Your favorite (or unique) piece of repair gear?

[Macchina]

Hello,
Everytime I go away (hiking, traveling, to the mailbox ) I take with me a small repair kit. It weighs next to nothing and usually doubles as my PSK. It's not as fancy as the usual PSK and I use stuff out of it all the time, but that's the way I like it. Let's post our favorite or a unique piece of repair gear here and how you carry it. I'll start:

Super Glue: I get the liquid (not gel) kind of "Crazy Glue" that comes in the metal tube in a plastic tube. This is reusable and more crush/spill proof than just the plastic or metal tube alone. Super Glue repairs my gear and body fast. I find the gel type doesn't dry very fast at all and doesn't stick to skin nearly as well. I stick some sewing needles in the tube and wrap duct tape around the outer tube for maximum multi-use coolness.

What's yours?

 

[OwenM]

You mean besides duct tape? Well, I've got, uh, um...never mind

Does stuff I carry for repairing me count?

 

[mtwarden]

I like my "sewing" kit, I took a coffee stirrer and sealed the end, put in two heavier needles and then sealed the other end (ala fire straws)- then I wrap it w/ ~ 50' of 35# test Spectra fishing line, very compact- enough so that I just put under the flap of the duct tape (along w/ a few safety pins)

I also like super glue, but use the tiny single use tubes- found them to be very handy

 

[ROCK6]

I'll have to look up that liquid super glue. I've used the gel Krazy glue gel, and it doesn't last too long once opened.

I like to carry a glue stick...works well for repairs and even sealing small holes in Sil-nylon tents.

Needs and thread are always handy. For thread, I'll use Sprectra fishing line, dental floss and heavy upolstry threat. I also have some waxed, heavy duty threat for my Speed Awl which is good for bigger repairs.

Of course, 100mph/duct tape is universal, but I also keep a few Platypus patches for water bladder repairs; they're perfect for smaller PSK's. Don't forget a small individual alcohol wipe or two to clean the area before applying.

I also carry some very fine stainless steel wire and some 24gauge (I think that's the size) of brass wire.

Mini zip ties can also be useful.

A couple of cord locks and a few feets of shock-cord is also handy for improvisation and repairs. I actually had to use the shock-cord and cord lock for my son's shorts on one trip because the goober forgot his belt!

A few "ranger bands" are always handy (just a 1/2-1 inch section of bicycle inner tubing).

A few assorted sizes of safety pins are always good for everthing from fishing hooks or snare triggers to replacing a broken/lost shirt button.

Just some of what I carry...

ROCK6

 

[tknife]

My repair kit is pretty sparse. I carry duct tape, a few zip ties, heavy wax coated nylon thread and a large needle. If duct tape can't fix it, I'm screwed! I keep meaning to add a few more things like safety pins and wire.

 

[Skrapmetal]

I have a lot of stuff that has already been mentioned that can be used for repairs (duct tape, zip ties, wire, cordage, etc)... but nothing unique or special.

I also carry some very fine stainless steel wire and some 24gauge (I think that's the size) of brass wire.

Guitar strings are great for this. High quality metals with lots of tensile strength for the size.

 

[Shotgun]

The awl on my SAK. I used to be skeptical of how much I would use this seemingly unnecessary tool. Now I wouldn't do without it. Need a hole? I got ya covered.

 

[kgd]

One of my thermarests came with some glue in packet. This stuff is hard, but you boil it water and it gets soft and apply it and it hardens again. I like this stuff as you don't have to worry about it going bad on you when you break the seal. Also, there are no worries about busting the tube and getting goop all over your stuff. I have some waterproofed nylon for the patches that came with the kit to use with either a theramrest or other shelter. I also take a sew kit with heavy duty nylon thread, duct tape and some snare wire. Duct tape is a quick fix, but if you leave it there too long will leave sticky residue on the material that is hard to take off later. Then again, sometimes in need, sticky residue isn't a priority consideration.