Here is quick tour of my toolbox as well as some must have tools. A couple of tips for new mechanics as well as the detail on the outside of my box. Let me know if you want to see more of an aircraft mechanic's tools.
My number 1 piece of advice for all new mechanics is: the toolbox doesn't make you money; the tools do. Accrue a really nice array of quality tools. Once you don't need to borrow tools from others in the shop, (and things are literally stacking up in your box) it's time to invest in the shiny professional box. Edited to add: Nice video, James. Looks like you're at a nice facility gaining great experience. I hope you continue to enjoy your occupation and that great things happen for you. We need more guys like you to join our ranks!
11:35 you know a really good way to stop this happening, is to make a shadow for your tool. That way instead of opening up your tool draw and trying to think of all the things that should be in there, you can actually see without effort the missing gaps.
YEAH!!! i got a snappon that you can change the length of the shank and i use it EVERY DAY!! that and small 90 degree ratcheting screw driver use that for the hard to reach places
Hey just a shout out from Canada! Im learning to become an aircraft mechanic as we speak and i just wanted to say i always watch your videos for more inspiration and how the actual job gonna be! Your videos defiantly help motivate me more to be an Aircraft Mechanic! Keep it up! Ps We also watch your videos in class in groups sometimes!
I'm so glad I found this channel on Friday! The PC-12 is one my favorites and your videos show a completely different side of them especially to someone who has never seen one in person. Hope to see more from you soon!
Hey James, striving aviation mechanic here, study at ATI in Chesapeake Virginia. Your channel is awesome and just wanted to say thanks for the content!
I will be referring to this video at a later date when I need to buy tools. I also think this is one of my favorite videos from you. Thank you for putting this video up and all the other ones you have inspired me to become an aircraft mechanic for which I am currently going to school for
James, Those very thin open end wrenches are called "tappet" wrenches. Before you were born valve tappets had to be adjusted with two wrenches and a thin one was needed.
Very neat bud. I really love that custom toolbox paint job. Also good to see a younger person in the trades. You got a lot of work ahead of you, good luck!
I grew up watching your videos and wanted to be a airplane mechanic because they were very cool and you made it seem fun! 4 years later I am now in A and P school, close to finishing and I have no idea what happened to you. Hope everything is okay. I will keep re watching your helpful vids. Hopefully someone can reply to me what happened to you.
@@JamesSullivans What !!! That’s so cool dude! Happy for you as well. Thanks for replying, me and my buddies all know about you and all had the same question. We can now sleep in peace hahaha but seriously good for you man! 🤝💯
I love seeing those Husky Tools! They don't break, very comfortable, they are manufactured well, they'll last your whole life, they have the lifetime warranty (like you'll need it), and best of all, they are very reasonably priced. I've used Husky all my life, after heavy use, abuse and torment, I've use the warranty two times in 20 years. I still have my first half inch drive from 19 years ago, still performs like I got it from the store. Other can have their Snap-On, I'll take the Husky tools, have bigger selection and go on more trips VS paying the tool guy.
THANK YOU James ! I am a teacher and you are helping me a lot! THANKS! I will invite my mechanic students to visit and give a LIKE TO YOUR VIDEOS ! Excellent!!
Awesome video. I recently received my Airframe License and currently finishing my Powerplant course. I'm going to show my class this video tomorrow since most of us are curious of what tools we will need entering the industry.
That was an excellent video ,you were very descriptive .and getting the point across that a 5000,00 tool box isn't necessary ,I was a vw mech years ago and I fell into the tool truck trap . why wait you can get that tool today just sign here .thanks for. A great &educationable vid
Please discuss why you spot/inventory your tools. In the Air Force our tool boxes had foam cutouts and we inventoried tools after every job and shift change.
Going through A&P school. Id note that a tool box with shallow and more drawers is more handy than fewer and deeper drawers as A&P tools arent generally bulky like auto mechanic tools. Would also shadow my tools to make it quick and easy to see if anything is missing before signing off work.
