Tool Kit

Can someone recommend and give me a link or name for an "all in one" tool kit for my boat?

1987 CHB PONDEROSA.

One primarily for the engine and engine room, (I'm not sure if it's metric or not).

A link or name from Amazon, Lowe's or Home Depot would be nice.


Plus any additional tool or tools I'll need for a boat would be nice. Maybe something you found yourself away from shore and thought, "I could use a tool like that now ". This as your boat is sinking.


Cummins 6BT5.9M 210hp mains @ 2,600 RPM,

Twin Disc MG506 gearboxes, Northern Lights 8kW genset with sound shield, Sidepower electric bow thruster(2015), MasterVolt MASS 24/50 & ProMariner ProSport 12 battery chargers, Dyno batteries(2013/2016), Nav system including Garmin electronics(2018/2019), Espar D8LC forced air heat diesel furnace climate system, Electric heat, Raritan 172011 20 Gallon hot water heater(2018), 44lb Plow anchor, 120' chain with 300' rode(2016)Seawise davit system and Novurania 320TR tender with Honda 20hp outboard.

Thank Brian

What engines do you have? I can attach the recommended tools for a Lehman engine.

In addition
A full array of electrical tools and heat shrink connectors
A set of combination wrenches
Cordless drill, driver, multitool, lights and lots of batteries
Pry bars in various sizes
So many that I keep in the garage and take to the boat as needed that I can’t recall at the moment.

I just added the engine above, thanks for the list.

I live about an hour away and my garage is scattered with tools. Is there one multi tool kit anyone can recommend? Maybe I'll leave it in my car trunk.

I can probably buy the highest rated one on Amazon but I thought maybe there's one geared towards boat maintenance.

Is it generally metric or not?

Can someone recommend an electrical kit as well, (thanks Dave).

Harbor Freight has a tool kit for $29.00 (on sale from $39.00) that has everything you would normally need in both Metric and SAE. No Whitworth or BS. It does have a Cresent wrench. Instead of lugging my massive set of tools back and forth I just leave this toolbox onboard. It's handled everything so far.

Well our boat is about 50’ behind our house so I don’t keep some of the tools aboard that I would have if it was further from home. I keep the usual tools aboard but the ones I use for example, woodworking, stay in the garage. When we kept a boat in San Diego and lived in Tucson I kept a complete woodworking shop at the marina. For the Cummins engines look at Tony Athens web site. Something like sbmar.com.

Thanks there's a Harbor Freight by my home.

I only buy Harbor Freight tools when it is an oddball tool. One that I may use only once. For my regular tools I like a better quality tool.

Most of my Lehman’s are metric.

That said, I came across some SAE when I did a partial in frame overhaul (everything but crank and cam)—likely previous owners.

I went with a craftsman set such as the following plus a full metric and sae set of combination wrenched from HF.

The craftsman ratchets suck, but the tools themselves and box are good. (I’d get different brand of ratchets to augment.)

Your best tools are manuals from American Diesel and Brian on speed dial.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...VAYzICh3r9QJlEAQYCiABEgKz_vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

His engines are Cummins not Lehmans so American Diesel would not be his support but rather Tony Athens at SBMar.

Lol. I don’t know why it posted them twice.

Oops, I missed that detail. Sorry!

Maybe my next boat engine will look that big

I went to "Tony Athens at SBMar" and It all looked foriegn to me. Parts but no "tool set". Remember my wife laughs at me everytime I picked up a tool.

If anyone wants to inform me of what to buy on that site that "you" keep for your Cummins for emergency repairs, let me know.

I was looking for someone's favorite tool kits for my Cummins and round about maintenance? I figured if I slept with the tools next to me, I might learn a few things...... plus the books you recommended.

GOOD NEWS, my boat training partner is a mechanic on the ferry system. He's willing to teach me about the engine area as well. I thought I'd have some tools aboard if he needs to tinker.


Surprisingly, it's all coming together.

Start out with a good Craftsman tool kit. Then as you find the need for another tool, add it. You can probably find one in the $100 range that will last your lifetime and your kids can fight over it when you are gone...

Thanks. I'll find a good combination of tools.

I didn't know if I needed any special tools for my engine. Did the engine ever come with a seperate tool kit like my bikes do?

Thanks

Ducatihottie said:

I just added the engine above, thanks for the list.

I live about an hour away and my garage is scattered with tools. Is there one multi tool kit anyone can recommend? Maybe I'll leave it in my car trunk.

Click to expand...

Ducatihottie said:

GOOD NEWS, my boat training partner is a mechanic on the ferry system. He's willing to teach me about the engine area as well. I thought I'd have some tools aboard if he needs to tinker.

Click to expand...

Ducatihottie said:

Thanks. I'll find a good combination of tools.

I didn't know if I needed any special tools for my engine. Did the engine ever come with a seperate tool kit like my bikes do?

Click to expand...

