Whats in YOUR toolbox?

[Travis Beach]

Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
Whats in your toolbox?

Beach

[Shawn[_2_]]

Travis Beach wrote:
> Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
> you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
> Whats in your toolbox?

White tape. :-)


Phillips and regular screw drivers, crescent wrench, pliers, LPS2 lube.
When it took more, I figured it would take up my flying time, so I'd
take the glider home.


Shawn

[Bruce Greef]

Travis Beach wrote:
> Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
> you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
> Whats in your toolbox?
>
> Beach
>
>
>
First point -

Good tools are like gold. Don't take them to the airfield, things develop wings
at airfields. People borrow stuff, and generally remember to return them. My
record is a leatherman that came back after 16 months. (It has my name engraved
on it - and the user eventually noticed it was not his)

I have a cheap set of sockets and combination wrenches, alan keys, screwdrivers.
It helps to have two of the more common sizes. One thing that may cause you
some difficulty, depending on location, is that most glass toys are made in
Europe with metric fasteners.

Most useful thing in the tool box is probably a digital multimeter. It is
amazing how often the electrical bits are doing something puzzling...

Don't forget the hand cleaner, and cleaning kit for the glider.

[HL Falbaum]

In addition to the above excellent suggestions,

A foot operated tire pump, tire pressure gauge, and a valve extension if
needed.
Needle nose pliers, small needle nose vise grip, small regular vise grip.

For a contest away from home, everything short of my lathe!
--
Hartley Falbaum
DG 800B "KF" USA


"Bruce Greef" > wrote in message
...
> Travis Beach wrote:
>> Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
>> you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
>> Whats in your toolbox? Beach
>>
>>
>>
> First point -
>
> Good tools are like gold. Don't take them to the airfield, things develop
> wings at airfields. People borrow stuff, and generally remember to return
> them. My record is a leatherman that came back after 16 months. (It has my
> name engraved on it - and the user eventually noticed it was not his)
>
> I have a cheap set of sockets and combination wrenches, alan keys,
> screwdrivers. It helps to have two of the more common sizes. One thing
> that may cause you some difficulty, depending on location, is that most
> glass toys are made in Europe with metric fasteners.
>
> Most useful thing in the tool box is probably a digital multimeter. It is
> amazing how often the electrical bits are doing something puzzling...
>
> Don't forget the hand cleaner, and cleaning kit for the glider.

[Jim Vincent]

Butane gas powered soldering iron
Wire strippers
Cheap metric socket set from PepBoys
Cheap leatherman that you won't worry about losing
Microfiber cleaning cloths. One for the canopy (keep this on top of your
instruments, under the glare shield), one for cleaning the wings, one for
cleaning grease off your hands.
Hammer in case you have to help assemble a 2-33

"HL Falbaum" > wrote in message
. ..
> In addition to the above excellent suggestions,
>
> A foot operated tire pump, tire pressure gauge, and a valve extension if
> needed.
> Needle nose pliers, small needle nose vise grip, small regular vise grip.
>
> For a contest away from home, everything short of my lathe!
> --
> Hartley Falbaum
> DG 800B "KF" USA
>
>
> "Bruce Greef" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Travis Beach wrote:
>>> Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
>>> you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
>>> Whats in your toolbox? Beach
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> First point -
>>
>> Good tools are like gold. Don't take them to the airfield, things develop
>> wings at airfields. People borrow stuff, and generally remember to return
>> them. My record is a leatherman that came back after 16 months. (It has
>> my name engraved on it - and the user eventually noticed it was not his)
>>
>> I have a cheap set of sockets and combination wrenches, alan keys,
>> screwdrivers. It helps to have two of the more common sizes. One thing
>> that may cause you some difficulty, depending on location, is that most
>> glass toys are made in Europe with metric fasteners.
>>
>> Most useful thing in the tool box is probably a digital multimeter. It is
>> amazing how often the electrical bits are doing something puzzling...
>>
>> Don't forget the hand cleaner, and cleaning kit for the glider.
>
>

[bumper]

"HL Falbaum" > wrote in message
. ..
> In addition to the above excellent suggestions,
>
> A foot operated tire pump, tire pressure gauge, and a valve extension if
> needed.
> Needle nose pliers, small needle nose vise grip, small regular vise grip.
>
> For a contest away from home, everything short of my lathe!
> --
> Hartley Falbaum
> DG 800B "KF" USA


In addition to the above excellent suggestions,

*IF* you consider your hangar to be the "toolbox" . . . (g)

A 13 X 40 metal lathe
Vertical mill
Vertical metal cutting band saw
TIG welder
Oxy-acetylene torch
Bead blast cabinet
etc, etc,

It is important that the wife understand that, like weapons, tools are to be
considered "off budget" as far as a man's toy account is concerned.

