Tool set for my Haiti job

[roldar]

Howdy.

So I've worked on this a while and this is what I've come up with as my take list and my get it there list. Any feedback is welcome.

I'm going to Haiti to work on some Diesel gensets, set up a PM program, train locals on the PM program, and be a general fix it guy. I've just learned I'll be doing some electrical work but I'm not sure what so I'm going to burn that bridge when I'm on it.

I've also learned there is a chance all my tools could be confiscated at customs so I am not taking any real high dollar gear.


107 piece socket set (Jonesville (the Fastenal brand), green hard case)
Magnetic pick up tool (Jonesville)
7” diagonal cutter pliers (Jonesville)
10” ******* file (unknown brand)
3 piece file set (unknown brand)
Hard hat (white)
Snap ring pliers set (unknown brand)
Digital multi meter (HF, $4, got it as a back up / leave in tool box, red)
Welding sleeves (running or recently running engines are hot, green)

Screwdrivers (all are Pratt & Read):
5/16” x 6” Phillips #3
1/4 “ x 4” Phillips #2
3/16” x 3” Phillips #1
¼”x1-1/2” Stubby Phillips
Minipack but splices
¼” x 6” flat blade
3/16” x 6” Phillips #1
5/16” x 6” flat blade

7 piece socket adapter and U Joint set (TITAN brand, Fastenal would have to order their sets and they weren't cheap. There are Taiwan made so I'll give them a go but no real torque)
19” Red Plastic Tool Box (Snap-On from Northern Tool)

Gearwrench set metric (box end wrench)
Gearwrench set SAE (box end wrench)
Thumb ratchet ¼” driver (CM)

Digital voltage-meter (yellow, CM on sale $23 IIRC)

Knipex 10" Pliers Wrench
Filter Wrench Small and Medium
Pocket Ref
Infrared Thermometer (yellow, why not)
Filter Wrench Large (3")
Nonmarking plastic tool (pry tool, I can and have fixed laptops in the field and these should be in every tech's tool box)

Leatherman ALX (multi tool, replaicng a long line of Leathermen that are stolen or left due to political instability)
Leatherman Micra (scissors pocket tool)

Asus EEE PC 1000HE (nice to have for files on PDF, probably won't go to the field with me)

Pocket Screw Driver (x2, orange and black. About the size of an ink pen, #0, & #00 phillips and 2 small flat, great tool for laptops and electronics)

33 piece ¼” bit set (x2, common bits, Torx, Safety Torx, Pozi, hex, phillips, flat, nothing fancy but handy)
Work Gloves (2 or 3 pair)
Coveralls (blue)
Safety Toe Boots (Wolverine)
Rechargeable batteries (not sure how many I have)

 

[Monte]

Don´t forget your swimwear

 

[woody 73]

Hi not sure if I missed it on your list,but be sure and take a good flashlight and take along a nice a little band aid kit ( the ones that contain some aspirin).

 

[speed bump]

Pipe wrenches, hammers, adjustable wrenches, more coveralls, more gloves, cordless drill, drill bits, Hacksaws, wire brush, punches, chisels, pry bar, and ladies foot.

Skip the Knipex plier wrench (you can't put a cheater on it), the filter wrenches (get a 16" channellock), and I would skip the Pocket ref but thats me.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Did you include safety glasses or goggles?

 

[mrholeshot]

Don´t forget your swimwear

And extra strenght condoms

 

[metal1313]

sports man's quide has a larger first aid kit on sale for 20 bucks, bring a box of nitrile gloves,

 

[roldar]

Thanks for the input ya'll.

Did forget to list these items:
Flashlight (streamlight key light and a Streamlight that uses CR123 not sure which one it is anymore)

I'm going to work at a hospital so I'm hoping I can score nitrile gloves and first aid gear from them. I do have some band-aids in a portable pack that go in my carry bag.

I'll get some stuff when I'm there:
Pipe wrenches (don't want to carry the same Chinese wrench I can get there down with me)
Hacksaw
Wire brush
Chisle
Pry bar
Basic calculator

I'm also going to make a set of punches and a set of brass drifts there. Easy to do.

I do need to get safety glasses. I may get a Lady's foot before I go but I'm pretty sure I'm over weight.

I used to work in HIV/AIDS Prevention and my motto was always don't bring work home with you.

Cordless drill: I have had a few different cordless drills and I know that you get what you pay for. And the fact that my gear my get 'confiscated' cause the Customs Official needs to work on his mistress' car is keeping me from buying a good drill. I'll find a cheapy when I'm there, hopefully I can get the project to pick up the tab.

Pocket Ref: I'm on my 5th copy. First two copies replace when 3rd edition came out (one in tool box, one on desk). Third edition all copies lost while overseas. I've also given out about 10 copies as presents. This is one of the best and most useful general information books around. And it comes in REALLY handy in a place with limited internet access.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Pocket Ref: I'm on my 5th copy.

What 'pocket reference' book are you talking about?

For electrical work there's no better than "Ugly's Electrical Reference Book" - even Amazon sells it;
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000E95IYK/awh

 

[Mustangmike]

Going to Haiti eh?
Be very careful down there as there is still no real government, corruption reigns with the local politicos..If you are able to,take some duplicates of tools as things have a way of "disappearing" when going through customs there. Take some malaria pills, tylenol, water purification tabs...I have several Haitian friends here and they dont feel safe down there.

