Sunfish Tools...

[L&VW]

With another slow winter weekend, I thought I'd add a new thread where your favorite tools can be displayed.

My favorite all-time tool isn't particularly safe to use; however, no damages or injuries have yet occurred—and I have two of these mounted on different grinders.

Used to cut 'most anything that can be carried to a grinder, this inexpensive blade cuts wood, stainless steel, plastic, rebar, and fiberglass. The manufacturer doesn't recommend using the blade mounted in this manner, but an experienced handyman can benefit from it. OK, enough with the cautions, here is the ultimate blade:

Yes, it's six inches in diameter, so it fits the 6" grinder just fine. A home-made arbor attachment-piece will need to be fitted. (I cut PVC pipe, and clamped it with the big factory washers that came with the grinder—centering it to the shaft with care).

I've adjusted the (upper) safety shield to protect against broken/flying pieces of bolts, chain, and maybe pieces of "cut-off wheel". Still, tiny particles escape the shields, so wear eye protection. Don't use for cutting fabric, fiberglass cloth, Kevlar, or anything else that can be "grabbed".

Even cutting plastic is a very noisy operation, so ear protection is unavoidable. "Mileage" seems to be measured in seasons—and I use it every day!

My least favorite tool is the one pictured below, mostly because I have no idea what it is used for! The hook parts operate with the grips, and appear to grasp something slid onto the tapered cylinder of about 5/8-inch diameter. It is factory marked with "Dean":

I've even stumped an engineer with this one!

 

[Webfoot1]

Look's like some sort of crimping tool. Most likely a factory tool
so identification will be hard. Could be a special tool where only a
few were made.

 

[eseibel67]

I've spent the last 30 years fixing cars and have amassed quite a array of high quality tools. If I could keep only one it would be this:

 

[L&VW]

Don't know what I'd do without a drill, seeing that a hammer is a poor choice for an inspection port installation.

When it comes to "only one tool", I'd select this one—hammer and Vice Grips in one: (Holes for hanging on pegboard or pulling in line with the gripped object).

Multi-tools should be handy, but they're mostly too small. The "Actopus" is only three inches long—and they're advertising this "belt-loop tool"
is also a hammer!

 

[eseibel67]

 

[L&VW]

Oh, great... My evening got shot!

You took me on an hours-long YouTube videos of various prehistoric sharks!

Prehistoric Sharks: The Strange and Terrifying Prehistoric World

 

[eseibel67]

L&V: My apologies for leading you down a bumpy path. All of my hobbies require temps of at least 70 degrees F. My latitude is 80 degrees N, therefore 100% of my free time from October through April is spent on TV sports and Google. So there.

Back to topic: Although a ball peen hammer cannot install an inspection port, it could easily open one.

 

[L&VW]

"Bumpy" includes YouTube's selections of my favorite subjects. Well, at least I can select the commercials—unlike TV.
___________________

I think I paid less than $10 recently for this DeWalt drill-bit set and index. Yes, it is made in China.

The bits are Titanium-coated against wear: but it's the index that is remarkable, as it has a tilt-out feature that holds the drill bit firmly. (So it—or they—can't fall out all at once). The drill bit marked as "1" is tilted, but firmly held, and can be removed readily. The bright yellow color makes spotting it on the work bench easy. The case latches especially firmly: even if the drill bits were mediocre—and they're not—the case makes this purchase worthwhile.

All but the smallest bits are milled with three "flats", so they can't slip or spin in the chuck. On all but the smallest bits, the tips are ground smaller to minimize "walking" of the bit. The shank of the largest bit ("2") is cut down to fit a 3/8ths chuck.

I mention this, because of all the drill bits and indexes I've owned, this one I always keep handy.

 

[L&VW]

L&V: My apologies for leading you down a bumpy path. All of my hobbies require temps of at least 70 degrees F. My latitude is 80 degrees N, therefore 100% of my free time from October through April is spent on TV sports and Google. So there.
Back to topic: Although a ball peen hammer cannot install an inspection port, it could easily open one.

Just stumbled on a miniature chart of Earth that shows there's not much out there! (Unless you're on sunny Svalbard Island).

Discussed elsewhere was drilling a long hole through the width of a Sunfish rudder or daggerboard. (For a split board). Although not every Ryobi model has one, my Ryobi portable drill has a built-in level. (Might help ).

 

[eseibel67]

OMG I am dumb. My latitude is 44 degrees N. My longitude is 80 degrees W. Sorry.

