What’s in your hangar toolbox

Initial Fix

Initial Fix

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Initial Fix
Having just done the bulk of work swapping out the IO-520 to a IO-550, and doing much in a commercial hangar where tools were easy to borrow, it got me thinking I need to up my game with hangar tools (and box). Plus, I’m tired of lugging tools from home to the hangar.

I’m curious what folks have for tools in their hangars? Wrenches, sockets, specialty tools, etc. Brands? (Yea, this can be a topic itself ). I guess it ranges from a simple to tool truck pro mechanic proud.
 
Full set of mechanic’s tools. Wrenches, ratchet wrenches, 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 socket sets standard and deep. Two torque wrenches. Crow’s feet. Aircraft oil filter tools. Hammers and mallets. Lots of screwdrivers. Electrical tools. Clamps. Rivet squeezer. Air riveter and bucking bars. Pull riveters. Rivnut tools. Safety cable tool. Compression tester. Swaging tools. Borescopes. Lots of power tools corded and cordless. Flashlights. Mechanic’s mirrors. Magnets. Knives. Sharpies. A large bank of drawers and bins with AN hardware, sealants, rivets, grommets, zip ties, adel clamps. Battery charger. Scales. Spray guns. Compressor. Powder coater and small oven. And a thousand other things.
 
Sigh...

I have two stubby screwdrivers for removing my cowl and wheel covers, and one long one for adjusting my tug. Tire pressure gauge. Compressor.

For the most part, I keep my tools at home. Can't afford an airplane AND another whole set of tools! If I know I'm gonna do something to the plane, I bring what I need. But, it's surprising how much a few screwdrivers will do for you.
 
I got a hangar earlier this year. I picked up a basic mechanic tool set and brought specific airplane maintenance tools I already had. I picked up a Gearwrench mechanic tool set from HD and supplemented it; I picked that set based on what tools were it in, not the number of tools. I think the quality of tools you'll find at HD/Lowes is about the same for all the brands. I'll buy additional tools as needed. I'm fortunate that my house is 15 mins away and the EAA building is right by my hangar.

I bought the 5 drawer rolling cart from Harbor Freight thinking that would be enough room for tool the tools not stored in the Gearwrench box. I though I'd enjoy being able to roll the cart over and getting extra space to put parts as I'm working on something. That was probably a mistake and I should have bought a bigger toolbox; time will tell.

I envy the people who are not limited by space.

The only big item on my wish list is a pair of aircraft jacks.
 
That's the challenge. A good set of 1/4, 3/8 sockets, torque wrench, combination wrenches, safety wire pliers, screwdrivers, pliers, side cutters, crimper, etc should cover much of the hangar work. It’s the other nice to have tools that really add up.
 
Initial Fix said:
Having just done the bulk of work swapping out the IO-520 to a IO-550, and doing much in a commercial hangar where tools were easy to borrow, it got me thinking I need to up my game with hangar tools (and box). Plus, I’m tired of lugging tools from home to the hangar.

