2nd April 2025
..and I am not talking about boats, but just tools.
Extractors. I made the mistake of buying a large Festool extractor. I forget the exact model but let’s call it the Maxi. It was a long time ago, but I remember my reasoning. There was a smaller “Midi” version, but for just a few more pounds I could get the massive “Maxi”. Which I did, but I soon regretted it. In a workshop it was fine, you could wheel it around to where you needed it and all was good. However, if you wanted to take it to the boatyard then it would half fill the trailer and there was no way you could lift it up a ladder. A great extractor, but what a pain.
Since then I have purchased a little Festool extractor which is cunningly all inside one of their standard Systainers. It is brilliant. I can haul it up a ladder, use it on deck or down below and it takes up hardly any space in the van. A classic case of smaller is better. Much, much better.
Sanders. Luckily I had wised up when it came to purchasing my sander. I could have bought a Rotex 150 for a few pounds more but I plumped for the lighter 125 version. OK, it’s only 400 g lighter but when you are sanding the hull, that makes a big difference. It is worth remembering that these quality tools will easily last twenty years. You might be fit and strong now but you should think about how strong you will be using this machine in twenty years time!. That weight difference does matter.
Furthermore the smaller diameter helps to access smaller gaps.
I do also have an even smaller triangular (Delta) sander which is probably my favourite weapon.
Drills. Nowadays there seems to be a tendency to go for massive cordless drills. Maybe you do need the power from an 18v drill but for most jobs the little 10.6 v Makita does the trick. If you need to drill a hole up the top of the mast then this little machine slips into the tool bucket, no problem. In fact the drill can be used in all sorts of confined spaces without the stonking lump of a battery found on lots of machines. All my drill bits are kept in the Klein bag and everything stows away in a little Tupperware box. A great little tool, occupying little space.
Sash Clamps can be tempting to upsize. “I only need to clamp up a 3 foot door but for a few pounds more I can get these massive 5 foot clamps”. The trouble is, you will need to work around these cumbersome things. You might not even have enough height to clamp a frame laid on its edge and if you lay it down you may end up crawling under the damned things. Do you really need extra long clamps?
Spanners. Small spanners can be a good choice too. How often do you need the extra leverage from a full size spanner. A small spanner will often gain access to a nut that a big spanner can’t reach. If you need a bit more welly, I am sure you can improvise with something on board.
Screwdrivers.
…and finally, how often has a little stubby screwdriver got you out of trouble.
So big isn’t always better, and don’t get me going about big boats!
Bye the way, when I say finally, I really just mean for now. I am sure there must be more small tools that beat big tools.
I knew that there would be more, I had completely forgotten about how useful a miniature try square can be. It fits snuggly into your apron pocket ready for action. Three inches covers most things.
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