My number 1 piece of advice for all new mechanics is: the toolbox doesn't make you money; the tools do. Accrue a really nice array of quality tools. Once you don't need to borrow tools from others in the shop, (and things are literally stacking up in your box) it's time to invest in the shiny professional box. Edited to add: Nice video, James. Looks like you're at a nice facility gaining great experience. I hope you continue to enjoy your occupation and that great things happen for you. We need more guys like you to join our ranks!

Good info for those of us still in school! Thanks James. Love the channel.

I'm so glad I found this channel on Friday! The PC-12 is one my favorites and your videos show a completely different side of them especially to someone who has never seen one in person. Hope to see more from you soon!

Hey James, striving aviation mechanic here, study at ATI in Chesapeake Virginia. Your channel is awesome and just wanted to say thanks for the content!

11:35 you know a really good way to stop this happening, is to make a shadow for your tool. That way instead of opening up your tool draw and trying to think of all the things that should be in there, you can actually see without effort the missing gaps.

I always love seeing tool videos. I have the same set of duckbills, love the grips on the Snap On ones.

dear new mechanics, invest in a good ratcheting screwdriver, very useful

I will be referring to this video at a later date when I need to buy tools. I also think this is one of my favorite videos from you. Thank you for putting this video up and all the other ones you have inspired me to become an aircraft mechanic for which I am currently going to school for

Hey just a shout out from Canada! Im learning to become an aircraft mechanic as we speak and i just wanted to say i always watch your videos for more inspiration and how the actual job gonna be! Your videos defiantly help motivate me more to be an Aircraft Mechanic! Keep it up! Ps We also watch your videos in class in groups sometimes!

Wow, I was expecting a lot more, I guess you could say airplane specific tools. Thank you for making these videos.

Editing deja vu at 8:31 Nice peek into your toolbox, I like the cigar

Awesome video! Great explanation about tools and a good class for the FAA test.

Pretty cool and insightful. Very different from an auto mechanic’s box as far as the quantity of tools you’ll need. Thanks for the video.

I just got an entry level job for working on planes and this is very helpful. Thank you.

Cool ! I dream of such toolbox ! Congrats, James !

This is the by far the best any trade tool box tour + explanation

Very neat bud. I really love that custom toolbox paint job. Also good to see a younger person in the trades. You got a lot of work ahead of you, good luck!

Yo James, I would totally sit through a couple of hours of your explaining each and every tool!!

Thanks James. I'm using your vids for new A&P students. Keep 'em coming!

Good Job James! Always enjoy the James Sullivan Show!

I just got my apprenticeship in Dublin Ireland these videos are so fun I can’t wait to get started 👍

Great videos, James, I'm waiting for more maintenance stuff. Greets from fellow aircraft mechanic from Poland.

Incredibly helpful video! I'm just getting started and your guidance is very valuable . Thank you. Ralph.... LAX

Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.

I love seeing those Husky Tools! They don't break, very comfortable, they are manufactured well, they'll last your whole life, they have the lifetime warranty (like you'll need it), and best of all, they are very reasonably priced. I've used Husky all my life, after heavy use, abuse and torment, I've use the warranty two times in 20 years. I still have my first half inch drive from 19 years ago, still performs like I got it from the store. Other can have their Snap-On, I'll take the Husky tools, have bigger selection and go on more trips VS paying the tool guy.

Awesome video. I recently received my Airframe License and currently finishing my Powerplant course. I'm going to show my class this video tomorrow since most of us are curious of what tools we will need entering the industry.

Good job nice presentation. I didn't see any hole finders I found them very handy for sheet metal repair.

Congrats on 6k subs! killer toolbox

Also, the closing song/bit to new mechanics is a nice combo. Solid song choice. Luv how you edit bro

Great video James. Thanks!

Thanks for that important information James!

James, Those very thin open end wrenches are called "tappet" wrenches. Before you were born valve tappets had to be adjusted with two wrenches and a thin one was needed.

