not to keep borrowing bits and bobs as and when.

 

My question then is, what should be in a good, basic toolkit for a boat? I am not looking to have the best of everything or spend a metric shittonne of money, I just want some basics.

 

Can anyone give me a mini-list of the bare bones essentials I should look for, or even better, a link to a ready-made boat-friendly tool kit that is good value for money?

 

Thanks!

Edited June 10, 2015 by Starcoaster

[b0atman]

Screw drivers terminal to large flat bladed

screwdrivers cross headed/Philips small medium

adjustable spanners 6" and 10"

pliers

side cutters

junior hacksaw

tenon saw

strap wrench for filters

adjustable pipe wrench

These are what I have used in the last couple of months whilst cruising.

[John V]

I'm sure that others will contradict me but as a basic that will certainly be a big leg up from where you are now.......Screwfix do a basic toolkit for under £30 http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-general-tool-kit-56-piece-set/1611f

 

 

damn it won't post bet it ends up one of those bl@@dy double posts

[MtB]

Impossible to answer. Whatever the task, there will be something missing from your toolkit. This still happens to me and you've seen how many tools I have at my disposal!

 

It's a bit like saying one day I might want to do some cooking, so today I'm going to stock up in the supermarket. What should I buy..?

[Starcoaster]

That allegory is moot, providing that you have a drawer full of takeaway menus.

 

That Screwfix kit looks like a bargain.

Edited June 10, 2015 by Starcoaster

[MtB]

A better approach is whenever youy need to do something, go and buy the tools needed instead of blagging the loan of them. That way you'll build up a stock of tools you've actually needed, rather than the tools someone on the internet suggested you buy just in case. This has been my approach for the last 30 years and I'm about half way there now!

Your FACE is an allegory moot...

 

[abraxus]

Apart from the obvious tools, duct tape, self amalgamating tape, and a mirror on a stick are always handy to have on a boat.

[Jess--]

a small selection of nuts bolts and washers.

 

carrying them with you at all times will ensure that you never actually need them.

 

The second you don't have them will be the time you need them.

 

seriously though...

A decent selection of screwdrivers (flat and cross blade), avoid the cheaper ones that will fall apart (Stanley has always been my go to make)

small spanner set, the type with a ring one end and open the other (you can tie string through the ring to save losing them in the cut if needed)

small socket set

2 sets of allen keys (imperial and metric)

some hose

some jubilee clips

tie wraps (6" and 12")

 

Not sure what the previous owner of my boat was up to, their toolkit consisted of 1 bent screwdriver, 1 pair of molegrips, 1 saw, 1 hammer and a spirit level

[Guest User]

My toolkit; hammer, screwdriver and sticky tape ...

 

[ChimneyChain]

A man to use them.

 

Darren

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

My toolkit; hammer, screwdriver and sticky tape ...

 

 

Love it !. Because it has an air of truth to it ha ha.

[Starcoaster]

A man to use them.

 

Darren

I've got my existing hammer needing a try out here if you'd just like to lie your fingers (or any other bodypart you fancy) onto this flat surface for me..?

I reckon even this feckless bimbo could just about manage that if I had enough shots...

[Guest User]

More seriously ...

 

I think having a range of spares and useful bits and pieces is probably more important than having a man-cave of shiny Snap-On tool porn. Similar to what Jess mentioned a few posts back; some jubilee clips, spare lengths of hose of various types and diameters, nuts and bolts and washers, a selection of O-rings and circlips, liquid gasket stuff in a tube, epoxy resiny liquid metal stuff, a battery powered drill and various drill bits, Plus-Gas penetrating oil. Some spare bits of electrical wire and connectors. Spare drive belt, alternator, water pump - OK, the last three may be down to my OCD.

