Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

[VictorBravo]

I'm working with a "stay at home Mom" entrepreneur on an interesting little project, and I'd like some input from the group. We're working basically on a compact tool kit for the Taylorcraft, to be carried in the airplane for field repairs, emergency airplane surgery, and unexpected happenings while away from home base.

Obviously everyone has their own opinion of what the bare essentials are, in terms of what tools and supplies to carry. But if the mechanically-experienced owners, and grizzled veterans of field-repair-warfare will share their thoughts and lists of what they carry, we can come up with a reasonable consensus.

Of course the trick here is the balance between something lightweight and compact... and carrying the entire 6 foot tall Snap-On roll-away in the baggage compartment.

If you nice folks would be so kind as to post your list or lists of the tools you would want to carry (and which types of repairs or adjustments you think you might need to use them for), hopefully we can come up with more and better ideas than we already have. I already know the obvious stuff, like 3/8 through 9/16 combination wrenches, spark plug socket, a screwdriver with different bits, small pliers, etc. What I'd like to hear is what non-standard stuff you have used that would enable you to get back home... and the field-repairs that you've done that were unexpected.

This offbeat little project may affect even those T-craft owners who don't work on their own planes, because if you are stranded at another airport the tool kit can allow someone else who is mechanically inclined to assist you.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and ideas.

Bill

[flybikefarm]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

All you need is duck tape!!!!

[flyguy]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

And safety wire--then you can fix anything. JK. I will add some serious items later.
DC

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

Nice Idea.

My list:
- AA size mag lite
- 7 inch Vice Grips with wire cutter style throat
- 8 inch Crescent wrench "Knuckle Busters" -- Crescent makes a short one that with a large opening that can span the oil screen or landing gear nut.
- #2 Philips Screwdriver
- Standard screwdriver
- High speed tape, or Duct tape
- Six feet of .032 safety wire
- Assorted cotter pins
- Needle nose pliers
- Small tube Permatex#2
- One spare fuel quick drain - Safe Air or Curtis, whatever you use
- Bicycle pump, smallest you can find.
- Paper towels
- 1 can pledge


If you need more tools than these you will probably be carrying sockets and now the weight really adds up.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

Thanks Mark... keep the ideas coming folks !!

[Doc]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

Marks's list is great. Although I am not a fan of using the shop end of a large crescent wrench as a hammer (which I have done), two quality crescents (large and small) make up for a boatload of sockets or open end wrenches. Another item I like is a medium hemostat (roach clip)...it is lightweight and able to grab things in tight places. Doc

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

We used to have a joke that all you need is a roll of duct tape and a can or WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the tape. If it won't move and should, use the WD-40! EVERY manned NASA flight since the first Mercury flights has carried duct tape (NO JOKE!). As far as I know they DON'T carry WD-40. Gives off some NASTY fumes in an enclosed space.
What I carry in my "T" (that I can remember from here at home) is a PARTIAL set of sockets (couldn't tell you which ones from here but there aren't that many needed), the next thing is a GOOD adjustable crescent wrench (a cheap one can do a LOT of damage, to the plane and you), a combination screwdriver with each size of Philip's and blade tips, a SMALL ball peen hammer (looks like a toy), a few feet of safety wire, a roll of plastic electrical tape, a medium size vice grip (when you have decided to junk what you are gripping), the duct tape and WD-40 (you can get tiny little foil packs of WD-40 at the auto places) and the really great life savers, some single edge razor blades, a spool of heavy cotton thread, a curved needle, about six feet of cotton rib tape, 3" wide, and a trash brush and small can of nitrate dope from the hobby shop.
The Nitrate will make a MESS over any butyrate you miss, but it will work till you get home. You guys using the "new" stuff are on your own for dopes.
Another thing to remember is a cell phone, some peanut brittle bars and some bottled water. You never know when you won't be able to get her going again.
Hank

Then again, when I'm just knocking around the airport the whole pile sits on the floor of the hangar except the cell and water.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

If you are really tight for weight, just take the water, cell and a few hundred dollar bills
Hank

[Joel Severinghaus]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

The contents of the nylon briefcase in my baggage compartment look a lot like Mark's:

Gerber or Leatherman multi-tool
small Crescent wrench
small Visegrips
small socket handle with screwdriver and nutdriver bits (Sears, in a little red plastic case about 3x4 inches)
safety wire
safety wire twister pliers (probably redundant; the multi-tool pliers would suffice)
duct tape
small bicycle pump (size of a cigar tube) and innertube patch kit
AA Maglite flashlight
two unshielded spark plugs
baggie of assorted screws, bolts, nuts, cotter pins
fuel cap gasket
one quart bottle of oil
small spraycan of Plexus and a cloth diaper for windshield cleaning
list of all the websites and toll-free numbers for the various supply catalog companies (Aircraft Spruce, Wag-Aero, Univair, etc. -- see attached file)
Taylorcraft owner's manual (from Univair or Essco)
Taylorcraft service manual (ditto)
Continental A-65 engine service manual (ditto)
Case magneto service manual
manual for my handheld radio (because I can never remember how to punch in VOR radials on the thing)
copy of "The Messiah's Handbook" by Richard Bach (for occasional referral)

and then a few bits of survival gear:
two mylar "space blanket" sleeping bags (each about the size of a tennis ball)
signal mirror
signal whistle
magnesium flint
matchsafe with waterproof matches
somebody at Oshkosh told me the joke that an advantage of a wood prop is that if you crash, you already have kindling for a signal fire, so I've got that covered...