--
bumper ZZ (reverse all after @)>
"Dare to be different . . . circle in sink."
Quiet Vent kit & MKII yaw string

[Shawn[_2_]]

Bruce Greef wrote:
> Travis Beach wrote:
>
>> Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
>> you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
>> Whats in your toolbox?
>> Beach
>>
>>
>>
> First point -
>
> Good tools are like gold. Don't take them to the airfield, things
> develop wings at airfields. People borrow stuff, and generally remember
> to return them. My record is a leatherman that came back after 16
> months. (It has my name engraved on it - and the user eventually noticed
> it was not his)

Borrowed a crescent wrench from Bill Daniels once. I think it was two
years before he got it back. I got one of those "So that's where that
went" looks from him. Thanks again Bill. :-)


Shawn

[Papa3]

Travis Beach wrote:
> Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
> you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
> Whats in your toolbox?
>
> Beach

Keep your eyes open for a sale at Sears (assuming you are in the US;
otherwise, local equivalent tool store) . About once a year they have
a tremendous clearance on Craftsman "Mechanics" tool kits. You can
the 100-odd piece set that comes in a molded plastic case. Mine has a
permanent mounting slot I built under the tow vehicle seat. It
contains:

- Metric sockets approx M4-M14
- SAE sockets in all the usual sizes
- Metric and SAE allen wrenches
- 12 common driver bits (slotted, phillips, torx, square) and
associated driver.
- Lineman, slip joint, and needle nose pliers.
- Wire cutter.
- Ball peen hammer (great for coaxing out an axle)

I augment this with a small electrical toolbox containing fuses, wire,
assorted spade and butt-joint connectors, spare battery connectors,
soldering iron and solder, heat shrink tubing, ties, mulit-meter etc.


Total size of the above is maybe a footprint of 18"x12".

While you're in Sears at the sale, you can then pick up the drill
press, cutoff saw, 2 in 1 sheet metal brake and shear and other
necessary items.

Erik Mann
LS8-18 P3

[Bruce Greef]

Papa3 wrote:
> Travis Beach wrote:
>
>>Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
>>you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
>>Whats in your toolbox?
>>
>>Beach
>
>
> Keep your eyes open for a sale at Sears (assuming you are in the US;
> otherwise, local equivalent tool store) . About once a year they have
> a tremendous clearance on Craftsman "Mechanics" tool kits. You can
> the 100-odd piece set that comes in a molded plastic case. Mine has a
> permanent mounting slot I built under the tow vehicle seat. It
> contains:
>
> - Metric sockets approx M4-M14
> - SAE sockets in all the usual sizes
> - Metric and SAE allen wrenches
> - 12 common driver bits (slotted, phillips, torx, square) and
> associated driver.
> - Lineman, slip joint, and needle nose pliers.
> - Wire cutter.
> - Ball peen hammer (great for coaxing out an axle)
>
> I augment this with a small electrical toolbox containing fuses, wire,
> assorted spade and butt-joint connectors, spare battery connectors,
> soldering iron and solder, heat shrink tubing, ties, mulit-meter etc.
>
>
> Total size of the above is maybe a footprint of 18"x12".
>
> While you're in Sears at the sale, you can then pick up the drill
> press, cutoff saw, 2 in 1 sheet metal brake and shear and other
> necessary items.
>
> Erik Mann
> LS8-18 P3
>
As the local "approved person" I did slowly build up a tool kit that weighed a
ton, and filled my boot. Then I realised that this involved me in continual
maintenance on other peoples gliders.

Now I like helping out- but eventually I scaled back to a "if it needs more than
this make an appointment" kit. Far better for everyone - no more Heath Robinson
stuff on the flight line , I get to fly, and my fuel consumption improved...

