The chapter tool crib contains many tools a builder does not own because of it's price or, maybe, its size.  EAA 245 has a spacious heated workshop facility that is accessible year round.  Specialist tools such as a dynamic propeller balancer, or aircraft weighing scales, are some of our feature tools and our executive will teach the user the best way to achieve prop balance in the shortest time, or to conduct a weight and balance on your aircraft.

With the exception of the dynamic propeller balancer, and the aircraft weighing scales, there is no charge for the use of our tools so long as the member has "Full" membership status and his/her Full membership is in good standing.

DynaVibe Propeller Balancer

Details for using this nifty device may be found at Procedure for use of DynaVibe Propeller Balancer or simply click on the image to the left to arrive at DynaVibe's web site. Because of the consumables used by this device we do charge $20 when you decide to do a propeller balance although we do not recharge if your balance did not go right.  We do want you to get the balance spot on without having recurring costs so just $20 for the balance even if it takes a couple of months to get it right. 

Aircraft Weighing Scales

The chapter has a set of three aircraft weighing scales.  These scales are not the usual bathroom scales and each may weigh up to 2,000lbs.  Because of the design, these scales are immune to errors cause by sideloads often encountered when weighing aircraft when the main gear legs tend to splay outwards under load.  Like the DynaVibe, we do charge $20 per weighing because we need to periodically have these scaled recalibrated.  But, again, if your weighing does not turn out the way you expected, maybe because you forgot to include something, we do nor re-charge for subsequent re-weighing within a reasonable period.

The operators manual may be found by clicking the following link.

The latest calibration was done on 2021-09-28 and the report may be found here.

Craftex Lathe

Small Craftex lathe with many tools, four jaw chuck, and lead screw capability.

Craftex Mill

2 HP Mill and Drill with assorted tools.

 Wall of Hand Tools

The chapter owns a variety of general purpose hand tools to help you on your project or whilst doing your annual inspection.

Sheet Metal Shear

This shear is old but works well and is very strong and around 48" wide.

Hydraulic Press

This hydraulic press has a large capacity for pressing out bearings or dowel pins.

48" Sheet Metal Bending Brake with Dies.

Sheet Metal Shrinker/ Expander

Use this tool for forming flanges by stretching or expanding the metal.

1/2 Ton Heavy Duty Arbor Press

Drill Press

Large drill press with assorted drills and vices.

Band saw with Metal Cutting Blade 

Borescope

This is a fibreoptic bore scope with lighted tip and mirror attachments. This tool allows the operator to view the inside of the cylinders, view the state of the pistons and, with the aid of the mirrors, view the condition of the valves.

Cylinder Leak Down Tester

 Cable Tensiometer

Measure the tension in your aircraft control cables with this tool.

 High Voltage Cable Tester

Pneumatic Riveters & Bucking Bars

We have an assortment of pneumatic riveting tools for use with your metal aeroplane builds.

 Pneumatic High Speed Drills

 Pneumatic Die Grinder

Pneumatic Orbital Sander 

 Pneumatic Sheet Metal Shear

Use this tool to cut thin sheet metal effortlessly.

Pneumatic Pull Rivet Gun(s)

 Instrument Hole Punch

This useful tool will allow you to punch a 3 1/9" hole through sheet aluminium for your flight instruments.

Rapco Brake Rivet Tool Kit

Replace your brake pads using this specialist tool

W404 THREADED BRAKE RELINING AND GENERAL RIVET TOOL

Hand Rivet Squeezer & Dies

Use this tool to squeeze this solid rivets when making aircraft parts.

Bi Metal Hole Saws 

Here are a set of bimetal hole saws for cutting holes through metal or composite materials.  The set comprises eleven imperial sizes.

Assorted Specialist Continental & Lycoming Cylinder Removal Wrenches.

If you are planning on doing some engine rework, you will find these wrenches invaluable.

Wheel Bearing Grease Packer

When you are doing your next brake job you will need to repack the wheel bearing with grease when you reassemble them.  This tool is invaluable when repacking the bearing with grease.

Portable Spark Plug Cleaner

When you get lead fouling on your spark plug electrode there is only one simple way to remove the fouling and that is to use a specialist spark plug cleaner.

 Spark Plug Cleaner and Tester

When you get lead fouling on your spark plug electrode there is only one simple way to remove the fouling and that is to use a specialist spark plug cleaner.  This tool, not only cleans the spark plug, it allows the user to test the spark plug after cleaning and under pressure.

Vice with translation slide incorporated

Use this tool on a drill press to precisely position the part or to conduct light milling operations

 Hand Dimpler Kit With Assorted Dies

Hand Riveting and Dimpling Tool(s)

 Bench Grinder

Bench Sander

Nitrogen Gas (Not Shown) & Regulators

The chapter keeps a supply of nitrogen gas complete with gages and regulators.  The gas is used for inflating tyres and for inflating oleo struts found on many aircraft.  It is important to remove the regulators and gauges from the gas bottle after use as there is slight leakage from the regulator.  Failure to do so will empty the gas bottle in short order and gas refills are in the order of $100.