James, thanks very much!

I grew up watching your videos and wanted to be a airplane mechanic because they were very cool and you made it seem fun! 4 years later I am now in A and P school, close to finishing and I have no idea what happened to you. Hope everything is okay. I will keep re watching your helpful vids. Hopefully someone can reply to me what happened to you.

Just got my a&p! Great video!

Studying for my a&p. Thanks for sharing!

Love this James!!!👌👌👌👌

That’s awesome man I have the same box. It was given to me! I would love to do something like that.

Thanks James I’m starting my first job as an A&P next week.

This is an awesome video man, It really helps a lot and I'd like to see another video explaining what the tools are used for and what not if you wanna make one!

That was an excellent video ,you were very descriptive .and getting the point across that a 5000,00 tool box isn't necessary ,I was a vw mech years ago and I fell into the tool truck trap . why wait you can get that tool today just sign here .thanks for. A great &educationable vid

You are a amazing dude Sullivan

THANK YOU James ! I am a teacher and you are helping me a lot! THANKS! I will invite my mechanic students to visit and give a LIKE TO YOUR VIDEOS ! Excellent!!

My go to is definitely get a higher quality safety wire plier

Awesome demonstration

I am new to your channel and I am enjoying it a lot. Keep up the good work. I love the PC12 great aircraft. Just one thing goig through your tool box you mention a Compass 8:12 I was taught at school that a compass was an instrument to tell if you are Eg: flying North , South, East or West where as a "Pair of Compasses" is used for drawing circles.

James! I just thought I’d let you know I start my AP school in a week and I’ve been watching all your videos learning all sorts of stuff! Thank you much for putting these out, and I’m hoping you’ll start producing content again!

Your CEO, Mr. Potter, used to be my CEO (Frontier) Back when Frontier was a great airline to work for... 2000-2008ish, good times... Now they're the worst ones out there... No thanks to B. Bedford and Indigo Parteners.... PC-12's are a badass plane to work on... Love 'em!!!

Another awesome video James! For those of you mentioning that he needs to step up his tool game and that his tool box is small compared to your buddy's box in automotive just please stop. He was cool enough to share his set up with us all. An old boss of mine always said it's not the tools nor the tool box that makes the technician👍 and your set up is fine. You seem to be very smart about everything. I've been using my Husky and Pittsburgh 1/2 drive impact sockets since I started in the Diesel industry in 2006. Still waiting for them to break lol. Everyone else can go right ahead and purchase Snap On, I'll just keep my $20 impact socket set w/ LT warranty. Specific tooling needs to be of a higher quality but James is intelligent enough to know what and what not to get off those tool trucks.

I just enrolled in Aviation Maintenance Technology today. I have the opportunity to go to school for free since my last job was moved out of the country. I can't wait to start at the end of the month.

Super helpful video!! Thank you. I just switched career courses and plan to start working on my A&P license in the fall. What do you recommend learning first? I haven't been around tools very much, and I don't want to be super behind before school even starts. Keep it up with the awesome content!

Seriously interesting, thanks!

I would love to see a video of you explaining every tool and what you use it for

Does the Snap-On tool truck ever come by, lol?

I just got those grip super thin wrenches, they are super useful.

living the dream man

Surprised you don't have a set of double open end wrenches with a 30 deg head on one side and a 60 deg on the other....helped me get loose bolts/nuts where the standard 30 deg wouldn't work. I do agree on the wood top... Been a long time since I worked in the aviation trade....and yes I have my A&P... Thanks for the video...

Nice! Thanks for Sharing!!!

Going through A&P school. Id note that a tool box with shallow and more drawers is more handy than fewer and deeper drawers as A&P tools arent generally bulky like auto mechanic tools. Would also shadow my tools to make it quick and easy to see if anything is missing before signing off work.

In the Air Force,we used to use Comet Cleanser to use for screw extraction, as you use valve compound.

