Aircraft tools
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Aircraft tools
Hello all,
Wasn't sure where to post this, but here seemed like the best place.
I'm an aircraft leckie and have just got into contracting and am after some decent quality tools. Where do most people get there tools from and what brands are any good?
On a more specific point, where can I buy one of these in the UK:
http://tinyurl.com/3wzlph
Cheers,
Lovegroove
Wasn't sure where to post this, but here seemed like the best place.
I'm an aircraft leckie and have just got into contracting and am after some decent quality tools. Where do most people get there tools from and what brands are any good?
On a more specific point, where can I buy one of these in the UK:
http://tinyurl.com/3wzlph
Cheers,
Lovegroove
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What would you want one of those for - haven't you heard of side cutters, heaps cheaper too.
As for tool brands get a snapon ratchet the sockets should be 12 point but could be made by anyone decent. I find that Stahlwille spanners are good, they are slim enough to get into tight spots. Bluepoint make great small (sparkie size) lockwire pliers - also available from the snapon man.
As for tool brands get a snapon ratchet the sockets should be 12 point but could be made by anyone decent. I find that Stahlwille spanners are good, they are slim enough to get into tight spots. Bluepoint make great small (sparkie size) lockwire pliers - also available from the snapon man.
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Ty-rap guns can be found on ebay, try the AlienSpirit aviation tool supply shop. They will ship to the UK, but beware customs import fees.
Snap on tools are good but expensive. As Aveng states, the ratchets are second to none. The ratchet screwdrivers are also the best. For a little less cash, I find Facom nearly as good, also with lifetime warranty. It really depends on how much you want to splash out. US Pro make some half decent and cheap spanners. Craftsman tools are also worth a look if you are planning a trip to the States any time soon. These can also be found on ebay, there is someone selling various Craftsman tools on there, from their location I'm guessing all sourced from one of the US Air Force bases in their area.
Lots on http://www.airmech.co.uk on this subject.
Good luck with the contracting.
Snap on tools are good but expensive. As Aveng states, the ratchets are second to none. The ratchet screwdrivers are also the best. For a little less cash, I find Facom nearly as good, also with lifetime warranty. It really depends on how much you want to splash out. US Pro make some half decent and cheap spanners. Craftsman tools are also worth a look if you are planning a trip to the States any time soon. These can also be found on ebay, there is someone selling various Craftsman tools on there, from their location I'm guessing all sourced from one of the US Air Force bases in their area.
Lots on http://www.airmech.co.uk on this subject.
Good luck with the contracting.
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http://www.primetools.co.uk/getinfo.php?product=13448
Thats a good lockwire pliers
http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN5168400K
The cable tie gun , but a waste of money of you ask me
Thats a good lockwire pliers
http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN5168400K
The cable tie gun , but a waste of money of you ask me
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Snap-on is on the top, (but the price too) 
Craftsman is very good
Facom/ beta cheaper than snap-on but not so efficient ( a lot of US aircraft are designed to be maintain with US tools)
I used also some Belzer tools in the past, very good, very compact, very well designed for aircraft mouse hole, but expensive as far i can remember.
In fact, the first question you have to fix is: how much cash do i have?
Craftsman is very good
Facom/ beta cheaper than snap-on but not so efficient ( a lot of US aircraft are designed to be maintain with US tools)
I used also some Belzer tools in the past, very good, very compact, very well designed for aircraft mouse hole, but expensive as far i can remember.
In fact, the first question you have to fix is: how much cash do i have?
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You want to be very careful when using ty-rap guns.
If set up incorrectly (or used by the wrong person), that can do serious damage to the insulation on some cable types, especially some of the more modern lightweight cables.
I know that some aviation companies will not allow their use for this reason.
Another possible problem with their use is that not all of them will do a true flush cut when trimming off the excess. This leaves a small very sharp bit of plastic sticking out, which as many A&C's will confirm, can be as hazardous (and as painful) as incorrectly applied locking wire.
If set up incorrectly (or used by the wrong person), that can do serious damage to the insulation on some cable types, especially some of the more modern lightweight cables.
I know that some aviation companies will not allow their use for this reason.
Another possible problem with their use is that not all of them will do a true flush cut when trimming off the excess. This leaves a small very sharp bit of plastic sticking out, which as many A&C's will confirm, can be as hazardous (and as painful) as incorrectly applied locking wire.
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Well said 419. I used those tywrap guns in the airforce, but haven't seen them since. I agree that they shouldn't be used without correct training.
Most of my toolbox is Facom stuff, but you'll be hard pushed to beat Snap-On sockets for wall thinness.
However I don't rate the new Snap-On ratchet screwdriver. The handle cap now has a bayonet fitting and when you are screwing in the screws on an A330 nav light fitting. The end comes off and you loose all your bits into the bowels of the scissor lifter!
I'm guessing you're ex military. Tool control is not the same. You don't use the tag system. However with the price you've paid for your tools, you'll make damn sure you haven't left one inside an aircraft!
Most of my toolbox is Facom stuff, but you'll be hard pushed to beat Snap-On sockets for wall thinness.