If you are including the glider spares then I do carry a spare inner tube for
both wheels on my glider, patches and vulcaniser, and some fuses, tape and
common fasteners. A spare battery to power the data logger and palm and a hand
held radio.

Not part of my tool kit but I always have a current first aid kit in the car
too. It is amazing how the club first aid cabinet always seems to have been
raided of whatever you need - and the user always intends to replace it , but
seldom remembers.

Just one note - if you are going to use that hammer on your airplane, have a
soft drift and keep the hammer to a reasonable size. Use lubrication, and
patience, after you have cracked the aluminium casing for your wheel is a bad
time to consider that you should have used a little better judgement. (I know
good judgement comes from bad experiences, but there are limits)

At the extreme end I was very glad of some others who had enough glass, epoxy
and microbaloons in their kits that we could field repair my wing at a recent
contest. There can't be too many people who have every thing from angle grinders
to mixing cups in their boot, "just in case".

[Eric Greenwell]

Papa3 wrote:
> Travis Beach wrote:
>> Just got my first sailplane...what kind of tools do
>> you carry everytime you go to the airfield to fly?
>> Whats in your toolbox?
>>
>> Beach
>
> Keep your eyes open for a sale at Sears (assuming you are in the US;
> otherwise, local equivalent tool store) . About once a year they have
> a tremendous clearance on Craftsman "Mechanics" tool kits. You can
> the 100-odd piece set that comes in a molded plastic case. Mine has a
> permanent mounting slot I built under the tow vehicle seat. It
> contains:
>
> - Metric sockets approx M4-M14
> - SAE sockets in all the usual sizes
> - Metric and SAE allen wrenches
> - 12 common driver bits (slotted, phillips, torx, square) and
> associated driver.
> - Lineman, slip joint, and needle nose pliers.
> - Wire cutter.
> - Ball peen hammer (great for coaxing out an axle)
>
> I augment this with a small electrical toolbox containing fuses, wire,
> assorted spade and butt-joint connectors, spare battery connectors,
> soldering iron and solder, heat shrink tubing, ties, mulit-meter etc.

Thank goodness, gliders take very little repairing compared to my
previous avocation (sports car racing). Still, I carry most of that
stuff, but just bought cheap stuff cheaply at Walmart, Schucks, etc.
Even with my motorglider, it gets used so seldom, that's good enough.
Every few years, I might have to borrow something like a power drill, or
go to the store and buy something. I can't think of any place where I've
flown (and that's all around the country, including Alaska) that didn't
have a Radio Shack and at least an auto parts store, and in truly
desperate cases, you can get almost anything shipped to you overnight.

I do carry a few special small items in case I have to remove the
engine, but I've never had to do it.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

"Transponders in Sailplanes" on the Soaring Safety Foundation website
www.soaringsafety.org/prevention/articles.html

"A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

[bagmaker]

fencing repair kit, including lengths of wire (coiled)for joining, heavy cutters/ pliers and a length of rope to help tension it all up again.

Bagmaker

[ContestID67]

I think that there are four separate categories of tool sets (not
counting what I have at home) which relate to soaring. Listed are
tools only, other items (like in the land out kit) are not included).
However, I do include electrical items.

Car
-------------
Good metric/standard socket set (Craftsman)
ball peen hammer
tow strap (hooks around tow hitch ball - can come in VERY handy pulling
gliders from fields)
screwdrivers
battery cleaning tools (brush, terminal puller)
Jumper cables
slip joint wrench ("cresent" wrench)
adjustable wrench
needle nose
fuses, wire splices, ring lugs
cable ties (12" and 24" - I only use Thomas & Betts T&B brand)
16 gauge stranded wire
aviation safety wire, large diameter (better than bailing wire)
voltmeter
tow hitch (of course)
electrical tape
plastic sheeting
GOOD flashlight (I carry a large aluminum multi-D cell and a smaller
LED)
rags (these are tools too)
Tire inflater in a can
Gaffers tape (better than duct tape)
rope