Please discuss why you spot/inventory your tools. In the Air Force our tool boxes had foam cutouts and we inventoried tools after every job and shift change.

EXCELLENT all the way thru. Your advice about the price and wuality is dead-on. I'm retired now but I seldom bought the TOOL TRUCK BRANDS because they are just super inflated and a tiny shinnyer...(NEW WORD). I have several thousands of dollars in my tools and boxes...YEAH, after almost 55yrs as a mechanic and it all adds up. HOWEVER, I didn't just go hog wild in the beginning. I bought mostly bare necessity tools from SEARS and HARBOR FREIGHT with the LIFETIME WARRANTY. I've got new for you, THEY STILL GET THE JOBS DONE JUST FINE and I kept more wage for the family and my toys, which are many. You only need to buy those SPECIALTY TOOLS of better quality from a TOOL TRUCK only because they are as stated; SPECIALTY TOOLS. I've NEVER had an issue with any warranty at Harbor Freight,,,ever. I have with a name brand tool truck tho...go figure? Another great video and keep them coming like this.

Thoseow profile wrenches look awesome

Tools are made from Chrome Vanadium case hardened but brittle inside the shell no matter who the maker is,the thinner the tool the more likely it is to snap one day and snap they do ! it only takes one flaw to weaken them and any overload will spell disaster,you have to work out whether it is worth spending the extra on Snap On,do they offer replacements for life ? heard so many stories when things go wrong and the tool breaks so this is important to take this into consideration,the problem with ratchet tools is they have to be made to high tolerances to be any good,if they are sloppily made then they will not last long and you will gash your hand too as the thing explodes,buying tools today must be a nightmare for aircraft workers,as regards lost tools in aircraft then adopt what the RAF do and make a shadow board set up,check it at the end of the working day to make sure every tool is accounted for,another great video James offering food for thought,love your tool box decor too !

Thank you for your video so interesting.

You smooth out sealant with a squeegy. We put tape right up close to the gap, then fill it, then with a wooden thing that you get with coffee from McDonald's, but it's a bit bigger, use that to smooth it down. Then pull tape.

Love it. Pretty much love anything you upload though, James. Any plans for part 2 of the Cub annual?

Another fantastic video! Lots of great information. I just wanted to say thanks again for making all these. Yesterday I made a college decision- I'm going to a local technical school to complete their program and get my A&P. While I know your job isn't necessarily representative of the industry as a whole, your videos have been a great help with getting an idea if I'd enjoy that kind of work. You've also given great advice in this and other videos- I'm actually a bit surprised how few tools you seem to need to get started, and there were a lot of great tips in here about them. It's really fantastic that you're making videos about all this, it's a great resource for other mechanics and technicians, and people interested in the field. Did have a question- what's your opinion on and/or experience with buying used tools rather than brand new?

dude you're pretty cool I like your videos!

GRIP, just what I've been looking for at that price point. They look better than the more expensive Park Tool eq.

Thanks men !! Very interesting video. I have a Question for u I'm graduating Aviation maintenance school so what kind tools I have to buy ? Thanks

I just found your channel and love the videos. I am starting A&P school in Southern California next month and just finished up getting my tools. It was so hard to find duck bill pliers! Just wondering what they are used for mostly and thanks for sharing these videos, love the PC-12 btw sweet airplane.

good video. You have a good common-sense approach to tools. I'm not an aircraft mechanic but I have many of the same tools and of the same quality. I buy a lot of my tools used, which means I spend a lot of time thinking about what makes a good one. I go by feel mostly, unless it's something like pliers. As you say, it pays to be a little picky about your quality here. Overall, you had a good video. You got to the point and didn't spend a lot of time bullshitting about nothing.

Nice video. For my primary tools I prefer to buy the best i can find, brand names don't matter, only quality.

nice tool box, line and base maintenance should have this toolbox for aircraft better maintenance. a good technical worker should not quarrel with bad tools.

