Aviation Tools

muller25 · 06-10-2011 7:34pm #1

i am looking for any advice on where to go for tools. i have just started an aircraft mechanic apprenticeship and need tools for life. i like teng tools i want to see the tools before i buy them does anyone know where there is a shop to buy/look at this stuff.

thanks in advance

Stovepipe · 07-10-2011 9:21am

Hi there,
First, go and check out the toolboxes of the existing mechs in your new company and see what they use. Do not become a SnapOn obsessive! Buy Craftsman, Britool and so on, available countrywide. Buy a decent box first and then build up your kit as you go along.Get a small handy box or bag for line work and keep the big box for shop/hangar work.Etch your name on your tools.Only loan them to trusted people, if at all.

regards
Stovepipe

muller25 · 07-10-2011 10:21am

is there anywhere i can go and see these tools?

Stovepipe · 07-10-2011 10:55am

If you are in Dublin or any of the bigger towns, there are specialist tool shops or you can go to places like B and Q or Halfords. All places like this will tend to sell tools in sets and there are literally dozens of choices. You will have to talk with existing mechs initially so you don't waste money on tools you won't use but you will need a decent Imperial socket set (1/4 to 3/8th inch drive), an Imperial spanner set, up to an inch size, a set of screwdrivers, a set of ratchets, a hacksaw, a soft hammer, a ballpein hammer, an inspection mirror, a set of pliers, a locking wire pliers, a drift and anything else the older guys show you that they think is useful. The only SnapOn thing you should buy first off is a ratchet screwdriver. Also, get a good Leatherman multitool.They are indispensible and you will use them everyday.Don't buy power or airdriven tools until much later, unless you plan to use a power drill for home use.
What you could do, because cash is probably tight, is to ask family members to give you money for tools for your birthdays/Christmas,etc, instead of ****e.

regards
Stovepipe

Skuxx · 07-10-2011 3:44pm

Stovepipe wrote: »

..will need a decent Imperial socket set (1/4 to 3/8th inch drive), an Imperial spanner set, up to an inch size, a set of screwdrivers, a set of ratchets, a hacksaw, a soft hammer, a ballpein hammer, an inspection mirror, a set of pliers, a locking wire pliers, a drift

Pretty good list here, trying to think what else I have in my box at work and only other things I can think of at the moment are a set of imperial feeler guages, a magnetic pick-up, a grip scale, monkey wrench, deep reach 3/8th socket, no's 1 and 5 flat head screwdriver (and a no.7 if you can, great for a bit of leverage!!) and most of all......a good torch (Led Lenser P7, the best thing I ever bought)
I'd try and get ring/open end spanner combi's, the open end is needed sometimes but I try not to use it!!

Do you mind if I ask where your doing your apprenticship??

A320 · 07-10-2011 4:07pm

1/4 and 5/16 ratchet spanner combo and the 3/8 and 7/16 ratchet spanner also a tap ratchet,any avionic work will require sockets/spanners down to 5/32,3/16,7/32 etc,agree with alan on the feeler gauges,i tend to use the imperial for any sensor adjustments. If you look at the Stahlwillie website you'll see nice kits

muller25 · 07-10-2011 5:54pm

thanks for the help it sounds like you can never have a big enough tool box as there will always be some thing to buy.

I am with CityJet by the way only started 3 weeks ago.

Stovepipe · 07-10-2011 8:07pm

Best way to go is to get a few of the sets to start off with and then maintain a plan of buying even one tool at a time every month or two to build up a good kit. Later on, you will find that you tend to accumulate locking wire and split pins and other sundry items of hardware. Just don't get a huge box.You have to be able to carry it into an aircraft and then bring tools into confined spaces, which the 146 has lots of.
You should write down a list of all the tools that we have mentioned here and go and check out the shops for prices.

regards
Stovepipe

mattjack · 07-10-2011 8:12pm

Are tools not provided for you ? I thought a lot of precision measurement tools would be provided for you pre calibrated and possibly imperial measurement only particularly if you are working on engines.

Skuxx · 07-10-2011 9:50pm

mattjack wrote: »

Are tools not provided for you ? I thought a lot of precision measurement tools would be provided for you pre calibrated and possibly imperial measurement only particularly if you are working on engines.

