Desert Island Tool Roll

[David Bennett]

Hi all, I am new to this so please bear with me, I have a lockable boot cover on my FW and have decided it might be a good idea to carry a few tools and bits in a tool roll in the boot, some things are a given, screwdrivers Allen keys, small adjustable spanner, pliers, Stanley knife, tie wraps, but has anyone got any strange but essential things I should carry, without it turning into adding a tow bar and trailer?

 

Thanks for any ideas, David Bennett

[Richard (OldStager)]

Hi David, I think we covered this once before, but for me I tend to carry stuff mainly for the engine, since any failure bigger than that is going to need recovery anyway.

So for me, its spare plugs, rotor arm ( if your old school), fan belt, spare throttle cable (s), spare clutch cable , various bits of cable and connectors and a selection of the most common nuts and bolts on the car, tie wraps and gaffer tape, spare lamps. You can go overboard on spares however, but of all the spares I carry I value a fuel pump highly , having had one fail on me once, leaving me to do a get you home bodge.

[David Bennett]

There are a few I will add thanks particularly the lamps and gaffer tape! Would never have thought of a fuel pump, but as you say until it fails you suddenly understand it's worth!

[Richard (OldStager)]

2 minutes ago, David Bennett said:

There are a few I will add thanks particularly the lamps and gaffer tape! Would never have thought of a fuel pump, but as you say until it fails you suddenly understand it's worth!

The ironic part was that I was within walking distance of a motor factors, but once there they had no pumps that would do me, todays cars seem mostly to be in-tank ones - mine isn't.

[corsechris]

Can of tyre squirt, small collection of fuses and a couple of relays. 
 

Carried a reasonably comprehensive set of tools and a spare wheel & jack for years and never used them so decided to trust the old girl and lose the clutter.

 

In my last kit which had a pretty big lockable bit, I carried a wee bit more, few cable ties, bulbs and a roll of gaffer tape.

 

The latest one….this reminds me to make up a fuse, relay and can of squirt kit

[TAFKARM]

Machete, water purifying tablets, rope, fishing net, waterproof matches, tarpaulin.

[BigSkyBrad]

Ray Mears and Bear Grylls, and a hammock to lie in while they rush about keeping you alive 'til the RAC arrive.

[Blatman]

Personally I prefer puncture repair kits to cans of squirt. The reason is that with squirt, tyres are usually scrapped when presented to the local tyre shop. With external plugs they can often be repaired. I've been using Crafty Plugger tyre repair kits for more than two decades... well, when I say "using" I mean that I carry them with me on the bike and in the Westfield, along with a handful of CO2 cannisters, or you could carry a foot pump or lecky tyre compressor thingy. Note that the kit DOES NOT include the CO2, they will have to be bought separately along with a tyre valve adapter. I've actually deployed them twice and both times they have repaired the tyre adequately to get me home and allowed me to get the tyre repaired properly later.

Of course if the Westfield is equipped with a spare wheel then this is all moot. Mine however, is sans spare so repair is the only way to avoid a tow home.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Mini tyre pump and a tyre repair kit, I do have the mini gas bottles too, if the pump were to fail, but its just easier to get the tyre up to proper working pressure with a pump.

 

I've used the repair kit in anger, when a friend got a flat on a run to the Elan valley. And the plugged tyre allowed him to drive the return leg of the trip, pretty much as normal, without too much worry. It was also fully repairable, whereas a goo type fix will often (though not always), see you turned away.

 

I also carry, as well as the usual tie wraps, tape etc, silicon self amalgamating tape; perfect for a temporary repair to a bust hose etc.

[cast iron]

rad weld, and a decent water bottle, selection of jubilee clips

[Blatman]

46 minutes ago, Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary said:

I also carry, as well as the usual tie wraps, tape etc, silicon self amalgamating tape; perfect for a temporary repair to a bust hose etc.

 

I have occasionally mused as to whether the Crafty Plugger could be pressed in to service to fix a hole in a water hose. No idea if it could stand the heat, but they can certainly stand the pressure... not that I am in any hurry to prove or dis-prove that question  

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Just now, Blatman said:

 

I have occasionally mused as to whether the Crafty Plugger could be pressed in to service to fix a hole in a water hose. No idea if it could stand the heat, but they can certainly stand the pressure... not that I am in any hurry to prove or dis-prove that question  

 

Interesting thought! I'd be a little cautious at how much of the plug went inside the hose, (assuming its the same style sticky strip as my repair kits), and any flow reduction etc. But would be very tempted just to add a little mechanical support around the outside of the hose and the repair.

 

I'd certainly give it a go if that was all I had.

[Steve (sdh2903)]

2 hours ago, Blatman said:

Personally I prefer puncture repair kits to cans of squirt. The reason is that with squirt, tyres are usually scrapped when presented to the local tyre shop.

 

Not the case these days. Unlike the older generation sealants, Most of the common tyre sealants are water based and easily cleaned out of the tyre to allow repair. You do obviously still get the odd tyre place who will try it on though. 

[Blatman]

36 minutes ago, Steve (sdh2903) said:

Not the case these days. Unlike the older generation sealants, Most of the common tyre sealants are water based and easily cleaned out of the tyre to allow repair. You do obviously still get the odd tyre place who will try it on though. 

 

Good to know. I hadn't heard about that development.

[Marcus Barlow - Show and Events Co-ordinator]

Throttle return spring

Zetec thermostat housing (will crack easy if bottom out on sump!!)

Phone power bank

Disposable gloves

Exhaust bobbin