A question for A and P/aircraft techs

[dkobayashi]

I'm going to be finishing my classes in the next month, and my snap-on discount will end then, so I want to get all the tools I possibly can before it runs out. Nothing excessive, but I want to have everything I need basically because I will be working in a month from now at a large-ish maintenance facility, not line maintenance I think.

So, I'm just putting in my last order with SO and I'm wonder if it's worth it to buy some of these things. Do you use these very often?

Torx/Pozidrive drivers (I think they are rare..but maybe on some other/newer aircraft?)
Nut drivers
A cordless screwdriver? I'm looking at the Bosch one or the Milwaukee one.
Flare nut wrenches?

Anything else you can recommend? I have lots of 1/4" drive stuff, all the basic stuff really I think. If it helps, I'm going to be working mainly on turbine a/c- 737 classic/ng, 727, some turboprops.

Let me know..

 

[mrpizza]

It always amazes me the amount of tools that some aircraft mechanics have. I would understand if you were an all around kind of guy, but just airframes you should be able to fit all your stuff in one box you can carry. I am an avionics guy, and I can do everything I need out of one three drawer hand carry box. The airframes guys at my units would have a slightly larger version of what I carried around, and they could do their thing. A lot of the fasteners on aircraft are similar sized in my experience. (Hueys and cobras, 2 blades)

 

[dkobayashi]

I'm an M class- dunno if you guys categorize it the same as in Canada, but I guess you would call it all around. There seems to be no end to the tools.

 

[FltEngCPO]

Flare-nut wrenches would be good and safety-wire pliers, but you probably already have them.

 

[A_Pmech]

I could never get though a day without U-joint sockets, ratcheting wrenches, 18" long screwdrivers, a 3/8" speed handle and a small cordless screw gun with a clutch.

 

[ZRX61]

I could never get though a day without U-joint sockets, ratcheting wrenches, 18" long screwdrivers, a 3/8" speed handle and a small cordless screw gun with a clutch.

That.

 

[ZRX61]

It always amazes me the amount of tools that some aircraft mechanics have. I would understand if you were an all around kind of guy, but just airframes you should be able to fit all your stuff in one box you can carry.

Usually everything I need fits in a portable cantilever box.. if I'm just mechanicing.... gets a bit more involved if props are coming off or gear swings are going on. Never underestimate the need for 2 or 3 BIG hammers.

 

[dkobayashi]

So I take it a 1/4" drive set of u-joint sockets would be good to get? shallow or deep? I don't have those.

I've got lockwire pliers, yup.

 

[A_Pmech]

So I take it a 1/4" drive set of u-joint sockets would be good to get? shallow or deep? I don't have those.

I've got lockwire pliers, yup.

Shallow. 3/8" drive would be useful too, but not nearly as much as 1/4 drive.

Wrap electrical tape around a U-joint if you need to use a deep socket.

 

[kams1973]

What AP Mech said and wobble extentions.....long, short and in between. A set of stubby wrenches always came in handy as well.

 

[tyndall]

Everything said plus angle wrenches, a ford wrench, and every kind of extension you can get your hands on. And a headlamp.

 

[kams1973]

Most definately angle wrenches!

 

[dkobayashi]

I got a 7 piece snap-on angle wrench set. Apparently snap-on has the best angles.

 

[DOUGD]

Ratcheting screwdriver,12 point 1/4 sockets shallow and deep.combo and angle wrenches to about 1",Ford wrench,wobble extensions,dead blow hammer,long and short handle fine tooth 1/4" ratchets ,safety wire twisters and wire cutters.Most of these items will be used daily in any skill group throughout your career so buy quality. Wear gloves,glasses,knee pads, ear protection and good work shoes as much as possible AND plan for your own RETIREMENT (in 30 years you will thank me for that list bit of info).

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Do you use these very often?

Torx/Pozidrive drivers (I think they are rare..but maybe on some other/newer aircraft?) Never seen them on aircraft
Nut drivers Not worth it, I've never seen anyone at work use them
A cordless screwdriver? I'm looking at the Bosch one or the Milwaukee one. Currently the tool room at work has the Bosch and Dewalt cordlesses, both the drill driver and impact, both very handy to have
Flare nut wrenches? Mildly useful, but I've worked 22 years on heavy aircraft without them. I do have a set of 12 pt line wrench crow feet, but I've largely been hydraulic skill

Anything else you can recommend? I have lots of 1/4" drive stuff, all the basic stuff really I think. If it helps, I'm going to be working mainly on turbine a/c- 737 classic/ng, 727, some turboprops.

Let me know..

Certainly a good set of 12 pt flex sockets (1/4 drive), short pattern and long pattern comb wrenches, and most certainly a set of "angle" wrenches (dbl open end, same size both ends, one end 15 degree, other end 60 degree), Brass hammers (two or three of them), brass drifts (we order brass rod from stock and cut various lengths), 11" and 15" "Ford" wrenches, ratcheting screwdriver that takes apex tips (any good employer will be supplying the tips), couple of dead blow hammers (not the pein type), cotter pin pullers (aka "booger hooks"), long straight dbl box wrenches in the small sizes (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16 range)

 

[Outlawmws]

Do AP mechs call something a Ford wrench that us mere mortals don't? (I casually collect FoMoCo "Ford" wrenches, and can't imagine such used on Aircraft...)

