Overland Sourcebook 2018 EAST

Overland Sourcebook ~ Your guide to adventure TM ~ THE ESSENTIAL OVERLANDER TOOL KIT
might have a “lifetime guarantee,” but that
won’t do you much good if something breaks
in the bush. Trust me: Spend ’til it hurts on
this one thing.
So which brands? If you have unlimited funds
by all means go for Snap-on or Mac (or, as
I’ve done, look for them them used on eBay).
Both brands are superb. Otherwise, look at
Facom (“fahcomb”), Proxxon, Snap-on’s
“bargain” brand Williams, or Bahco (at right).
Alternatively, the sets from DeWalt and
GearWrench look very good. Craftsman used
to be a top recommendation, but I’m just
not sure of them any more. Finally, if you’re
really on a budget, the Lowe’s and Home
Depot’s “house brands” Husky and Kobalt
are not bad. But see my exhortation above.
Automotive ratchet and socket sets come
in three common sizes: 1/4-inch, 3/8thsinch,
and 1/2 inch. The numbers refer to the
diameter of the square anvil on the ratchet on
which the sockets fit. The bigger the ratchet,
the bigger sockets it will take and the heavier
work can be done with it. A 1/4-inch set will
span a range of sockets from about 4mm up
to 13mm (or inch equivalents); a 3/8ths set
from 10mm up to 19mm or so, and a 1/2-
inch set from about 13mm all the way up
to 32 or 34mm. You can carry all three, but
an alternative is to carry just a 1/4 and 1/2
set, which will span every fastener on your
vehicle.
Look for a kit that features a 72- or 80-tooth
ratchet. The finer teeth mean you don’t have
to turn the handle as far in tight places to
engage the next tooth. (You can determine the
tooth count by simply rotating the ratchet 360
degrees and counting the clicks.) I also like
a push-button release for the sockets. And I
much prefer a lever for the directional control
rather than a palm wheel, although that’s
personal preference.
The Facom SPD200 1/2-inch kit includes
sockets from 10mm to 32mm. Add a breaker
bar to this and you’ll be able to tackle major
repairs.
This Bahco S87+7 set includes both 1/4 and
1/2-inch ratchets, and sockets from 4mm
all the way to 34mm, plus deep sockets and
combination wrenches.
A very complete Proxxon 23280 1/4-
inch ratchet and socket set, including a
comprehensive selection of bits.
44 Overland Sourcebook ~ Your guide to adventure TM ~ 2018 EAST Edition
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