Tool Box Shadow Board
 

Hi,
I've recently passed EASA Pt 66 Training Modules and now attending On Job Training in UK.
I was asked to submit a full tool inventory to the QA Department and also they encourage to upgrade the tool box with shadow board system.
Just want to know whether it's mandatory to have a shadow identification system for the toolbox in real aircraft maintenance engineering life or they are asking me because I'm new to this field?
I know the inventory is mandatory but the shadow board system?

Thanks in advance !

an inventory of your tools and that they are uniquely marked as belonging to you is all that is required.
shadow boards are just an easy way of identifying anything that is missing.

Shadow boards or in tool boxes are not mandatory in Part 145, control of personal tooling is. Your company can make shadow boards mandatory in their procedures. In my opinion it's a good thing to do but it does take up space in your tool box.

Shadow boards or tool cut-outs in foam aren't feasible in most engineer's toolboxes unless they've got cabs the size of a bungalow or they're avionic guys. A good set of eyes (yours and the inspectors) is more important regarding loose articles. As for inventories... who's got the time to run through two or three hundred tools every day. And in whose time do you check them?

Thanks a lot gentlemen
seems like shadow board is not very important and mandatory :)

hi
a shadow board itself is not really important. But having your own toolbox check procedure is.
It can only be a certain way to pack your tools up or a magic device witch horns when a tool is missing... As long as it's efficient.

You will be regulated by whatever company you work for's SOP's.

Don't dismiss it as an idea too quickly though. Most companies accept this method and if you also have an inventory with it, when you change companies it won't be too much effort to comply with the new COP's.

Foam cutouts on line is a brilliant idea as when your busting your nuts to get a plane out during an AOG, the last thing you want to be doing is trying to count your tools before releasing an already late aircraft full of passengers. To be able to do a quick scan of your tools and instantly see one missing is invaluable.

If your in the hangar then you generally will have a roll cab with plenty of space.

The Military generally mandate this as tool control.

I use a Pelican Case. Works a treat and also takes the knocks on flying spanner duties.

I'm an avionics guy, and half the mech guys come to me looking for tools.

Mind you, might be because I am a bit weird. Dont know any other avionics guys with valve removal tools or 3/4-1/4 step up and downs.

I have a bag on the lines, smaller footprint and fit heaps in.

Might get a pelican box for all my stuff like meters and crimpers etc hat don't cme out very often.

I've seen guys working with the pelican boxes and end up with shadow trays lying everywhere while delving for tools.

not aircraft=maint. but ex-motor-trade.
Lost a few tools over the years.
Transit pick-up.clutch job....vehicle out in a hurry checked tools.....impact socket missing from cased-set......thorough search of cluttered workshop floor, under benches, etc.didn't find it.......a considerable period later, (maybe18months) same vehicle having work underneath.....Lo! socket stuck on cross-member bolt :O On another occasion, a regular left with a 10mm combi-spanner in an inaccessible spot behind the headlamp....another one that was later retrieved.

Having retired from the trade and been robbed of my toolkit, I happened across a blow-moulded case of "Crescent" tools (a US company, but made in the far-east) Sporting an impressive guarantee for life, ISO , BS, EN ,etc. quality -assurances, it was remarkably cheap, carried a load of bits and bobs (mainly 1/4-drive sockets) that i'd never use, but the essentials were there at a good price.................. Well, that case has been a godsend, laid flat , the top opens as two "doors" like a wardrobe, everything clipped into it's place and you can tell INSTANTLY if something's missing, PROVIDED you put everything back BEFORE leaving site. In ~5 years, I've not lost a thing from that case.....can't say the same about all my other tools though!.

I'd ABSOLOUTELY recommend shadow-boards....take up space, yes, but instant stock-check.....and remember, if you think it wastes time, - how much time does it take to earn the cash to replace that missing tool?

It's a lucky man who NEVER loses a tool, but learning good habits now will repay you over your working life.

Would the person with my deep 7/8 spark plug socket and handle please return it to my toolbox. Thank you.

cockney steve,

I completely agree with you about missing tools being expensive, but in aviation we are not so much worried about cost of replacement but cost of life.
A loose article can jam a control or short a connection which could be fatal.

In an aircraft you can't just pull over and stop.

Another thing to consider is just how many tools are on your inventory. How many of us carry tools that we never or very rarely use? Personally I have shadows for some items but wrenches for example are held together with a carabina type clip so i can do a quick count. Screwdrivers can be bought in sets which come with a plastic wall mount that will just sit flat in the box, easy to see if ones missing, the list goes on...

Is this what you were thinking of ?

fod

Tool Box Control
 

Dear All,
I'm a 34 years Aircraft Engineer, and had resisited for many years tool control in my toolbox due to the massive tool collection that I have.
But after a few audits and comments on lack of personal tool control, the company asked all engineers to sort thier tool boxes out.
I found a company called Polyformes that would provide cut sheets of tool control high density foam with 2 tone colours.
It took quite a while to rout out the shapes for my tools, but the end result is fab, the tool box looks even more professional than it did before, and with ingenuity it didn't take up too much space.

If you have the time, I would totally recommend it, and it already has worked with tools missing, found and saved an embarassing time.

Regards,

Jetset41

Anyone that moves around a fair bit in this game keeps his/her toolbox as small as possible for transport (mine's a four-layer, six-drawer chest + what's under the lid). There's no way I could keep the same box if every tool had to have its own personal cut-out. To start with, I've got around a dozen punches of various sizes and shapes, ten rivet snaps, assorted reamers and some stepped cutters in one small drawer alone. I'd need three times that space if they had to be 'allocated'. And as for the spanners...
It's still down to disciplined area inspection in my opinion.
You could just as easily leave pens, redundant hardware or your glasses case somewhere and there's no control on them. I once saw a u/s vacuum pump left between the cylinders of a cowled-up engine and a batch label still taped onto the inner tube when doing a tyre change. :eek:

While doing a combined 72-month inspection / prebuy on a GIV, we found a large (4 cell) Maglite inside the left wing fuel tank. Based on a review of the maintenance records, it had been in there for at least 3 years.

After giving it a good soak in some isopropyl alcohol, and installing a new light bulb and batteries, it still worked!

Upgraded from my collection of spanners to a fullhouse tool kit.
Came complete with cutout foam etc.
Would not go back to adhoc arrangement for tool control.