 |
03-11-2013, 20:08
|
#1
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On a boat
Boat: 1987 Cabo Rico 38 #117 (sold) & 2008 Manta 42 #124
Posts: 4,178
|
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?
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 20:29
|
#2
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Annapolis MD
Boat: Building a Max Cruise 44 hybrid electric cat
Posts: 3,288
|
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
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 20:49
|
#3
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On a boat
Boat: 1987 Cabo Rico 38 #117 (sold) & 2008 Manta 42 #124
Posts: 4,178
|
Re: Uuugh... Tools
Quote:
Originally Posted by funjohnson
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.
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 20:49
|
#4
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Lake Ont
Posts: 8,582
|
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.
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 20:50
|
#5
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montegut LA.
Boat: Now we need to get her to Louisiana !! she's ours
Posts: 3,421
|
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 !!
__________________
Bob and Connie
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 20:56
|
#6
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,065
|
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.
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 21:07
|
#7
|
Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 1,346
|
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!
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 21:17
|
#8
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Annapolis MD
Boat: Building a Max Cruise 44 hybrid electric cat
Posts: 3,288
|
Re: Uuugh... Tools
Quote:
Originally Posted by zboss
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
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 23:07
|
#9
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,488
|
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.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 23:23
|
#10
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,185
|
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
|
|
|
03-11-2013, 23:24
|
#11
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,488
|
Re: Uuugh... Tools
Pretty much my deal also.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
|
|
|
19-11-2013, 10:06
|
#12
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada on Lake Ontario
Boat: Roberts Offshore 38
Posts: 1,287
|
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.
|
|
|
 |
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Advertise Here
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|