What's in your emergency repair kit, besides tools?

2/8/2012 8:23 PM EST

I used to carry a penlight-sized Maglite, but now carry a 2-way LED flashlight with a broad array beam, a narrow 3-LED beam, a magnet, and a hook. Essential for keeping light on the work area in dark places and costs $3 at Harbor Freight.

2/9/2012 2:50 AM EST

I bought not long ago a set of two keyring screwdrivers - a bit over an inch long with your "+ & -" blades and flat handles with holes to fit on the keyring. They were really handy. Then when I was going through Sydney airport recently some officious little snivelling mongrel of a security guy took them off me. No matter that my car key, at 3 inches long, would be a far better weapon. (Or maybe they thought I wanted to disassemble the plane in mid air?) I hope I can get some more.

2/9/2012 2:54 AM EST

And a pocket Multimeter like this one is good too. Usually not as much functionality as the bigger ones, but they are really compact and just what you need in a small toolkit:

http://www.multimetrix.us/images/hand-held/DMM_10.jpg

2/9/2012 9:14 AM EST

2 part epoxy putty. It sticks to anything, fills huge voids, is a tough as concrete and can be filed to shape after it sets. I don't seem to find it in Canada anymore, so I bring some back from South Africa every time I visit.

2/9/2012 10:59 AM EST

It's generally accepted that Duck Tape is the original name for said product, and Duct Tape is a mispronounciation. And in fact, the stuff shouldn't be used on ducts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape

2/9/2012 1:24 PM EST

Add Super Glue and an envelope with $100 cash.... Super Glue fixes almost anything and the cash is to buy all the things I forgot to bring or didn't have...

2/9/2012 1:59 PM EST

As a somewhat electronified person, I find myself called on to fix home wiring issues now and then, thus an AC outlet tester is a useful component in my tool kit. I also always carry a standard PC power cord, an Ethernet cord and a USB standard-A to B and A to mini cable. I'm going to have to add in a standard-A to micro as well.

2/9/2012 2:44 PM EST

I agree:
Flashlight (check)
Epoxy (check)
I'd add:
+Razor blades (or a box cutter)
+Spare reading glasses (!)

2/9/2012 5:13 PM EST

OK, so this isn't my solution, but a "friend" of mine said, "Always include a shotglass and the fixings for 'really big' jobs.
My comment is, don't forget the schematics and a thumb drive. Never know when you're going to need to record, transfer, or look up something.

2/9/2012 5:54 PM EST

Essential: multimeter, Leatherman Multi-tool and a small LED flashlight. If space permits: zip ties, duct tape, a couple of steel wire coat hangers, some copper wire and some nylon sash cord. If size and weight aren't an issue: a proper set of screw drivers, pliers, nut drivers, socket set, utility knife. My go anywhere meter is still my old Fluke 77. The newer more precision ones stay on the bench.

2/10/2012 11:44 AM EST

Also switch/contact cleaner spray

I can't believe no one has mentioned WD40.

A tube of hand cleaner

2/10/2012 3:13 PM EST

All good items, I would add electrical tape and packing tape. Sure you could use duck/t tape but I like the vinyl stuff-and the packing tape is extremely strong.

2/10/2012 3:21 PM EST

You said 14 AWG wire. I assumed that meant for electrical purposes. The old phrase "Held Together With Duct Tape and Bailing Wire" indicates bailing wire. Pretty handy, although some may call prefer Mechanics Wire.

2/10/2012 3:44 PM EST

Extra ammunition.

2/10/2012 4:12 PM EST

Dunno about the rest of you guys, but the answers to this sort of question demonstrate that there is no such thing as "an" emergency repair kit. Or rather, it wouldn't be a "kit" of any reasonable size, especially once you include all of the necessary tools.

For instance, what "emergency" are we assuming? Electrical? Electronic? Plumbing? Structural? Automotive? Suitcase that doesn't open for inspection in the airport?

2/10/2012 4:22 PM EST

I'm sort of with Bert22306...I have many different "kits" in many different places. There is one set of tools in the toolbox in my truck bed. Some things in the truck cab. (The wrenches ride in the box in the bed, but there are flashlights in both places, for instance.) Different things at my dad's house. All SORTS of things at MY house. And certain really common things (tape measure and small multibit screwdriver) are replicated in multiple locations at my house. And this stuff evolves over time, based on the statistics of the types of fixes I encounter. No one-size-fits-all...though a multitool or Swiss army knife can fix a LOT of different things...

