I walked into a major aircraft maintenance hangar some time ago and was surprised to note the number of expensive lockup wheel around toolbox systems stacked up against one wall of the hangar. There were at least 20 of them. In discussion with an aircraft engineer acquaintance I have known for decades [he is as old as me] he mentioned that the toolkits belonged to aircraft engineers and apprentices who were on night shift.

The majority of the toolboxes were one particular brand. My acquaintance explained that there is a certain amount of “snob” value amongst aircraft engineers over tools and equipment and some, particularly the apprentices, are up to their necks in debt paying off these tools to this specific brand's traveling van operators who call on a weekly basis. He estimated that most of the toolboxes with contents had cost over $3000.00.

When I asked him what he personally used he showed me a relatively modest toolbox with an assortment of well-maintained spanners etc. that bore a number of brands. One point on which we both agreed was that early Australian made “Sidchrome” spanners were as good as anything the rest of the world had produced. He reckoned it would cost less than $1000 to replace his toolbox with all new items.

Isn't it strange how people get hooked into unnecessary expenditure when trying to "keep up with the Joneses"?

Spanners My engineering acquaintance also privately helps maintain some early English aeroplanes such as Austers and Tigermoths, which used BSF [British Standard Fine] spanners. A full selection of these spanners was available in his toolbox much to my envy, as you need them to work on Jaguar Mk5s and earlier models.

When pressed as to a source of these BSF spanners he then admitted to a deep dark secret that he regularly checks out pawnshops. I have been doing this now for some months and have steadily accumulated a range of BSF spanners. I have also acquired some of the better brand SAE [standard american engineering] usually known and marked as AF [across the flat {of the nut}] for some remarkably cheap prices such as $1 to $2 each

If you decide to check out these sources of second hand tools don’t let the rusty appearance or tarnished chrome put you off. As long as the spanner is not worn out it will be OK and a clean up with a rotary wire brush and a coat of clear lacquer or light machine oil will keep it looking good.

It just goes to show you that you don’t need to spend a fortune to accumulate some very good tools which will probably last the hobby mechanic a lifetime. I can identify spanners that I purchased over 40 years ago from a deceased mechanic’s estate and are still in good working order.

As a tip keep an eye out for brands such as Sidchrome, Dowidat, Proto, Snapon and Starwillie. Don’t let the name Chrome-Vanadium swing you as this appears to be a common generic name for tool steel and bears little guarantee as to quality.

Screwdrivers Whilst on the subject of tools most people are still using general screwdrivers that get worn and relatively useless for their designed function over a period of time. Although I personally have several sets of el-cheapo screwdrivers for light general work I have primarily 2 screwdrivers, which are called into action when I have tough jobs to carry out.

One is an ex-army wooden handled large flat blade screwdriver with a shaft 12 inches long. This is ideal for dealing with engine hose clamps. The other screwdriver has a magnetic socket with a 6-inch shaft and is capable of taking replaceable tips. These replaceable tips are ¼ inch hexagonal and come in a wide variation of types ranging from flats to Phillip heads. Most people think of these replaceable tips as being used in electric screwdrivers.

The beauty of these replaceable tips is that are throwaway items. If a tip is damaged you don’t throw the screwdriver away. You just fit a new tip. A new tip costs between $1 and $2 and you always have the perfect screwdriver rather than battling on with a tip that is damaged and damaging the screw head.

Another advantage is that you can carry an assortment of various types of spare tips with you so the same screwdriver can attack a multitude of screw types. You can also get a fitting, which will allow ¼ inch sockets to be driven by the screwdriver as well as specific tips for Allen keys, and other security bits used on car radios etc. Another advantage is that the magnetic part of the screwdriver holds the screw to be held by the head both when inserting and extracting the screw which is very useful when working in a one handed situation.

Don’t buy an el-cheapo handle with a number of tips supplied in a molded plastic packet from a typical supermarket system. It is worthwhile purchasing a good handle and tips from a proper tool supply house. The handle I currently have is about 17 years old and the previous one was 13 years old when eldest son lent it to somebody who never returned it.