A&P travel tool kit recommendations
10-20-2019, 04:53 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 48
A&P travel tool kit recommendations
What does everyone take with them on a standard "road call", "fly out" maintenance job?
I have just a standard tool bag that I fill my most used tools, but have seen some new tool rolls and waterproof pelican tool boxes recently.
Anyone had luck with either of these?
What is your top tool recommend to bring when you travel away from the shop?
I have just a standard tool bag that I fill my most used tools, but have seen some new tool rolls and waterproof pelican tool boxes recently.
Anyone had luck with either of these?
What is your top tool recommend to bring when you travel away from the shop?
10-22-2019, 10:15 AM
#2
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Joined APC: Oct 2017
Posts: 45
I personally have a Stanley plastic box with larger wheels on it with tool rolls for a semblance of FOD and tool control. This is probably the cheapest route, but occasionally you have to reorganize everything- it’s not as good as shadowing with foam, but it’s still effective.
I have a full tool set that permanently stays in the back of my truck since I’m a helicopter EMS base mechanic that has a 1 hour call out 24 hours/5 days a week. Generally, these are my cheaper tools that aren’t as valuable but it’s still probably over $3K worth.
A few guys at my company have went to the Milwaukee/Stanley/Craftsman “stacker” boxes that seem to work really well. I haven’t gone this direction since my box has to stay under my truck bed cover. It’d be great for someone that has an SUV. Another individual got a few Harbor Freight suitcase type boxes that have been shadowed. A few guys have knock off pelican cases that seem to work really well.
What kind of aircraft are you working on? Do you have a short call out response time as well? Are you flying on the airlines to the worksite?
One thing is for sure, check your company’s policy on replacing lost or stolen tools and have something in writing. Some require you to have a list or take pictures. If you don’t have documentation, and your tools are lost/stolen, you’re out of luck. I had a friend that had $10K worth of Snap-On tools stolen from his truck. Luckily, he had full documentation and was reimbursed every cent.
I have a full tool set that permanently stays in the back of my truck since I’m a helicopter EMS base mechanic that has a 1 hour call out 24 hours/5 days a week. Generally, these are my cheaper tools that aren’t as valuable but it’s still probably over $3K worth.
A few guys at my company have went to the Milwaukee/Stanley/Craftsman “stacker” boxes that seem to work really well. I haven’t gone this direction since my box has to stay under my truck bed cover. It’d be great for someone that has an SUV. Another individual got a few Harbor Freight suitcase type boxes that have been shadowed. A few guys have knock off pelican cases that seem to work really well.
What kind of aircraft are you working on? Do you have a short call out response time as well? Are you flying on the airlines to the worksite?
One thing is for sure, check your company’s policy on replacing lost or stolen tools and have something in writing. Some require you to have a list or take pictures. If you don’t have documentation, and your tools are lost/stolen, you’re out of luck. I had a friend that had $10K worth of Snap-On tools stolen from his truck. Luckily, he had full documentation and was reimbursed every cent.
10-25-2019, 09:52 AM
#3
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Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 48
Originally Posted by 4020Driver
I personally have a Stanley plastic box with larger wheels on it with tool rolls for a semblance of FOD and tool control. This is probably the cheapest route, but occasionally you have to reorganize everything- it’s not as good as shadowing with foam, but it’s still effective.
I have a full tool set that permanently stays in the back of my truck since I’m a helicopter EMS base mechanic that has a 1 hour call out 24 hours/5 days a week. Generally, these are my cheaper tools that aren’t as valuable but it’s still probably over $3K worth.
A few guys at my company have went to the Milwaukee/Stanley/Craftsman “stacker” boxes that seem to work really well. I haven’t gone this direction since my box has to stay under my truck bed cover. It’d be great for someone that has an SUV. Another individual got a few Harbor Freight suitcase type boxes that have been shadowed. A few guys have knock off pelican cases that seem to work really well.
What kind of aircraft are you working on? Do you have a short call out response time as well? Are you flying on the airlines to the worksite?
One thing is for sure, check your company’s policy on replacing lost or stolen tools and have something in writing. Some require you to have a list or take pictures. If you don’t have documentation, and your tools are lost/stolen, you’re out of luck. I had a friend that had $10K worth of Snap-On tools stolen from his truck. Luckily, he had full documentation and was reimbursed every cent.
I have a full tool set that permanently stays in the back of my truck since I’m a helicopter EMS base mechanic that has a 1 hour call out 24 hours/5 days a week. Generally, these are my cheaper tools that aren’t as valuable but it’s still probably over $3K worth.
A few guys at my company have went to the Milwaukee/Stanley/Craftsman “stacker” boxes that seem to work really well. I haven’t gone this direction since my box has to stay under my truck bed cover. It’d be great for someone that has an SUV. Another individual got a few Harbor Freight suitcase type boxes that have been shadowed. A few guys have knock off pelican cases that seem to work really well.
What kind of aircraft are you working on? Do you have a short call out response time as well? Are you flying on the airlines to the worksite?
One thing is for sure, check your company’s policy on replacing lost or stolen tools and have something in writing. Some require you to have a list or take pictures. If you don’t have documentation, and your tools are lost/stolen, you’re out of luck. I had a friend that had $10K worth of Snap-On tools stolen from his truck. Luckily, he had full documentation and was reimbursed every cent.
Currently finishing up my A&P apprenticeship and just trying to gauge if I have missed some good road techniques/tips. In the past have taken a company airplane with the IA and myself flying then assisting. Usually end up in a baron or a cherokee.
Mostly work on small single/ multi pistons.
We do not have any official short call time, but we like to be on sight within a couple hours (our operation range is no further than 1 hr flight time).
In the spring, I hope to move on to a new full time pilot position but expect to also have a maintenance roll as well.
10-30-2019, 02:23 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 114
Originally Posted by cubpilot802
What does everyone take with them on a standard "road call", "fly out" maintenance job?
I have just a standard tool bag that I fill my most used tools, but have seen some new tool rolls and waterproof pelican tool boxes recently.
Anyone had luck with either of these?
What is your top tool recommend to bring when you travel away from the shop?
I have just a standard tool bag that I fill my most used tools, but have seen some new tool rolls and waterproof pelican tool boxes recently.
Anyone had luck with either of these?
What is your top tool recommend to bring when you travel away from the shop?
Those were good times. Miss those days, pushing paper now.
10-31-2019, 04:24 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 48
Originally Posted by geosync
It's been a while for me but we'd launch with 1/4 and 3/8 ratchet/socket set with extensions & wobblers, battery powered drill(Milwaukee) with drill bit and driver bit set , stubby wrench set, Hex/allen set or bits, stubby snapon screw driver(ratcheting). Mirror, dikes, torches, needle nose pliers, safety wire pliers(that barely worked)safety wire, speed tape. Of course depending on the job we'd throw in more. Once in a while we'd launch a second 172/82/cherokee (or whatever we had) for bigger items like jacks/specialty tools/wood.
Those were good times. Miss those days, pushing paper now.
Those were good times. Miss those days, pushing paper now.
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