tools for an AME apprentice

musicsaves · Post by **musicsaves** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:41 pm

im in school right now taking the AME course, im looking at starting to pick up some tools and im wondering what would be handy to have in my tool box. i have all the basics wrenches, sockets, drill, rivet gun and other sheet metal tools but dont really know what ill need for mechanic and avionic tools. just looking for some tips.

thanks

BoostedNihilist · Post by **BoostedNihilist** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:48 pm

Akira · Post by **Akira** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:58 pm

12 point sockets (sears in the usa is the cheapest place to get them like $20 for a set vs snap-on's $120)
lockwire pliers
a nice ratcheting screw driver (i prefer snap-on)
speed handle (something with a ball end if you can find one)
like said above a decent multimeter (fluke)
ratchet wrenches
decent pick set
channel locks
a few adjustable wrenches
side cutters
linesmen pliers
neddle nose
duckpill pliers (i dont use them but some say there a must)
A GOOD flashlight (small and large, @#$! maglight IMO)
a good multi tool gerber/leatherman

ybp · Post by **ybp** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:18 pm

Akira, your list is pretty good except for the last item....Leatherman???

We are supposed to be professionals here. Musicsaves wants to by tools, not "A" tool. IMHO, a leatherman is for fixing farm equipment and
"N!gg#r rigging"....not fixing an airplane properly!!

That's my two bits.

Musicsaves, if you want to get some good used tools (1 or 2 yrs old), PM me and I can give you a number.

Akira · Post by **Akira** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:02 pm

ybp wrote:Akira, your list is pretty good except for the last item....Leatherman???

We are supposed to be professionals here. Musicsaves wants to by tools, not "A" tool. IMHO, a leatherman is for fixing farm equipment and
"N!gg#r rigging"....not fixing an airplane properly!!

That's my two bits.

Musicsaves, if you want to get some good used tools (1 or 2 yrs old), PM me and I can give you a number.

"Its a poor mechanic that blames his tools"
What i meen by that is its not the leatherman that makes for shitty work its the person holding it.
I consider a leather man a aircraft turn tool. great for opening panels, and quick jobs. Needle nose pliers on the leather man and on your crafstman needle nose do the exact same thing.

What kind of work do you do? piston/jet, heavy/line, civi/miltary...?
cause alomost every jet engineer i know has some sort of multitool

ame abc · Post by **ame abc** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:35 pm

knipex smooth jaw adjustables best tool in your box! as for the leatherman thing YBP is just jealous cause he's not allowed to use one where he works!

Akira · Post by **Akira** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:15 am

I forgot to add:
Allen keys (perferably ball ends)
Flush cutters, for cutting tyraps (nothing worse than working in a tight space and find out someone used normal side cutters and left a sharp edge for you)
A few differnt sized slotted screw drivers (im fond of ones with a box blade/hex end incase you ever need to get a wrench on it)

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:29 am

Leatherman are fantastic tools to have handy on your belt..........like opening and closing panels, especially when the panels have both common and phillips Dzsus fasteners which I know I've seen a lot. Every engineer i've worked with has one. I have the Leatherman Fuse because its a good combination of price and features. I think it was around 40 bucks and it makes a great gift to get.

Can't beat snap on for their ratcheting screwdriver and their duckbill pliers. The flashlight I went and got is the Surefire G2 LED.........small, very bright, lasts for hours, and it's tough. It's also around 40 bucks.

The tools that Akira listed are all great choices. Try Ebay if you want the USA Craftsman sockets........that's where I got mine & they're hard to get in Canada. If you want a good multimeter though and don't want to pay Fluke prices, try Meterman or Greenlee. Very good meters and reasonable prices.

One of those soft jaw Cannon plug pliers are a great tool too.....essential for avionics work.

I've bought a lot of my tools off of Ebay, Canadian Tire, and allspec.com (for the avionics stuff).

MCRS · Post by **MCRS** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:33 am

Snap-on 12pt sockets are thinner walled so can get in where your Craftsman can't. I have Craftsman and just added the few Snap-ons I was borrowing the most. The other Snap-on thing to get would be their Offest Wrenches, the Angle is a little different then Crafts or Crappy Tire. This set I swapped out my Craftsman ones for as I could get the Snappers in where the others couldn't.
A good set of Flush cut pliers like mentioned in another post is a must, I am not an Avionics guy but do end up cursing the prick that left all the edges under the dash when you have to pull instruments, hoses and what not under there. Sometimes they draw blood.
Also Depending what area you are planning to focus in Sheet metal, Avionics, General piston work, Turbine general work, Corp. or Airline.
I have a few extra's I tend to get saddled with troubleshooting the wire work, so I have a good quality Fluke. (Which I got free as a demo model!)
I have had it now for the past 18 years. (And it still hits the numbers dead on when it goes for Calibration checks.)
If you look at Sheetmetal maybe a good air drill both straight and 90 degree, then start looking at straight and 90 degree die grinders once your basic kit is in place.

I went back overseas with less but I can still do the job.
Mirror and Flashlight (Mag and a Stensil), Snap-on ratcheting Screwdriver with changable shaft tostubby, mid and long, Snap-on offset Ratcheting screwdrivers flat and 45 angle. (A ton of tips 1,2,3 Philips & flat's)
Mastercraft Stubby gearwrenches, Snap-on offset wrenches, Craftsman Combination wrenches, Craftsman 12" Adjustable wrench.
My Fluke, Bluepoint drill, Blue point angle Die grinder and Accessories, And set of picks. That's all I can think of right now being away from the hangar enjoying the hot weather by the pool!

