Aircraft Maintenance Tools

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of using soft head hammers?

To deliver a powerful blow

To shape metal materials

To strike surfaces without damaging them (correct)

To create a loud noise

What is the primary material used in the construction of slide hammers?

Aluminium

Steel

Copper

There is no primary material (correct)

What should you check for on the head of a hammer before using it?

Loose handles

Rust or corrosion

Dents or scratches

Splits or burrs (correct)

What should you avoid doing with hammers?

Striking them against other objects Signup and view all the answers

What are punches used for?

To be hit with a hammer Signup and view all the answers

What is a common material used in combination with soft head hammers?

Copper Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the special twister built into the handle of lockwire pliers?

To twist lockwire Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the purposes of using punches?

To mark positions in work Signup and view all the answers

Why are needle nose pliers useful in electrical and electronic work?

Because they can grip and hold small components and wires Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to a mushroomed punch shank?

Remove the mushroom shape and return it to its original crowned shape Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of putting a 'pig tail' or curl on the end of the wire after locking?

To prevent injury to personnel Signup and view all the answers

Why should a punch head be kept free of burrs?

To prevent mushrooming Signup and view all the answers

What type of pliers are used for fitting and removing circlips in assembly and maintenance work?

Circlip pliers Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a prick punch?

To mark locations on sheet metal Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of crossing the wire close to the head of the object being safetied?

To prevent the wire from coming loose Signup and view all the answers

What is a common mistake to avoid when using prick punches?

Using them to drive pins from holes Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to hit punches squarely?

To prevent mushrooming Signup and view all the answers

What feature do some needle nose pliers have to allow for easier gripping and holding of small components?

Long, thin jaws bent at a right angle to the handle Signup and view all the answers

What determines the rate of cutting and the finish given to the work when using a file?

The depth and spacing of the file's cutting teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common arrangement of cutting teeth used for working on different metals?

Double-cut Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe how fine the teeth of a file are?

Grade of Cut Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of varying the direction of the cutting motion when using a file?

To produce flat or curved surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a single-cut file?

It has one set of parallel teeth Signup and view all the answers

What are the three standard cuts in regular use when using a file?

Rough, bastard, smooth Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using aviation snips over tin snips?

They are more suited for accurate work Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the colour coding on aviation snips?

To indicate the direction of the cut Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of diagonal cutting pliers?

Shearing off wires in confined spaces and cutting off wires close to electrical terminals Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of diagonal cutting pliers?

They have jaws set at an angle Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of using diagonal cutting pliers with insulated handles?

They are safer to use when working with electrical wires Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of diagonal cutting pliers in aircraft maintenance?

Pulling, cutting to length and spreading cotter pins Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hammers

Soft head hammers are used to seat or position work for machining, strike surfaces without damaging them, and strike full impact blows without danger from rebound.
Materials used with soft head hammers include brass, copper, aluminum, wood, rubber, and rawhide.
Copper face rawhide hammers are used in maintenance practices.

Slide Hammers

Slide hammers are used with pullers to shock components apart.
They are common in aircraft maintenance and range in weight from a few grams to several kilograms.

Hammer Safety

Ensure that the head is secure and the wedge is in place before using a hammer.
Check the head for splits or burrs, which could allow fragments to fly.
Check that there are no splits in the handle.
Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe your hands and the handle of the hammer.
Remove any oil, grease, or dampness, which can cause the handle to slip from your hand or the striking face to slip from the work.

Punches

Punches are hand tools that you hit with a hammer.
Lockwire pliers have a special twister built into the handle that quickly and efficiently twists lockwire.

Lockwire Pliers

Lockwire pliers are used to lockwire components.
Cut the length of wire needed and insert it into whatever is being safetied.
Cross the wire close to the head of the object being safetied and grip the ends of wire with the flat serrated jaws.

Needle Nose Pliers

Needle nose pliers are used in aviation maintenance for electrical and electronic work.
They are typically small enough to grip and hold small components and wires.
Some needle nose pliers have long, thin jaws that are bent at a right angle to the handle.

Circlip Pliers

Circlip pliers are used for fitting and removing circlips in assembly and maintenance work.

Punch Safety

Safe use of punches depends particularly on hitting them squarely and keeping their heads free of burrs that lead to mushrooming.

Mushrooming

After a punch shank has been continuously hammered, the shank end typically deforms to the shape of a mushroom.
The mushroom shape should be removed and returned to its original crowned shape using a bench grinder.

Prick Punches

Prick punches are small, sharp-pointed punches used to transfer dimensions and locations onto sheet metal for drilling.
To mark sheet metal work, place the prick punch in the desired position and then tap the head of the punch with a small hammer.

Files

Files can provide either a roughing process to alter the size of a part by removing a considerable amount of material or a finishing process to smooth a surface without removing much material.
Flat or curved surfaces may be produced by varying the direction of the cutting motion.

File Characteristics

The rate of cutting and the finish given to the work are mainly determined by the depth and spacing of the file’s cutting teeth.
There are different types of cuts, including rough, middle, bastard, second cut, smooth, and dead smooth.

Cutting Tools

Aviation snips are useful in aircraft maintenance work for cutting sheet metal to its rough shape and size.
Diagonal cutting pliers (or side cutters) are used for shearing off wires in confined spaces and cutting off wires close to electrical terminals.

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Description

This quiz covers the types of hammers used in aircraft maintenance, including soft head hammers and slide hammers. Learn about the materials used with these hammers and their applications.