AN AF Tools recommendation!

[kurt535]

Hi

Now I am limit up on mechanical things made between 1943 - 1946, I need to junk my metric tools and get Imperial. However, I am genuinely confused which ones to go for. The tools will also be used on an airframe so quality is quite important as rivets and screws popping out at 3000 feet can have a confidence effect on my long suffering girlfriend!!

Ty in advance for suggestions.

[dr_gn]

I guess Snap-On tools are the obvious answer if you can get hold of them. We have them at work and they are superb.

[kurt535]

Hiya

Yes, snap on does spring to mind. I don't need 100's so good call for first out the traps.

ty

[imagineifyeswill]

Ive been buying tools for forty years a large percentage off them Snap On but no longer, in my opinion the quality off Snap On tools has dropped drastically in the last few years, hardly anything manufactured in America any longer most of it cheap crap from China. For AF tools Britool, King Dick good quality, Halfords Pro, Draper Expert, Teng Tools all reasonable quality and price but dont know about range of AF sizes, Stahwillie good quality much about same as Snap On price wise but again dont know about AF availability not much call for them nowadays unless you specialise in classics.

[daveenty]

You're saying between 1943 & 1946 yet asking about AF tools. Would the years not suggest BSW (Whitworth)?

I'm thinking aloud really, rather than stating facts, it's just that with many of the older things I used to work on, Whitworth was the correct tool to be using.

As for suppliers, I've no idea sorry, though know that there is always some stuff on the bay of dreams, usually being sold by a "retired" mechanic.

[mr.man]

Try Cromwell Tools. They have Kennedy brand readily available in a vast selection of AF sizes in all types of spanners and sockets
etc. Kennedy is an American make and make top quality stuff at keen prices.

[dr_gn]

mr.man said:

Try Cromwell Tools. They have Kennedy brand readily available in a vast selection of AF sizes in all types of spanners and sockets
etc. Kennedy is an American make and make top quality stuff at keen prices.

For anything but the lightest use, in my experience Kennedy tools are not very good at all. I use Britool or SP. Halfords Professional and Snap On - I think both have a direct replacement warranty; break a tool and they will replace it FoC.

[Deerfoot]

I use Facom for my imperial tools. They were supplied by Prime Tools in Bath and have been great.

I use them every day at work (The majority of aircraft I work on are American so not much use of metric tools).

[unstable load]

I have Snap-On, Kennedy, Mac, Facom and other makes, and none of the Helicopters I have worked on has crashed.....
It's not going to fly any better even if you have them gold plated.

Buy the best you can afford and look after them, you will be fine.

[G600]

I use Kennedy and facom spanners, halfords sockets and ratchets. What sort of rivets are you going to be using? If solids then get a Chicago pneumatic 4x gun. What are you working on?

[kurt535]

Hi

Many thanks for so many responses. Airframe is a 1946 Cessna taildragger. Car is a 1943 Jeep! I will dutifully check out all the various types.

Ty!

[kurt535]

Ok,

To get cracking, i have ordered the basic Halfords AF Pro spanner set. I shall report back what they are like next week!

[one eyed mick]

Get round your local car boot lots of imperial and af/unf tools usual at very cheap just be selective on make, about a year ago I had to weigh a barrow full of Whitworth spanners in as nobody wanted them !