Good luck, Maybe check out the different kits the tool places are offering and see what you can make work.
mcrs

ourkid2000 · Post by **ourkid2000** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:48 am

I forgot to add this thing..........I can't tell you how many times this thing has done the trick for me. It's especially useful in avionics work but you can use it for everything. It goes on sale for 9.99 all the time too. Probably one of the best tools I own and everyone I know has a set.

Mastercraft 29-pc Screwdriver Set:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/produ ... 4396672892

Akira · Post by **Akira** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:39 pm

ourkid2000 wrote:I forgot to add this thing..........I can't tell you how many times this thing has done the trick for me. It's especially useful in avionics work but you can use it for everything. It goes on sale for 9.99 all the time too. Probably one of the best tools I own and everyone I know has a set.

Mastercraft 29-pc Screwdriver Set:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/produ ... 4396672892

HAHA i probally showed you that at CJ, i think i was the only one that had that there when i started

tiny · Post by **tiny** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:40 pm

Leatherman is a must when your flying into some tight bush strip to rescue an airplane and can only go in with a little fuel and five pounds of tools. Also handy for fixing everything. I carry a leatherman every where and feel naked without it. In the shop you don't need it but on the road it could save your bacon.

Other than that as listed above looks good.

tiny · Post by **tiny** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:42 pm

Also, keep track of what you borrow from other mechanics. If you borrow it several times, buy one cause its something you use.

ybp, you selling your tools?

ybp · Post by **ybp** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:11 am

Geez, lets start a rumor!!!

No, we had an apprentice quit and I don't think she is going to need most of her tools any more. I sent her an email to see if she does want to sell some of them.

ame abc · Post by **ame abc** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:25 am

i heard YBP got fired!!!!

tiny · Post by **tiny** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:50 pm

I seriously doubt ypb would ever get fired from his current position.

ad81 · Post by **ad81** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:12 pm

Well there are 2 topics here that seem to get the most attention. Tools and Wages. I think tools are mostly subjective depending on what type of work you do and personal preference. I've had a few pow wows on the hangar floor over which tools are the best but at the end of the day it comes down to what works best for you.

When I started as an apprentice I had a very basic tool box and started buying most of my tools when I figured out what I needed and wanted and could afford. Basically if I had to borrow it 3 times I needed to buy my own.

ybp · Post by **ybp** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:27 pm

REALLY!!!!????? AME ABC, great, I will sleep in tomorrow then!!!

There is probably a better chance of me quitting, especially If they don't hurry up and figure out my raise.

ame abc · Post by **ame abc** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:20 am

ad81 has got it right most of us are willing to lend tools to apprentices 3 TIMES then buy your own, most guys realize you cant start with everything, and every place you work youll find you need different tools. and keep track of all your reciepts b/c as an appr. you can write them off at tax time

MCRS · Post by **MCRS** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:28 pm

To bad that wasn't in place when I was an apprentice.
Another thing for all you licensed guys I found out from a Taxman,you can claim consumable tools on your income tax.
By consumable I mean the expensive consumables like Torque wrenches, Multimeters, and the like as they are considered esential for your work but do fail at some point in time.
Hand tools are not considered to be consumable.
Unless of course you are a contractor and have a business license then you can write the whole thing off!

mcrs

bigbert · Post by **bigbert** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:55 pm

1/4 drive 12 point sockets both shallow and deep
fine tooth 1/4 drive ratchet
ratcheting screwdriver (snap on has the best)
wire twisters (snap on, mac, tigerwave its all the same)
good side cutters and duckbill
2 sets of wrenches
channel lock
good flash light and mirror
magnet
a set of picks
soft face hammer
a good sized common for them dzus fastners
thats all i can think of.....i know mac has a student program, 40% off pretty much everything...take advantage of that.

still_bluenoser · Post by **still_bluenoser** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:03 pm

one of my favorite tools in my small amount of tools is a Milwalke 90degree screwdriver extention. so many jobs made easier. and my Snap on screwdrivers, ratcheting and not, cant beat the tips, oh yea, and a snapon philips wobble bit.

god9 · Post by **god9** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:09 pm

I'm almost an apprentice as well, heres a few things I recently picked up:

Decent plier set (needlenose, standard, long reach and minis)
Side cutters
Flush Cutters (also called side cutters I believe, but this other pair I have is smaller)
Duckbill pliers
Multi-tool
Good, small LED light (I like the small silver Mac one I got)
Extra long screwdriver (generally you just need a phillips) for cracking those tight screws
or, valve grind if you're having a really tough time and are about to strip the screw.
Good crows feet set
Nutdrivers
Multimeter
Good quality (light weight as well) cordless drill
Magnetic tray(s)
Picks and scrapers
Work gloves + eye protection

Those are the standout ones that I can think of right now

Troubleshot · Post by **Troubleshot** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:12 pm

There is a layer of dust on my tools now....I roll my box around alot, to hold my coffee and for other AME's to lean on.

ybp · Post by **ybp** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:22 pm

.....Vern....is that you???

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