Editor's Viewpoint

March 13, 2006
We are what we work with...

Like a fine violin to a musician, a custom tennis racquet to a professional tennis player or a custom-made pair of skates to an Olympic speed skater, the tools and toolbox that an aircraft mechanic uses are an extension of ourselves. They speak volumes about the professionals we are and the investment we’ve made to perform our job to the best of our ability.

When selecting tools, we tend to look for tools that match our style, hold up to the demanding day-to-day wear and tear we subject them to and offer subtle advantages that non-mechanics may not notice. Several thousandths wall thickness difference between two product lines may mean the difference between reaching a critical nut or bolt, and spending valuable additional time removing unnecessary components just to remove the item that needs replacement.

In terms of the investment we’ve made, I have heard estimates that the average toolbox with tools is valued at anywhere from $20,000 to more than $75,000. Much of this investment is made right out of A&P school when we’ve already spent tens of thousands on our education to begin with.

Because of this investment we make in our tools, we need to ensure that we’re making smart purchasing decisions — buying tools with lifetime warranties or purchasing from places that will service what they sell for example. AMT Tools & Equipment will give you the information you need to weed through the selection process for new tools and equipment and help make those tool purchasing decisions.We also want to help bring you a better selection of tools — exposing you to products that you may not have known existed and make you aware of how to purchase those products. This is where you can help us. If you know of a new product that should be featured in AMT Tools & Equipment, let us know. I have already received several product suggestions from readers. For example, Ryan with Western Skyways recommended a foam tool shadowing product to us. We contacted the product manufacturer and the company is sending us product information so that we can include it in a future issue of AMT Tools & Equipment. Thanks Ryan for the suggestion!

And remember, if you contact a company for more information or to purchase a product, please let them know you saw it in AMT Tools & Equipment.

Thanks for reading!