By: Pete Conner, Yankee Aviation Services, Plymouth, MA
E-mail Address: gailandpete@earthlink.net

I suppose that most of us that are involved with the day-to-day repair of aircraft are constantly tempted to try new hand tools. It is like an addiction to us, especially when the local tool truck rolls around. Many tools I have bought have hardly been used. At the time they looked interesting but turned out to be quite unnecessary. Recently, I was given the opportunity to try a new tool called the Wa-Wrench. Larry Wilson, the owner of Aircraft Support Equipment asked me if I would give his newest product a try. When they arrived I looked at the neat package and was impressed with the obvious quality of these wrenches. The more I looked at them the more I thought, what a simple idea, but will they work. It isn't every day one needs to install a shim or washer in a tight place, but when you do sometimes it can take many tries. Over the past couple months I have had chance to use these neat tools a few times. Wow! Does it make washer installation easy. Take for instance the washers that space the rod end on a Cessna aileron pushrod. How many times have I dropped them attempting to get them in place. They went in first try with the Wa-Wrench. I have used it in a number of places and have found that they really work well. The various sizes fit most washers and shims that we commonly use. I even found them to work well installing the brass nose gear scissors shims on the Cessna's. We know how thin these are and yet the Wa-Wrench held them perfectly for easy installation. I also tried them on some shims in a main gear attachment. They worked outstanding. I think the recommended price is $39.95 for the set and well worth it. This is one tool that belongs in all aircraft mechanics toolbox. Check them out for yourself at <www.aircraftsupportequ.com>

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