World's worst boat tool kit

LaRea

I bought this mechanics tool kit years ago.  You look at it on the store shelf and think Wow, 200 pieces - surely that will have everything a boater could ever need!  

Here's why it is terrible:

1. No matter where you're working, you have to bring the entire 30-pound box.
2. Can't bring it into the engine room because opening the clam-shell lid requires a huge flat area (1.5 x 3 feet).
3. The pieces are not secured.  If you accidentally bump the case while it's open, everything goes flying and you have to waste 20 minutes sorting it out.
4. Does not include ratchet extensions or u-joints.
5. It has 1/2" drive sockets, but only 9-13 mm!  Who needs a 1/2" drive for bolts that small?
6. The sockets include four copies of sizes you don't need, but none of the sizes you do need.  
7. Includes both inch and metric sizes ... when will tool makers figure out that I want one or the other, but not both?
   

Who wants this POS tool set ... free local pickup in Virginia.  

aero3113

LoL!!

Cableguy Greg

I purchased a similar kit years ago. It was a Kobalt kit from Lowe’s. I ended up getting a soft bag for it and the socket rails that hold the sockets in place. That has helped me out tremendously. 

RiverRat232

Write "boat tools" on the cover and sell it for twice what you paid.

Aqua_Aura

Find a nice soft sided bag and make your own tool set for the boat. Take what you need from this set and add what is missing 🤷🏽‍♂️

Dream_Inn

That is only good for the home shop.  I got an awesome one that I use all the time on the boat.  Every single piece is individually held in place, so you know if something is missing.  Also has all 3 socket sizes along with deep sockets.  It is all I have needed in the last 10 years I've used it on the boat.  I only wished I had ordered two or three at the $30 price tag I paid!!

I did find one that was similar at Sam's club last year that I had everyone on my dock buy, because it was almost the same but also had ratcheting wrenches.  I just wasn't sure how well the sockets would hold in place after a couple years, so I didn't get it for myself.  But, they do hold in place and seem to be good so far.  Here is that set:

https://www.samsclub.com/p/channel-lock-mechanics-set-200pc/prod23222413?xid=plp_product_1

I think when I bought them all, they were on sale for $60.  I think it's a decent set. As far as opening it up, I do that on top of the engine or the generator.

Aqua_Aura

That's nice it comes with the ratcheting box end wrenches. I bought a set in the spring and those are life changers. 

Liberty44140

LOL agree! I have a similar mechanics set but it stays at home and only comes to the boat if I am working on a specific project where I know I will need this. 

LaRea

Is this too much to ask:  I want a socket set that is ONLY metric, ONLY 3/8" drive, with standard and deep sockets, ratchet and extensions ... all in a compact case with a labeled captive holder for each tool.

Then I want five more separate cases:  1/4" metric, 1/4" SAE, 3/8" SAE, 1/2" metric and 1/2" SAE.  

I don't want a set that tries to be everything for every job.

YYZRC

I have one of those “everything for nobody” kits that confusingly had every socket except 14mm. Guess which socket I needed?!

Naturally, there’s no place to store the 14mm that I purchased individually so it’s most likely lost now. 

earl1z19

LaRea said:

Is this too much to ask:  I want a socket set that is ONLY metric, ONLY 3/8" drive, with standard and deep sockets, ratchet and extensions ... all in a compact case with a labeled captive holder for each tool.

Then I want five more separate cases:  1/4" metric, 1/4" SAE, 3/8" SAE, 1/2" metric and 1/2" SAE.  

I don't want a set that tries to be everything for every job.

and you want all of the sockets to be 6 point and not 12 point!

TonyG13

Cableguy Greg said:

I purchased a similar kit years ago. It was a Kobalt kit from Lowe’s. I ended up getting a soft bag for it and the socket rails that hold the sockets in place. That has helped me out tremendously. 

Greg - What type of socket rails did you get? ABS or aluminum? I'm in the process of doing the same. Was looking at these...https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01M5DN7M9

Aqua_Aura

On the note of tools I will have the snap install tool available soon if anyone needs them I can have them shipped to you. I will make a post when they are done. 

Should have the grommet tool as well for tarps and canvas for either repairing or adding the metal grommet. 

They will be available free to forum members as I am never looking to sell anything on here or advertise. 

aero3113

@Aqua_Aura what snap install tool did you end up going with?

Aqua_Aura

For me personally I ordered the press n snap tool but I still haven't used it. I wanted to wait till after winter before we installed the new windscreen canvas we bought. 

