Whats In Your... Toolbox?

[43Supporter]

(I was considering "Whats In A Toolbox", but I'm not sure how Shakespeare refs would go over in these parts. :) )

Discussion elsewhere has led me to wonder: What-all do players think comes with the various Mechanical Repair Devices in _CW_?

I come from a Writer background -- I write stories. One of the first "rules" we're taught is "fiction has to make sense". Thus, one does have to set limits on what a thing in a story (and _CW_ is a story, of sorts) can do. To that end, then, running down the list of Repair Devices:

Mini-Mechanic: Includes all the stuff one might find on the larger pre-Spinout "Swiss Army Knife" -- 1-2 blades; saw; flathead and Phillips screwdriver heads (but only one size of each); can openers; wire bender; awl punch; maybe a wrench or similar device. Can't do any welding or such with it, as it's too small, and has no electrical power; also, no storage space for adding items after-the-fact.

Tool Kit: Briefcase-size; includes all the stuff listed above, but with several different sizes of screwdriver heads (of all types -- flat; Phillips; hexagonal) and other tools; plus possibly wire strippers and other "specialty" tools, or space to include same, if the Mechanic desires. Still no capability for welding or similar, though a Mechanic might well add a bottle of industrial-grade adhesive if he desires. Also, space inside the case might be used to store small bags of random fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws, and such); and possibly some *very* small bits of scrap metal or plastic (nothing much bigger than a flattened soda can).

Portable Shop: *Now* one is talking Serious Equipment -- in addition to all the items aforementioned in the Tool Kit, one can include a small jack and stands for getting under a vehicle; a small welder with powerpack (fuel, or electric), some sort of powered cutter (maybe using the same powerpack as the welder?), and enough spare space and weight to have some patching materials and replacement wiring, as well as more-than-enough fasteners.

I probably missed a couple tools; this is just what I could think of on short notice. Anyone else with a thought on the matter?

[J. Roberts]

How about electronic diagnostic tools? Is there an ODB2 standard in the CW world, or does every manufacturer have their own arcane system of diagnostic codes for the myriad of computers in their vehicles? Can I replace the factory firmware with my own custom build that trades safety for performance?

[kjamma4]

Duct tape and WD40

[Galfridus]

Originally Posted by J. Roberts

How about electronic diagnostic tools? Is there an ODB2 standard in the CW world, or does every manufacturer have their own arcane system of diagnostic codes for the myriad of computers in their vehicles? Can I replace the factory firmware with my own custom build that trades safety for performance?

Given that everything seems to interoperate (no issues with different ammo sizes, weapon mounts, tires, etc.), it would seem reasonable to posit a fairly standardized diagnostic system for electronics.

As for firmware flashes, personally I would rule that CW equipment already pushes components to the envelope (so no "sport mode" acceleration option), but in true 80s tradition, an NPC "hacker" might be able to get amped up (and oddly non-reproducible) equipment, or take over PC vehicle computers, to make for a memorable encounter.

(Even if this stuff was revisited, I don't think I would want ELINT and cyberwarfare to overshadow shooting cars with guns with guns.)

[43Supporter]

kjamma4: Quite correct -- I looked at my own toolboxes (note plural), and managed to overlook the can of WD-40 and half-roll of The Handyman's Secret Weapon therein. Careless of me.

Originally Posted by Galfridus

Given that everything seems to interoperate (no issues with different ammo sizes, weapon mounts, tires, etc.), it would seem reasonable to posit a fairly standardized diagnostic system for electronics.

That's been my assumption, as well -- I think I've told the tale of having to replace a broken toilet seat, and learning the spacing of the attachment points is standardized; I kept thinking, "Oh, to have been at *that* negotiating session". :)

This also leads into a side discussion: "What exactly does the die-roll mean, in terms of the Narrative?" For my part: I've assumed a successful roll means "one has, or can find lying around nearby, sufficient bits to cobble together a repair sufficient to get one to the next truck stop (where the Mechanic on duty will have a conniption fit on seeing what's been done :) )", while a failed roll means "[CENSORED], the 10mm socket's wandered off *AGAIN*!", or similar. (Again: I come from a Writing background; and "the fiction has to make sense [internally]". So, these things do have to have definition, and limits.)

Originally Posted by Galfridus

As for firmware flashes, personally I would rule that CW equipment already pushes components to the envelope (so no "sport mode" acceleration option), but in true 80s tradition, an NPC "hacker" might be able to get amped up (and oddly non-reproducible) equipment, or take over PC vehicle computers, to make for a memorable encounter.

Or end up with the situation facing the attackers in the "Flaming Idiots" scenario, where the HRTCs on the van are playing up (every time a weapon is fired using the HRTCs, the To-Hit can be anywhere from +2 to -2).

Originally Posted by Galfridus

(Even if this stuff was revisited, I don't think I would want ELINT and cyberwarfare to overshadow shooting cars with guns with guns.)

Programming like that is a lot harder than most folks realize; it would not be possible in the time available to an arena duel or typical road encounter. The result would be something closer to the "FI" situation described above; the programmer won't know if he was successful without a "bench test".

[swordtart]

Given the amount of plastic in CW vehicles - glue, lots of glue.