I've found it more useful to always keep a dedicated set of tools on board. No schlepping back and forth, at least for common tools.

Start with a full set of SAE and metric sockets for 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives.

An assortment of screwdrivers, maybe one with interchangeable bits... with at least flat and Phillips bits.

An impeller puller; whatever Tony Athens recommends.

And a pair of nut-drivers.

Electrical could start with a multi-meter, cutter/stripper/crimper tools, and a heat gun. Much of the rest could be addressed with your 1/4" sockets and small screwdrivers.

You'll likely want decent toolbox(es). (I had several; one for normal engine room tools, one for electrical, one in the saloon for commonly portable stuff, etc. The electrical box was a fishing tackle box with a bazillion drawers... useful for multi-meter, crimpers, fuses, butt-connectors, spare bulbs, etc.) Assess normal storage space, buy what works for each

Start each job with an assessment of what tools you'll need... then get additional tools as necessary in advance.

-Chris

I'm sure there are some specialty tools, but there is no specified "tool kit" on engine sites because 95% of the tools you would use are common ones.

Wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, vise grips, channel locks, etc.

I guess if I were you I'd buy a decent packaged tool kit and then whenever you need an additional tool buy it (and maybe more than one size of it). Soon you will have what you need.

Thanks Chris and frosty. I'll take the list to home depot and or Lowes.

By the way, what's an "An impeller puller" and what does it do? If I guess it has something to do with the propeller, would I be right?

I noticed that most boats I shopped for had a few filters tucked away somewhere. What type of filters do you keep on the boat?

Ducatihottie said:

Thanks. I'll find a good combination of tools.

I didn't know if I needed any special tools for my engine. Did the engine ever come with a seperate tool kit like my bikes do?

Thanks

Click to expand...

At this point on the learning curve I don't think you need special tools. Any engine work requiring special tools will likely also require special knowledge. Focus on tools for general repairs and maintenance of all of your boat's systems

As others have said, a basic set of SAE and metric wrenches. Combination and socket. Good screw drivers, now those are harder to find than they should be. All I'll say on that is you get what you pay for.

Tools I find handy on all boats regardless of engine make are:

• Vise grips, small, medium, large and needle nose.
• Pipe wrenches, small, medium and maybe large.
• Chain wrench and strap wrench.
• Irwin sells a groove-lock plier, I bought a set on a whim and use them a lot. A better grip on the nut etc than channel lock pliers and with a locking button won't change the adjustment as you reach into tight spots. Get the set, all 3 sizes, you'll use 'em.
• A collection of crescent wrenches. I have a fist full of 6" and 8" and a few bigger ones.
• A multi tip screwdriver. I bought the Megapro on a whim and find it very useful and well made. I haven't yet found a good stubby multi tip screwdriver
• A mini rachet screwdriver for really tight places. This looks like a good one MulWark 11pc 1/4 Mini Ratchet Wrench Close Quarters Pocket Screwdriver Set I got mine so long ago I don't remember where.
• Nut drivers to fit the nuts on the hose clamps on you boat. Almost certainly 5/16" maybe 1/4" as well. If the PO did the right thing and used ABA hose clamps in critical places you'll want their flex driver
• Any tools you need for changing all the filters on your boat.
• A DVM. I have several but the one I use the most is the Blue Sea Systems Mini Clamp AC/DC Multimeter. You can spend more and get higher accuracy but it's the best tool I have for finding which wire powers what in the boat, RV or any place.
• Ancor crimper and Ancor striper. I only use Ancor heat shrink terminals. If that's the way you go you'll like having a heat gun too.
• PEX tubing cutter. Lots to choose from. It is useful for far more than cutting PEX. Any soft material tube, any smaller hose that is not wire reinforced.
• Victorinox utility knife. Lots of 'em. And a first aid kit . They're very sharp!
• Head lamp(s), flashlight(s), drop light(s). You can't have enough.
• Wire brushes. Steel and bronze. Hand and for your drill motor.
• Sand paper and industrial scrubbing pads.
• A compact drill motor, it'll be less powerful than a big one but will get into those tight places that boats are made of. Cordless of course.
• PTFE pipe sealant, teflon tape and the knowledge when to use which.
• High temp silicone sealant. For use only on temporary repairs to gasketed surfaces.
• Penetrating oil. Silikroil is my favorite.
• A general clean-em-up and lube it of your choice. I prefer Triflow.

I'm sure there are more but that's what comes to mind. In Seattle you have Fisheries Supply, Seattle Marine and Fishing which I think is better than Fisheries, West Marine over priced but open more than the other two. For generic hardware in addition to the big box stores I like Hardwicks, Tweedy and Pop and McLendon.

I try to buy local because I want them to stick around. Yes Amazon is quick but not as quick and you won't find anyone knowledgeable to help you out. Well, you won't get that at West Marine either.

As you find which tools you use the most get duplicates for a number of reasons. You break one or drop it overboard. Loan it out and it doesn't come back home. And I like to keep a small tool bag with the most frequently used tools handy so I don't have to dig through the big collection.

