The job’s not over until all the wrenches are out of the toolbox … no matter what the job might be.
This day’s task was—on the surface—simple. It was to install brake lines between the brake master cylinders and the firewall on our F1 Rocket project, then to finish putting cotter pins in all of the bolts that mount the rudder and brake pedals. We started with a 9/16-inch wrench. Then another (shorter) 9/16-inch. Then we had to change a brake pedal mounting bolt—that called for several 3/8-inch wrenches. Oh—and the rudder pedals mount with AN4 bolts, so back we went for our 7/16-inch stuff. Then we needed pliers for cotter pins … and so it goes.
By the end of the afternoon, we had all the related tools sitting on the staging stand—why (since I have been doing this for 50 years) I don’t just know to grab every tool in the box before starting, I’ll never know. Of course, I wouldn’t get my steps in for the day if I was that efficient.
As long as no tools are left in the airplane when you close things up!
Good shop hygiene, Paul! I graduated to using a “staging stand” (good term) years ago, myself. Makes it a bit easier to keep all of the tools corralled. And I most often collect and properly stow all tools, removed safety wire, etc, after completing the immediate task while all is still fresh in my mind. As Steve points out, it’s too easy to forget a tool left behind somewhere in the bowels of the ship.
Commonly used hand tools have their individual places in my tool chest so after cleanup it’s obvious if someone is missing.
Screwdrivers are an exception – I often have to grab an unplanned screwdriver to get access to something; when that minitask is complete the tool is laid on the stand with the menagerie. My screwdrivers, scratch awls and the like are arranged in a large drawer only in rough categories. They’re difficult to organize because I frequently add new ones, well … just because. My warning signal that a somebody is missing is “if the drawer closes easily, you better go look around for a screwdriver left behind.”
The staging stand helps me keep organized, though.
I would add that the job is not over until all tools are back in their toolbox. Really helps starting next job without frustration of needing to find your tools.
The first thing I thought of when I saw that picture was: “oh my God look at all the aircraft quality washers! That must’ve cost a fortune!”
Then I remembered we are in the experimental world here.
Oh, those are al AN960 (and 960L) washers alright – washers are the cheapest aviation hardware you can find! I don’t even chase them when they roll under the workbench – the spiders can have them….
Been there done that so many times maintaining my RV-6A. Currently working to get the accessories back on my overhauled engine. Had to remake some bushings that I forgot I put in the fuel controller mounting brackets. But first I had to go on a wild goose chase all over town to find the small brass tubing I needed. An hour job became an all day job! Frustrating but typical.
Whether I’m working on the airplane or the house, every job ends up using every tool in the box. And they come out one at a time, guaranteeing maximum time wasted walking back and forth!
I use a rolling cart, one for each airplane. Makes taking the tools back to the tool box easier. Of course, I just roll the tool box close to the work if I have to walk around a wing to do the job.
And the wing is NOT a workbench!
There’s more at play here… The one RIGHT tool for the job can’t do it’s work until the other parts covering access are loosened/removed so the whole tool family gets involved. Then the work light batteries quit or the trouble light bulb goes on holiday. Then the phone rings about your medical or insurance renewal. Finally you get to use the RIGHT tool to remove/loosen/replace the intermittently working piece only to discover it has corroded itself in place and doesn’t want to play. After a bleeding knuckle or so the offender is replaced (at no small cost) only to discover the real culprit was a stripped connector or an intermittent electrical connector. Ah, the joys of Do It Yourself.