Hand Tools

[nekuprocrast]

Hello! can anybody suggest a list of basic hand tools for a recent AME graduate.
can you tell the best brand in terms of quality/price and most important the comfort.
i tried searching google, but like they say: "its better to ask the professionals"

thanks in advance!!!

[Gos]

Helllo,

First, you only need a couple freakin expensive snap-on tools.

1- Ratchet Screwdriver. It's expensive (80-90$)but it worth every penny. I got the new version but they still sell both the old and new. Ask the dealer to show you both to make your decision.

2- Offset wrench set. One with open 15 and 60 degre angle head. They are really expensive 260$ for 3/8 to 3/4 but they worth every penny again.


After that, you can go in other brand. Less expensive and quality is about the same.

1/4 inch drive ratchet and sockets set. Normally the set is 3/16 to 9/16. I have SK brand and I like it a lot. I got deep and flex socket set. But just deep or normal to start should be enough.

3/8 drive ratchet and socket. You can buy one but i use mine probably just 20-25% of the time and i had none for a long time when i started so, it's up to you.

Plier ( Channelock brand is what i got at first, good price/quality.)

Cutter
Duckbill
Long nose
Lock wire Twister. I already broke 2 pair of the small version so i suggest you got the big version. I get than now and they are wonderfull. Personnnal suggestion here, forget about the tigerwave version with rubber in the plier, I tried those couple time and in my opinion they don't hold locking wire as good as big normal version.

Adjustable plier. Knipex brand are really great. Check for chads toolbox on google, you can have a set of 3 for 120$.

Wrench

1/4 to 3/4 at least but you should go up to 1 inch. Any brand here is good. You probably gonna short it on electrical shit or want to modify it for a specific job one day, so go for the cheapest.

Ratchet wrench are really usefull but not mandatory to start your kit. I got Bluepoint with button to reverse them. If you don't know, Bluepoint is kind of cheaper version of snap-on tools. In my opinion, they are as good and half the price normally. The snap-on guy sell them.

Allen key set. SAE


The rest ( I don,t know of any brand better than a other one. Just go for the oen you like.

Ball peen hammer 2 or 4 lb max
Soft head hammer 2 or 4 lb

Magnet
Mirror

Couple flat screwdriver like Mastercraft than you can beat the shit out of shit. Small and big one. For electrical stuff or big quarter turn fastener.

Punch and chisel set.

Files set. Second cut or smooth , flat or half-rounded. nothing too agressive.

A good flashlight. Don't put too much on that, you probably gonna drop it couple time and break it.

That you should be a good base to start on.

Don't hesitate if you have question.

[Valkyrie_XB70]

I will add a good headlamp so you can have both hands free when you are doing tasks.

My other suggestion would be flush cut side cutters. Nothing worse than ri[[ing your hand open on a semi cut tie-wrap.

You should also know as an apprentice you can write off some of your tools at income tax time, but once licensed you cannot.

[nekuprocrast]

Helllo,

First, you only need a couple freakin expensive snap-on tools.

1- Ratchet Screwdriver. It's expensive (80-90$)but it worth every penny. I got the new version but they still sell both the old and new. Ask the dealer to show you both to make your decision.

2- Offset wrench set. One with open 15 and 60 degre angle head. They are really expensive 260$ for 3/8 to 3/4 but they worth every penny again.


After that, you can go in other brand. Less expensive and quality is about the same.

1/4 inch drive ratchet and sockets set. Normally the set is 3/16 to 9/16. I have SK brand and I like it a lot. I got deep and flex socket set. But just deep or normal to start should be enough.

3/8 drive ratchet and socket. You can buy one but i use mine probably just 20-25% of the time and i had none for a long time when i started so, it's up to you.

Plier ( Channelock brand is what i got at first, good price/quality.)

Cutter
Duckbill
Long nose
Lock wire Twister. I already broke 2 pair of the small version so i suggest you got the big version. I get than now and they are wonderfull. Personnnal suggestion here, forget about the tigerwave version with rubber in the plier, I tried those couple time and in my opinion they don't hold locking wire as good as big normal version.

