Most useful tools and "spare parts" list!~

[Greg A]

It's almost Christmas time and Lowes, Home Depot, etc bring in Holiday Special all in one tool kits for about $20. They are small, have their own case and have about everything you need for field repairs. I've been carrying my Christmas Special tool kit for about 7 years.
Add a multimeter, and misc supplies and there is little you can't handle in the field.
Great gift for that Escaper in your life.....

[cpaharley2008]

Greg,
Maybe one day you will be able to open that special Christmas kit, if you are a good boy....

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If you wish, you can get a full set of driver bits for it. I had a set, but it was stolen with my truck last year. I need to replace it.
Bit Kit - Leatherman Hardware

Honest, I didn't steal yours. Yes, the additional bits are so handy to have.

Ron

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Greg,
Maybe one day you will be able to open that special Christmas kit, if you are a good boy....

I'm hoping it's a present I never have to open, Jim...

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Honest, I didn't steal yours. Yes, the additional bits are so handy to have.

Ron

Yeah, sure Ron.

It was a good reminder. I just ordered the bit set.

[Iowa Dave]

OK all you shoppers out there, Christmas is just around the corner. Here's some ideas.
On left. Metric or standard deep well 1/4 inch sockets
Center front, Dewalt 10 PC bit kit with three Robertson #2 bits
Far right standard depth metric or standard 1/4 inch sockets
In the back Magna 29 PC whatcha-call it kit edp41876
Bts, driver handle, short extension and adapter for 1/4 inch sockets Robertson 0 thru 3 some torx , Phillips, straight bits and small hex bits.

[Vermilye]

Listening to the minimalists in the group, I probably should keep my tool & parts inventory to myself, but... I carry 3 tool boxes in the trailer - (general, electrical & rarely used), another that is always in the RAV4, along with a bottle jack, 12V air compressor, and 3 parts bins (electrical, hardware, & plumbing), a roll of Gaffer's tape (much better than duct tape), and an original Leatherman that has been on my belt since 1995.

I'm used to having a complete wood, electric & metal working shop, and just can't wean myself from "just in case". That, and the fact that I'm usually away from home for many months at a time.

The collection has come in handy for problems that arise, mostly for others. The last "just in case" was repairing the clamp on a fellow camper from Germany's motorcycle gas line with my Shark Bite crimping tool...

[cpaharley2008]

and thank you Jon again for the furnace filter which seems to have fixed my refer flame issue....

[Iowa Dave]

Fixed mine too at Niagara Wine Escape 2014. Thanks Jon.
Dave

[fbalexander]

Originally Posted by fbalexander

Now here's a topic that should garner varied opinions and suggestions. The question:

What would be the minimum "ideal" list of tools and "spare parts" that "prepared" Escapees should have/carry on their travels?

Fred Alexander

As I suspected, a range of opinions and thoughts! Thank you to all who shared their thoughts and experience! I have summarized as best I could the "List". Here it is in PDF and Excel. Now I just select what I think will work for me!

Fred

[Iowa Dave]

Thanks for putting this together. I will be a good future reference for beginners and a checklist for restocking. I have a list on the lid of my boxes to guide the selection of which box will hold what I need and allow me to restock. When I worked for the forest service we would have checkpoints for those entering extreme fire danger areas. You had to have an axe, a bucket and a shovel as a minimum. Which some of the locals who did not like the forest service referred to as the axe, buckle and shove it.
Dave

[fbalexander]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Listening to the minimalists in the group, I probably should keep my tool & parts inventory to myself, but... I carry 3 tool boxes in the trailer - (general, electrical & rarely used), another that is always in the RAV4, along with a bottle jack, 12V air compressor, and 3 parts bins (electrical, hardware, & plumbing), a roll of Gaffer's tape (much better than duct tape), and an original Leatherman that has been on my belt since 1995.

I'm used to having a complete wood, electric & metal working shop, and just can't wean myself from "just in case". That, and the fact that I'm usually away from home for many months at a time.

The collection has come in handy for problems that arise, mostly for others. The last "just in case" was repairing the clamp on a fellow camper from Germany's motorcycle gas line with my Shark Bite crimping tool...

Jon, could you expound a bit on why Gaffer's Tape is "much better than duct tape"?

Fred

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by fbalexander

Jon, could you expound a bit on why Gaffer's Tape is "much better than duct tape"?

Fred

Not Jon, but gaffers tape can more easily be removed from objects it is adhered to, and will leave no residue. Duct tape is tough to get off, especially if left for a long while, and leaves an oily reside. Gaffers tape is just as strong as duct tape too, although more expensive.

[float5]

Jon used Gaffer's tape in his work and I would not be surprised if he has some left. It would be easier to work with for extensive work as he was used to doing. But maybe he has to pay for his own now!?

[gbaglo]

Ditto.
I still have two rolls left over from my employment days as a photographer.
It is easily removed, without leaving residue, but I must caution - remove it slowly. Do not rip it off the surface. I had the fridge door taped shut for a rough road and my buddy did rip it off, and took some of the 'oak' surface with it.

[Vermilye]

Yea, I'm long out of what went with me when I retired. I still buy it; gives me a excuse to stop in & chat with our local theatrical supplier. Yea, it is more expensive, but sticks better, removes more easily (heeding Glenn's point on removing it slowly), and has a nice matte finish.

[fbalexander]

Are all Gaffer's tape equal (the same) or are there "cheap" versions (at lower price) that are just an "excuse" for Gaffer's tape?

Fred

[gbaglo]

No idea.
Get it at a store that supplies professional photographers, movie industry, theatrical supplies. Costs at least five times what a roll of duck ( duct ) tape costs.
Also, never use duct ( duck ) tape on actual ducts. A proper duct tape is thin aluminum, not fabric ( which is where the name 'duck' comes from ).

[C&G in FL]

I have a roll which cost me $15+. I have used very little. I save it for those jobs where it might be in place for a while or might be baked by the sun and I do not want to deal with residue. I also have a roll of duct tape which I use more frequently for the "less critical" applications.

[float5]

We have the fabric type duct tape and we put little strips across such things as the water pump switch when on city water and the microwave numbers so as to check the amps being used first.