BASIC TOOLS FOR STRUCTURAL SHEET METAL TECHNICIAN

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to basic aircraft tools, starting with the torque wrench for precise fastener tightening. It covers various files for metal shaping, straight and aviation snips for cutting, and glyco fasteners with their specific installation equipment. The script also introduces C-clamps, pneumatic rivet guns, rivet headers, bucking bars, angle drill motors, pneumatic drills, and drill guides. It concludes with tools like the micro stop for countersunk rivets, die grinders, measuring equipment, rivet cutters, pin punch, bench vise, and the pneumatic pop rivet gun, providing a valuable resource for anyone interested in aircraft maintenance and repair.

Takeaways

• 🔧 A torque wrench is used to apply a specific torque to fasteners like nuts and bolts.
• 🔨 Files are essential for shaping metal by cutting and abrasion, and come in flat and round types.
• ✂️ Straight snips have 85-degree angled blades for cutting holes and curved parts in metal.
• 📌 Cleco fasteners are used in aircraft assembly, and a cleco plier is used for their installation and removal.
• 🔩 C-clamps are characterized by a C-shape and consist of a threaded screw, jaw, and swivel head.
• 🔨 Pneumatic rivet guns are common in airframe repair, operating with air pressure.
• 🔧 Rivet headers come in short and long offsets for different structural interference scenarios.
• 🛠️ Bucking bars are heavy steel tools used to counteract vibrations during rivet installation.
• 🔩 Angle drill motors are equipped with a chuck and use threaded drill bits of various sizes.
• 🔩 Pneumatic drill motors are lightweight, powerful, and commonly used for aircraft repair.
• 📏 Measuring tools like steel rulers, lock bolt grip gauges, and calipers are crucial for precision in aircraft work.
• ✂️ Rivet cutters are used to trim rivets when the required length is not available.
• 🔨 Pin punches, characterized by a hexagonal body, are used for various metalworking tasks.
• 📌 Bench vises are clamping devices that hold workpieces in place for sawing and drilling.
• 🔧 Pneumatic pop rivet guns are a tool for installing pop rivets in aircraft assembly.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a torque wrench in aircraft maintenance?

A torque wrench is used to apply a specific torque value to a fastener, such as a nut or a bolt, ensuring the correct tightness and preventing over-tightening which could damage the fastener or the equipment.

What are the different types of files mentioned in the script and what are they used for?

The script mentions flat and round files. These are used to shape metal by cutting and abrasion, primarily for smoothing edges and corners of metal parts.

What is the function of straight snips in aviation?

Straight snips have straight blades with cutting edges sharpened by an 85-degree angle and are used to cut holes, curved parts, round patches, and doublers in metal sheets.

What are glyco fasteners and what tools are used for their installation?

Glyco fasteners are a type of aircraft rivet used for joining metal sheets. The tools used for their installation include a plaque of flyer for the installation, uninstallation, and removal of clecos.

What are C-clamps and what are their main components?

C-clamps are clamping devices shaped like a large letter 'C' and consist of three main parts: a threaded screw, a jaw, and a swivel head.

How does a pneumatic rivet gun function in airframe repair work?

A pneumatic rivet gun is a common rivet upsetting tool used in airframe repair work. It operates using air pressure, making it lightweight and easy to maneuver during riveting tasks.

What are rivet headers and what are the differences between short offset and long offset types?

Rivet headers, also known as rivet sets, are tools used for setting rivets. Short offset types are used for universal applications, while long offset types are used to reach rivets in areas with structural interference.

What is the purpose of bucking bars in airframe riveting?

Bucking bars, also known as dully bucking iron or bucking block, are heavy chunks of steel used to counteract the vibration during rivet installation, helping to ensure a secure and accurate rivet setting.

How do right angle drill motors differ from regular drill motors?

Right angle drill motors are equipped with a chuck similar to a pistol grip drill but are designed to operate at a 90-degree angle, allowing for drilling in tight or hard-to-reach areas.

What is the role of a drill bushing or drill guide in metalworking?

A drill bushing or drill guide is a tool used in metalworking jigs to guide, position, and support cutting tools, ensuring accurate drilling at the desired angle, such as 90 degrees.

What is a micro stop used for and what does it look like?

A micro stop is used for the installation of countersunk rivets. It typically has a bit inside that is used for counter sinking, ensuring the rivet head is flush with the surface of the material.

What are the functions of a die grinder and what accessories can it use?

A die grinder is a handheld power tool that can rotate a mounted cutoff wheel, rotary file, or sanding disc at high speed, used for cutting, shaping, and finishing metal and other materials.

What is the purpose of a rubber mallet in aircraft maintenance?

A rubber mallet is used for forming various sheet metal components without causing damage or marring the surface, providing a non-marring alternative to metal hammers.

What are the different types of measuring equipment mentioned in the script?

The script mentions a steel ruler, a lock bolt grip gauge, and a caliper as the measuring equipment used for taking accurate measurements in aircraft maintenance.

What is the purpose of a rivet cutter and how is it used?

A rivet cutter is used to trim rivets when the required length is unavailable or when excess length needs to be removed for a proper fit.

What is a pin punch and what characterizes it?

A pin punch is a straight shank tool characterized by a hexagonal body, used for striking or forming operations in metalworking where precision is required.

What is the function of a bench vise in aircraft maintenance?

A bench vise is a clamping device that holds the workpiece in place, allowing for various operations such as sawing and drilling to be performed accurately and securely.

What is a pneumatic pop rivet gun and how is it used?

A pneumatic pop rivet gun is a tool used for installing pop rivets, which are a type of blind fastener commonly used in aircraft construction for joining metal sheets without the need for access to both sides.