I’m curious what folks have for tools in their hangars? Wrenches, sockets, specialty tools, etc. Brands? (Yea, this can be a topic itself ). I guess it ranges from a simple to tool truck pro mechanic proud.
Click to expand...
I have been a tool junkie for 40 years. I have 2 shops and 2 sets of hand tools at each shop.
I took loose extra tools to the hangar, only what I need to work on a 172. I don't have a complete set of hand tools at the hangar. And they are mixed brand hand tools.
But I do have everything that I need to service repair my 172. I also have some extras like a couple propeller balancers, borescope, Magnaflux crack detector, press, rivet tools, tools to make hoses, and more. I have a small hand shear and small break. I have spark plug and mag service tools.
I have a 4 post car lift in the back that I only use it to store stuff on. It's a tall one that I can walk under so it allows me to use the space overhead. It's on wheels but I rarely use it for auto service. I have a decent supply of parts for a 172 in stock like rotors, brake linings, plugs, oil, oil analysis bottles and chemicals and lubes, hardware, rivet's etc. My hangar has become well equipped in the last 7 years.
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I have a cheap box with a fairly standard set of mechanics tools. A couple small torque wrenches...1/4 drive in in-lb and 3/8 drive in ft-lbs.
Useful airplane stuff:
- spark plug related...cleaner, gap tool, gauges, caddy
- oil change... filter cutter, filter wrench, rubber coated lead sheet
- safety wire & tools
- tire change...Jack, talc, valve tool
- borescope
- grypmats
- 12v impact driver & bits is really nice for taking the cowl off... just don't use it to tighten the screws
- ratcheting screw driver
- Adel clamp pliers
- zip tie gun
- shop vac
I have an air compressor, but I rarely use it. Pretty much only for blowing things off. I fill tires and struts with a N2 bottle. I've had the same smallest size bottle for 5 years and have used less than half. I'm a little surprised the welding company hasn't asked for it back. We'll see what happens when the 7 year tank lease is up.

I'm also very fortunate that I have a good relationship with the guys in the shop and pretty much any tool i need is a 5 minute golf cart ride away, although I try not to abuse it. Generally if I have to borrow something, I'll buy my own so I don't have to borrow it again.

A stash of spare hardware is useful. Common size screws, especially cowl screws and anything else that gets R&R'd a lot... air filter box screws in my case have occasionally disappeared in flight. A selection of cotter pins especially, as they can't be re-used. Spark plug and oil screen gaskets.
 
If by "hangar" you mean "rolling toolbox in the back of my car", I have a stylish olive drab tactical man purse filled with tools...
 
Gary Ward said:
My latest tool purchase was this regulator, hose I made and fittings to air my buddies struts on his arrow.
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What tool is used to put the fittings on the flex hose?
 
Don’t forget the name/number of the guy with more tools than you (and whatever suitable reward for his help)
 
With a Rotax, I need both metric and imperial wrenches / sockets.
Drywall hoist is handy for removing the wings. (Finally got fed up and fabricated new fuel tanks, made it so the tanks can be removed without removing the wing, so not much use for it now.)
Engine hoist - went to use it a couple weeks ago to hold up the front of the airplane so I could change landing gear bungee. The boom extension was gone. WTF? When did I last us it? Did I have it at home and the boom extension fell out when it was on the trailer? Tried to find one to buy - getting nowhere. Then I was at the airport and saw my AI - "I bet you are looking for the end of your hoist - I had to borrow it"... All swell that ends swell.
Floor jack and jack stands.
Air Compressor.
Fabric supplies.
Whatever it takes...
 
I received my first set of craftsman tools for Xmas when I was 16 years old. Told my Dad and Mom that I would use them to help save money as we did not have much.
And I did just that for 40 years. I have been a truck mechanic for 40 years. Spent close to 20 years drag racing. Started on a drag bike and then built 6 dragsters over the years. We spent 8 years racing top alcohol dragster, we did 10 races per year and that kept me busy 24/7 during race season. I had 6 mechanics helping me. We replaced the clutch every run and overhauled the engine every run. We have special tools made up for each mechanic and custom tool trays that I made to hold every tool, just what we needed to work on the car fast. I don't race anymore and some of those race tools made it to my hangar.
8dde9404-8b6f-404d-adf9-e25c9bcc840d.jpg

9c71953e-4ff7-49c1-a823-6e2f3c2bde64.jpg

In this picture I just finished freshening these hemi heads for the new season.
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Thoughts-

My portable engine hoist has seen far more use than my overhead hoist. And it’s easy to lend out.

Harbor Freight pump-up car dollies are handy to have.

My Best Tug is my most used hangar tool.

A Cub mechanic friend turned me on to Ryobi 3v battery screwdrivers years ago. Worth every penny. Not enough speed or torque to strip screws, but time savers for sure. I like the DeWalt gyroscopic screwdrivers, too.