And I have the exact same Ryobi drill, I've had it for about 18 years, it's on it's 3rd or 4th set of batteries. It also has a sight bubble on the back end for drilling straight down.

 

[tag]

OMG I am dumb. My latitude is 44 degrees N. My longitude is 80 degrees W. Sorry.

I was wondering about that...

 

[L&VW]

And I have the exact same Ryobi drill, I've had it for about 18 years, it's on it's 3rd or 4th set of batteries. It also has a sight bubble on the back end for drilling straight down.

I overlooked that feature, perhaps because I'm not sure my vise is level. When my bubble-level is found, that check can be made—then try to match the two bubbles.

I mention this, because of all the drill bits and indexes I've owned, this one I always keep handy.

Even though the drill bit case is a bright yellow, finding it can still pose a challenge on a cluttered workbench. So I keep it with my other DeWalt nut-driver, extensions, and hex-bit cases just above eye level.

If you're accustomed to using your cordless drill to drive screws—and especially machine screws—a DeWalt 4" extension for the hex bits can be handy to clear Sunfish bow handle, mainsheet block and rudder gudgeon hardware. Previously, I used two 2" extensions together, and set the drill's "torque-break" adjustment to a moderate setting.

Look's like some sort of crimping tool. Most likely a factory tool
so identification will be hard. Could be a special tool where only a few were made.

In the process of making a garden hose repair, that suggestion is starting to make sense. 'Still working on it!

.

 

[danpal]

I think it's actually a tool used to hold onto the end of a hot pipe. Maybe a plumbing tool or used in a foundry or blacksmith's shop.

 

[Sylvan Sunfish]

I have found my M1 to be an extremely useful tool for the Sunfish. I can keep them darn motorboats at a distance with this thing.

 

[L&VW]

I have found my M1 to be an extremely useful tool for the Sunfish. I can keep them darn motorboats at a distance with this thing.

Motorboats, especially the overpowered ones, seem to regard a sight-distance of 100-feet as an adequate safety factor.

And I have the exact same Ryobi drill, I've had it for about 18 years, it's on it's 3rd or 4th set of batteries. It also has a sight bubble on the back end for drilling straight down.

With four Ryobi drills, I've got the opposite situation: lots of drills, but only one battery. Still, one drill makes the holes, a second drill countersinks the holes, and the third drives the screws in.

'Guess I should have mentioned the "down" sight bubble.

That I know of, these little "buzz-saw" blades (below) don't come with Dremel® tool kits. A buddy located this set for me, and I've just broken into the blister-pack for the smallest blade (mounted in a Ryobi drill) for some close inletting.

My Sunfish needs a replacement tiller extension, and I was given a Nicro-Marine extension—which may end-up as being too long.

A router would have been better for this tiller inletting job, but my router needs a new cord.

 

[South Tower Demon]

Multi-tools should be handy, but they're mostly too small. The "Actopus" is only three inches long—and they're advertising this "belt-loop tool"
is also a hammer! View attachment 22039

I have one of these. Most useful for handing to people and seeing how many of the 20 "tools" they can find.

 

[L&VW]

Probably the most expensive pop-rivet tool available, I'd still put this on your wish-list. There's got to be forty feet of aluminum trim on "seasoned" Sunfish.

In use, the grips don't feel like they're going to break off (or permanently bend), it handles four different rivet sizes, and the head rotates to counter difficult applications—including straight down!

.

 

[L&VW]

That littlest "buzz-saw" blade installed, and ready to cause injury to wood—or fingers!

 

[L&VW]

While on the subject of left-hand drill bits, here's Harbor Freight's version.

Looks kinda weird, huh?

The 1/8" LHT bit I keep handy is titanium coated (and a gold-color). I'd look for those first.

I also have a set of LHT and "Easy-Out" combination tools, which appear self-centering, but they remain untested as yet.

.

 

[L&VW]

Photobucket, as littered with ads as it was getting, has a new policy of $2-a-day membership. This form of ransomware is ruining a lot of forums! [/rant]

Just found a neat way to keep portable drills off the workbench top:

Made long enough, you can even keep your favorite drill bit in the drill. (Mine's a Phillips screwdriver—second is a 1/8" drill bit).

Cool idea, or what?

.

 

[L&VW]

Canadian(?) professional video of "cool-tool-things".

Sunfish and home tips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxviTLVjvDQ

 

[L&VW]

'Just bought four ear protectors at a Dollar Tree store. Because they're only $1 each and adequate for most home power tools, there's always one at hand. Be gentle with them, as the ear pieces are loosely bedded in rubber parts, plus, the headband can be broken. I repaired one with steel banding—wrapped with string, and epoxied—but could have replaced it with much less effort.