 

Do you know whether the fixings on your engine and mechanicals are all metric or imperial or a mixture? (if they're all one or the other then it makes it a lot cheaper to buy) - I'd suggest a set of good quality slimline (not chunky) open and ring spanners are well worth getting, as is a small socket set, I'd suggest 3/8" drive (don't get 1/2" it's too chunky for most things) - this one from Halfords is not bad and it's only £15 http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/tools-diy/socket-sets/phaze-50-piece-socket-set

 

I'd also suggest a good quality ratchet screwdriver with interchangeable heads (don't buy a cheapie) and also a set of different size screwdrivers - often slimmer and more nimble in a tight spot than the ratchet jobbie. Allen keys. A good adjustable spanner (not mole grips) ... I think the list can be as long as you want it to be, and the collection grows randomly over time - not everything has an immediately apparent usefulness either

 

LC

 

... edit to add: it you're confident/competent to poke about amongst your electrical system then a good multimeter is a must.

Edited June 10, 2015 by Lady Cassandra

[Alan Saunders]

I've got my existing hammer needing a try out here if you'd just like to lie your fingers (or any other bodypart you fancy) onto this flat surface for me..?

I reckon even this feckless bimbo could just about manage that if I had enough shots...

In this context 'man' is a non-gender specific; it is inclusive of all genders! I know several good/excellent (practical and theoretical) female engineers, only two of them were born with male bodies. Women are just as capable of engineering tasks as men, sometimes better, their upbringing and male chauvinist employers often dissuade girls. If you are, as you claim, a Bimbo (I doubt it), afraid to break a nail or get dirt/grease in your hair, use your feminine guiles to get men to do the work for you - you will still need a basic toolkit.

 

There are several tasks that you may wish/have to tackle on a canal boat whilst cruising:

1. Clearing junk from the propellor.
2. Cutting and splitting wood for the stove.
3. Servicing the engine.
4. Fixing electric faults, replacing pumps etc.
5. Bleeding the fuel system (after you have serviced the engine or run out of fuel).

   Running out of fuel may require a large (25l) container, a trolley to transport it, a large funnel to ensure most of it goes into the fuel tank and a lot of energy to drag it through a mile or more of mud/snow.

The Screwfix kit may be useful in a house but not for a boat. As one review mentions, it does not even include a hammer! An 8 ounce ball-pein hammer is my most useful tool. Obviously, I have a 10lb lump/club hammer for driving mooring stakes but for general repair and maintenance it is more useful as an anvil.

 

Otherwise, as MtB says, justify each tool purchase against the job that you are about to attempt.

 

Alan

[Alan Saunders]

More seriously ...

 

I think having a range of spares and useful bits and pieces is probably more important than having a man-cave of shiny Snap-On tool porn. Similar to what Jess mentioned a few posts back; some jubilee clips, spare lengths of hose of various types and diameters, nuts and bolts and washers, a selection of O-rings and circlips, liquid gasket stuff in a tube, epoxy resiny liquid metal stuff, a battery powered drill and various drill bits, Plus-Gas penetrating oil. Some spare bits of electrical wire and connectors. Spare drive belt, alternator, water pump - OK, the last three may be down to my OCD.

 

Do you know whether the fixings on your engine and mechanicals are all metric or imperial or a mixture? (if they're all one or the other then it makes it a lot cheaper to buy) - I'd suggest a set of good quality slimline (not chunky) open and ring spanners are well worth getting, as is a small socket set, I'd suggest 3/8" drive (don't get 1/2" it's too chunky for most things) - this one from Halfords is not bad and it's only £15 http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel/tools-diy/socket-sets/phaze-50-piece-socket-set

 

I'd also suggest a good quality ratchet screwdriver with interchangeable heads (don't buy a cheapie) and also a set of different size screwdrivers - often slimmer and more nimble in a tight spot than the ratchet jobbie. Allen keys. A good adjustable spanner (not mole grips) ... I think the list can be as long as you want it to be, and the collection grows randomly over time - not everything has an immediately apparent usefulness either

 

LC

 

... edit to add: it you're confident/competent to poke about amongst your electrical system then a good multrrsimeter is a must.

Excellent advice, but 1/2" drive socket sets are generally more available at less cost than 3/8" and a cheap 1/4" drive obtains best access in restricted locations. I have adapters from 3/4" to 1/2" to 3/8" but some applications, not on my boat, bend a 1" drive lever.

