Tool Crib for Chapter Members
Introduction
Mike Still, a member of Chapter 1445, passed away in January 2022. Mike, a lifetime member of the EAA, served as the president of Chapter 1445 from 2007-2011. Mike was not only a pilot, but was an award winning builder of a number of airplanes. Over the years, he accumulated many tools and a collection of aircraft hardware. Mike was a technical advisor and a mentor to many other builders. He not only shared his knowledge but loaned his tools to other builders with the comment, “Don’t buy that. You are only going to use it a few times. You are welcome to borrow mine.” Mike owned two hangars at the airport. Mike’s son Jon now owns those hangars and to honor his father, Jon is allowing Chapter 1445 to occupy one of the hangars. He is also allowing chapter members to use the tools in the hangar. The rest of this document defines the procedures the chapter will enforce to honor Jon’s wishes, but to also ensure that the tools are secured and maintained.
Policy
The tools are intended for the exclusive use of EAA Chapter 1445 members who are active and paid up on their dues. The tools are for use on the member’s personal Experimental or Certified aircraft. The tools are not to be used in any commercial context. They shall not be loaned, shared, or rented to non-members, nor used by members to provide a commercial service to non-members. The tools shall remain the responsibility of Chapter 1445. A tool committee shall be formed to evaluate the tools to determine which pieces of equipment must remain in the hangar due to size, weight and complexity. The committee will also designate chapter members qualified to operate complex equipment and supervise members using that equipment. A number of the smaller tools can be taken to other locations where construction or maintenance is being performed. Borrowing members removing tools from the hangar are responsible for transit to their aircraft location and back to the hangar. Except for normal wear and tear or tool malfunction, replacement or repair following loss or damage shall be the responsibility of the borrowing member. To keep track of the tools being checked out, a member of the tool committee will meet the borrower and fill out a check out/ sign in sheet. For high end tools such as the aircraft scales, a member of the tool committee will accompany the borrower, oversee the operation and ensure return of the tool.
As mentioned in the introduction, Mike accumulated a collection of aircraft hardware. The collection contains many sizes of aircraft nuts, bolts, screws, washers, and fasteners. These consumables may be accessed as a “last resort”. If you can purchase the hardware from another source such as Aircraft Spruce, please do so. If you need the hardware immediately or have trouble finding what you need, check with a member of the tool committee to see if it is in Mike’s collection. If it is, we ask that you make a generous donation to the chapter.
Tool Committee Members
If you wish to borrow a tool or use equipment in the EAA hangar, please contact one of the tool committee members listed below for assistance.
Name Phone Number E-mail
- Rick Drown 480-518-7665 rickdrown@msn.com
- Rod Kjerstad 602-363-9300 eaa1445@gmail.com
- Bob Meyer 602-743-5208 meyertheflyer@gmail.com
- Scott Todd 480-650-0753 mgas1237@gmail.com
Tools
The tools listed below are meant to give members a view of what is currently available for use. We will continue to add tools to this list as we get donations and as members volunteer the use of tools that they are willing to share.
Aircraft scales. The Roadrunner Scales consist of three scales, each one with a capacity of 2,500 pounds. Due to the value of the scales, a tool crib committee person will supervise the weighing of all aircraft and be responsible for transporting the scales to and from the weighing location. We will weigh aircraft belonging to members of Chapter 1445 based at CHD at no charge. For 1445 members needing weighing whose aircraft are based at other airports around the valley, we will ask for a $25.00 donation to cover travel expenses. We will weigh airplanes belonging to other EAA chapter members around the valley for a donation of $50.00.
Metal brake and Metal bender.
12 ton press.
English wheel and metal forming tool.
Sanders, drill press, grinding wheel.
Air compressor.
Sand blaster.
Jack Stands and sawhorses.
Engine hoist.
OtherTools:
The rest of the tool collection in the tool crib includes virtually any tool that may be needed for building an aircraft. If you are going to build a kit aircraft for the first time, the manufacturer can often provide you with a list of the tools needed. Some tool suppliers such as Cleveland Aircraft Tool offer a basic tool kit based on the aircraft you are going to build. If you already have an aircraft, you probably already have your own tool collection. The intent of our tool crib is to be able to provide special tools that you may not have or will only need for a specific operation. For example, you have several bucking bars, but none work for reaching a certain rivet. Maybe you have tried to put a wrench on a bolt and none of your wrenches work. Do you need a deep throated rivet squeezer for a couple days? Contact a member of the tool crib committee. They can check and see if your needs can be met.
Consumables:
The tool crib has a collection of screws, nuts and bolts, washers, rivets, Adel clamps, and electrical connectors. The intent of our supply is to provide you with hardware you need immediately or can’t find anywhere else. If that is the case, a member of the tool committee will be glad to look for what you need. If we have it, we will be glad to provide it for a generous donation.
Sign Out Sheet
A sign out sheet will be placed in Mike's hangar and everyone borrowing the tools will be required to fill out. See the example below. Also a PDF of the form that can be filled out prior to borrowing tools can be found by clicking Tool Sign Out.
Tool committee member: ________________________________________________________________
Tool committee member phone number: ___________________________________________________
Borrower name: _______________________________________________________________________
Borrower phone number: ________________________________________________________________
Tool: _________________________________________________________________________________
Date borrowed: ________________________________________________________________________
Estimated return date: __________________________________________________________________
Actual return date: _____________________________________________________________________
Notes: _______________________________________________________________________________