Adjustable plier. Knipex brand are really great. Check for chads toolbox on google, you can have a set of 3 for 120$.

Wrench

1/4 to 3/4 at least but you should go up to 1 inch. Any brand here is good. You probably gonna short it on electrical shit or want to modify it for a specific job one day, so go for the cheapest.

Ratchet wrench are really usefull but not mandatory to start your kit. I got Bluepoint with button to reverse them. If you don't know, Bluepoint is kind of cheaper version of snap-on tools. In my opinion, they are as good and half the price normally. The snap-on guy sell them.

Allen key set. SAE


The rest ( I don,t know of any brand better than a other one. Just go for the oen you like.

Ball peen hammer 2 or 4 lb max
Soft head hammer 2 or 4 lb

Magnet
Mirror

Couple flat screwdriver like Mastercraft than you can beat the shit out of shit. Small and big one. For electrical stuff or big quarter turn fastener.

Punch and chisel set.

Files set. Second cut or smooth , flat or half-rounded. nothing too agressive.

A good flashlight. Don't put too much on that, you probably gonna drop it couple time and break it.

That you should be a good base to start on.

Don't hesitate if you have question.

cool,
well i guess the ratcheting screw driver would be the first one on my shopping list. and BTW do stores like canadian tire(etc) sell snap-on brand? or you buy it online? im in calgary BTW, maybe you can suggest a store that sell quality brands.

and what is the brand of your safety wire pliers?

thank you sir!

[nekuprocrast]

I will add a good headlamp so you can have both hands free when you are doing tasks.

My other suggestion would be flush cut side cutters. Nothing worse than ri[[ing your hand open on a semi cut tie-wrap.

You should also know as an apprentice you can write off some of your tools at income tax time, but once licensed you cannot.

thats a good idea. hand free lamps!!!

i better grab that opportunity on the tax thingy will i'm doing my apprenticeship. ill invest my salary on tools.

thanks man!

[helicopterray]

The Snap-On truck will come to your place of work. They have their own 'turfs'.

I would wait to see where you start working to see if you're going to need SAE or Metric.

My first set of tools out of school was a Craftsman tool kit from Sears, (sockets, wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers). Then as my financial situation improved, I slowly upgraded to Snap-On.

Don't forget a basic multimeter for electrical snags.

[Gos]

I would wait to see where you start working to see if you're going to need SAE or Metric.

What king of aircraft use metric bolt patern? They only other standard I have seen is British Standard. Which is a big pain in the ass.

For twister plier. Either you buy snap-on, proto, sk or mactools. They are all the same. Or they look all the same and I'm pretty they are all about the same price.

[photofly]

A mechanic friend one told me that when it comes to buying socket sets, get a cheap set with every single socket size in existence. Then every time a socket breaks replace it with the best quality you can find. That way you have one of everything, and the ones you use most you have in good quality. Is that good advice?

Out of interest, what do the experts think of Princess Auto (Propoint) tools?

[dashx]

http://www.napacanada.com/en/canada-aut ... ty=Calgary Cheap 12 point 1/4" shallow and deep socket sets

http://www.graytools.com/specialoffers/ ... ffers.html Made in Canada (if you're into supporting Canada.......)

http://www.babcotools.ca/

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/catalog.asp

http://www.yardstore.com/?gclid=CL6dncK ... MgodNyYA5w All sorts of deals here new and used. US made and imports

http://www.browntool.com/

http://www.channellock.com/adj-wrenches.aspx Code blue wide opening (1.5" open with a short handle) adjustable wrench

http://www.irwin.com/tools/brands/vise-grip Don't forget the vise grips......

http://www.sears.ca/catalog/hand-tools/13727

Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Lowes. And let's not forget Princess Auto ............

http://www.knipex.com/ Specifically these: http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216 ... oupID=1500 Plier wrenches (as was already mentioned).

Buy Snap On for everyday constant use (but SK, Facom and others offer similar guarantees). Shop around for deals. If you are going to be mobile take the weight of the tools (wrenches mostly) into account.