This is an awesome video man, It really helps a lot and I'd like to see another video explaining what the tools are used for and what not if you wanna make one!
Surprised you don't have a set of double open end wrenches with a 30 deg head on one side and a 60 deg on the other....helped me get loose bolts/nuts where the standard 30 deg wouldn't work. I do agree on the wood top... Been a long time since I worked in the aviation trade....and yes I have my A&P... Thanks for the video...
You smooth out sealant with a squeegy. We put tape right up close to the gap, then fill it, then with a wooden thing that you get with coffee from McDonald's, but it's a bit bigger, use that to smooth it down. Then pull tape.
Your CEO, Mr. Potter, used to be my CEO (Frontier) Back when Frontier was a great airline to work for... 2000-2008ish, good times... Now they're the worst ones out there... No thanks to B. Bedford and Indigo Parteners.... PC-12's are a badass plane to work on... Love 'em!!!
@rr ch; Some S. Off tools are exellent. I have 45 yrs as an industrial mecanic and have NEVER bought these tools. I've worked with guys who own and use S.O tools but they can't/won't lend them and continually worry about theft. Kids in trade schools today are being ripped off by S.O guys. They are sold some bullshit that they will never be a REAL mecanic without S.O tools; and they leave trade school 25,000 dollars in dept with a little toolbox under their arm eh...
@@aspincelaframboise5300 So leaving school in debt by 25k is normal, but the snap on part is bs? Worried cause Corona rn and i wanna get into the industry in 3 years (Graduate highschool next year, and 2 years of aviation school)
@@Mistyfgdf Aircraft mechanics don't tend to abuse their tools as much as automotive guys. (mostly because corrosion is controlled better than in automotive) As a result Husky, Kobalt, Craftsman, etc. are just fine for the majority of your tools. Some Snap-On stuff is nice to have, but there is no need for the vast majority of it, rather it is a nice thing to have that can be acquired slowly over the years. Gearwrench make great quality tools for a very reasonable price, and industrial brands like Proto, Wright, and Williams are all great options that are, in many cases, the same tool as their tool truck counterpart but much cheaper. You will find many aircraft mechanics are the least brand-picky of any mechanics.
Super helpful video!! Thank you. I just switched career courses and plan to start working on my A&P license in the fall. What do you recommend learning first? I haven't been around tools very much, and I don't want to be super behind before school even starts. Keep it up with the awesome content!
Hey man love your channel I'm going through powerplant right now and I have safetying turnbuckles and 2 bolt patterns down pat, but I get confused on three bolt pattern? Can you help me out please?
We do use nylon insert self locking fasteners in limited applications in aviation. The best that I can tell mechanical locking fasteners are used in high temp applications or where the fastener may be exposed to the elements. For example you won't find a nylon locking nut on a jet engine sense the high temps would grade the nylon insert. Thanks for the question!
I am new to your channel and I am enjoying it a lot. Keep up the good work. I love the PC12 great aircraft. Just one thing goig through your tool box you mention a Compass 8:12 I was taught at school that a compass was an instrument to tell if you are Eg: flying North , South, East or West where as a "Pair of Compasses" is used for drawing circles.
James! I just thought I’d let you know I start my AP school in a week and I’ve been watching all your videos learning all sorts of stuff! Thank you much for putting these out, and I’m hoping you’ll start producing content again!
Currently in the process of joining the navy. Planning on going for an AME in the military which is an Aircraft Structural Mechanic Safety equipment. After my service im hoping to work at Chicago O'Hare to work on big planes!
I just enrolled in Aviation Maintenance Technology today. I have the opportunity to go to school for free since my last job was moved out of the country. I can't wait to start at the end of the month.