I am inclined to agree that the "spares" element of any tool box will be enough to get you home after a jury-rig roll. You can probably get away with some replacement wire, crimp connectors, epoxy glue, epoxy putty, cable ties. Some electrically conductive glue would probably enable some simple short term fix.

I'd say the mini-mechanic is more like a leatherman than a swiss army knife (probably with a universal socket). As it is 1 GE it can be a bit chunkier and probably comes wrapped with some epoxy, crimp connectors and maybe some low temperature solder (the type you melt with a match) within the 1 GE bundle.

I would also suggest that as even someone with no mechanic skill can salvage tyres and ammo with little difficulty and no tools, there is probably a 2 ton jack of some sort and a tyre iron stowed within the basic chassis of all vehicles. That tool can also be used to open up the ammo ports.

As the tool kits get larger you can add more specific single size sockets rather than rely on universals. Add in a proper soldering iron, hacksaw, a hammer an multi-bit screwdriver and a couple of full sized screwdrivers (for extra leverage). The jacks would also get better and in the larger kits probably be supplemented with snatch blocks or a chain winch.

Of course unless you flesh out the mechanic and repair system this is all fluff. There is no basis in reality as you have no baseline to work from. For example, in real life we have a plethora of bolt sizes (metric, and a whole aft of different imperial ones). In CW they may have been reduced down to a few standard ones (like these days all wheel nuts are of a standard size). Or there may be even greater variety as the the vehicle manufacturers try to build in dependency with propriety fixings. Panels may be fixed with bolts, single use rivets, or the rubber latches custom cars often use. Indeed the cheaper the car, the more single use fixtures may be used (to drive the service price up).

In my experience you can tell a lot about a man from his toolbox and we all have our own "must-haves" generally driven by the last time we spent an entire weekend unable to make progress because we didn't have the vehicle specific left-handed flange bolt extractor that our vehicles manufacturer decided to make essential to discourage "unauthorised" maintenance activity. For years my tool kit carried a specially bent screwdriver that I only needed for my old VW.

These days, Torx is fairly common, but back in the day to service an Apple Mac classic you needed an 18" long T15 driver to undo the screws under the carrying handle. RS didn't carry one and the only way to get one at the time was to take a maintenance course run by Apple. I ended up having a 6" driver cut in half and an extension bar welded in. Even then many of the electronic components inside the Mac were non-preferred values. I spent many hours jury-rigging near fit components to get them back on line.

[43Supporter]

Originally Posted by swordtart

I'd say the mini-mechanic is more like a leatherman than a swiss army knife (probably with a universal socket). As it is 1 GE it can be a bit chunkier and probably comes wrapped with some epoxy, crimp connectors and maybe some low temperature solder (the type you melt with a match) within the 1 GE bundle.

"Low-temp solder" is a new on on me -- shall have to add it to the list.

Originally Posted by swordtart

I would also suggest that as even someone with no mechanic skill can salvage tyres and ammo with little difficulty and no tools, there is probably a 2 ton jack of some sort and a tyre iron stowed within the basic chassis of all vehicles. That tool can also be used to open up the ammo ports.

[nod] Some sort of wrench will be necessary to remove nuts, esp. ones covered in road grime and rust (BTDT). This is also where that can of Penetrating Fluid comes into play (pardon the pun).

Originally Posted by swordtart

Of course unless you flesh out the mechanic and repair system this is all fluff. There is no basis in reality as you have no baseline to work from. For example, in real life we have a plethora of bolt sizes (metric, and a whole aft of different imperial ones). In CW they may have been reduced down to a few standard ones (like these days all wheel nuts are of a standard size). Or there may be even greater variety as the the vehicle manufacturers try to build in dependency with propriety fixings. Panels may be fixed with bolts, single use rivets, or the rubber latches custom cars often use. Indeed the cheaper the car, the more single use fixtures may be used (to drive the service price up).

That is part of the idea of this thread -- think of it as "Chekhov's Gun" for Repairs: In order for the Player to be able to use an Item in the game, the Writer has to show the item being able to perform the task in the instructions. From there, one can more-firmly define other aspects of the game, and avoid some of the problems depicted in Finer Gaming Comics. :)

Originally Posted by swordtart

In my experience you can tell a lot about a man from his toolbox and we all have our own "must-haves" generally driven by the last time we spent an entire weekend unable to make progress because we didn't have the vehicle specific left-handed flange bolt extractor that our vehicles manufacturer decided to make essential to discourage "unauthorised" maintenance activity. For years my tool kit carried a specially bent screwdriver that I only needed for my old VW.

These days, Torx is fairly common, but back in the day to service an Apple Mac classic you needed an 18" long T15 driver to undo the screws under the carrying handle. RS didn't carry one and the only way to get one at the time was to take a maintenance course run by Apple. I ended up having a 6" driver cut in half and an extension bar welded in. Even then many of the electronic components inside the Mac were non-preferred values. I spent many hours jury-rigging near fit components to get them back on line.

I can so attest -- and the people I knew growing up had "tools to make tools", as they tended to drive cars which Weren't Common Over Here (Triumphs; Morgans; Austin-Healeys; Lotuses; Citroens; Peugeots; you get the idea :) ), and so ordering tools from overseas was Expensive and Difficult; easier to find one example (or even a drawing), and make one's own. These guys put humans on the Moon.... >;)