Tool case? Tool box?

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1510 Just one example that is lightweight.

A good 3/8" speed handle with a round handle (so you can put weight on it...)

Use the search function as this has been covered on Avcanada in the past............

[nekuprocrast]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog
im planning to buy this ratchet screwdriver first.
any review on this tool? or you guys can suggest better than this?

[GyvAir]

Here's what's generally in my everyday or basic road trip tool bag/box:

Sockets:
1/4 drive - buy Snap-on, SK or USA made Craftsman. Shallow and deep 1/8 to 9/16. You'll need at least some 12 point sizes. Most people just go all 12 point.
1/4 drive universal joint sockets - sizes 1/4,3/8,7/16,1/2 at least. Snap-on or SK.
3/8 drive - Craftsman or Mastercraft or any mid-range sockets will suffice. And like Gos said, you likely won't use them a lot.
Buy a good compact ratchet that feels good in your hand. Everyone has a different preference.
Set of 1/4" extensions 2" to 14". A 3" and 6" long 3/8" extension. Any mid-range brand.
One Snap-on wobble extension.
Handful of up/down adaptors. Any mid-range brand.

Wrenches:
1/4" and combination wrench off the Snap-on truck. Maybe a 5/16" too. Cheaper wrenches tend not to do well in the small end of the range.
Mastercraft Maximum series 1/4-1" 14pc set covers the rest of the sizes (it even includes the all important 11/32") Great deal when they're on sale at C-Tire.
Mastercraft Maximum stubby wrench set.
Snap-on 4-way angle head wrenches mentioned in Gos's earlier post. 3/8 to 3/4 minimum. 1/4 to 1" or 1-1/4", ideally.
10 piece pack of Craftsman combination ignition wrenches.
Hex key set by Eklind or Bondhus.
Maybe a couple sizes of GearWrenches.
Channellock wide jaw adjustable wrench.
Knipex plier wrench(s) they come in 7",10",12" - great tools.

Screwdrivers:
Snap-on ratcheting. I prefer the old style hard plastic handle. The cap doesn't fall off so easily, and Jet-A washes right off it, unlike the new soft handle ones.
Don't need Snap-on for the rest, but buy something decent. Make sure you include some small and tiny sizes, and some stubbies.
Mastercraft 90 degree ratchet screwdriver from 29 pc set. Priceless.. but priced at about $10 when on sale.


Pliers:
Snap-on mini diagonal side cutters.
Craftsman, Channellock or similar heavier cutters.
Flush cutters for tyraps, as other poster mentioned.
Duckbills - Channellock or Snap-on.
Needle-nose - Any brand.
Vicegrips - Buy the Irwin Vice-Grip brand. Anything else is a waste of money. 4,5,7,10 inch curved jaw are all handy sizes.
Lock wire twisters - The more you pay, the happier you'll be. I like the Milbar/Snap-on reversible cushion throat ones.
Padded jaw cannon plug pliers - BrownTool.com/yardstore.com.
Plain wire strippers.

Flashlight - one of your most important tools!
Brighter the better, up to about 150 lumens. Go simple, go LED, go with AA or larger or rechargable batteries. AAA batteries don't last at all. Don't show up in the hangar with one of those $8 Home Depot 5pc blister packs of throw away flashlights. Please.
Yes, buy a good LED headlight, even if you work in a hangar. Yes, you will look like a geek.. but it makes you faster and more valuable when you need it.