Day-to-Day with the Trailer
-------
voltmeter
cheap metric socket set
metric allen wrenches
screwdrivers
fuses
duplicate assembly tools (I need a metric nut driver for the tail)
extra wing pins (I stumbled onto a set an acquaintance didn't need)
cleaning supplies
lubricants (LPS #2)
cable ties (6" - I only use Thomas & Betts T&B brand)
needle nose
spare wheel bearings.
electrical tape (doubles as wing tape)
trailer wiring supplies
spare air lines and fittings
plastic sheeting
Flashlight
rags
jacking equipment (spare tire)
aviation safety wire, small diameter as needed for glider

In the glider (land out kit)
-------------
Leatherman like tool. I prefer SOG branded
Fuses
Cable ties (6" - I only use Thomas & Betts T&B brand)
Air valve extension
Flashlight

On the Road - Beyond what is listed above
-------------
Bottle jack or floor jack
Air bottle
2x10 board (about 24" long) - used for jacking in the mud
My "large" tool bags (one is "electrical" and the other is
"mechanical/woodworking")
Battery powered drill with charger, bits
Inverter (12Vdc to 120Vac) - charges the drill, cell phones, computer,
etc.
Tow out kit
Clamps (Jorgensen large clothes pin type)
Stuff to get water in the wings
spare main gear tire (the tail wheel and tail dolly wheel are
interchangeable)
battery charger (for ship) and spare batteries
Anything aviation specific that you can't find at the local hardware
store

I know I am forgetting a bunch of other items but this is pretty close.

[Marc Ramsey]

Dang, why not just use a Snap-On Tool truck as your tow vehicle, and be
done with it? 8^)

ContestID67 wrote:
> I think that there are four separate categories of tool sets (not
> counting what I have at home) which relate to soaring. Listed are
> tools only, other items (like in the land out kit) are not included).
> However, I do include electrical items.
>
> Car
> -------------
> Good metric/standard socket set (Craftsman)
> ball peen hammer
> tow strap (hooks around tow hitch ball - can come in VERY handy pulling
> gliders from fields)
> screwdrivers
> battery cleaning tools (brush, terminal puller)
> Jumper cables
> slip joint wrench ("cresent" wrench)
> adjustable wrench
> needle nose
> fuses, wire splices, ring lugs
> cable ties (12" and 24" - I only use Thomas & Betts T&B brand)
> 16 gauge stranded wire
> aviation safety wire, large diameter (better than bailing wire)
> voltmeter
> tow hitch (of course)
> electrical tape
> plastic sheeting
> GOOD flashlight (I carry a large aluminum multi-D cell and a smaller
> LED)
> rags (these are tools too)
> Tire inflater in a can
> Gaffers tape (better than duct tape)
> rope
>
> Day-to-Day with the Trailer
> -------
> voltmeter
> cheap metric socket set
> metric allen wrenches
> screwdrivers
> fuses
> duplicate assembly tools (I need a metric nut driver for the tail)
> extra wing pins (I stumbled onto a set an acquaintance didn't need)
> cleaning supplies
> lubricants (LPS #2)
> cable ties (6" - I only use Thomas & Betts T&B brand)
> needle nose
> spare wheel bearings.
> electrical tape (doubles as wing tape)
> trailer wiring supplies
> spare air lines and fittings
> plastic sheeting
> Flashlight
> rags
> jacking equipment (spare tire)
> aviation safety wire, small diameter as needed for glider
>
> In the glider (land out kit)
> -------------
> Leatherman like tool. I prefer SOG branded
> Fuses
> Cable ties (6" - I only use Thomas & Betts T&B brand)
> Air valve extension
> Flashlight
>
> On the Road - Beyond what is listed above
> -------------
> Bottle jack or floor jack
> Air bottle
> 2x10 board (about 24" long) - used for jacking in the mud
> My "large" tool bags (one is "electrical" and the other is
> "mechanical/woodworking")
> Battery powered drill with charger, bits
> Inverter (12Vdc to 120Vac) - charges the drill, cell phones, computer,
> etc.
> Tow out kit
> Clamps (Jorgensen large clothes pin type)
> Stuff to get water in the wings
> spare main gear tire (the tail wheel and tail dolly wheel are
> interchangeable)
> battery charger (for ship) and spare batteries
> Anything aviation specific that you can't find at the local hardware
> store
>
> I know I am forgetting a bunch of other items but this is pretty close.
>