Tool Time

camaraderie · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Freesails post on this sub forum generated a pretty avid response about cutting tools and I thought it might be useful to have a Tool Time thread. Arrrgh Arrrgh Arrrgh

OK the rules for this thread are that you must choose only ONE tool which you find useful on board that you don't think most casual homeowners or apartment dwellers would have in THEIR tool kit. So...pliers, hammers, screwdrives,sockets are NOT eligible unless there is something unique about them. Please include a picture if you can and one tool per post please!!
OK...I will start it out with:

The Craftsman Strap wrench set: not only is great for getting off engine and oil filters in tight spots...works on those jars that have the tops welded to the glass! At about $10 bucks....a steal!

bestfriend · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

I can't tell you how many times these things come in handy!

http://www.magnetsource.com/Solution...ckuptools.html

TrueBlue · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

I'm a do-it-yourselfer and have so many useful tools on my boat. But sometimes the simplest tools will make an otherwise tough task all the easier.

I regularly check the impeller in the Jabsco raw water pump of my Lehman SP-90 Turbo diesel. The 6 original slotted head bronze screws securing the pump's access cover, were hell to get off, I dropped a couple in the bilge and stripped others in the process. They are very small and could not even be seen, and not possibly retrieved with magnets.

There are expensive kits for converting the pump with easy-off plates. But I took the cheap way out by replacing the bronze screws with stainless hex cap bolts:

A simple allen wrench now easily removes the screws to check or change the pump's impeller. The bolt head stays tightly fitted to the wrench - minimizing loss:

PBzeer · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Take an Allen wrench, sharpen the short shaft, and use in drill to clean out core around a hole before back filling.

Cruisingdad · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Shotgun cleaner for cleaning out T-Hulls.

Neises · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Not sure about all Clark San Juans, but for the 21 you need Robertson #1 and #2 drivers. They're the silly square head that you won't see around the average house, in Kentucky at least.

Funny side note: Was looking around for leaky window advice on the SJ21 & found one that starts out with "drilling out the rivets"... Guess they don't use Robertsons in his neck of the woods either.

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

One of my favorite tools is my Pirahna floating composite Prop Wrench. Beats a metal one hands down... especially if you tend to drop them while working on the O/B motor...

BTW, funny historical fact... IIRC, Ford used Phillips screws in the assembly of the Model T...which is how they got their foot hold here. The reason he went with Philips screws is that was what was used to hold the packing crates that some of the parts were shipped in...and he would take them apart and use the wood and screws as raw materials for the cars. Robertson was a Canadian inventor, and that's why he was popular north of the border...

Giulietta · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

The man did say you needed to post a photo of it....SD

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Giu-

Stop whining... he said:

Quote:

Please include a picture if you can and one tool per post please!!

If it bothers you that much... I'll snap a photo of it when I'm down at the boat this weekend... GRRRRRR

Giulietta · #10 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Nahhh I want it now!!!!

Get off your pijamas and get the photo now!!