Tools for starting A&P course

Phugoid

Phugoid

New Member
I am starting an 18 month A&P course at the local community college and I am unsure how to go about purchasing the tools on the list I have been given. Is it better to buy a set or go piece by piece? I went to Sears and starting trying to find everything on the list but seems very daunting. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
 
Phugoid said:
I am starting an 18 month A&P course at the local community college and I am unsure how to go about purchasing the tools on the list I have been given. Is it better to buy a set or go piece by piece? I went to Sears and starting trying to find everything on the list but seems very daunting. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
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Whatever you do, buy a tool box with ball bearing drawers. It's worth the extra money. Some of the tools you can get at Harbor Freight and save a ton of money. Other stuff get quality stuff of craftsman or better. Post up the list. I'm no A&P, but I spent nearly 10 years and $60k'ish on tools as an auto mechanic for dealerships.

Check out Waterloo for tool boxes. Decent quality and cheap.
 
Check Snapon.com. They have a Student program that allows you to purchase tools at 1/2 price.

http://www1.snapon.com/SEP

You will have to register and select your school from a list. If your school is on the list, you are in luck. You will be able to buy Snapon tools for less then you can buy the Sears Professional Line. Just order them online from the Student Page and they ship to your house. They have a decent selection of boxes at 1/2 price as well.

If you have any questions about the webpage, PM me. I have bought a lot of tools from them. Although, I do use harbor freight and sears for the tools I don't use all the time or are not listed on the Snapon 1/2 price deal.
 
I would probably avoid buying a bunch at once. Keep a notebook around and write down a tool you want when you find a need for it.
 
You'll need the basics to start. Sockets and ratchets, pliers, dikes, screwdrivers, wrenches. Start with that stuff. I'd recommend Craftsman for someone starting out, if only because you'll learn what you like (and don't like) in a tool and you can upgrade later on. You will find that as you progress you'll want the higher quality tools more and more. Beyond the basics, just keep a running wish list of stuff you find out that you want. EBay and garage sales are also good options for finding used tools cheap.

Now, here are some tools that are must-haves (in case you get a tool set that doesn't have them) when working on airplanes:
1" wrench. It's the size you use for removing oil filters.
7/8" deep socket. That's what you use for spark plugs.

And a few of my personal favorite tools in my box:
Matco ratcheting screwdriver. Second most used tool in my box.
2D LED Maglite. You can never have too much light when working on and inspecting an airplane, and the LED Maglite is indestructible. This is my most-used tool.
Safety wire pliers from Matco. They just make life so much easier.

I have a running wishlist too. Number One on there right now is a good (think Fluke-level) digital multimeter. I love doing electrical work and a good meter is worth its weight in gold for that stuff.
 
Craftsman wrenches can be returned and replaced with no questions asked.

A good set of screwdrivers and pliers will go a long way. Buy the best you can afford. Start with a nice tool chest and start filling it.

As an owner I would think twice about an A&P with HF tools. As an employer I would kick his butt.
 
RICHARD5 said:
As an owner I would think twice about an A&P with HF tools. As an employer I would kick his butt.
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Primary tools, it might be suspect. However, I have a lot of tools from HF that I used as either throwaways or I modified them to meet my needs.

I bought these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/16-piece-sae-combination-wrench-set-551.html

And then hacked everything above 9/16th off at 4" lengths since they were great for getting into tight spots where hydraulic, fuel, and oil lines like to play. You'd have to be crazy to do that to a set of Craftsman or Snap-on wrenches.
 
Yeah, I've made my own specialty tools or have used throw aways. That's about all HF would be worth. And that's a stretch.
 
Does the school require you to use your own tools? The school I am going to supplies us with all the tools we nee.
 
All you need is a hammer, chisel, and a good pair of vise grips. Well if you want to get your professor yelling about how you are destroying his magnetos you wont need anything else.
 
N18040 said:
All you need is a hammer, chisel, and a good pair of vise grips. Well if you want to get your professor yelling about how you are destroying his magnetos you wont need anything else.
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If you work the line all you need is a good reliable PEN. :D
 
I'm in A&P school myself and wish you the best of luck my friend. My box is 75% craftsman, 25% snap-on. If you take your time and stay up on sears sales, especially now that holiday time is coming around, you can find some great deals on craftsman tools. Thats how i did it, weekly trips to sears. Don"t forget about the Snap-on student program, you get half off.
 
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