the budget mechanic- Mobile tool set for aircraft maintenance on the road.

going on two decades of mobile AOG work as an aircraft mechanic and I've finally settled on what I need for the wide variety of aircraft I work on.
this set is overkill for airlines and corporate aircraft, but I also work on piston aircraft which actually requires more different types of tools than the bigger jets.
my first tool case was about half the size, but my tools were in fabric rolls that took longer to find things and were not as obvious about a missing tool.
being able to do a quick inventory of my tools after a long night of work in the cold is worth the work it took to cut the foam.

[@CarefulWhatYouWishFor2024]

@rowerwet there is a thermoplastic called worbla (often used for cosplay). You could could run that under your foam so that its strong and sturdy OR with some work, use a heatgun and only use the worbla (so would be stronger and thinner levels (might allow for more tools). Mold it so the tools have a factory like hold around them (think of the clear packaging inside stuff you buy- its just that worbla isn't clear).

[@RJ9mech]

Nice road box! I'm in the process of switching from a line bag to a travel box and each tool is carefully considered for weight and usefulness. It's always fun to lend obscure tools to customers with their huge hangar boxes. 😂 Some observations: Be careful with the Grabit extractor. I broke one in a galled wing panel screw and spent about 30 mins grinding it out with a pencil grinder. At the moment I'm having good luck with the stubby 1/8 easy outs you can get from the various trucks. They work great with #30 bits. The tiny knipex pliers are worth getting. You won't use them much, but in small avionics and equipment bays, they are useful! Referencing another comment above, I look forward to learn any new tips you might have for screw extraction. There is more than one way to skin a cat, and each method can be useful in different situations. Looking forward to a treatise on extractors, Johnson bars, screw knockers, etc. Well done on this video, sir! It's nice to give others a glimpse of the aircraft wrenching life on the road.

[@rowerwet]

I haven't broken a grabbit yet, that I can remember, in almost 20 years using them. I've worked with guys who snapped them off immediately, might be technique, or luck. I have another video on screw removal out now

[@freaufphotography]

No idea how this came across my feed but I watched this entire thing 😂 very cool setup man. I thought my car setup was cool but it’s nowhere near this complete or well organized or well thought out. Top to bottom this whole thing is impressive.

[@rowerwet]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@MRKSC13]

Phenomenal layout. Well curated and definitely shows your experience in this layout. Going to be working towards my A&P license soon and this gave me some great ideas for my own setup. Thanks!

[@nelsoncarvalho5099]

I loved your AOG road box so much, I had to set my AOG rolling road box up pretty close to yours, and i love it. Thank you and I love your AOG repair videos.

[@guykulwanoski1629]

Awesome, thank you for sharing. Great tips!

[@G4Disco]

Snoopy! I haven't seen one of those tools in ages. They are really nice to pull circuit breakers with.

[@rowerwet]

Never knew that, now I do!

[@unwired1281]

You did a fantastic job putting that together. A lot of thought went into it for sure👍👍

[@soaringbumnm8374]

Snoopy tool sez this is a real aircraft mechanic !

[@Saveeyf]

very nice tool box!

[@Ericgoestowar]

Built a similar toolbox using a pelican of similar size. I think I’m gonna steal your strap idea for pulling the different levels out. Currently have handhold cutouts but I like the 1 inch webbing idea far better. Gonna glue a sheet of abs plastic to the bottom of each level so they’re rigid.

[@TruthSeekerAi]

WOW WHAT A GREAT JOB

[@rowerwet]

All of the snap-on tools in here are duplicates of my main set in my roll away in the hangar, I bought almost all of them on ebay, usually used, for much less than off the truck.

[@MattLitkeRacing]

Some nice ideas in here. I’ve been thinking about redoing my box. Anyone in the Midwest looking for a cheap 1/4 drive 12 point set go to Menards!

[@Swampyankeehomestead]

Your in Bedford. I went to school with one of your bosses. I fly the blue tail 737s in.

[@rowerwet]

I'm in BED sometimes, BVY mostly, also BOS and many others.

[@Sean-bp6xb]

Want my opinion? Well, you’re gonna get it. That tool box tour was A-1! Thx for sharing. Very informative about what you need working in your industry. I was very interested. Thank you. You have a kit that would get most people through most of their needs, aircraft or not. One question: why all the socket bit size adapters? If you needed a larger socket (1/2” drive) do you borrow it? You’re obviously not carrying it. Just wondering. Going to check out your channel. Watching from Ontario Canada 🎉 Thanks again.

[@rowerwet]

Yes, we have 3/4" and 1" drive sockets for wheel bearing nuts carried in the service van or held by the airline. The biggest I've done is a 6" nut on a 737 main wheel axle. Bigger jets will have Bigger than that. Normally the issue is adapting from a smaller drive torque wrench to a larger drive socket, but at a low torque.

[@peterevans8194]

Not sure why I watched this as the most complex machine I ever work on is a lawnmower! But the video and tool selection is fascinating...May I ask what happens to this box when you fly? Does it have to be checked in as luggage or do you guys get special dispensation to take it as carry-on?

