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".