Tools _ Tools _ Tools


	Tools Time

What should be considered the minimum tool selection on a boat depends largely on the size and type of boat. We can break it down into several categories. Size, power plant, and power or sail.
The basic set for all categories consists of:

Screwdrivers

Pliers

Sledge Hammer

Shovel

Chain Saw

Blasting Caps

Cement Mixer

Rubber galoshes

Oh, sorry, wrong list..

Here is the real list...


	K&O Engine Dyno


	You probably might not have one of these, but, you probably don't need one, all the time, either. [ Unless, your "The Marinemechanic.com" guys.] So, we'll run down some of the latest tools and basic tools almost all boat repair and some Do-it-Yourselfers should keep on hand, as well as tips on how and when to use them properly.


	Safe tool usage and More


	Boat dealers give these key floats away like candy. So don't turn one down next time. Dig'em out of those junk drawers you threw them in. They are great for those small cotter pins, washers, key ways, fender inflators, fuses, panel nuts, linkage clips, etc... They're also great to keep some matches dry. When doing mobile service, I always have some in my tool kit. And don't forget to put one in your car glove box with some fuses in it.


	What is Torque? What about torque wrench extensions? Micrometer usage Basics Corrosion Testing Meter Safe Power Tool Usage. Extension Cords? A "Bit" of this and that


	You can only struggle with something so long, before you do something about it. The tasks of a marine mechanic can put you into some gosh awful places, doing some gosh awful things. There isn't any tool to make it easier to hang upside down while you change spark plugs on an engine, or change the port starter on a triple engine power boat, but the enclosed text and graphics shows just a sample of the tools I have found to solve some of those problems. And if there wasn't a tool that suited my needs, I would make one So, if I have your interest, lets go... Warning: To those of you who have slow download problems, there are lots of graphics on this page.


	Vacuum testing an engine is easy and very important. There are a multitude of problems that can be detected before damage is done to the engine. Don't overlook this one important step in the tune-up procedure. I have it in two parts, 1) is text and graphic covering basic readings and 2) a full page graphic of various maladies.


	Attention: Mercruiser Alpha I Gen II owners and repair persons, If you don't have a pair of these water pump cover alignment pins and are doing water-pump repairs, you run the risk of air ingestion into your cooling system which could cause an overheat that is almost undetectable by the overheat warning horn.... For more information....


	When space is tight, and those manifolds still seem hotter than blazes, this old spark plug boot acts as a good plug starter, goes in straighter than a flex socket, and saves the skin from burns. You can put another sparkplug in the other end for an extension....


	And wouldn't it be nice if customers would leave their safety lanyard for the mechanic, so he wouldn't have to dig one up.....


	These rubber pencil grips, I found at the 5 and 10 cent store, not only give better grip on the screw driver, but when slid down to the tip, hold the screw in place when you need an extra hand, or just can't get a second hand in there to hold the screw. They hold canvas snaps too.....

Have a tool tip you would like to contribute? Send it to us and
If we post it, we'll send you a Nautical brass key chain that sells for
$10 to $15 at most boat stores. If you have a picture, that's even better.
Email


	\| Directory \| Diesel Engine \| Tools \| Mailbag \| Home Page \| Odds n Ends \| Boat Builders \| Engine Page \| Electric Page \| News Page \| Safety page \| Trailering \| More About Us \| Related Sites \| Special offers \| Event Calendar \| Opportunities