 

'Mole grips' have endless applications. Never for turning a stiff nut, but they are good for clamping a broken part, e.g. a battery terminal as a temporary fix.

 

I totally agree about spare parts being more important than tools. A few empty, clean cans of various sizes and aluminium and plastic ex-food containers are often useful to effect a repair or simply used as a container to clean a component.

 

Alan

[billS]

Buy a tool belt, and then just buy things that look good sticking in it. Aim for a Mad Max kinda look.

 

Oh and a big power drill that looks like a sub-machine gun (get a cordless one, otherwise it will ruin the effect).

[Laurie Booth]

A better approach is whenever youy need to do something, go and buy the tools needed instead of blagging the loan of them. That way you'll build up a stock of tools you've actually needed, rather than the tools someone on the internet suggested you buy just in case. This has been my approach for the last 30 years and I'm about half way there now!

Your FACE is an allegory moot...

 

I did the same as you Mike. Only problem I had, my wife lent all my tools to a man whose car had broken down and we never saw the man or tools again.

[dmr]

The answer of course is to only get the tools that you feel confident to use. An angle grinder is great but you do need to be comfortable with using it, they are nasty things. Similarly a multimeter is "essential" but if leccy is a complete mystery to you then its not much good.

 

Get lots of flat screwdrivers, keep some for best (for screwing!) and the rest for opening tins of paint, stirring paint and poking at rust etc.

 

I was "caught short" with one of our campers a few years ago and had to purchase a real cheapo socket set from "The Range" and its still gong strong on the boat, I've got a big socket set for the big jobs but the cheapo one still does for 99% of jobs.

 

and don't get a man, he will just drink beer and talk about tools!

 

..............Dave

[keble]

Oil: penetrating and "normal".

Nuts and bolts on boats have an alarming tendency to corrode!

You start off with good intentions to check them "every now and then", but when you really need to undo that nut is when you realise you never did get round to it.

Oh, some grease too for door hinges.

 

And a big hacksaw for when the nut simply won't budge. (Howling wind, had to remove tunnel light to fit under Droitwich "tunnel")

[ROBDEN]

A milling machine.

A Lathe.

Block and tackle.

Lifting gantry.

A 5 ton press.

A pneumatic drill.

That should do for starters.

[Victor Vectis]

Slightly as you liveaboard but whatever you buy, buy 2 off, one for home one for boat.

(Because.......................when you need said tool on the boat it will be at home and when you need it at home, guess where it will be?)

 

This is the ideal.

 

More realistically, when the tool is needed on the boat BOTH will be at home and vice versa.

 

You might wonder how I know this!

 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[mattlad]

I'm sure that others will contradict me but as a basic that will certainly be a big leg up from where you are now.......Screwfix do a basic toolkit for under £30 http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-general-tool-kit-56-piece-set/1611f

 

Very nice, but for one thing......

 

A spirit level on a boat is about as much use as a screen door on a submarine!

 

 

damn it won't post bet it ends up one of those bl@@dy double posts

[Sabcat]

A better approach is whenever youy need to do something, go and buy the tools needed instead of blagging the loan of them. That way you'll build up a stock of tools you've actually needed, rather than the tools someone on the internet suggested you buy just in case. This has been my approach for the last 30 years and I'm about half way there now!

Your FACE is an allegory moot...

 

 

This is the way to go. Doesn't help if you need the tool and you happen to be in the middle of nowhere.

[cuthound]

Depends on whether you want to just deal with emergencies, or whether you want to do all your own preventative maintenance.

 

For the first category, you just need hammer, screwdrivers, gaffa tape, self amalgamating tape cable ties and a folding pruning saw to cut most things off the prop.

 

For the second, you need a decent socket set (Halfords do several, each containing a range of ratchets, sockets and spanners); a DC current reading clamp meter; filter removing wrench; pry bars (to check engine mounts); and a range of plastic containers with and without the sides cut off for collecting gearbox oil, drips from oil and fuel filters etc.

 

Beyond that buy tools in advance of other jobs, planes, jigsaw, circular saws, mulit-tools etc

[John V]

Mattlad........depends if it's the type with the adjustable zero........