Package Deal
The 3/8-inch Square Drive general service set ($340) from Snap-on Tools might be the last set of ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers you’ll need to put in your engine room. The 71-piece set comes in a durable case with reinforced steel hinges, and a removable foam divider doubles as a kneepad for long days on the engine room sole. Slip-resistant Santoprene handles will help you keep a grip, and the high-grade steel alloy construction and lifetime warranty mean these tools will be with you as long as you’re afloat. Snap-on Tools, 877-762-7664; snapon.com
Lighten Up
The Ultra Bright 5-watt LED waterproof spotlight ($60) from Stanley Tools pumps out 200 lumens and can do so for up to 10 hours of continuous use (a dimmer control can extend run time). A built-in 7.2-volt rechargeable battery makes purchasing replacements a thing of the past, and the locking on/off trigger will ensure you don’t waste any power. A lanyard keeps the spotlight at hand, but if it goes in the drink, fear not — it is water-resistant up to six feet. Stanley, 800-262-2161; stanleytools.com
Measured Approach
The MM2000 multimeter ($159) from Klein Tools measures AC/DC voltage to 1,000 volts and AC/DC current to 10 amps, and it comes with a thermocouple and test leads. The MM2000’s backlit screen shows readings in a clear and bright display, and a rubber-molded case provides additional grip and protects against impact damage. Klein Tools, 847-821-5500; kleintools.com
Knuckle Down
KONG Waterproof Gloves ($54) from Ironclad have an antimicrobial, waterproof, breathable membrane and an oil-resistant coating to keep hands clean while servicing engines. A silicone grip pattern on the palm and fingers will help tools stay put, and the full back-of-hand, finger and knuckle impact protection ensures that, while the gloves might get banged, your hands won’t. Ironclad; ironclad.com
Look Deeper
By the time a high-temperature alarm blares, it’s often too late to solve the problem, and your only remedy is to shut down the engine(s). Periodic checks of the engine room and cooling circuit with the FLIR i7 infrared camera ($1,995) can help spot trouble before it happens. The i7 captures high-resolution infrared images of temperatures ranging from -4 degrees to 482 degrees F and displays them in vivid color on a 2.8-inch LCD screen. The lithium-ion rechargeable battery can last for five hours of continuous use, and the 512 MB MicroSd card can hold up to 5,000 thumbnail images for reference. FLIR, 800-464-6372; flir.com