Dremel. DeWalt cordless die grinder. I use both a lot.

A 3-way sheet metal machine. Grizzly and Kaka make pretty good ones for home shop/hangar workloads. Mine’s a Kaka.

I need a drill press. Today. Grainger or Lowe’s…. Dayton or Ryobi… good enough.
 
GeorgeC said:
What tool is used to put the fittings on the flex hose?
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A chop saw to cut the line straight and clean.
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Soft jaws to hold the fittings.
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The right sized sockets for installation.
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And CO2 or nitrogen gas and the right fittings to pressure test the hoses and then they are tagged.
e9d2be4e-2502-408f-928d-5baa865aef55.jpg

I only use the cutter design fittings. They grip the end of the hose in 2 places, cut's into the liner.
e0bfc3c0-cf1c-4db3-9267-ee7787a3f5d0.jpg

Nothing wrong with these style fittings and hose, I like the lighter stainless braided hose.
21f0297e-9413-456c-894c-b3ca28c9f8d7.jpg

I forgot last thing you need is parts washer to clean out the inside of the hose after it's built.
 
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Mandrels are required for Aeroquip and Stratoflex hoses. Useful if you do your own firewall forward work. A die grinder with a cutoff wheel is the tool for cutting hoses.
 
@Gary Ward, thanks. For some reason, I thought magical swaging tools were required, and I'm glad I was wrong.
 
So your pics are for hoses installing in certificated airplanes?
 
The rolling toolbox has a set of (standard) combination wrenches, sockets, a few pliers, nut drivers, safety wire pliers.

More stuff in the "big" toolbox.
 
Gary Ward said:
I received my first set of craftsman tools for Xmas when I was 16 years old. Told my Dad and Mom that I was use them to help save money as we did not have much.
And I did just that for 40 years. I have been a truck mechanic for 40 years. Spent close to 20 years drag racing. Started on a drag bike and then built 6 dragsters over the years. We spent 8 years racing top alcohol dragster, we did 10 races per year and that kept me busy 24/7 during race season. I had 6 mechanics helping me. We replaced the clutch every run and overhauled the engine every run. We have special tools made up for each mechanic and custom tool trays that I made to hold every tool, just what we needed to work on the car fast. I don't race anymore and some of those race tools made it to my hangar.
8dde9404-8b6f-404d-adf9-e25c9bcc840d.jpg

9c71953e-4ff7-49c1-a823-6e2f3c2bde64.jpg

In this picture I just finished freshening these hemi heads for the new season.
9f4bf3ac-5c40-42d5-a9b0-1fe3085ea671.jpg
Click to expand...
This is my racing box that was on the transporter during the season and at the shop in Indy other times.

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I have two Snap-On 78s and three six drawer Lista cabinets in my shop.

And this is the box my Mom gave me for Christmas in 1977 that started all of this:

1000000209.jpg
 
flyingron said:
The rolling toolbox has a set of (standard) combination wrenches, sockets, a few pliers, nut drivers, safety wire pliers.

More stuff in the "big" toolbox.
Click to expand...

I going to ask the question. Which rolling toolbox? The space in my hangar won’t easily allow a big 40” + box. So it’s a smaller box with the go to essentials and a bigger box with everything else
 
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Jim K said:
:yeahthat:
I want a set of wing jacks. I keep hoping I'll find used ones but it hasn't happened. I'll probably end up building some for the RV.
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That's what I did. Acme thread. Angle iron. Done.
 
Initial Fix said:
I going to ask the question. Which rolling toolbox? The space in my hangar won’t easily allow a bit 40” + box. So it’s a smaller box with the go to essentials and a bigger box with everything else
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It's a short Craftsman I bought a few years ago at Lowe's. It allows me to roll the most frequently used tools up to the plane. The big box is an older Craftsman (back from the Sears days) that while it has wheels is really too big to really care about moving.

