What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

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pbsinohio
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What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by pbsinohio »

What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Putting one together...

What are the things you take along and what did you NOT have and really needed it?
Clark in AZ
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by Clark in AZ »

Good question. Subscribed!
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danerazz
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by danerazz »

I literally started laying aside all the tools I use for ANY service and then made a list of of that pile. I then added cotter pins, turnbuckle clips, an assortment of machine screws and locknuts/washers, plus safety wire in the three common sizes.

Then I bought all of the tools so I had an aircraft only set, and put them in a surprisingly small harbor freight tool bag.

I thought I’d have a huge pile of tools, but there’s hardly anything there. And just to test, I try to do all the service with them, and really don’t need anything else.
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BDA
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by BDA »

Standard open end wrenches - double ended for weight
Tie wire pliers and wire
Magnet on stick
Mirror on stick
Vise grips
File
Multi end screw driver
Duct tape
Roll up tool roll
Flash light
Extra nuts n bolts
Hose clamps
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kenryan
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by kenryan »

danerazz wrote: Tue Aug 23, 2022 10:06 pm I literally started laying aside all the tools I use for ANY service and then made a list of of that pile. I then added cotter pins, turnbuckle clips, an assortment of machine screws and locknuts/washers, plus safety wire in the three common sizes.

Then I bought all of the tools so I had an aircraft only set, and put them in a surprisingly small harbor freight tool bag.

I thought I’d have a huge pile of tools, but there’s hardly anything there. And just to test, I try to do all the service with them, and really don’t need anything else.
How about a list? :)
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danerazz
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by danerazz »

My list will vary a little from yours, due to me engine installation, but:

Set of Allen keys
1/4” flex-ratchet with 1/4-3/8 adapter
3” and 6” 1/4” extensions
Sockets (3/8-9/16, (I have both short and deep sockets) something that fits your spark plugs, any other specialty sizes on your plane)
Combination wrenches in the same sizes as sockets
Channel locks (useful for lots of stuff, but can get the axle nuts if needed)
Needle nose pliers
Crescent wrench
Wire cutter
Safety wire (a few feet of .025 .032 and .040, you don’t need a whole can)
Safety wire pliers if desired (hand safetying is easy, but the pliers don’t add much weight)
Cotter pins for axle nuts and any other sizes
Combination screwdriver (I use a ratcheting one that has the reversible bits for Phillips and slotted screws)
Extra nuts and washers (-3,-4,-5) unlikely to need -6
Extra machine screws/washers
If you want to go crazy, extra tube and a cheap scissor jack (they are relatively light and work great on my plane)
Zip ties
Turnbuckle clips, though you could just use safety wire wrap

I’m probably missing something, but I’m not at the airport right now. The whole mess of stuff does not weigh much and barely makes a dent in my small tool bag.

I have not found service I have not been able to do yet.
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danerazz
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by danerazz »

It’s missing the hardware, crescent wrench and needle nose pliers/wire cutters, but here is most of my tool kit.
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danerazz
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by danerazz »

I can do just about anything I ever do on the airplane, and certainly anything I’d do in the field.
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danerazz
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by danerazz »

Oh, and I thought I had deep sockets, I do not.
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marl59
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by marl59 »

How about means of tire patching and small air pump?
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danerazz
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by danerazz »

I do have a spare tube, and I keep meaning to buy a small CO2 tire inflator or a hand pump with locking hose attachment. I guess a tire repair isn’t much good if you can’t inflate the tire.
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danerazz
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by danerazz »

Of course if you can’t unseat the tire bead….
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danerazz
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Re: What Goes In A Cross Country JA Tool box?

Post by danerazz »

I guess the important thing is: where do you fly and how much can you rely on outside help if you have an issue? If you operate off-airport can you get yourself out, or are you always at airports where there is service? Even if there is service, do you want to rely on it? Do you have “standard” size items, or do you have uncommon tire/tube sizes, metric hardware, non-aviation spark plugs, non-aviation oil/filters, etc.?

A really light kit isn’t any good if it doesn’t get you out of a jam when you need it. 10-15lbs. of tools and spares will solve most problems and might really save your @$$.
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