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Making maintenance of awkward devices a littler easier



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What is the issue?
Carrying out maintenance in difficult areas is all too commonly encountered on a seagoing vessel. There is never the right tool, or if not the right reach for some tasks.

Why address this?
A fastening in an area that is difficult to access can cause major delay and damage, if it is addressed by the wrong tools or in an inappropriate fashion.

How to address this?
When an odd location that does not suit the established toolset is encountered, try to build a specifically tailored tool for the role.

Homemade keel bolt tool
Drawing: Tony Gibson


Individual sockets are very cost effective to acquire and whole sets of tools can be bought second hand for very little. By welding them into long steel tubes and adding sturdy 'Tommy Bars' for leverage, tools dedicated to addressing awkward areas or stiff bolts, such as keel bolts above, may be easily fashioned.

Keep in mind building your own tools means that safety features and securities are not automatically built-in, so you should always factor in safety along the way.

With thanks to:
Michael Harpur, Yacht Obsession.
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