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Old 03-11-2013, 20:08   #1
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Uuugh... Tools

My wife and I are finishing up a pretty major refit and I have a TON of tools, probably way more than I would ever need but I don't know what to keep and what to let go. I have to let quite a few go.

Do you guys keep a lot of tools on board?
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Old 03-11-2013, 20:29   #2
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

Whatever you let go, that's what you'll need.....never fails.

What are you questioning? Power or hand tools? On board we have a jigsaw, circular saw, impact wrench, palm sander, orbital sander, drills, grinder, Dremel, and Fien oscillating tool which all have been used multiple times. They have also all been loaned out, so you might just find what you need at the boat next door.

We have given space and waterline to our tools as a priority over everything else. Nothing beats sitting by a beautiful beach sanding or sawing
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Old 03-11-2013, 20:49   #3
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

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Originally Posted by funjohnson View Post
What are you questioning? Power or hand tools? On board we have a jigsaw, circular saw, impact wrench, palm sander, orbital sander, drills, grinder, Dremel, and Fien oscillating tool which all have been used multiple times. They have also all been loaned out, so you might just find what you need at the boat next door.
I was absolutely amazed at how useful a dremel is on a boat. How often do you actually use a jigsaw? Is it something you could use a fien tool for? I can't imagine needing a circular saw very often.

I am keeping the tools most used during my refit: my oscillating tool, my rechargeable drill and impact driver, my palm sander, my dremel, and my grinder, but they take up a lot of room.
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Old 03-11-2013, 20:49   #4
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

I love tools. Fortunately I have a house to keep'em in.

I know a guy who bought a used step-van that was his mobile shop for 3 years while he completed fixing up his boat. Then when he was ready to cast off, he cherry-picked a toolset for the boat, then sold the rest off, for whatever he could get.
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Old 03-11-2013, 20:50   #5
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

I would rather leave half my provisions, then leave tools !! but then I do ALL the work except paint spraying!! And I do engine work for others and need some tools most folks don't carry! Also I have lent tools to others in a anchorage or marina to fix there boats !! Heck I would dump my eating tools and eat with my deck knife before I would leave tools!! But then Im old and my tools make me feel safer !!
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Old 03-11-2013, 20:56   #6
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

Start with three empty toolboxes. One large, bench top; Two smaller, easy to carry. One of the smaller is for electrical, the other for wrenches and so.
Begin to fill those smaller boxes with tools starting with the most used, then the most likely to be used (incumbent is you know every bolt and nut and size on your boat). Once those boxes are full start in on the bench top larger box. Once that box is full you have completed the task. Everything else stays beachside.

Of course, this is dependent on personality type, skill set, skill level. Example, you are a semi-skilled woodworker. You might want to keep your sharp chisels, sharpening stones, mallet, backsaw, etc. And if you're in love with tools you might be neurotic. This form of neurosis is completely acceptable. However, it is offset by the demands, say of your wife who questions why you are like a pack rat. Don't expect her to change her mind because you crafted a radio out of a coconut.
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Old 03-11-2013, 21:07   #7
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

Evans Starzinger wrote a great article for Practical Sailor a while back; here's the link:

Tool Tips - Practical Sailor Article

We've done something similar… you really can't have too many tools but the 85% bag is wonderful! We're not at 85, probably 70? Still a huge improvement!
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Old 03-11-2013, 21:17   #8
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

Quote:
Originally Posted by zboss View Post
I was absolutely amazed at how useful a dremel is on a boat.
You want real useful, get a 1/4 electric die grinder! Now those are fun

Circular saw isn't needed, but the jigsaw has been nice to have with all this amazing wood available in Guatemala. We actually left Michigan without it, but by Florida I missed it and had it shipped to us. I got board here on the river so I made a new saloon table last week. Just needed a straight edge and the jigsaw....and some slight sanding
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Old 03-11-2013, 23:07   #9
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

This is my get up...each box has different tools. I carry doubles of wrenches. It pays to liveaboard for awhile. You'll become accustom with what you'll need. Last Christmas bought a Ryobi 18volt power tool set in a tote bag. For $99 got a 1/2" drill, circular saw, 2 batteries and charger.
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Old 03-11-2013, 23:23   #10
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

I have a ton of tools. Off the top of my head:

- sawzall
- angle grinder
- disc sander
- mouse / finish sander
- cordless drill
- 1/2" corded "big" drill
- dremmel
- fein multimaster

hand:
- hacksaw
- japanese wood saw
- sanding blocks
- full spread of standard and metric sockets and wrenches
- mallet
- ballpeen hammer
- vice grips
- clamps
- big ass set of channel locks, smaller channel locks
- clamp on vice

- full spread of normal allen wrenches, screw drivers, channel locks
- solid electrical stuff including battery gauge and smaller crimpers

I probably have 5lbs of fasteners as well, along three yard lengths of allthread
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Old 03-11-2013, 23:24   #11
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

Pretty much my deal also.
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Old 19-11-2013, 10:06   #12
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Re: Uuugh... Tools

My current list of power tools:

Circular saw
Jig Saw x 2
Small angle grinder x 3
3/8 drill
1/2 drill
3/8 battery drill
Sawzall
Fein multi tool
Dremel x 2
Heat gun
Palm sander
Orbital sander x 2
Thickness planer
Miter saw
Mig welder
2 gallon compressor
5 gallon compressor
25 gallon gas compressor
Planer
Wagner airless sprayer.
Router x 2

Oxy-acetylene torch set


Air Tools:
Needle scaler
Hand sand blaster
Impact tool
Spray equipment.

Obviously I need to get rid of some things, but right now having 3 angle grinders set up for cutting, grinding and sanding saves a lot of futzing about changing over while fabricating. Ditto the orbital sanders, hire two kids to do the bottom of the boat with cheap $25 Chinese sanders.

Hand tools?
1/2 drive socket set
3/8 drive socket set x 2
1/4 drive socket set x 3
Imperial wrench set x 2
Metric wrench set x 2
Vise grips? At least 10
3/4 pipe clamps 4ft. x 2
C clamps various sizes, at least 20
Beam clamps, various sizes at least 10

and about 300 lbs of various other things like files, drill bits, screwdrivers, etc.

I've been collecting these for my entire life, and after the refit will ditch most of them.
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