All that's about 10 pounds.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

copy of "The Messiah's Handbook" by Richard Bach (for occasional referral)

Yes, but as you know... "everything in this book may be wrong"

[VictorBravo]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

This is going great guys, thanks and keep the suggestions coming.

I've been out at the hangar today looking through my own tool kit, finding redundant items to remove and adding some things I forgot.

I tried like hell to leave out the 50 pound large Crescent-san wrench but the oil screen square nut and the main wheel retaining nut need something pretty big. Maybe I can find a lightweight spanner type tool for these, or even make one like what Forrest did on the other thread.

The 7/8 deep socket for the spark plugs weighs more than the whole damn airplane, but that would be a fairly oft-used tool so it has to stay. I did manage to find a tubular Craftsman 90 degree wrench for screwdriver bits (and an adapter for the socket) that was lighter than a 3/8 breaker bar, but the setup to take out a plug is the heaviest single item next to the Crescent-san.

I'm of the opinion that when you're broken down somewhere and working in s**t conditions is when you need the best quality tools. This comes from me being an amateur mechanic instead of a professional. So I included two of the stubby little GearWrench (same as Craftsman) combo wrenches 3/8 and 7/16, and a little 1/4 drive ratchet with 5 common small sockets. With a 1/4" socket this also doubles as an offset ratcheting driver for screwdriver bits.

I bought some clear duct tape on small rolls at Sears, which will get me home safely if I get a tear in the fabric. Sewing a baseball stitch, pinked tape, and brushing on Nitrate out in the field seems like too much to me in light of the ability of duct tape for temp patching.

The innertube patch kit is brilliant... if it can be relied upon under field conditions... does anyone have personal experience with succeeding at this repair in the real world??

I had also packed safety wire, Cotter pins, a few nuts and washers etc. A recent addition to my kit was a small palm sized plastic bowl to keep loose parts in (instead of on the asphalt!) and doubling as a parts cleaning basin with a splash of avgas.

The project I'm working on is not related to survival gear... that's totally valid but it's a separate thing from a repair kit. We're working on a little roll-up tool pouch or case that would replace (or augment) the standard military style hand tool bag. The object is to carry the essentials and any special items to handle most of the repairs, but not to be lugging around 20 pounds worth of disorganized and noisy tool bag. Kind of like the tool roll most serious bikers carry to fix their Hogs on the side of the road.

We will not be including the tools themselves, so that the individual mechanic could use their own preference. The little tool kits for Harleys on eBay just look awful with the cheap imported tools.

Keep the ideas coming, I appreciate it !

[Robert Lees]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

My list is shorter than some, on the basis that many airfields (and local farmers) will have the fundamental tools to assist a stranded Tcraft pilot. What is necessary are those tools & spares that many airfields (and local farmers) will not have, and with which you can resolve 90% of likely failures:

Taylorcraft-specific:

Magneto impulse spring (ask me how I know)
1/2" short wrench to remove magnetos (ditto)
Spark plug & socket (3/8" driver not required)
Lock wire
Spare tyre valve extension
Selection of cotter pins

And a small selection of more basic tools & parts:

Needle-nose pliers
Side cutters
Small & large adjustable wrench
Multi-ended screwdriver
Selection of cable ties & rubber bands
Duck Tape
Selection of Jubilee clips

Total weight: 3 lbs

[fearofpavement]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

It has been mentioned here already but in my opinion it is imperative to only carry good quality tools. Cheapo ones are perhaps worse than none. Note that a lifetime warranty on a tool is not what makes it a good tool.

Regarding the tire patch and pump, that may be good for a remote area and also some of the other items would apply to that as well. So guys flying into the bush and landing off airport would have different needs than guys (girls too) flying into airports that would have a courtesy car and WalMart or other store available. So for me the first question I would ask is what environment am I likely to be broken down in? An airport with resources or out in the bush?

The items previously posted are good ideas:
One item I would want along would be a medium pair of Channellocks. size 420 or 430. (channellock brand only)
Another consideration if you are going to bring a tube repair kit is to ask yourself if you have everything you need to get the wheel off and apart? How are you going to lift the plane? etc.

I am not sure that an individual's past breakdowns would be the best way to measure what should be carried. I think a list of "common" airworthiness issues is what should be addressed. Perhaps a thread could be started to collect what "breakdowns" T-craft operators have had over the years and equip oneself for the reoccuring issues.

[murphy]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

Bill,
The tool idea is a good one but what I really need is a kit with hardware for my TCraft. You could spend a fortune buying the wrong bolts, nuts, and screws needed and I have. If I order the wrong bolt then I reorder and wait another week and pay another shipping fee larger than my bolt I needed if the first place.
Come up with a hardware kit for a TCraft and I will buy one.
Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: Want Input on T-craft Tool Kit

Channellocks.

Pray let us know what these are. Photos?

Rob