EXCELLENT all the way thru. Your advice about the price and wuality is dead-on. I'm retired now but I seldom bought the TOOL TRUCK BRANDS because they are just super inflated and a tiny shinnyer...(NEW WORD). I have several thousands of dollars in my tools and boxes...YEAH, after almost 55yrs as a mechanic and it all adds up. HOWEVER, I didn't just go hog wild in the beginning. I bought mostly bare necessity tools from SEARS and HARBOR FREIGHT with the LIFETIME WARRANTY. I've got new for you, THEY STILL GET THE JOBS DONE JUST FINE and I kept more wage for the family and my toys, which are many. You only need to buy those SPECIALTY TOOLS of better quality from a TOOL TRUCK only because they are as stated; SPECIALTY TOOLS. I've NEVER had an issue with any warranty at Harbor Freight,,,ever. I have with a name brand tool truck tho...go figure? Another great video and keep them coming like this.
I work with machines for long time, now instead of the safety pliers if the surface is not hot I use regular caulk. This keep your bolts and nuts in place and you can remove anytime.
Your videos have gotten me hooked into becoming an aircraft mechanic. My priority goal is to become a commerxial pilot but id love to have more knowledge in the aircrafts i will be flying.....my biggest question to you is how long did it take to have a job in this field after you graduated and also is there any difference between a program that costs you $20,000 to one that costs roughly $4000? Thank you
at the end were you talked about checking that every tool you used is back in your box, that is the part were fitting foam inlays come in handy a friend of mine here in germany is an aircraft mechanic and he is only allowed to use the tools in the cart and nothing else (in germany you dont use private tools, the company you work for is providing the tools) every tool has its place in the foam inlay and the inlay is designed with a black top layer and a bright yellow bottom layer so you can easily spot a missing tool companys like stahlwille even sell ready to use sets for aircraft mechnics with this system
nice tool box, line and base maintenance should have this toolbox for aircraft better maintenance. a good technical worker should not quarrel with bad tools.
How are u James I’m a new aviation student I begin class in April so I need all the information on tools I can get if u can buddy thanks👍🏾 good information on all your videos
I just found your channel and love the videos. I am starting A&P school in Southern California next month and just finished up getting my tools. It was so hard to find duck bill pliers! Just wondering what they are used for mostly and thanks for sharing these videos, love the PC-12 btw sweet airplane.
Another awesome video James! For those of you mentioning that he needs to step up his tool game and that his tool box is small compared to your buddy's box in automotive just please stop. He was cool enough to share his set up with us all. An old boss of mine always said it's not the tools nor the tool box that makes the technician👍 and your set up is fine. You seem to be very smart about everything. I've been using my Husky and Pittsburgh 1/2 drive impact sockets since I started in the Diesel industry in 2006. Still waiting for them to break lol. Everyone else can go right ahead and purchase Snap On, I'll just keep my $20 impact socket set w/ LT warranty. Specific tooling needs to be of a higher quality but James is intelligent enough to know what and what not to get off those tool trucks.
Thanks man. You are totally on point. I recognize a job that needs a special tool and I'm sure to buy (or borrow) it. I am saving money while keeping safety #1.
the real thin wrenches are called bonnie wrenches, at least what was told. my tool box has tools from harbor freight up to snap on. I got a nice box from harbor freight 44" 12 drawer well built box for $349.00
James, you might consider a set of Knipex parallel pliers. Great for holding or turning streamlined wires. Way better than channel locks any time you need such a tool.
Good tip for all new mechanics, DONT blow your money on a snap on box (unless you have the money) fill a decent box with snap on tools. You’ll thank me later.
I wholeheartedly agree with that. When I started in the automotive industry, I had a cheap US General 5 drawer tool cart which cost me $250, that was all I needed for the experience I had at the time. Even when I upgraded I didn't go insane for an expensive snap on box, instead I got a cornwell 100 year anniversary tool cart, that only cost me $500. I still have that tool cart, and it works very well for everything I do. It'll be a very good for me whenever I go into the A&P world. A $20,000 tool box isn't always necessary.
Hey, James. I am an aircraft maintenance engineer from Macau. How are you doing now? It has been long time you didn't upload your vlog in RU-vid. Your vlog is very helpful for fresh guys in Aviation.