Yeah I'm surprised that tools aren't supplied, especially if your only an apprentice!! I don't think that there is anything in a mechanics basic toolbox that needs calibration, unless maybe you have your own torque wrench!! I would imagine all calibrated tools should be supplied to maintain proper standards of calibration!!
When I was training, I was always told that Boeing A/C were imperial and Airbus were metric but I only have imperial tools in my box and I've done most of my work Airbus!!

Stovepipe · 07-10-2011 11:21pm

Every mech should have his own toolkit, even if it's only for car maintenance and domestic repairs. Most companies insist on the joining contract that you provide a basic mech's toolkit yourself. Some companies operate tool discount schemes to encourage you to keep your stuff up to date and in good order. Issue tools tend to be specialised items and are kept in central tool "cribs". After all, they can't expect or demand of you that you supply Airbus window removal tools or Boeing filter spanners. All aircraft companies that carry out maintenance are required by the authorities to keep and maintain aircraft-specific toolkits and to keep them calibrated and operate a repair and replacement programme for tools.Generally, mechs don't supply private tools such as torque wrenches or multimeters that require calibration.It's the company's legal duty to do that. Apart from all that, if you are a contractor, you need to keep a good toolkit, especially if you're a specialist such as a welder or a sheet-metal worker.

regards
Stovepipe

mattjack · 08-10-2011 7:50am

muller25 wrote: »

thanks for the help it sounds like you can never have a big enough tool box as there will always be some thing to buy.

I am with CityJet by the way only started 3 weeks ago.

Best of luck with apprenticeship , my father worked for years as an aircraft engine mechanic and in inspection in his later years.

xflyer · 08-10-2011 11:11am

Etch your name on your tools.

I thought that was a no-no if in the event you leaving your prized Snap-on spanner lodged somewhere where it jams the elevators causes the A330 to dive into the middle of Croke Park on finals day. When the AAIU arrive and pull out said spanner with your name on it. It might be a bad day for you?:o

Skuxx · 08-10-2011 12:43pm

xflyer wrote: »

I thought that was a no-no if in the event you leaving your prized Snap-on spanner lodged somewhere where it jams the elevators causes the A330 to dive into the middle of Croke Park on finals day. When the AAIU arrive and pull out said spanner with your name on it. It might be a bad day for you?:o

Thats why we do a tool check everyday before going home!! Even if my name wasn't on the spanner that caused a crash, I'd still know myself and that would be enough for me! Don't think I could live with killing 300 people!!

kona · 08-10-2011 3:44pm

Both Boeing and Airbus aircraft are AF , Airbus give their drawings is both imperial and metric, but the standard is Imperial. If your doing your apprenticeship through fas, you get a tool list in the post. If you Havnt got it, this is it:

1. Spanners 1/4 to 1/2

2. 1/4 drive Sockets, 9/32, 7,16, 5/16, 3/8, 11/32, 1/4 - 1/2 and 1/4 drive ratchet

3. 1/4 extensions, 100mm and 150mm

4. 1/4 Universal Drive

5. 3/8 drive Sockets, 9/16, 7/8 , 5/8 , 3/4 , 13/16 , 11/16, - 1/2 and 3/8 drive ratchet

6. 3/8 extensions, 75mm and 125mm

7. 3/8 Universal Drive

8. 5 Drawer Tool Chest 18x10x12"

9. Speedo Wrench 1/4 or 3/8

10. screwdriver flat 1.2x8.0mm

As has been mentioned, this is basic tools, torque wrenchs and the likes are booked out from the tool room and must be calibrated and be in date.

Ive been hearing that in the future the airlines dont want mechanics using their own tools, they will give you tool sets depending on the job. Tools being left in Aircraft apparantley is a big problem.

Stovepipe · 08-10-2011 4:21pm

Big airlines might be able to afford to do that right now but it'll be a while before that's universal, but in real terms, a mech must have his own kit. You never what you might be required to fix, either in work or outside so you may as well have a good basic set. Also, you should have a basic metric set for working on cars, motorbikes, domestic appliances,etc.

regards
Stovepipe

crazydaize · 08-10-2011 11:45pm

The best place to buy tools is in the US. The next best place is on Amazon (chose the sellers that give free delivery to Ireland).