[@rowerwet]

TSA suspects mechanics almost worse than the general public, even though a competent mechanic could sabotage an aircraft more ways than the flight crew could ever find. When a mechanic flys the tools get checked and thoroughly scrambled up by the mouth breathers in TSA. They would never let a mechanic fly with anything pointy, sharp or heavy because regulations are suspicious of everyone.

[@peterevans8194]

@@rowerwetBased on previous bad experiences with just normal luggage, I would hate having to check in a tool case..If that goes, missing we are not talking about a mere ruined holiday, but potentially somebody's livelihood being in jeopardy.

[@rowerwet]

@@peterevans8194 yup, had a fellow mechanic check his tools and they never arrived at the other end. He sat around at the destination waiting for the tools to show up, but they never did, so he flew back without doing the repairs. The airline delivered his tool bag to his house a week later. I think someone was trying to steal it, but couldn't get it out of the airport before it got found where it was hidden. The bag was an obvious tool branded one. I prefer pelican cases over bags because most often there are firearms in them, not tools, and that means security really watches for them being diverted or tampered with. Plus you can't just open them with a knife, like a bag.

[@peterevans8194]

@@rowerwet I have travelled a couple of times with rifles and as I am in the UK, you can only imagine the hassle that involved! One tip that was given to me and one which saved my bacon was to put your mobile and email address on the outside of the case near the locks or handles. That way if security or any of the airline officials need to contact you ASAP, it makes easy for them...Then add the same info in a prominent position inside the case...I can't remember the brand of case I had, but it used two small padlocks..I would also provide an additional pair (left snapped open) with a note asking Security to use them in the event they cut the originals off during any checks...

[@georgeferlazzo7936]

Hello Rowerwet I just found your channel and subscribed. I too am a A&P Mechanic. Most of the places I have worked. Wouldn't allow you to bring your meter. It would be a company provided tool. How do you keep yours in calibration? Thank you again.

[@rowerwet]

It's not calibrated. I have a for reference only sticker on it. Other than paralleling generators on a multi engine aircraft I wouldn't need a calibrated meter. It's really only used to find continuity or ground. My employer has a calibrated meter, so I could use it if something more critical was required. My last two employers kept a calibrated meter for generator paralleling on twin turboprops, I would use this meter for one side and the calibrated for the other, then swap them to verify the reading, my cheapo meter was never off

[@DucttapesUnicycle]

Where are you working AOG that does piston and also larger aircraft?

[@rowerwet]

Air bear aircraft maintenance. GA was something we picked up to get through covid, and now we use it to train guys right out of school

[@OmarEwert]

We do the same thing in the Gulf South

[@Lucky_Bamboo.]

whats your schedule like, are you on 7 days on and 6 days off?

[@rowerwet]

5 eights or 4 10s, I switch back and forth with the daylight

[@PopeyesCreeper]

can you explain more the adapter set up you have at 16:30, that looks so useful for annoying screws to put some force on..

[@rowerwet]

I'll be making a video about screw removal tools soon, the speed handle will be included

[@PopeyesCreeper]

@@rowerwet awesome, would love to see the solutions ya got.. old pesky screws are the bane of my existence

[@hagyflyexclusive1874]

Who has typed this out in a list?

[@alexvaldez8087]

Do you have any info on the ridge line box , I’m trying to look into it

[@rowerwet]

Ocean state job lots has it in their stores, but they're a new England chain. Find the square inches of a pelican 1400 box and then find what has a similar interior volume with wheels standard on it. You'll probably have to use more layers if it's not as flat of a layout

[@spawnandbatman6975]

Do you have a part number on those snap on thin cutter? @ 22:43

[@rowerwet]

Snap-on 808CF

[@jeanthibodeau7032]

Thank you for the video Could you give us the reference for the yellow screwdriver with a flat and Phillips head please

[@rowerwet]

uxcell 2 in 1 Adjustable-Length Screwdriver #2(PH2) Phillips 6.3mm Slotted Magnetic Dual End Screw Driver This is what it's called on Amazon

[@rocky2615]

How heavy is your tool box?

[@rowerwet]

Just shy of 70 pounds. It has wheels so it isn't bad if I have to drag it for a distance. I used to lug that much around in a bag on a shoulder strap.

[@tundraboy9226]

Whats the tool name at 25:40?

[@rowerwet]

I actually have no clue. I'm a frequent home depot/Lowe's shopper, and it seems like something general tool or similar would make and sell there, but I have searched all over and can't find anything similar online. I bought it probably 6-7 or more years ago, it's not super quality, but it gets the job done as a file, I never used it as a screwdriver, because it seems clunky for that

[@imadodder1]

how much does your box weigh?

[@rowerwet]

Just shy of 70 lbs. I've actually removed some of these tools (crows feet, Ford wrench) as I never used them, so it's slightly lighter. I plan on redoing a couple of these layers and might do a new video if I do.