An actual post related to flying

I have concerns about using an electric screwdriver on my plane- don't
they
chew up the heads?

Part of the trick is to use new screwdrivers.

Part of the trick is to be patient

Part of the trick is to realize that the heads of the screws will wear
out, and have a ready supply of the correct screws to replace the
cruddy ones.

All very true. I can only add that a surprisingly small amount of wear can
cause a lot of problems.

Peter

All very true. I can only add that a surprisingly small amount of wear can
cause a lot of problems.

Boy, isn't that the truth? I'll bet I've replaced every screw on my
plane in the five years I've owned it.

I replaced all the structural screws around the gas tank with
stainless steel screws when I pulled the tanks to comply with the
dreaded "Service Bulletin 1006" -- the wing spar corrosion SB that
every Cherokee owner fears.

And I've replaced every inspection panel screw, too. Every year I
plan on replacing at least 25% of them. Even so, there's usually one
or two boogers that require "special treatment" to get them out.

I would love to replace them with square-drive screws. THAT would be
a huge improvement.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

You don't want to get confused about what you're working on, though.
Just because it's a Snap On tool in your hand doesn't mean it's a
manifold, and that's a suture, not a safety wire.

I had an odd thought about your home office -- sectionals, and frozen
sections. pacemaker leads tangled with sparkplug ones. Eclectic
interests lead to interesting bookshelves -- on mine, IRB Polices is
next to the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Nearby is the DSM IV..

As for my most effective tool? I'm sorry to say it's a four letter
word -- Visa. The little screwdriver on my keychain has come in handy
aloft, however, refastening knobs that somehow became disconnected
(speaking of safetywire, or Grip Tight).

The crank shaft bone is connected to the piston rod bone. . .






On Mar 3, 7:39 am, "Viperdoc" wrote:
We're still in the throes of winter here in Wisconsin- low ceilings, ice,
snow encrusted taxiways and ramps. One plane is gone for a month for an
avionics upgrade, while the other sits waiting for the return of the prop.
No flying for a while. Perhaps I'll organize my tools.

So, how about a new poll- how many screwdrivers does the average airplane
owner own?

Who makes the best screwdrivers?

What's your personal favorite tool? (Mine is the Snap on ratchet screw
driver. It has a great action and feel, and in fact we use their same
mechanism in the operating room for placing bone screws)

So, back to aviation- let's hear your responses!

Actually, my two favorite surgical instruments were the two foot long bolt
cutter and the vice grips. We used to get them from Sears, but they rusted
too easily when autoclaved.

Had to go to expensive stainless surgical instruments instead. I went to all
stainless screws on my planes, but it seems like the heads are easier to
chew up.

Had to go to expensive stainless surgical instruments instead. I went to
all
stainless screws on my planes, but it seems like the heads are easier to
chew up.


That's no surprise, as there are many kinds of stainless--and I don't know
enough about metalurgy to offer advice on which to use.

Try mentioning the problem to your supplier, if you have not done so
already, as they may have similar hardware in a harder or tougher grade.

Peter

"Viperdoc" wrote in message ...
: We're still in the throes of winter here in Wisconsin- low ceilings, ice,
: snow encrusted taxiways and ramps. One plane is gone for a month for an
: avionics upgrade, while the other sits waiting for the return of the prop.
: No flying for a while. Perhaps I'll organize my tools.
:
: So, how about a new poll- how many screwdrivers does the average airplane
: owner own?
:
: Who makes the best screwdrivers?
:
: What's your personal favorite tool? (Mine is the Snap on ratchet screw
: driver. It has a great action and feel, and in fact we use their same
: mechanism in the operating room for placing bone screws)
:
: So, back to aviation- let's hear your responses!
:
:

Hmmm, do you want to include the replacement tips for the Makita? There must be thirty some screwdrivers around this
place. I really like the Craftsman Professionals; they seem to grab on real well to the stubborn screws and the tips
seem to last well...

Dan D.

So, back to aviation- let's hear your responses!

My favorite tool, above all else, is...my pocket Leatherman. The kind
that attaches to your keys.

This danged little tool, by virtue of being handy, has risen above all
others, beyond my $1500 Jet planer and my wonderfully versatile
cordless drill(s).

It doesn't do any one thing particularly well, but I find myself using
it all day long at the hotel, tightening door knob screws, scraping
paint off carpet, jimmying stuck drawers -- it's remarkable. I
actually bought Mary one, and she uses hers every day, too.

It's the best $25 I've ever spent.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

In a previous article, "Jay Honeck" said:
So, back to aviation- let's hear your responses!

My favorite tool, above all else, is...my pocket Leatherman. The kind
that attaches to your keys.

This danged little tool, by virtue of being handy, has risen above all
others, beyond my $1500 Jet planer and my wonderfully versatile
cordless drill(s).

I find the screwdriver on the end of the fuel sampler gets the most actual
work. It's very handy to tighten up access panels while pre-flighting.


--
Paul Tomblin http://blog.xcski.com/
"Almost any animal is capable of learning a stimulus/response association,
given enough repetition. Experimental observation suggests that this
isn't true if double-clicking is involved." -Lionel Lauer and Malcolm Ray

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
oups.com...
So, back to aviation- let's hear your responses!

My favorite tool, above all else, is...my pocket Leatherman. The kind
that attaches to your keys.

This danged little tool, by virtue of being handy, has risen above all
others, beyond my $1500 Jet planer and my wonderfully versatile
cordless drill(s).

It doesn't do any one thing particularly well, but I find myself using
it all day long at the hotel, tightening door knob screws, scraping
paint off carpet, jimmying stuck drawers -- it's remarkable. I
actually bought Mary one, and she uses hers every day, too.

It's the best $25 I've ever spent.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"


Swiss Army Knife, for all the reasons Jay likes his Leatherman.

My personal choice is the officer's Spartan or Sport model made by
Victorinox. It is smaller, lighter and cheaper than the Leatherman and has
a great can opener and a really good corkscrew. IMHO both the can opener
and the corkscrew are superior to most dedicated tools. My wife likes the
next larger size with scissors but I find it too big for my pants pocket,
she carries it in a purse.

The addition of a small vise grip and a roll of duck(t) tape is IMHO a
complete emergency tool kit, but they do not fit well in any of my pockets.

My pilot survival kit consists of Swiss Army Knife, matches, compass,
whistle, and signal mirror. I keep a dedicated set in both my headset bag
and my parachute. I also carry a pack with other required items but like to
keep the basics on my person.

Being a Canadian, I am also a big fan of the Roberson square screw and think
they are superior to the Phillips in every way. IIRC there is some real
historical chauvinism that resulted in the use of the Phillips design in the
USA and the rejection of the superior Robertson.

just my .02, YMMV

In a previous article, "Private" said:
they are superior to the Phillips in every way. IIRC there is some real
historical chauvinism that resulted in the use of the Phillips design in the
USA and the rejection of the superior Robertson.

"historical chauvinism" is sometimes spelt "high licensing fees".


--
Paul Tomblin http://blog.xcski.com/
"Go go Gadget kernel compile!" - Chris "Saundo" Saunderson