A320 · 09-10-2011 1:07pm

Grip scale,great for removing that last bit of sealant,oh sorry forget i said that

Skuxx · 09-10-2011 2:02pm

Maybe a small set of needle files aswell! Not essential but handy to have and fairly cheap to buy in the grand scale of things!

Chardee MacDennis · 09-10-2011 3:47pm

Op isn't looking for what tools to buy but the best place to buy them. Think a lot of posts here are missing the point!

LeakRate · 09-10-2011 7:32pm

OP cool the jets,CityJet will be providing you with a tool box when your back from shannon,you pay the cost back over the term of your apprenticeship,also your most likely only going to need a sweeping brush for the hangar floor for your first year;)........just kidding,enjoy limerick or ennis because you sure as siht wont live in shannon:D

A320 · 09-10-2011 8:38pm

LeakRate wrote: »

enjoy limerick or ennis because you sure as siht wont live in shannon:D

haha my god what a dump!!!!

muller25 · 14-10-2011 1:04pm

Thanks for all the advice on what to buy but even if i am getting tools from the company i still want to comprise my own tool kit for home.

So does any good places to pick up tools????

Oh and i am staying in Ennis so hopefully it is not as bad as Shannon.

Stovepipe · 17-10-2011 9:51am

Hi there,
We've already told you. I personally don't know the shops in the Shannon area but a five-minute browse of the phonebook will sort that for you.Any of the multiples such as B&Q or Halfords will get you started.Make sure you buy a barn box and a smaller field box (the kind that looks like a money box) as your first items and fill them from there.

regards
Stovepipe

Garco · 17-10-2011 8:48pm

ennis is grand, shannon is a dump, i would advise you not to buy any tools from halfords, believe me they are useless... you will regret buying cheap tools, main thing is to buy good ratchets ie snap on or craftsman or king tony.. a good ratchet will last forever, sockets wear overtime so no point in buying a very expensive set as they wont last, Joe Mckenna in limerick up near the train station has good variety of tools and will get some in for ya...

bbsrs · 22-04-2012 9:20am

The yardstore.com will supply you with all the tools you need , it's in the US but shipping is reasonable and get yourself a snap on ratchet screwdriver , they're the best and will last you a lifetime

A320 · 22-04-2012 12:23pm

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Facom-ACL-1APB-Ratcheting-Screwdriver-FCMACL1A/dp/B004ZFC6B2/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1335093717&sr=1-1-catcorr

i recommend this,good few of them being ordered in now instead of the snap on

AlekSmart · 22-04-2012 12:29pm

That's a rather nice Facom piece alright....:)

Those of a certain vintage here will no doubt remember the intense competition between Peats (Facom),and Roger,(?) the White-Van Man (Snap-On) in the TEAM days......will we ever see the likes again....?

bbsrs · 22-04-2012 12:42pm

A320 wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Facom-ACL-1APB-Ratcheting-Screwdriver-FCMACL1A/dp/B004ZFC6B2/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1335093717&sr=1-1-catcorr

i recommend this,good few of them being ordered in now instead of the snap on

If cost in the deciding factor yes , if not I'd still go with the snap on

Carazy · 23-04-2012 11:50pm

Teng Tools in Ennis, Dave English in Drumbiggle does them, just past the eircom offices.
Also I think US wholesalers do them too on the Doora Indst. Estate

doctorchopper · 29-04-2012 3:23pm

Don't forget my favorite tool, the hammer!!! Get yourself a set of L/H drill bits, great for removing screws with stripped heads. If you are doing any engine work you'll need 12 point sockets. Cordless drills are useful. Snap on 4 way open end spanners are a must if you are doing any work in limited space. Long reach pliers and long reach cutters are handy. Get a good set of screwdrivers, cheap ones tend to strip screw heads.reversible locking wire pliers, good set of cutters, leatherman, utility knife, steel ruler, hacksaw, set of crows feet, there is more but can't remember everything.

Aviation Tools

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