The AOG mechanic- AOG tool case 3.0, Pelican 1560 kaizen foam corporate jet A&P aircraft mechanic

it only took a couple decades for me to see the benefits of a tool case over a husky bag for traveling with tools. After three years of mostly corporate AOG, I've finally gotten my AOG tool collection dialed in (mostly).

as noted in the first comment, gearwrench sells a set of ratcheting screwdrivers with the same shafts and more that snap-on does not.

another tip I heard recently is that Caterpillar parts counters sell snap-on tools without the logo or markup.

as always, Ebay and Amazon are your budget's friend when building your wage earning set of tools. just remember that you'll only get about 1/3 what you paid back if you sell.

Basic tool list: (your school/employer may require additional items)
1/4” drive 12 point SAE socket set
¼” drive ratchet
¼” drive extensions
3/8” drive 12 point SAE socket set
3/8” drive ratchet
3/8” drive extensions
Allen SAE wrench set (must include 0.050)
Reversible safety wire pliers (try the yard store.com, brown tool)
808CF wire cutters (snap-on is the only one, try Ebay for a better price)
Flush cut pliers (harbor freight $3 ones are my go to)
7” knipex pliers wrench
Needle nose pliers
Duckbill pliers
Wire stripper/crimper
Pick set (Icon is just as good as snap-on)
Schrader valve tool (screwdriver style is easier to use)
#1 phillips screwdriver
#2 phillips screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver ¼” tip (cabinet type tip recommended)
Flat head screwdriver 3/8” tip
¼” to 1” SAE combination wrenches
Tape measure 12 foot or more
Razor knife (snap off or replaceable)
Feeler gauge set
Hammer (Harbor freight with replaceable tips)
Pin punch set
Hacksaw with blades
Extendable 2” mirror
6” ruler marked in tenths of an inch
Safety glasses
Ear muffs


for the full setup like I run
¼” drive 12 point universal socket set
¼” drive 6 point 5/32” deep well socket
Socket adapters- (all easily found at harbor freight/amazon)
½” to 3/8”
-3/8” to ½”
3/8” to ¼”
-¼” to 3/8”
-½” to ¾”
-3/4” to ½”
Gearwrench 8939 39 piece screwdriver set
=SGDMRC-SP (snap-on speed handle attachment for gearwrench handles)
=3/8" drive speed handle (this is if you don't buy the snap-on adapter above, it must have a palm sized knob on the end so you can lean on it without hurting yourself)
3/8" drive ratcheting adapter
3/8" drive 1/4" hex bit holder
Coast HP3R 385 led penlight
Ignition wrench set (12 point, ace hardware)
Drill (hex) to socket adapter set
Step drill
Torq-set and phillips ACR bits (company stores)
Hex bits selection
Torx bits selection
Robertson bits selection
Neiko right angle screwdriver set
Ear plugs (company stores)
Headlamp
Spare batteries
Small plastic bags for screws
Tiewraps (company stores)
ESD wristband
Hand wipes in sealed pouches
Teflon tape (company stores)
Electrical tape (company stores)
Multimeter (labeled “for reference use only”)
Bed of nails test leads
12 volt drill set with spare battery
Hex bit extension
Snoopy tool
Stubby wrench set
Tread wear gauge
Small forceps
Right angle ratcheting screwdriver
Magnet stick
7” knipex pliers wrench
Mechanical fingers
Plastic scrapers
Cannon plug pliers
Waterpump pliers (kinpex cobra)
Tekton 6” adjustable wrench
Klien shears
20-30 wire strippers
Long forceps
Precision torx driver
Small needle nose pliers
Milwaukee precision screwdriver set
Long double ended pick
Small files (flat, rat tail) (a golf ball makes an excellent handle for cheap)
Universal wrench adapter
Speed tape (company stores)
30x40 magnifier
Skin spoon
3/8” drive extension 14” long minimum.