Currently in the process of joining the navy. Planning on going for an AME in the military which is an Aircraft Structural Mechanic Safety equipment. After my service im hoping to work at Chicago O'Hare to work on big planes!

I have a saftywire plier that i use to my motocross, supernice tool! Otherwise i have a addiction to tools, so i have to many of them...

Hi could you make a detailed video for someone wanting to be an a&p mechanic and the first steps to take?

Your videos have gotten me hooked into becoming an aircraft mechanic. My priority goal is to become a commerxial pilot but id love to have more knowledge in the aircrafts i will be flying.....my biggest question to you is how long did it take to have a job in this field after you graduated and also is there any difference between a program that costs you $20,000 to one that costs roughly $4000? Thank you

Hi James, great video. Can you please send me the link for that butane soldering iron/ torch (preferably an Amazon link)?

Hey, James. I am an aircraft maintenance engineer from Macau. How are you doing now? It has been long time you didn't upload your vlog in KZfaq. Your vlog is very helpful for fresh guys in Aviation.

Ah yes, I love being harassed by military mechanics for using safety wire pilers instead of my hands 😂

Hey man love your channel I'm going through powerplant right now and I have safetying turnbuckles and 2 bolt patterns down pat, but I get confused on three bolt pattern? Can you help me out please?

Just saw your video, pretty good, I use to train new hire technicians for our shop and I'd tell them to try and purchase some kind of tool every pay period I also drove home to them to get the Best possible tools they could afford especially ones with a lifetime warranty, my policy about loaning out my tools were "if you have borrow it twice you need to own one" if the won't buy one I wouldn't lend any longer period!! I warn them NOT to buy Harbor freight tools because if/when they break they aren't covered! I tell them their making their living with those tools!!!

Nice!

What’s the name of the torch in your video and where did you buy it?

Good tip for all new mechanics, DONT blow your money on a snap on box (unless you have the money) fill a decent box with snap on tools. You’ll thank me later.

Creative is in the mind.

we used to use soldering irons that heated by shotgun blanks hen working in remote places

These large roll-arounds take up a lot of hangar floor space.

"Engine was totaled because they left a rag near the inlet" ... Did all of them get fired?

James, you might consider a set of Knipex parallel pliers. Great for holding or turning streamlined wires. Way better than channel locks any time you need such a tool.

Badass video man! I was just looking at beginner tool sets online yesterday in class and kinda got blown away by the price! 😂 and I have a quick question about school, When you were in A&P school did you memorize what your instructors were telling you easily?Sometimes I have a little difficulty and was it kinda hard for you to remember all the different names of the saws and wrenches and what not? theirs so many I keep forgetting the names and I wanna know them all 😂 Thanks for the awesome encouraging videos man!

at the end were you talked about checking that every tool you used is back in your box, that is the part were fitting foam inlays come in handy a friend of mine here in germany is an aircraft mechanic and he is only allowed to use the tools in the cart and nothing else (in germany you dont use private tools, the company you work for is providing the tools) every tool has its place in the foam inlay and the inlay is designed with a black top layer and a bright yellow bottom layer so you can easily spot a missing tool companys like stahlwille even sell ready to use sets for aircraft mechnics with this system

I’m wondering what the best safety wire pliers you’ve used. I want a reversible set. What do you recommend.

You should try parallel jaw pliers some time, they're amazing.

I know guys that graduated A&P school with me and are in more debt with snap-on than they are with schooling. I still rock a harbor freight tool cart/box. I have everything I need, but then again my hangar kinda serves as my "box".

Any tool sets you would recommend getting as a bundle or kit ? Are eBay tool sets worth the look?

Tanks for your video what schools you recomend aviation mechanic

How are u James I’m a new aviation student I begin class in April so I need all the information on tools I can get if u can buddy thanks👍🏾 good information on all your videos