Dollar Tree ("Where everything's a dollar") also has $1 needle-nose pliers (with cutters). Same story: there's one at hand, everywhere there's a project. Select for the best final-finish, as QC isn't what it could be. One loosened up, but got tightened with a steel punch strike to the center pin.

 

[L&VW]

Hardly any surface on an automobile body is dead-straight, but I've used an automotive "straight-line" air-sander to great effect.

'Haven't used it on a Sunfish yet. While Harbor Freight says they are "on sale" I think this price can be beaten elsewhere. Notice HF is comparing prices with a brand not sold anywhere else—but HF!

 

[L&VW]

In addition to the above, eBay is selling "refurbished" tools—and this one, at $49, caught my eye.

Except for the smallest of inspection ports, anyone OK with using it?

One negative reviewer said "he'd burned it up, as it's underpowered". Dunno about that, maybe wrong choice of cutting wheel?

 

[L&VW]

I'd saved only the chargers and batteries, when the 4-foot tidal surge from Hurricane Irma wiped out my Ryobi portable drill collection. But moving on...

I've had many occasions to drag my Sunfish hither and yon: occasionally over sand, but mostly over grasses of varying lengths and fiber. While a heavy line attached to the bow handle helps, I've added a nifty gadget known as a snatch block to the drag coefficient.

Why they're so expensive to buy, I don't know. For free, I've rescued two from come-a-longs I'd over-revved—and had to throw out. (Also known as cable winches). Wrapping the hook part with electrical tape or shrink tubing will preserve the finish on the bow handle.

Attach one end of your towing line to a tree, run the line through this block, and you've reduced the physical effort of pulling a Sunfish a great deal!

Run out of line before moving the boat? Find another object, like another tree or a boulder to attach the line to. Rinse, repeat.

 

[L&VW]

Try to find American-made vises.

This fifty-dollar one (@ 45 pounds) is from China, and I managed to break it!

 

[L&VW]

'Just bought four ear protectors at a Dollar Tree store. Because they're only $1 each and adequate for most home power tools, there's always one at hand. Be gentle with them, as the ear pieces are loosely bedded in rubber parts, plus, the headband can be broken. I repaired one with steel banding—wrapped with string, and epoxied—but could have replaced it with much less effort.

Dollar Tree ("Where everything's a dollar") also has $1 needle-nose pliers (with cutters). Same story: there's one at hand, everywhere there's a project. Select for the best final-finish, as QC isn't what it could be. One loosened up, but got tightened with a steel punch strike to the center pin.

I've loaned out my pliers, and ear protectors have a way of hiding—so I went back to buy more pliers and ear protectors—and found none.

Perhaps other Dollar Tree stores still have them on the shelf. The mini paint roller, tray and gloves "kit" is still offered at $1—as are the pack of 100 clear plastic gloves. ($1). Don't bother with Dollar Tree's $1 fuzzy eye protector goggles, but Harbor Freight is selling some very nice eye protection for $4—with a higher degree of protection than the goggles. So clear, I found myself forgetting I was wearing them!

While not especially speedy, Harbor Freight has a standard ground shipping charge of $6.99, so it's more economical to buy a bunch of stuff at one time. I'm happy with my second $99 oil-lubed HF air compressor, but that model could use some noise suppression. (Hurricane Irma destroyed the first, identical, compressor).

The cutoff wheel described on the first page has been replaced. It lasted two seasons of heavy use on steel pipe, aluminum, wood, plastic, and fiberglass. A chunk broke off of it, but it continued to soldier-on into its third winter of "work".

 

[Cactus Cowboy]

I find this tool to be quite useful when removing stubborn fittings & corroded fasteners:

M32A1-MSGL - Milkor USA Inc.

Also GREAT for expeditious rig modifications!!!

 

[L&VW]

'Back to Dollar Tree for more ear protectors and found there are no more needle-nose pliers nor ear protectors. BUT they started stocking those little Chinese Vise-Grips. Copied from the original design, they're a decent quality (for $1) and handy, even without the occasional need to grind the jaws to clamp something special or awkward. (Two in the left of the photo).

Eventually, they'll all be painted blue to resist the ever-present rust around here—to make them easier to find—and to join several others I've collected:

 

[L&VW]

I've loaned out my pliers, and ear protectors have a way of hiding—so I went back to buy more pliers and ear protectors—and found none.

