Tools

pop · 12 March 2006, 17:32

Ribsters do you know where i can get a good tool kit? I have looked at snap on tools but they are to expensive. Thanks people

Solent Ranger · 12 March 2006, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop

Ribsters do you know where i can get a good tool kit? I have looked at snap on tools but they are to expensive. Thanks people

To keep on the boat? Buy the cheapest you can from B&Q or Halfords and then throw em away at the end of a year - whatever you will buy will rust to buggery!

RIB BOI · 12 March 2006, 18:15

I'm not saying buy Snap-on but thats what we use at work and i work on boats day in day out n thay will not go rusty. but halfords do a good set at 99 quid that have 1/2 drive and 1/4 drive sockets and all tools you will need on a boat.

RIBOI

andymp2000 · 12 March 2006, 18:37

I've had Snap-On tools for years, not in a marine situation though, it might be worth the investment as most of there range comes with a lifetime warranty - worth checking the small print to see if they cover rusting.....

RIB BOI · 12 March 2006, 19:23

Are Snap-on man dose. not shur about outers.

RIBBOI

codprawn · 12 March 2006, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop

Ribsters do you know where i can get a good tool kit? I have looked at snap on tools but they are to expensive. Thanks people

If it is to go on a boat then as people say a cheap set is best.

If not then again as someone has mentioned the Halfords pro range are brilliant. Despite what people will say they are just as good as the infamous Snap On. They also have a lifetime guarantee which is even easier to take advantage of although I have never used it. They are actually made by Britool.

Look out for special offers - I had mine in a sale - buy 2 full trays and get 1 free - also had a cabinet at a good price. Got loads of other tools of course - 3 good torque wrenches by Norbar and a mix of all sorts. king dick are pretty good but hard to find.

Mate of mine always used to swear by Snap On - now he's out of the garage trade he has realised they are no better or worse than any other QUALITY tool.

if you do want to buy snap On then buy just their traditional tools - their other stuff is an expensive rip off - things like compressors and Migs etc are just rebadged for silly money!!!

Solent Ranger · 13 March 2006, 06:10

Just another thought! What is your level of mechanical capability? What's the point in carrying a "garage workshop" around with you if you don't have the knowledge to use the contents? Work out what you can practically work on yourself and then assemble the kit according to that skill set!

I carry a basic kit which includes pliers, crimps and a set of combined ring and open ended spanners plus a filter wrench - snap on actually, and it's very good and cost about £7!

If something fundamentally goes bang then you ain't going to fix it at sea! So why carry weight for weights sake? All IMHO of course

Oh and I find Seastart far better than a set of tools anyway

foxdog · 13 March 2006, 07:31

Hi
I think Snap-on tools are great but I left a Snap-on 3/8 drive extension on the boat last year by misstake and they do rust.

Buy cheap

GED · 13 March 2006, 07:32

After working offshore as an engineer for over 15 years i've found out that what ever the make is ..snap on, britool, kamasa, or the mans off the market stall.... none float....
so buy crap!!!!!!

Mark Halliday · 13 March 2006, 07:48

Buy cheap, but do the ring test first. Drop a spanner on the floor, if it rings and bounces buy it, if it goes thud, put it back.

I have started to buy Teng tools. They are good quality and cheaper than Snap-On.
Also the only rusty spanner in my garage tool box is a Snap-On one!

Nasher · 13 March 2006, 08:06

If I need to replace anything I also now use the Halfords Pro range, not managed to bugger one of their sockets or spanners up yet. Not had to try taking one back so can't comment on their service if you do.

But I wouldn't keep any of my main tools on the boat, so I also keep a basic set of tools in a box with some other gear that only gets put in the boat when I go out.

Nasher.

Hugh Jardon · 13 March 2006, 08:07

i used snap-on, brittal or however you spell it and king dick and others for years in the airforce. with snapon you do get very good quality but if you just need spanners then most reasonable quality chrome vanadium ones are fine for the average guy, however when it comes to specialist tools etc then they can not be beaten.

i have a small green screwdriver i found one day, i abused it and used as a chisel and generally gave it a hard life. one day i realised despite the abuse the blade was still perfect, then i noticed snap on on the handle but hardly visable, its as if the blade is made of something from another planet....the best screwdriver i own!!

i use snapon ratchet rings, screwdrivers and easyouts, and locking wire pliers etc but all the rest is just ordinary kit. cheap spanners are not as lean and slim as good quality items so if access space is a problem then that is when more expensive kit comes in handy

Richard B · 13 March 2006, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

cheap spanners are not as lean and slim as good quality items so if access space is a problem then that is when more expensive kit comes in handy

Same with sockets - I needed to borrow a snap-on socket to access the hidden bolt when removing the outboard lower assembly - cheap scokets far too chunky

I have a number of tools from BETA - good quality and not too pricey.

Simon B · 13 March 2006, 11:30

Lidl special offer tools for boat; 28p per end of spanner, last set, rings were £2.79 for 5. They are poor compared to Snap-On but as a consumable I'm not bothered

Pro range (all makes) at home when no one wants to "borrow" them

Hugh Jardon · 13 March 2006, 11:37

next time you are sitting on your boat imagine some problems you might encounter, then review what tools would be needed together with your technical knowledge to be able to put a fix in place, then make sure you have those tools on board at a minimum. you might be surprised what few tools are actually needed, ie a good quality adjustable goes a long way!

for some people a screwdriver, hammer, molegrips and pliers will be enough i suspect, with a larger hammer if it is a particular tricky problem

Nasher · 13 March 2006, 12:01

Don't forget, 2-stroke = Plug spanner

Nasher

pop · 15 March 2006, 18:17

thanks for all the advice. i am quite good with engines,i think i will get a full set from halfords. my brother owens a machine shop hopefully he will let a few go missing.

fun times