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Crescent automotive adjustable wrenches

One guy at work has a 15 inch one that is marked "Packard"

Good for real big nuts on landing gears, they usually tighten up till they hit a shoulder, then back off to the first lock bolt hole, but there is enough thread friction and such you cannot do it by hand, these are invaluable for lots of things on aircraft. Aircraft also use pins in landing gear, flight controls and elsewhere that have a round head with two flats on them, these work great on that too.

Charles

 

[Bronson]

Crows feet!

 

[Outlawmws]

Wow, you seriously meant a Ford wrench, (Albeit a bit larger...)

What about the threads where no adjustable wrenches were allowed?

And how much do they get for a new one these days? (I didn't even know they were still made. I saw a small one chrome plated yesterday at a flea market, I'd never seen one plated before...)

 

[tyndall]

My Fords are auto and tractor style straight off ebay. Probably older than my grandfather. They open wider than a typical crescent, have thinner jaws, and the right angle gets into tighter spots. Perfect for hydraulic fittings. I've found that on aircraft, the larger the nut, the lower the torque needed. When you're up in those sizes, adjustable is good enough.

 

[dkobayashi]

Hmm..didn't know there was really a difference between a Ford wrench and an adjustable/crescent. I've got a Craftsman set of adjustables in 6" 8" and 10". I guess a bigger one will be better on gear bolts and stuff.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Wow, you seriously meant a Ford wrench, (Albeit a bit larger...)

What about the threads where no adjustable wrenches were allowed?

And how much do they get for a new one these days? (I didn't even know they were still made. I saw a small one chrome plated yesterday at a flea market, I'd never seen one plated before...)

Follow the Cooper Hand Tools link to see the specs on the four sizes Crescent manufactures. These are the exact same ones that Diamond manufactured for many years, just the Crescent name. The 11" and 15" are the most popular and common. They are useful for their large opening.

Doing some Google searches for Crescent C715 I find

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/crescent/wrenches/c715.htm

Which is $50 on sale, regular $78. Sears, Amazon and others at about $57.

Some people call these "monkey" wrenches, which they are not. Monkey wrenches are much cruder in design and have a hammer head on the back side of the head, and much wider jaws.

I saw the "no adjustable" threads, and I suspect that is an anomaly and not the norm. I had never before heard of this. It would be practically impossible to do my job without these tools, it would take dozens of wrenches and sockets and a multitude of trips to the tool room to replace these two wrenches. We are not talking high torque, nor precision torque here, just something to give you more leverage.

 

[Outlawmws]

"Crescent":

"Ford":

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP
One guy at work has a 15 inch one that is marked "Packard"


Charles

I'll have to watch for one of those. I often see no name or "AUTO" wrenches, and for quite a few years didn't see any with the Ford logo, but recently (in the past 2 years) Ive snagged 11 of different configurations, including three 9" adjustable wrenches.

I didn't hare any before then as any we found we gave to a friend of mine (practically a second father; my best friend's father) as he liked them. One years we gave him a box of 20-30 we had picked up here and there for Xmas. all gone now, Carl died three years ago and his wife has squandered 3-400K and sold all his tools and guns, and squandered that as well.

 

[Regnar]

I wouldn't bother with the nut drivers I have never seen anyone on the hanger deck use them yet. I will recommend picking up a 1/4 drive ratcheting driver instead. Until recent I never used one and but find myself grabbing it all the time.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=964&group_ID=19798

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I wouldn't bother with the nut drivers I have never seen anyone on the hanger deck use them yet. I will recommend picking up a 1/4 drive ratcheting driver instead. Until recent I never used one and but find myself grabbing it all the time.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=964&group_ID=19798

Something like THIS might be a better deal. Ratcheting handle, removable shanks. You can get long and short shanks that take 1/4 hex apex bits, and I think you can get shanks that are basically 1/4 square drive extensions with male ends on both ends, that plug in to make it a nut driver.

Charles

 

[Charles (in GA)]

"Crescent":

"Ford":

I prefer their technical terms (usually) which would be adjustable and automobile, rather than crescent and ford, but I WAS the one who initially called it a Ford wrench (as that is the common term at work), so I'm guilty of not following my own rules.

Calling an adjustable wrench a "crescent" is akin to saying you are going to "Xerox" something on the office copier (made by Kyrocera). FWIW, Xerox actively fights the generic use of their name in text. If a magazine article generically refers to "Xeroxing" something instead of "photocopying" something, the magazine will get a cease and desist letter from Xerox's lawyers.

Charles

 

[mikemolzahn]

Something like THIS might be a better deal. Ratcheting handle, removable shanks. You can get long and short shanks that take 1/4 hex apex bits, and I think you can get shanks that are basically 1/4 square drive extensions with male ends on both ends, that plug in to make it a nut driver.

