Tool Kit - What's needed ?

[peyote2004]

Starting to put together a small tool kit for the playa ... basically as things go on sale, or I find used items I'm adding them.

pliers / vice-grips (I have 1 of each)
zip ties
duct tape
rope
bungee cords
good quality multi-tool
screw driver with changeable bits
small sledge hamer or similar for pounding rebar

What do you suggest I add?

[theCryptofishist]

[channelling AntiM]Spring clamps[/channelling AntiM]

[Morrell]

Being a recent convert to the Spring Clamp camp, I agree with Crypto and AntiM highly!!!!!

[misfit]

if your bringing a bike,,, a smal air pump and fresh tube.

[gyre]

Wire strippers.

[AntiM]

MyLarry brings a full tool kit, including a drill and an entire case of fasteners. Someone came looking for a woodsaw, and yes, he had one. So camp next to us.

[Bob]

Pawn shops in gambling towns [cough Reno] are good for buying multi-tools, I got a Gerber in good shape for less than half the price new, but I get more use out of a basic pocket knife plus the Victorinox mini-knife that has the tweezers, toothpick & mini-scissors. Bring a small stone to keep blades sharp.

Get a mini-tripod for your camera. Going to Burning Man and not taking pics of yourself there is just stupid.

Bring a basic first aid kit, painkillers of choice, and antihistamines.

Regarding actual "tools" it depends on what you're building. Stick to better brands eg Irwin/Vise-Grip, Klein, Knipex, ChannelLock, Estwing, etc. If you plan on volunteering on a work crew building big art bring a comfortable tool belt, framing hammer, side-cutting pliers, Vise-Grips, utility knife, 4-way screwdriver, and a beer cooler.

[Zhust]

Your kit is pretty complete as far as I'm concerned. Note to get colored zip-ties (or, for our Canadian listeners, zap-straps) rather than clear/white ones. You can find the colored ones in the Playa if you drop one. And I know I'm in the minority in thinking duct tape is terribly useless.

My most used tools were the vice grips (Irwin-brand for reals; good for getting rebar out), 4-pound "drilling hammer" from Harbor Freight (for getting rebar in), claw-wrench (similar to a small pipe wrench except it instantly adjusts to any size), and a GatorGrip socket with ratchet (not as good as having every socket, but it fits every bolt).

Basically scale your tool kit to match the things you are bringing. I didn't bring bike tools because I didn't bring a bike (except a small frame pump 'cause it was small). I had some electronic projects so I had a minimal kit to diagnose and fix them (meter, wire cutter/stripper, soldering iron, solder, solar battery pack/inverter/AA charger).

[peyote2004]

These items are a great place to start. I'm making a list of all the things I need/want (tools, gear, fun stuff) so I can look for them on sale or used over the next 11 months.

I had thought I've some of the items suggested, but then quickly forgotten about them. They are now on my list.

I hadn't thought about the benefit of colored zip-ties over clear, but the added visibility is worth it .... Now, I just need to locate some.

Zhust - I'm Canadian, and I've never heard of calling zip-ties ... Zap-straps. You learn something new every day

Thanks for the ideas ... Hopefully this thread will help others come prepared too.

[AntiM]

Harbor Freight has the colored zip-zaps, often on sale. I have a pack of neon ones.

[theCryptofishist]

And I know I'm in the minority in thinking duct tape is terribly useless.

Actually, one message I got from reading the board this year is that gaffer's tape is preferable on playa. Heat makes the glue on the duct tape loosen. Of course, tape in general might be useless. I have to say that it often isn't what's called for, but it's something those of us without a bunch of basic skills can use to accomplish something.

[5280MeV]

I have to say that it often isn't what's called for, but it's something those of us without a bunch of basic skills can use to accomplish something.

Duct tape is always the wrong answer. But it is always an answer, nonetheless.

I agree with the heat thing - I have been holding my passenger side mirror on all summer with duct tape because I am too lazy to either epoxy it or drill a hole and bolt it on. In the 100 degree heat the duct tape only holds for a day. Now that it is getting cool it holds for weeks.

[gyre]

A study found duct tape (or probably the better gaffer's tape) was useful for virtually everything, except ductwork.