2/10/2012 5:05 PM EST

Many of thes items are available everywhere. As a EE, bringing a multimeter is most important. They are not readly available. A flashlight is the tool I seem to use every day and usually several times a day. I also always carry a multitool.

2/10/2012 7:38 PM EST

I always carry a Leatherman Skeletool, nail clippers and a little LED flashlight on my person if I'm wearing pants with pockets. You can do a lot with just those items.

My MacGyver moment was driving through rural Indiana in the company car when, without warning, the accelerator pedal went to the floor while the car coasted to a crawl. The accelerator cable had broken! I, fortunately, had some #18 stranded hook-up wire salvaged from a job still in the trunk. I was able to strip it and feed it through the cable, tying it off at either end. It worked until I could get the car to a dealership a couple days later.

2/10/2012 8:39 PM EST

In addition to an assortment of screws I also carry wire nuts and wire, #14 and #16, stranded, and both black plastic electrical tape and the wider masking tape. A small tube of grease, a few nails, and often cable clamps, the kind that clamp Romex and have a half inch pipe thread, to attach wires to a fixture box. Often times a small bottle of wood glue, or a tube of liquid nails. That stuff can also mend broken plastic drain pipes, and plug holes in a plaster wall, as well as fixing aluminum siding and re-attaching house numbers. Also a spare outlet or two and a three way switch. The Fluke #77 meter comes along in a separate kit, which also includes a screwdriver and pliers, and clip leads and wire nuts.

2/10/2012 11:44 PM EST

Many years ago I was being interviewed by the manager of the earth station I wanted to work at. One of the questions he asked was "what is the most valuable tool or test equipment in your toolbox?". I replied "the biggest, ugliest, heaviest flatblade screwdriver I have". He went to the next question without comment. I knew then he too had worked in the field. I got the job.
VE7DFI

2/11/2012 10:04 AM EST

An loooong power extension cable.

2/13/2012 6:46 AM EST

My amulet ("oscilloscope") is a 3mm bright LED soldered with a 2k2 resistor in my wallet. No problem at all in airports.
Cheers

2/13/2012 10:11 AM EST

I recently brought my old Palm III back to life and loaded a telnet app. It's now my portable "console" and has become indispensable.

2/14/2012 1:28 PM EST

I always carry a Leatherman Squirt ES4 electrician multit-tool. Wonderful keychain sized pocket tool for anyone involved in electronics/electricity. Never cut your thumb stripping wire again.

http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-Squirt-Es4-Tool/dp/B004QDD1U8

An LED Flashlight is also very important. I am fond of my Streamlight Microstream. Lots of output, runs for hours off a single AAA battery, small enough for every day pocket carry.

http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-MicroStream-LED-Pen-Light/dp/B005G4GBXA

2/15/2012 10:46 AM EST

All you need in your emergency tool kit is duct tape & WD40! If it moves and is not supposed to, use duct tape. If it doesn't move and is supposed to, use WD40.

2/15/2012 2:16 PM EST

Sterno, Dark Beer, wine, cheese and a blonde. For the times when it looks like you may not be rescued for a long time and she likes wine and I like dark beer.

Mike

2/16/2012 7:38 AM EST

Don't forget to bring some crimp on connectors, a crimper and wire cutters.

2/16/2012 9:09 AM EST

I have different tool kits for plumbing work, electrical work and car work. These days the most valuable tool in the car bag is the fancy OBD-II reader that can translate the codes to English, monitor certain parameters and clear out errant codes. I also found that a flex shaft on a ratchet wrench is invaluable for tightly packed engines. I need it just to replace a battery.

2/22/2012 11:30 AM EST

I like waxed lacing cord. It can fill in for cable ties, shoe laces, sometimes for missing screws or tape.

3/23/2012 1:37 PM EDT

My goodness, no mention yet of vise-grip pliers! Perfect for forming small parts, getting a grip on stuck fasteners, adding leverage, gripping hot or sharp pieces, replacing lost screws and bolts (if duct tape won't do...) Just be sure to get a quality, brand-name model. Cheap ones fail when you need them most.

Wire, rope, epoxy, a multi-tool, ... and of course, duct tape.

4/6/2012 1:03 PM EDT

A note from Epstein's mom is in my kit. It never seems to fix anything but it get's me an E for effort. Perhaps having Sheldon Cooper's phone number would be a useful tool. He seems to be able to comment on any situation and therefore he may have a fix. Yeah, I watch waaaaay too much TV.