Simple Things

Simple Things

I was waved over by a lady en route to my house, she was unable to start her car after having been at a local coffee shop. The problem turned out to be simple, a loose battery terminal. Yet she had no tools in her car to rectify the matter.

Fortunately, I had a small kit and was available to help. I had stopped travelling with a large kit. it was irritating and noisy as well as being risky in the open back of a double cab bakkie.  So I created two unique kits that I could keep in the car under the driver’s seat, one was custom made and the other homemade. I think the homemade one is unique, I used some oil skin cloth and created a tool roll,

The tools are not unique but serve a purpose. I have adapted them over time. The shifting spanner was replaced by a “vice grip” which I find far more useful.

The kits are small but pack a punch and have helped many people. Being small and compact was my original intention. My large toolbox is comprehensive but is only used on long trips.

In the homemade roll I have the following;

  • My vice grip- is a great tool.
  • An Opinel knife has proven to be useful around the braai for cutting meat and salad ingredients.
  • A small interchangeable screwdriver.
  • A 500 Lumen Torch ( rechargeable and environmentally friendly ).
  • Knife and Fork set.
  • Okapi knife ( more of a spare ).
  • A pair of pliers ( I suppose this is sentimental as it is over 100 years old and belonged to my Grandfather, he was a train driver who ferried the ministers between Pretoria and Cape Town in the 1940s.

The little custom kit comes in a leather case, other than the pliers the contents have all been modified for quality purposes.

This little kit has worked hard over the years and comprises;

  • Spanners.
  • Screwdrivers.
  • Pliers which I keep as it has a side cutter.

Add to this the following;

  • Self-annealing tape – useful in any emergency even to replace plaster for a cut finger.
  • Duct tape – uses are endless.
  • Cable ties ( reusable).

As I mentioned this kit is extremely small and could fit in one’s glove box (depending on the size of the owners manual ) 

Less is more yet you can add to it, I also carry some electrical tape and a multi-tool.

This little kit has performed numerous repairs in the past and will no doubt continue to do so.

It is important that you understand the basics;

  • Your battery ( keep jumper cables) 
  • Tyres ( keep a pressure gauge as many service stations do not calibrate their air pumps)
  • Never forget your first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

Use available space for packing and ensure that important things are close at hand.

Travel safely and enjoy the trip.

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