[theCryptofishist]

I have to say that it often isn't what's called for, but it's something those of us without a bunch of basic skills can use to accomplish something.

Duct tape is always the wrong answer. But it is always an answer, nonetheless.

I agree with the heat thing - I have been holding my passenger side mirror on all summer with duct tape because I am too lazy to either epoxy it or drill a hole and bolt it on. In the 100 degree heat the duct tape only holds for a day. Now that it is getting cool it holds for weeks.

Thank you! I'm ready to take the SAT again!

[Mrpatatomoto]

In my tool box is three adjustable wrenches (two 6" and one 10") for various situations, a pair of vise grips, Wire cutters, wire strippers, a few feet of electrical wire, wire connectors, gerber multi-tool, Duct tape (may not work for long but it will get you down the road), spool of tie wire, bunch of zip ties, electrical Multi-tester, screw driver with assorted heads.

IMHO its a good small tool kit, carried in a Surplus Ammo box. At some point I plan to get a bigger box and make a more versatile kit for road trips.

[TomServo]

Gorilla Tape

Harbor freight ratchet straps (tie downs)

[tattoogoddess]

Gorilla Tape

Harbor freight ratchet straps (tie downs)

Tool box, not our sex box tom. gees.


zip ties are a must!! found so many uses for them! also works well as last minute wedding bands.

[Savannah]

Lots of good stuff here. I can add only:

Bottle opener worn on my belt at all times for emergency beers.
A long Fulton wrecking bar to help pull my 10" nailhead stakes.
Box cutter.
Packing tape.

I third the recommendation of spring clamps. So useful! And just sort of . . . fun.

[BBadger]

In addition to what you listed:

- Spool of mechanic's wire (it's like metal duct tape for holding stuff in place)
- Canned air
- Mirror
- Round file (remove burrs off stuff, etc.)
- Nail clipper
- Carabiners
- Needle nosed wire snips (not just for wire)
- Bag of zip-ties
- Flashlight
- Safety pins
- Velcro straps
- Hand Brush (it is dusty, but good for sweeping stuff off a table)
- Magnet (for collecting screws, etc.)
- Tire flat kit
- Tire pump
- Tape measure

Specialized tools:
- Bike chain tool + Allen key (or both)
- Sewing Awl (for repairing heavy fabrics, tarps, leather, or stuff in general). Great for costume repairs.

[graidawg]

are zip ties and gaffer tape tools? and why has nobody mentioned wd40? a good multitool is essential i used every single attachement while at bm on my gerber.

if zip ties are tools then carabinas- a good assortment is essential also bungee cords and paracord are damn useful.

[shroom]

**makes a note to camp close to antim**

[Bob]

They aren't vicegrips no matter how many times they've been to bunringman.

And I think you people are confusing tools, hardware and rigging.

[BBadger]

Vice-Grip:

vice.png

Vise-Grip:

vise.jpg

[MacGlenver]

Carabiners & Multi tool. Never left home without em.

[graidawg]

Vice-Grip:

vice.png

Vise-Grip:

vise.jpg

my dad called them mole grips. in our tool shops they are called locking pliers. useful tool i have about 5 pairs of varying sizes. i have far more crowbars of varying sizes,, my tool bag looks like a well equiped burglars, more so once i have done my locksmith course

[BBadger]

Yeah "Vise grip" is a genericized trademark in the US these days.

[Zhust]

Vise-Grip:

Better:

[Bob]

[some seeing eye]

Many good suggestions. Add lineman's pliers/cutters, hemostats and a measuring tape for laying out camp, monkey huts etc. Safety glasses if your goggles aren't doing it.

[otakup0pe]

The volt meter I brought for testing batteries ended up being useful troubleshooting an art car. The one tool I definitely missed was a wrecking bar to pull my playa staples out of the ground. They were too tight to use vise-grips on but came out smoothly once I went at them with a piece of rebar as a lever and the eight pound sledge.

Actually I'll probably also have a Linux powered netbook next year to help with microcontroller debugging but it may not live in my tool box.

4131KAwyCWL.jpeg

Also the tool box is pink.