Other:
Magnetic pick up tool(s) Straight and flexible head.
Utility knife - Olfa brand.
Scrapers - putty knife, plastic, phenolic, etc.
Punches - pin(Starrett) and brass(any brand).
Cotter pin puller - compact screwdriver style. Snap-on/Craftsman/Mac(best).
Small drift punches 3/32 and 1/8" - Snap-on actually makes the best ones. Again, pricey but worth it.
Snap-on 4 piece pick set. Pricey, but worth every penny. Don't waste your money on a C-Tire or any other set.
6" (and maybe 12") stainless ruler/scale - decimal/fractional combination.
6" Vernier caliper
Ballpein hammer - 8 and 16oz. Buy ones with good handles.
Deadblow soft faced hammer - 24 or 32oz I like the Snap-on ones, but have seen other decent ones for less.
2 or 3 inspection mirrors: Sizes 3/4", 1-1/4 and 2" telescoping. Any brand.
Files - Smooth flat, half round and a couple different chainsaw files. Nicholson brand is good. Maybe a pack of chinese needle files.
Air nozzle. I like the cheap plastic Campbell Hausfield or small chrome Snap-on version.
Tire . and gauge.
Drill/Screwgun - The new lithium 12V drill/drivers out are great for panel screws. Dewalt/Milwaukee/Hitachi/Bosch/etc.. pick your colour. Get the actual drill/driver, not the screwgun. Alternatively, take a nice speed handle, as dashx suggested. They're light and never run out of battery.
T-style tap handle and assortment of small taps.
Multimeter with a couple extra jumpers and aligator clamps. Don't go dollar store here, but no need to spend $100s either.
Pens, pencils, markers.
Lockwire, tyraps, cotterpins, etc. etc. etc...

Storage:

Toolpac.com
Pelican/Stormcase (requires a lot of planning and work cutting foam to fit your tools, but works well when you're done)
Home Depot sells a couple good multi-pocket bags that work OK for aircraft tools.

You'll need some metric if you're working on some european machines, of course, but don't forget that firewall forward is likely going to be imperial.

Notes on sources:

Don't waste your money on cheap tools. You can't afford them. You'll end up throwing them out and then you have to add the price of the cheap tool to the price of the good one you end up buying anyway. Some tools are less expensive; that's a different story.
Princess Auto... 99.9% waste of time and money for their house brands. Still OK for other brand names they happen to still carry.
Craftsman... if you venture south of the border, it's worth a trip to Sears to top up your toolbox. Tons of good stuff you can't get in Canada and it's mostly USA made.

[Colonel Sanders]

What kind of aircraft use metric bolt patern?

Russian (east bloc) aircraft. Like working on a Honda,
carry around a 10mm wrench in your back pocket

99% of the aircraft I work on are SAE.

PS Lots of snobbery about "cheap tools". What I have learned
is that you want to have (at least) two sets of wrenches - your
"good ones" for high-torque, and "cheap ones" for cutting down
and bending to fit into tight spaces.

PPS I lied about two sets of wrenches. You're also going to
want a "shortie" set of wrenches - already cut down, sorta -
and maybe a "gear" set of wrenches with a ratcheting box
end. Oh yeah, you're going to need (two sets) of metric
wrenches, too.

PPPS Same applies to sockets. You don't always need a
gazillion foot pounds of torque on an AN3 nut It's handy
to have a cheap socket set that you can cut down to fit a tight spot.

After a while, you will have a tray full of special tools that
allow you to do a job quickly and efficiently.

[Gos]

About the ratchet screwdriver and the cap that fall off on the new version. Here is my solution.

Take the cap. Put locktite glue all around, put the cap back on. Problem solve. I did it and now I enjoy my screwdriver a lot. and anyway I hate the feeling and noise of bits inside the screwdriver.

[NeverBlue]

Great thread guys.

Lots of great suggestions.

This one is one of my favourite tools and saves a lot of time. Expensive but worth every penny...

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

[bring me the horizon]

Most likely if an AMO has just hired you out of school you won't need many tools other than a ratcheting screwdriver (SNAP ON), endless supply of apex bits, valve grinding compound and a pair of knee pads. Once you realise that this is what you want to do for a good chunk of your life, go out and buy yourself a crash box along with some crappy tire socket, pliers and wrench sets. There's nothing wrong with canadian tire tools. I've been using my mastercraft maximum wrenches for years and when, if any reason I need to modify a wrench or socket I don't feel as bad as I would if I had to with a snappy tool. I'm slowly phasing out my mastercraft/craftsman stuff for snappy but it all comes with experience, dedication and loyalty you have doing your job.

