r/avionics • u/dinomous • 5d ago
avionics tools
what are the most essential/ most used tools as an avionics technician
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u/Protontec88 5d ago
As for avionics, we mostly used calibrated tools that had to be provided by the company.
However, you may also need a good set of sockets, ratchets, extensions, an ignition wrench set, precision screwdrivers, soft-jaw pliers, nose pliers, good flush cutters, head lamp, work lamp and a mirror.
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u/derekbox Avionics shop owner, A&P, IA, Pilot 5d ago
What are you working on?
There are a few core tools. But outside the core, what is essential varies wildly.
CORE:
Ring terminal crimper Red/Blue 59250 (Accept NO SUBSTITUTES)
Ring terminal crimper Yellow 59239-4 (Accept NO SUBSTITUTES)
Dsub crimper AFM8 plus positioners K13-1, K42, K41
Dsub crimper AF8 plus positioners TH1A
The above will be 90% of your GA crimp jobs covering Garmin and most other *current* manufacturers equipment.
If you are working GA there are a bunch more crimpers you need.
If you are working corporate there are other crimpers you need.
If you are working commercial they will probably provide you crimpers.
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u/KevikFenrir GA Avionics Technician/Installer, prior E-8C/B-52H avionics 5d ago
Also, safety wire pliers (because regular mechanics suck at safety wire), Cannon plug pliers, precision screwdrivers, non-marring scrapers for sealant removal, maybe an adapter to attach your wrenches to a torque wrench when you need to get into tight areas just out of reach of crows foot wrenches...
A tape measure, wire spoon, rubber jar grip, hemostats, mirrors in couple of sizes, picks, speed handle, and zip tie gun.
If I had my toolbox in front of me I could go over all the things, but I recently resigned my position as head (and only member) of my last shop's Avionics department...
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u/Sparky-Spectra 5d ago edited 4d ago
Nice flush cut diagonal cutters, 1/4 drive ratchet and sockets, and good screw driver (I like the snap on ratcheting ones).
Edited for admin! Sorry
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u/tomcat5o1 5d ago edited 3d ago
Decent sockets
A few different types of ratchets.
Bits and bit holders.
Scissors
Plug pliers
Strap wrench
Decent screw drivers
Wire locking pliers
Small side cutters
Large cutters
Long nose pliers
Your place will control any calibrated tools but I’ve alway kept a good selection of blue (small Daniels)
Insert/extract tools
Also avoid JR Ready shite. You’ll be kicked off any of our jobs with them.
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5d ago edited 5d ago
Definitely look into JRready tools they have an awesome line up of inexpensive extraction tools and crimp tools me personally I used the crimp for d sub connector pins and barrels daily as well as splice crimps ring terminal crimps and molex crimps. But all this was in general aviation it really just depends on your job. A small dogbone is a life save. The best one I’ve ever had was a husky brand dog bone 1/4hex on one side and 5/16 on the other. Multimeter of course my Ames from harbor freight has done wonders for me and it’s easy to use. Seriously though look into jrready I’ve crimped 10s of thousands of wires with them and they are a fraction of the price of what dmc charges and ring terminal crimps Klein makes an amazing set that does red blue and yellow
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u/derekbox Avionics shop owner, A&P, IA, Pilot 5d ago
Do not use any ring terminal crimper other than TE/AMP 59250. They all suck. 59250 has an adjustment to account for different size wire insulation (very much needed for our small insulation) and 2 distinct crimp zones for the difference in wire/insulation crimps.
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u/Substantial_Ladder30 5d ago
Absolutely use the tools called out for in the manual. Substitutions lead to customers coming back. DMC crimpers are expensive but a must. Calibrated multimeter. G125 go no go gauge. Molex crimper 0638258100. Calibrated sight compass. Calibrated torque wrench at least up to 70 inIb. List goes on and it gets expensive. If your employer doesn't supply, they are hacks.
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u/DryConsideration6199 4d ago
In case nobody mentioned it yet, "wire stripper". And no you wont need that fancy snap on style one
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u/Aviyonik555 5d ago
Multimeter Ifr4000 nav com test set Ifr6000 Transponder, Dme, tcas test set Compass test set
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u/KevikFenrir GA Avionics Technician/Installer, prior E-8C/B-52H avionics 5d ago
There's no way an avionics tech just starting out is gonna spring for any of the specialty equipment for ramp testing or transponder/TCAS/DME testing. Especially when the AVX-10K already does everything both of those units do and still costs a moderate fortune to procure...
As much as the 4000/6000 units combined...
Leave the specialty equipment for shop procurement. If you're gonna buy that stuff yourself, better have your A&P, a trailer, a calibration shop you like to use, and adequate spares in case your equipment is in for calibration when you need it for a job.
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u/HSKR_RT 5d ago
Really depends on the job. Decent 1/4" socket set. Darwin close quarters ratcheting screwdriver, assortment of Phillips and flathead screwdrivers. Jewelers screwdrivers. Distributor wrench set. If you will be terminating small blue Daniels and positioner set. JReady makes good alternative to Daniels. Channel locks(sometimes cannon plug pliers just won't grip enough), Fluke 115 meter and leads. Good set of flush cuts, I like my Kata KT2312 from Amazon.
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u/charlieray Corporate paper pusher A&P Pilot 5d ago
Manuals