However I don't rate the new Snap-On ratchet screwdriver. The handle cap now has a bayonet fitting and when you are screwing in the screws on an A330 nav light fitting. The end comes off and you loose all your bits into the bowels of the scissor lifter!
I'm guessing you're ex military. Tool control is not the same. You don't use the tag system. However with the price you've paid for your tools, you'll make damn sure you haven't left one inside an aircraft!
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Also, don't forget to engrave your name clearly on each tool.
That way, if the AIB ever find it, they will know who to post it back to!
That way, if the AIB ever find it, they will know who to post it back to!
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So anyone tried out this drillingmachine, Robert Bosch GmbH - Power Tools
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I have heard that some companies have gone down the road of providing tools in the hangar for the aircraft and removing personal tool kits.
Is this becoming more common and if so, is it worth investing thousands of pounds on quality tools.
Is this becoming more common and if so, is it worth investing thousands of pounds on quality tools.
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Snap-on tools IMHO are very good but over-priced. There are other companies that produce tools of sufficient quality for aircraft use.
Halfords Pro tools are actually quite good and are a bit under-rated. I think they still come with a lifetime warranty.
I personally have a mix of Halford Pro, Kennedy (from Cromwell), Snap-on, Bluepoint.
As for the cable tie gun... Unless you are working in loom manufacture or rewiring huge runs of cables, the extra price versus the effort saving doesn't seem worth it. If you are determined to get one, then Ebay or Cromwell tools are your best bet.
Halfords Pro tools are actually quite good and are a bit under-rated. I think they still come with a lifetime warranty.
I personally have a mix of Halford Pro, Kennedy (from Cromwell), Snap-on, Bluepoint.
As for the cable tie gun... Unless you are working in loom manufacture or rewiring huge runs of cables, the extra price versus the effort saving doesn't seem worth it. If you are determined to get one, then Ebay or Cromwell tools are your best bet.
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USATCO Tools
Take a look at Aerospace & Engineering Tools Limited A E Tools . They specialise in the supply, repair and general maintenance of aircraft tools and associated equipment for the aerospace industry.
You will see from their web-site that they are the sole importer of USATCO aircraft tools for the U.K and a large part of Europe.
You will see from their web-site that they are the sole importer of USATCO aircraft tools for the U.K and a large part of Europe.
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Aveng:- post#2
I am urious why you advocate 12-point sockets.
in a former life,I was a motor-mechanic.....I very quickly ditched 1/2" drive in favour of 3/8 ,for anything under about 22mm or ~ 3/4 AF. likewise, single -hex sockets.....less prone to wearing,better fit,greater contact-area, don't round-off tight/rusted fasteners...and, combined with the excellent Snap-On fine-toothed ratchet, it's hard to imagine a need for a bi-hex socket.
For the same reason, Stahlwille spanners can deform the fastener due to the smaller contact-patch. In the same vein, Snap-on produced special flare-nut spanners for pipework....jaws substantially thicker than a standard spanner and would almost invariably move a union that anything else just mutilated or crushed......anyone who's played with Citroen high pressure systems will understand
their specialised oddball stuff is unbeatable,though the prices of all their stuff is scandalously high.
Snap-on screwdrivers, unbeatable.....first time you bruise your knuckles, you'll swap to them.......but unless you have a money-tree, you have to be selective with what you buy. I had a small selection of snap-on ratchets,screwdrivers spanners and sockets.....vast majority were Britool. The most heavily used sizes were snap-on and earned their keep.
They look lovely on the van,but are NOT a substitute for skill and technique...beware the vanity purchase of shiny sets of which 80% gets used once in a blue-moon.
I am urious why you advocate 12-point sockets.
in a former life,I was a motor-mechanic.....I very quickly ditched 1/2" drive in favour of 3/8 ,for anything under about 22mm or ~ 3/4 AF. likewise, single -hex sockets.....less prone to wearing,better fit,greater contact-area, don't round-off tight/rusted fasteners...and, combined with the excellent Snap-On fine-toothed ratchet, it's hard to imagine a need for a bi-hex socket.
For the same reason, Stahlwille spanners can deform the fastener due to the smaller contact-patch. In the same vein, Snap-on produced special flare-nut spanners for pipework....jaws substantially thicker than a standard spanner and would almost invariably move a union that anything else just mutilated or crushed......anyone who's played with Citroen high pressure systems will understand
their specialised oddball stuff is unbeatable,though the prices of all their stuff is scandalously high.Snap-on screwdrivers, unbeatable.....first time you bruise your knuckles, you'll swap to them.......but unless you have a money-tree, you have to be selective with what you buy. I had a small selection of snap-on ratchets,screwdrivers spanners and sockets.....vast majority were Britool. The most heavily used sizes were snap-on and earned their keep.
They look lovely on the van,but are NOT a substitute for skill and technique...beware the vanity purchase of shiny sets of which 80% gets used once in a blue-moon.
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Your aving a larf steve, why do you people advocate 12 point sockets? ..coz a/c are full of fastners that require them,.. i dont know, another ex motor mech chancing his arm