I've heard guys say if they could do it differently they would have bought the "apprentice kit" snap on sells..(or use to sell?) Or gone off and bought themselves the biggest tool box they could afford at the time. If I'd done that I wouldn't have anywhere to put my tools I'm phasing out though

Works out great in the end when you need to work on your truck or fix shit around the house IMO.

[black hole]

Interesting thing about European hardware: the bolt head and the nut are two different sizes. You can do most jobs with one set of wrenches. I don't know if they planned in that way or if-----?

BH

[photofly]

Interesting thing about European hardware: the bolt head and the nut are two different sizes. You can do most jobs with one set of wrenches. I don't know if they planned in that way or if-----?

That's not true; at least for the über-common DIN933 series of bolts and the matching DIN934 nuts.

Eg: M6 nut and an M6 bolt are both 10mm across the flats, M8 nuts and bolts are both 13mm, M10 is 17mm for both.

[helicopterray]

What king of aircraft use metric bolt patern? They only other standard I have seen is British Standard. Which is a big pain in the ass.

Eurocopter.

[Gos]

What king of aircraft use metric bolt patern? They only other standard I have seen is British Standard. Which is a big pain in the ass.

Eurocopter.

Yeah I guess. Why make it simple when it can be complicated?

[MZUNGO]

forget the old school ratcheting screwdriver with the back end that comes off when you lean on it, get the snap on t handle screwdriver. the best investment I have made yet. and I dont buy much from the snap on guy.

as for snap on "quality" I have purchased 2 things from our local guy, one was a tap and die set. 3 of the taps and 2 of the dies did not have any teeth cut into them, I returned it. then I saw the exact same set at kms a week later with made in china printed on the label???
the other thing I got was a 1/4 drive ratchet, it has had to be fixed 3 times in the last year. it would be more but the snappy guy doesnt come around as much because it is all warranty stuff.

some of my more expensive tools are indespensible, but other stuff like wrenches are best bought at Canadian tire on sale

my $.02

[Pat Richard]

A big +1.

I haven't had the tap issues(I use mastercrafts Japanese set) but I only have the T handles(way more torque, breaking bits is not uncommon), for the same reason, have also had issues with the 1/4" drive ratchets, and have been less than impressed with snap ons warranty service the several times I had to use it.
Things are different than they were 20 years ago when snap on was one of the only quality tools out there. Lots of choices now, with several examples already given. I personally like SK, but proto has some nice stuff also, so does napa ultra pro(1/4" drive gearless ratchet is awesome).
There is also a mini ratchet set with bits from mastercraft that comes on sale for 10 bucks. I have yet to see a smaller ratchet, and it's decent quality. I've had mine going on 3 years, no issues.
1/4" drive wobble extension set from Princess Auto, usually on sale for around 20 bucks, is another favorite.

Shop around, lots of better value out there than snap on.

[ourkid2000]

A big +1.
There is also a mini ratchet set with bits from mastercraft that comes on sale for 10 bucks. I have yet to see a smaller ratchet, and it's decent quality. I've had mine going on 3 years, no issues.
1/4" drive wobble extension set from Princess Auto, usually on sale for around 20 bucks, is another favorite.

Isn't that thing awesome? For the money, it's the best tool in my box. There are jobs I've done with that thing (and ground down bits) that I don't know how I could have done any other way.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned but the Snap On 3/8" drive speed handle with the large black knob........she's a keeper. Get one if you can with a bit holder and you'll have a much better chance of breaking stuck screws free without stripping

[Pat Richard]

Isn't that thing awesome? For the money, it's the best tool in my box. There are jobs I've done with that thing (and ground down bits) that I don't know how I could have done any other way.

I had one of the 3/8 snap on speed wrenches, until it disappeared, and it was/is good. Haven't really needed to replace it as I've gotten by with the T handles. If I was fulltime working on heavy's pulling panels(apprentice) I'd definitely have one or one similar.

[dashx]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... Rryimc1B8E

And you'll want one of these from Home depot (the link is from the US website but the wrench is available in Canada). It used to be 12 point but now it is only 6 point.

[nekuprocrast]

any comments on the brand "STANLEY"?