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We’ve had lots of threads about the correct tools as originally supplied for pour cars by Lagonda but what about the everyday tools you carry on journeys?
Obviously there’s a need for a suitable jack and hammer for the spinners. I prefer a Thor nylon headed deadblow hammer as it doesn’t damage the chrome. Also of course a plug spanner, a few spanners, mole grips, screwdrivers etc. I always carry gaffer tape and zip ties too.
So, what do you have in your everyday tool bag for journeys “just in case”?
Hi Guys,
As well as the usual tools,having been a GPO technician I like to have my trusty “quick grip” pliers to hold small nuts. I seem to recall the “rate book” item description was “pliers QG No 1”
As an example, take a look at eBay item number 311415017726 or http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bt-gpo-tools-engineers-wilkinsons-533251546
They do turn up at car boot sales. eBay is also a rich supply
Old technicians also like to have a pair of “81’s” – a pair of long nose pliers to you and me.
GPO tools were of very high quality and when we joined as apprentices we were issued with a personal tool kit. We were also given a tool kit number and a record book, and told it was a disciplinary offence to lose any of our tools but the stores would replace them if they were broken.
I still use the screwdrivers. For those in the know, number 4 is my favorite.
The younger apprentices were called “youths in training” and we were referred to as “rank and file employees.” How times have changed….
Cheers
Colin
Colin,
I’ve a story about some of your fellow GPO guys. Not you of course.
Years ago there was a used tool stall in Gravesend market that had a special table which sold broken tools on it. One day I spotted a broken 5/16″ spanner that was ideal for grinding down to reach a particularly inaccessible nut on my Norton. I asked how much it was expecting it be almost nothing but to my surprise he wanted ?2.50 for it – a huge sum in 1979. When I protested (swore actually) he asked me if I worked for the GPO. When I said not he reduced the price to 20p!!
I pushed him for an explanation and after a while he explained that he bought broken tools from the GPO stores to ‘recycle’ them. He then sold them back to GPO workers who took them to the stores to exchange for new ones. Ingenious bit of dishonesty.
Appalled I vowed never to work for a nationalised industry.
In a way this reminds me of my dad. He worked for London Underground at Acton depot. When I was little I was always interested in nailing bits of wood together to make something and after a while I noticed that lots of his tools had LTE stamped on them. He always maintained the story that they belonged to a chap called Little Tommy Edwards with whom he worked and that he’d got them from him. In older age I realise that LTE stood for London Transport Executive! Many years later I was recounting this story to my father-in-law and he laughed and said “in that case don’t ask why all our cutlery has AM stamped on it because I’d tell you I got it from a chap I worked with called Arthur Morris.” He was a retired RAF pilot and went on to explain that AM was in fact Air Ministry! 😀
Anyway, anyone got any suggestions for what tools to stick in my tool bag in the boot of my 16/80? :help:
When I came back to the UK to collect my Riley RMB (which I’d last driven in 1975!) from the restorer, I brought a selection of Whitworth spanners over with me.
Naturally, one of the first things that needed attention proved to have AF fixings!
Needless to say, the chimps masquerading as “professional engineers” who “rebuilt” my LG6 used AF fixings … not to mention the odd metric. So the bag of tools I carry grows ever heavier…
Moral of story if you don’t know your car in that detail, is CARRY EVERYTHING! Large and small adjustable spanners and mole grips are useful tools of last resort (as, Colin, I hope that tool is for you!), mauled nuts and bolts resulting from use of inappropriate tools should be avoided except in emergencies!
Laurence
My travelling tool kit includes:
Whitworth and AF spanners
10mm, 2 x 13mm, 14mm spanners
Spark plug sockets
Multi-meter
Long nose and engineers pliers
Pump pliers
Screwdrivers flat and cross
A knife
Electrical tape
Cable ties
Jack and hammer
Torch
Paper towel
Small WD40
Small piece of emery cloth and a wire wool
Adjustable spanners x 2
Spares (fuses, bulbs, plugs, plug cap, etc.)I also carry a spare magneto even though my car has two fitted anyway!
That lot is in the car every time I leave home. If I’m on ‘a trip’ I take anything else I can fit in after the luggage.
Humm, thanks everyone. Out of interest, what are pump pliers David?
Water pump pliers, 7 hole pliers, adjustable pliers, the same by many names.
Rich, take whatever you might need is the answer. And then be prepared to not have enough!
Hi Guys,
David mentioned carrying a multi-meter. Good idea but it has to be an old-fashioned analogue one because interference from the magneto completely messes up digital meter readings! Can I also add that a timing light and compression gauge are useful if you have space.
Car boot sales are an excellent place to pick up BSF spanners.
Colin
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