We are manufacturing the more common one being the vise grip style. 

YYZRC

Generous @Aqua_Aura but you should keep it.  I replace a few snaps each season as they wear out or tear through.

Aqua_Aura

The ones I will give out are the ones we are manufacturing. I have 2000 sets being made to be sold on Amazon. I can spare a few 😄

It's taking longer than usual to get the finished product because we started in December so the holidays really slow things down. 

Liberty44140

Aqua_Aura said:

On the note of tools I will have the snap install tool available soon if anyone needs them I can have them shipped to you. I will make a post when they are done. 

Should have the grommet tool as well for tarps and canvas for either repairing or adding the metal grommet. 

They will be available free to forum members as I am never looking to sell anything on here or advertise. 

Awesome! Thanks! I install snaps and grommets all the time the old fashioned way. Will keep an eye out 

Dream_Inn

Liberty44140 said:

Aqua_Aura said:

On the note of tools I will have the snap install tool available soon if anyone needs them I can have them shipped to you. I will make a post when they are done. 

Should have the grommet tool as well for tarps and canvas for either repairing or adding the metal grommet. 

They will be available free to forum members as I am never looking to sell anything on here or advertise. 

Awesome! Thanks! I install snaps and grommets all the time the old fashioned way. Will keep an eye out 

That would be great!  My pliers one just is junk.  The snaps just keep coming off!

Ian

Aqua_Aura said:

On the note of tools I will have the snap install tool available soon if anyone needs them I can have them shipped to you. I will make a post when they are done. 

Should have the grommet tool as well for tarps and canvas for either repairing or adding the metal grommet. 

They will be available free to forum members as I am never looking to sell anything on here or advertise. 

Let me know when available @Aqua_Aura

Aqua_Aura

@LaRea did you get a tool set together? I am gonna get one organized and was curious what you came up with. I think I technically only need metric sockets and wrenches? I have a junk HF one and the ratchet and wrenches are terrible. 


Also realized how long ago I posted about the snap install tool. Well it's finally done.... Took long enough. Still waiting for them to arrive by ship. 

We also did the grommet install tool for eyelets on tarps or canvas. I'll get those posted as well. 

Sorry it took so long. 

LaRea

I bought two Milwaukee Packout socket sets -- metric and SAE.  Nice set of tools.  The sockets have a square end so they don't roll as much.  Pretty good ratchets.  Decent selection of deep and standard sockets, plus extensions and a U-joint.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184884839670

Cableguy Greg

TonyG13 said:

Cableguy Greg said:

I purchased a similar kit years ago. It was a Kobalt kit from Lowe’s. I ended up getting a soft bag for it and the socket rails that hold the sockets in place. That has helped me out tremendously. 

Greg - What type of socket rails did you get? ABS or aluminum? I'm in the process of doing the same. Was looking at these...https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01M5DN7M9

I just saw this. I got the plastic ones from Harbor Freight. 

redlightning

i have used this kit for several years now.  good quality and everything is locked into place.  Its also pretty reasonably priced.  Keep an eye on amazon and you can pick one up for $70-$80.

toolmaker312

Kobalt 364-Piece Household Tool Set with Soft Case

Item #1339544Model #10031 

    
 I bought this from Lowes earlier this year. I did add deep dish sets from harbor freight.
So far pretty happy with them.

LaRea

Here's my latest pet peeve on toolboxes:  Why does the removable tray always have a hole in the bottom, like the one shown here? 

The answer, of course, is that a tray with no hole would cost more to build.  But the hole makes the tray useless for storing small items, because they fall into the bottom and you have to dig to find them.  I can't find a plastic 16" toolbox with no hole in the tray.

aero3113

I agree with you @LaRea . I’ve been trying to come up with a solid way to close that area off.

Liberty44140

Yep it’s cost. The plastic savings is pennies, that’s not the issue, but the tool to make that tray with no hole could be $100k+ more than what they used to make that tray. 

LaRea

I've used gorilla tape to close them off, but it doesn't last.  

I need to replace my big, 25-pound toolbox with two smaller, lighter ones.  Yesterday I got reprimanded by the Admiral when I accidentally bashed the toolbox into the wood door of the forward cabin.  Can't let that happen again! 

YYZRC

JB Weld does it all!

Willhound

YYZRC said:

JB Weld does it all!

I once fixed a cracked engine block with JB Weld and got another 40,000 miles out if it. Right between two cylinders at the head.