Charles

Definately recommend one of these. I have one of my shanks modified to hold taps by welding on a tap holder.

Again I concur that what tools you need is dictataed by the type of aircraft and segment of aviation you go into. I came over to regional jets from corporate aviation and I can put have of the mechaanics tools in the hangar into my box. I have the tool room sending people to me because I have more tools than they do. LOL....

Join in and Be Heard,
Mike

 

[Regnar]

I have 1/4 apex sockets and extensions. Personnaly I would be worried the whole time about dropping that stupid tiny apex into the dark black hole of the aircraft and spending hours looking for it. Sockets are not that much better but they are a little larger.

 

[Outlawmws]

I prefer their technical terms (usually) which would be adjustable and automobile, rather than crescent and ford, but I WAS the one who initially called it a Ford wrench (as that is the common term at work), so I'm guilty of not following my own rules.

SNIP

Charles

You will note I put them in quotes...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have 1/4 apex sockets and extensions. Personnaly I would be worried the whole time about dropping that stupid tiny apex into the dark black hole of the aircraft and spending hours looking for it. Sockets are not that much better but they are a little larger.

Which brings up something I was going to include in the list and failed to.... locking 1/4 drive extensions. I have a whole set, but keep them all at home, except for the 2 ft long one. It is handy to have them however and they are well worth the money.

Charles

 

[cool50]

I work at an airline and they supply the torx bits, I have never used a flare nut wrench at work ever so I would pass on those unless you want them for home a cordless screwdriver is good but some crew chiefs frown on the and some military guys do too, they can strip out screws really fast. Nut drivers is something else I would pass on to for work, but for home I have used them. Good luck in your career. No matter how bad our industry is airplanes always break and need to be fixed. I have been in this industry since '92 and have never been out of a job

 

[Regnar]

Which brings up something I was going to include in the list and failed to.... locking 1/4 drive extensions.

Looks like my masking tape consumption is going down and a new spot needs to be cut out But to be honest I didn't know they made them will be picking up tommorow.

 

[tyndall]

I prefer their technical terms (usually) which would be adjustable and automobile, rather than crescent and ford, but I WAS the one who initially called it a Ford wrench (as that is the common term at work), so I'm guilty of not following my own rules.

I prefer to call it a Ford, but most of the guys at work call it a "farmer's friend"

 

[ourkid2000]

First things first.....I suggest you try another career & don't waste your hard earned money on expensive tools for a company that won't appreciate your efforts (because they won't).

However, if you plan to stay in this garbage....do yourself a big favor. I see you're in BC so go down to Canadian Tire and get that little micro-ratchet & bit set. It's in a little box and I believe it's on sale right now for 9.99 or something. It's one of the best tools out there if you work on airplanes and every single mechanic & avionics person I know has a set. It's the best cheap tool I own, without question.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...stercraft+29-pc+Screwdriver+Set.jsp?locale=en

Don't bother with torx or pozi drive.......you'll rarely see them (but they come in that bit set I recommended anyways). I've only seen them on cheapy IFE connectors. I'm sure they're around, but not often.

I have one nut driver......and I use it on relays (and that's the only time I use it). Other than that, unless you have a specific need for one, don't bother.

A nice drill will be a necessity......get a nice little air drill, some cobalt & HSS drill bits and some Snap On EZ-outs. You'll be needing them when you have to remove the panels under the wing on the 37' I guarantee you.

Knipex plier-wrenches, long Snap On mini cutters, cannon-plug pliers, and a cheap set of SAE wrenches that you can grind, bend, cut, etc are all things that come to my mind.

 

[tyndall]

First things first.....I suggest you try another career & don't waste your hard earned money on expensive tools for a company that won't appreciate your efforts (because they won't).

Are you on the AvCanada forum? If not, you should join. Lots of guys like you on there that have nothing better to do but whine and complain while the rest of us enjoy the occupation.

 

[ourkid2000]

Well then......by all means, enjoy!

I did offer some sensible advice as well, however.

 

[craigripley]

Graduating this year as well so I found this quite helpful. I also went to Canadian Tire today and picked up the ratchet wrench / bit set mentioned above, so thank-you; it looks like a great small set.

 

[Outlawmws]

Damn that is a nice little ratchet driver set. Too bad I'm south of the border...

 

[ourkid2000]

Graduating this year as well so I found this quite helpful. I also went to Canadian Tire today and picked up the ratchet wrench / bit set mentioned above, so thank-you; it looks like a great small set.

Most of us end up grinding the bits down to practically nothing.....you can get that bit-ratchet into places you can't get anything else.

Sure there's better quality tools......the Chapman set being a good example. Problem with that set is that it requires proprietary bits and Chapman does not manufacture bits that you'll commonly find on aircraft such as Tri-wing or Torq-set.

It makes a great 2nd 1/4" ratchet when you need one & it's got a 5/16" box end as well (actually, might be an 8mm but it will get you out of a jam with a 5/16 if you need one in a pinch).

I've used mine almost every day for 6 years now....still works perfect!