3 tools I find myself using quite a bit:


*Strong LED flashlight
*6 in 1 multibit screwdriver
*Good set of strap wrenches (useful for filters of all types)


Impellers are something I change for new annually, they are part of the raw water cooling system that circulates sea water through your engine and exhaust cooling heat exchange. I would recommend paying for an annual engine service and watching/learning the technician. It's really not that difficult to do but you need the right tool to easily pull the impeller out of the pump housing.


Glad to hear everything is working out for you!

Thanks again to both of you locals, (I used to work at Whidbey Hospital in coupville).

I'll combine the list and spend a day at several places filling up my cart. I'll find a few solid tool boxes as well.

After buying my boat and not knowing exactly what I should have with me, I bought a "jewelry box" of tools that had a couple of hundred pieces covering about every basic need. This seemed to pack the maximum amount of functionality in the least amount of space. I suspect they're "China's Best"...and not of any significant quality. But, they've held up well enough for me over 10 years of cruising. See picture below.

Two tools I have, in particular, have come in quite handy over years. They're great for picking up the loose bolt or nut that you occasionally drop in an otherwise inaccessible place. One is a "claw-like" retrieval tool. The other is a telescopic magnetic retrieval tool. I've had mine so long, I don't know where I got them. I would expect Home Depot or an auto parts store might have them. See pictures below.


Also, add rubber mallet.

How funny Scott. I could see myself dropping stuff left and right in the tight squeezes of places.

Portage_Bay said:

...utility knife. Lots of 'em. And a first aid kit . They're very sharp!

Click to expand...

"They" say a utility knife is the most dangerous tool in the shop

Ducatihottie said:

Thanks again to both of you locals, (I used to work at Whidbey Hospital in coupville).

I'll combine the list and spend a day at several places filling up my cart. I'll find a few solid tool boxes as well.

Click to expand...

A couple more things, I may keep this up all day. Miniature tools. I have an ancient set of what used to be called ignition wrenches. Very small, very thin, very fine increment from size to size. I don't need them often but when I do.... Miniature screw drivers, and what I call very small screw drivers. I seem to need those a lot when working on electrics and electronics.

Changing out the raw water pump impeller and making sure you have a puller (and spare impeller) available is a must for a boat owner with a Cummins engine. You can purchase the tool and find a DIY online. The stock Cummins raw water pump is not the best design. Seaboard Marine has an updated pump which is a better design and this should be used if yours goes out (and it will at some time in the future). Changing the raw water pump on these is a bit of a pain and best left for a professional unless you are handy.
I would also add a good rechargeable drill and high-quality drill bits.

I have a couple of these tool boxes I purchased on Amazon. They work well for me, hold a lot of tools and are sturdy.

DEWALT (DWST17806) Tstak Tool Box, Deep

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CBY2EIO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have migrated from Dewalt rechargeable tools that I really liked but was tired of buying batteries. I went to Ridgid tools that have a lifetime service policy if you register them within 90 days. It includes batteries. They make 18 V/120V fans that are great on the boat at anchor.

I would have to say the tool I use the most is the magnet on an extending rod.

Ducatihottie said:

Thanks Chris and frosty. I'll take the list to home depot and or Lowes.

By the way, what's an "An impeller puller" and what does it do? If I guess it has something to do with the propeller, would I be right?

I noticed that most boats I shopped for had a few filters tucked away somewhere. What type of filters do you keep on the boat?

Click to expand...

"Freshwater cooled" engines are usually cooled with a combination of raw (sea) water and antifreeze. Latter in a closed loop of smaller tubes, former flowing in larger hoses or housings around those tubes. The raw water pump on the engine pulls in sea water to do that cooling -- in lieu of a radiator in car, for example. The raw water pump has an internal impeller -- like a propellor but backwards -- to draw sea water in and shoot it through the rest of the system, eventually out the exhaust.

So an impeller puller is the thing you'll need to yank that rascal out of there every year or whatever... prior to replacing with new. See Seaboard Marina for whatever you need for that engine/water pump.

"Filters" is a variable depending on your engines, genset, etc. Filter elements for your primary fuel filter (maybe a Racor?), secondary fuel filters (often spin-on), oil filters, coolant filters at least. See Seaboard Marine for the filters you need for your engine, and your genset maker's web site for their products. Sometimes you can replace with generic, once you know the baseline.

-Chris

And not yet mentioned are the "specialty" tools you may need.
For example I could not remove the raw water pump from my 6BTA without a 13 mm ratchet wrench like the one below.
I also modified 2 9/16 box/open end wrenches for access for something, I forget exactly what. One I cut off, the other I had to grind thinner.
I had to buy a 1/4 inch drive 7/16 swivel socket to get at something on a Perkins diesel.
And 6 point sockets are your friend with likely to be rusty bolts/nuts.
So be creative when necessary.