Righteous Set of Tools...

[maddata]

I need to purchase a good, relatively compact set of tools for my new Catalina. I am interested to hear suggestions about what it should include, or if reasonably complete toolkits exist.

Did anyone get the Fast Times at Ridgemont High reference? I sure hope so.

[camaraderie]

Check this recent thread:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...4-toolkit.html

[sailingdog]

Go with Craftsman tools as a minimum... They're relatively inexpensive, easy to replace, have a good warranty on the hand tools, and fairly decent quality.

Going with a cheap set, like you'd get at West Marine is foolish, since you're going to end up buying a good complete set from Craftsman or one of its competitors in the end and will just have wasted the money on the cheap set. Good tools are an investment. Also, stainless steel tools aren't generally worth it. Good chromed high-grade steel tools, if you maintain them are going to be less expensive and last longer.

While my toolkit listed in the thread that Cam posted is a bit overkill, I do a lot of work on a lot of different boats.... and like having the proper tool for the job.

[Freesail99]

I bought a set of Craftsman tool in the plastic case. With that in mind, have an idea of where you plan on stowing it on board. I know I bought a smaller set then I wanted knowing where I was going to put it. Th.e canvas tool bags also work well

[sailingdog]

I would recommend you use the nylon tool bags, rather than tool boxes, since they fit into small and odd shape spaces better. I use about four of the nylon bags and three plastic tool boxes. The tool boxes tend to have most of the sharp, pointy, and toothy tools in them, which would damage the tool bags. I also recommend using Boeshield T9 or some other similar metal protectant on the tools regularly.

[Looking]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I would recommend you use the nylon tool bags, rather than tool boxes, since they fit into small and odd shape spaces better. I use about four of the nylon bags and three plastic tool boxes. The tool boxes tend to have most of the sharp, pointy, and toothy tools in them, which would damage the tool bags. I also recommend using Boeshield T9 or some other similar metal protectant on the tools regularly.

I saw an article in 'Good Old Boat' awhile back (December? January?) they put 3 or 4 charcoal briquettes in a cloth bag and kept it in the tool box to ward off rusting. Seemed to work wonders.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Go with Craftsman tools as a minimum... They're relatively inexpensive, easy to replace, have a good warranty on the hand tools, and fairly decent quality.

Going with a cheap set, like you'd get at West Marine is foolish, since you're going to end up buying a good complete set from Craftsman or one of its competitors in the end and will just have wasted the money on the cheap set. Good tools are an investment. Also, stainless steel tools aren't generally worth it. Good chromed high-grade steel tools, if you maintain them are going to be less expensive and last longer.

I heartily second everything SD's written above.

Cheap tools ain't worth it. They are prone to failure when you need them most. Especially on a boat, where you may be, literally, out in the middle of nowhere, where you can't just run to the hardware store to buy a replacement, reliable tools are of the utmost importance.

Jim