 

[Stick]

What 'pocket reference' book are you talking about?

For electrical work there's no better than "Ugly's Electrical Reference Book" - even Amazon sells it;
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000E95IYK/awh

He's probably talking about Pocket Reference by Glover. There's also a Desk Reference version. Handy book.

 

[bgott]

I think that, with all the stealing and corruption down there, Harbor Freight might be where you want to buy tools for the trip. This is not a crack at the quality, just a thought about cost.

 

[astrodoggie3000]

If you might do some electrical work... you might add a stripper/crimping plier, and some combination pliers.

 

[speed bump]

Just curious but have you ever done any work in 3rd world? When it looked like I was going to be doing work in Haiti about March I got told that I got what I showed up with. Unless your company has those tools showing up with you plan on not having them because there aint **** available in the third world.

 

[D9H 90V]

Alot of good padlocks, seriously, make sure your tools DO NOT leave your sight, a buddy of mine works for a crane rental company, he said they shipped a crane over there in pieces to help rebuild, the crane and pieces got there 1 day before any of the company men did, and when they did the found that everything a group of guys could pick up was gone, then they tried to sell the parts back for ransome, they decide it would be easier and cheaper to write the crane off as a loss,

By the way, have fun!!

 

[american lockpicker]

I think that, with all the stealing and corruption down there, Harbor Frieght might be where you want to buy tools for the trip. This is not a crack at the quality, just a thought about cost.

I wouldn't recommend those tools as they are extremely low quality whats on the list seems good.

 

[seagravedriver]

I would not count on a hospital having enough or good enough gloves for you to use/take. They may, but you don't know.

I was recently in South Africa. Theft was so bad, guys with leaf blowers would carry their gas can/jug with them instead of letting it sit. I am guessing Haiti is not a lot diffrent.

Anti-septic as well.

 

[roldar]

Givl: see below.

Mustangmike: I have heard from a lot of expats that have been in Haiti that the violence is bad. Like chop you up in little pieces for the change in your pocket bad. But I did 4 years in Guinea, West Africa. And about two of those years were in Conakry, the capitol. Guinea had a robbery problem but it was not a murder you to get your stuff level. But Port au Prince like Conakry has places you don't go alone or at night. But there are places in Knoxville, TN (where I live now) that I don't go to at night. It's always been my experience that you know you're where someplace you ought not be, so don't go there.

Stick: Yep

Bgott: I've been assured that my stuff shouldn't get boosted. And I'd bought most of my stuff before I found out that it might get stolen. And some of the HF stuff is what I'd be able to get down there anyway. So I'm gonna roll the bones and see if I get to keep my decent tools. Probably leave with the project when I go anyway.

Astrodoggie3000: Will get that stuff there. The Leatherman has a nice set of crimpers on it.

Speed Bump: As I said I did 4 years in Guinea. I was able to get some decent tools overthere (off other expats though). I had the Chinese made local 'special good quality for you mistah' tools that were pre-broken. But every now and then you'd find a real gem. I had an electrician come to fix the faulty wiring in my apartment (I was the first tenant and WOW it had some issues) with a Fluke 77 DVM, he didn't know what it was worth, but I did. I also met a park ranger with what at one point in time was about a $10,000 Beneilli (sp?) over-under shotgun with A LOT of scroll work. It was banged up some but he carried it with him to work every day.

I should post some my crazier pics from Guinea. I have a good one of the 6 door Renault taxi, just need to find it.

 

[american lockpicker]

You might want to take a metal Katadyn water purifier and spare filter with you.

http://www.katadyn.com/en/katadyn-p...ter-endurance-series-produkte/katadyn-pocket/

http://www.katadyn.com/en/katadyn-p...endurance-series-produkte/katadyn-expedition/

 

[roldar]

D9H: Got them, wish I could get the big 5 lb contractor locks but I don't think they'd even fit on the tool box. I really wish I could get a job site tool box down there and mount it in my vehicle. Might see about getting one fabbed up.

Seagravedigger: That's a pretty good call. I'll price them out and see where I am on weight. And there is a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer on my key ring and a big bottle in my bag.

 

[roldar]

American: Bleach, 3 drops per liter will kill pretty much anything but some very very persistent eggs. And 9 minutes above 180 degrees will kill them. I do have iodine tablets, and they WILL kill everything.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'd take.... Nothing. I'd stay the f**k at home!

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Gifts, little things like pocket screwdrivers, small flashlights, pocketknives. Helps you get introduced, helps you when you leave, can possibly help you with your new dear friends at customs or if you rile a cop. Maybe even get one of those promotional places to put your name on a batch of pocket screwdrivers or such, so in shaky situations it's like a souvenier more than a bribe and in a real gift to a new friend it is a bit personal and not just a random trinket.
Good water bottle, allows you to mix in your iodine or whatever (I have used random surface water with no ill effects with Army iodine pills) AND and excuse not to drink anything dubious offered to you..."thanks, but my doctord says keep drinking water"
Picture type pocket dictionary...need a word, show them a picture.

 

[Coach James]

A company of really angry Marines.

Coach