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Onboard tool kit
I was asked by a friend and fellow Kitfox owner/builder for feedback about what tools to carry in the Kitfox. I always carried a tool bag that weighed about 8 lbs. in my Thorp, but that seems way more than I need for potential simple maintenance/repairs when traveling away from home in the Kitfox. I've got a pretty good idea what I'm going to carry, but I wondered if others would share their thoughts about that. I'll post my tool list when I finalize it. Allen wrenches, as well as a small 1/4" socket set are on my list, but I want to limit the number of sockets & wrenches to only what I need for the Rotax 912 ULS as well as general airframe hardware (both metric and fractional sizes). Has anyone got a list of the common sizes needed for the Rotax?
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: Onboard tool kit
Photo of the “kit” I usually take on cross country flights. The Screw gun doesn’t always get to go along as it’s a little heavy. I do like the portable tire inflator. Basic universal tools. All fits in the low profile plastic tub. So far haven’t needed anything but the tire inflator, AA batteries and the rain ponchos.
Attachment 22688
Attachment 22687
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Re: Onboard tool kit
Good Idea to make a recommended list. I once needed a soldering iron to repair the wiring to my video camera mount and a butane powered soldering iron with flux and solder became a regular item in my tool kit. The only time it was used was in the repair of a broken ignition module wire on one of the other guys Kitfoxes during a back country trip. Ill have to look through my bag to see whats tools are there, but I know I had several sizes of camloc fasteners and other fasteners for fairings etc. that might work loose and get lost in flight.
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Re: Onboard tool kit
Kitfox or Twin Otter???
1/4" socket set, screwdriver, pliers and a Visa card.
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I carry a leatherman, spare safety pins for the wing and aileron bolts, and spare AN3 bolts for the rear tail wheel spring mount.
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Re: Onboard tool kit
It probably depends on where you are flying - or more specifically, how isolated the area is that your flying in. If repair facilities are likely to be close at hand Vs being very remote and having to solve problems yourself. For my remote flying in OZ I carry the following:
Pliers - pointy nose and snub nose
Phillips head and slot screw drivers
small shifting spanner
3/8" and !/2" spanners
Spark plug socket and driver
Leatherman
small gas heat gun
solder
electrical wire
crimp terminals
fuses
safety wire
assortment of AN3 and AN4 nuts bolts and washers
spare spark plug
spare EGT sensor
cable ties
Oil
Coolant
Tapes - electrical and gaffa
ross
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Re: Onboard tool kit
Ahhh, Timely post John. I have been carrying my tool bag that I carried as a UH-60 Crewchief. I have been meaning to trim it down. Thanks Steve for the pic. I have been meaning to call Earth X about a jumper. I was under the impression Jumping an Earth X is not advised. I know they don't want you to jump via our conventional means but I see they have a source of power for sale. Surely you have researched how yours is acceptable VS those power sources sold by places like Costco. Care to add to our knowledge regarding your purchase of the EarthX jumper?
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Re: Onboard tool kit
I purchased EarthX’s jumper at AirVenture last year on sale. Also purchased their jumper extension cables that will allow me to jump start right from the pilot’s seat. No need to remove cowlings anymore. Start and go all by yourself. Their website has a huge amount of information on the care and feeding of these batteries.
Tool kits are pretty dependent on where you fly. Often I am a 20 mile hike to the nearest “road” where you might see one rancher’s truck every 3 days if you get lucky.
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Has anyone used Knipex plier-wrenches? It seems like these would be good in a compact toolkit, as they would take the place of a wrench set. My concern is that they would be too bulky to be useful in a lot of situations, and they are pretty spendy.
https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-860325.../dp/B000X4OG94
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Re: Onboard tool kit
I have those exact pliers in the hangar tool box, mostly used for squeezing rivets.
I carry a small canvas toolbag in the plane with essential metric and sae size wrenches, multitool, small crescent wrench, screw drivers, appropriate Allen keys, needle nose pliers, silicone tape, chunk of safety wire, spare fuses, extra electric trim switch, etc, weighs 4 lbs.