Perhaps other Dollar Tree stores still have them on the shelf. The mini paint roller, tray and gloves "kit" is still offered at $1—as are the pack of 100 clear plastic gloves. ($1). Don't bother with Dollar Tree's $1 fuzzy eye protector goggles, but Harbor Freight is selling some very nice eye protection for $4—with a higher degree of protection than the goggles. So clear, I found myself forgetting I was wearing them!

While not especially speedy, Harbor Freight has a standard ground shipping charge of $6.99, so it's more economical to buy a bunch of stuff at one time. I'm happy with my second $99 oil-lubed HF air compressor, but that model could use some noise suppression. (Hurricane Irma destroyed the first, identical, compressor).

The cutoff wheel described on the first page has been replaced. It lasted two seasons of heavy use on steel pipe, aluminum, wood, plastic, and fiberglass. A chunk broke off of it, but it continued to soldier-on into its third winter of "work".

Harbor Freight is having a three day sale. For working on Sunfish, their tough nitrile gloves are priced the same as about eight years. (100 @ $5). My four excellent, earlier clear and smoke eye protection purchase(s) has dropped 85% to a little over a buck.

Their bailing "wand" is as cheap as I've seen it: $7 (I have two—the one from Amazon was $14 ). (It reaches to the bottom of the bilge through a forward inspection port). I'd still go to Dollar Tree first! before ordering.

Lotsa stuff on sale at Harbor Freight! ...Hope this URL works for you...:
Gmail

ETA: Even more stuff came later to my email. I don't see how they can sell their fine (4½-stars) reciprocating saw for only $19. It's got a very nifty blade attachment system: intuitive-install and a strong one.
Gmail

 

[L&VW]

Always "on the hunt" for new tool designs for the homeowner, I came across an interesting electric tool I hadn't seen elsewhere.

It's a "Skil" saw—of a sort—with two counter-rotating blades.

As is my usual practice, I checked the negative reviews—WOW!
5 in. 7.5 Amp Heavy Duty Double Cut Saw

 

[L&VW]

The page was slow to load, but read the following—and multiply by 10!

 

[L&VW]

A shipment from Harbor Freight arrived yesterday. Since their "minimum" pancake compressor was less than $40, I got one. All the attachments are stored hours away, but It's nice to have—especially since there's only a $8 "tire-filler" here presently.

As indicated above, I'm very impressed with their $19 reciprocating saw, so I now have another one to add to my collection.

But the big surprise was a set of five adjustable wrenches. While I needed only one, this entire set might come in handy for $9. Made in India, the quality (and the "heft") is much more impressive than their usual Pittsburg-branded tool offerings.

They range in size from a fairly useless 4-inches to an impressive 12-inches. No, they're not Craftsman, but they're close. I think I'll be bringing these out of the rain!

.

 

[L&VW]

Maybe because of a July 4th-Holiday slump, HF has a darn good sale on a variety of their usual stuff:
HARBOR FREIGHT

 

[L&VW]

Slow-day messaging...

If the reader has gone back to read about my several well-used Ryobi cordless drills, I regret to report, I've had to throw them all out due to hurricane saltwater immersion.

Another thought: I'm not so sure about mounting that 6-inch grinding disc on a bench grinder. While lots of imaginative cuts can be made into a variety of materials (including Kevlar), it can also throw medium-sized chunks back at your face.

So, I'm back to Dollar Tree, holding onto a $20 bill--while feeling like a millionaire!

The ear protectors, needle-nose pliers and mini-ViseGrips are no longer offered at my usual Dollar Tree stores (here). So I bought disposible gloves, a crow bar, food items and three rubber mallets @ $1 each.

(Spent $31, after all).

Stumbling onto an Amazon listing of the real
mini-ViseGrips, you can pay $7, and not get seven of a mini-ViseGrip--that's nearly the same quality!

Disclaimer: Offered solely as a public service, I have no connection with Dollar Tree stores.
.

 

[Cactus Cowboy]

Wait, I saw the money change hands!!! Lol... and feeling like a millionaire is good, I'd always feel that way whenever I finished refurbishing a boat and she looked like a million bucks, aye?

Is it really stretching the truth when ya tell a gal you own a yacht, but don't mention the fact that it's a Laser or a Sunfish? Lol...

WTF, I always FELT like a yachtsman at the tiller... sun & sea were the same regardless of boat specs, the only REAL difference was in the thickness of my wallet, lol.

Toss in some sour grapes: "Most of those rich kooks don't know how to sail anyway!!!"

But their boats sure are pretty...