There's also workbenches in the back with random other stuff (elecrical crimpers, heat shrink ,etc...).
 
I bought used snap on and mac boxes from the tool dealer when I was in my 20s and kept them at work. I wore them out after 25-30 years of daily use. I still have them at work but they are in pretty bad shape and dirty.
I honestly did not want to buy more tool boxes for the hangar. I was shelving most tool and had a small carry box for the first year or two.
I found in a metal scrap pile at work a old craftsman bottom box. It's like a starter box and was in decent shape. So I took it to the hangar. Once I filled it up I broke down and bought a small top box from Lowes. The 2 boxes only hold about a third of my tools, the rest are on shelves.
I use a service cart like in my picture when I work on the plane to hold my tools and the tool boxes stay put. I have 2 carts, one with lubes etc and the other one I work off of.

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3393RP said:
This is my racing box that was on the transporter during the season and at the shop in Indy other times.

View attachment 143436

I have two Snap-On 78s and three six drawer Lista cabinets in my shop.

And this is the box my Mom gave me for Christmas in 1977 that started all of this:

View attachment 143437
Click to expand...
I gave my 1976 original craftsman box that I got for Xmas to a friend of mine about 10 years ago. I think it was like yours except with less drawers. It was pretty wore out.
 
Some years ago, my dad and I fell into a sort of tacit agreement whereby we equipped each others' shops on gift occassions like birthdays, Father's Day, etc. He'd give me a drill press, I'd give him a lathe, he'd give me a chop saw, I'd buy him a scroll saw, etc. Dad passed in 2021, and now many of his Craftsman hand tools (much of which I bought for him) and one of his workbenches are in my hangar. Every time I pick up a wrench or socket I'm reminded of him.

In the hangar I have a HF US General 5-drawer roller for hand tools and it works just fine; surprisingly better quality than I would have thought. I've bought a mix of Craftsman, Husky, and Harbor Freight hand tools to get the stuff that wasn't covered by my dad's tools. The quality is good enough for my casual use. The HF torque wrenches are better quality than you'd expect and are a bargain with an honest-to-goodness lifetime warranty. Check the calibration once in a while, but mine have remained calibrated for a couple of years now.

One area NOT to skimp is on screwdriver bits. You can get by with a HF ratcheting screwdriver handle, but buy good bits for it. You need anti-cam phillips bits and you need the correct sizes, or you'll be buggering up screw heads over and over.

Personally, I like having a cordless screwdriver, too. You can use a cordless drill if you're careful not to overtorque or strip screws, but a screwdriver is lighter and you'll appreciate that when you're lying on your back under the plane pulling all 2,364 screws out of the access and inspection panels.

Get a variety of flashlights. Different sizes, and also a headlamp.

I wish I had better safety wire pliers (mine came from Spruce), but the good ones are quite pricey. My cheapies work, but they're hard on the hands when clamping.
 
Half Fast said:
I wish I had better safety wire pliers (mine came from Spruce), but the good ones are quite pricey. My cheapies work, but they're hard on the hands when clamping.
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Here's something I wish I knew years ago, that i only learned while building my engine: safety wire pliers exist that twist both directions. They have a little switch to go left, right, or neutral. Makes it much easier to get the wire to lay down neatly and not pop up off the bolt head. Now maybe that's common knowledge amongst a&p's, but it wasn't obvious to me when I bought what was a fairly expensive safety wire set from Spruce that came with unidirectional pliers.
 
Don't forget about benchstock (bolts, screws, nutplates, nuts, washers, rivets, fast-on connectors, dsub pins/sockets, tefsel wire, etc) and consumables. I have all the necessary hand and power tools to build/maintain my model of aircraft plus some specialty stuff (camloc tools, brake pad tool, tungsten bucking bar, oil filter cutter, etc) to include an HF engine crane.
 
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