Thread: Spark Plugs

Tweet

As an (old?) aircraft mech, if you're ever having trouble getting a threaded fastener to "take" that first thread, do you ever close your eyes so that you can "feel" the threads better? I still remember some activities where we had to work "blind", reaching back into a void to set a washer, start a nut, tighten and then torque the nut that could only be seen with a light and mirror.... I often closed my eyes to kick the other senses up a notch.

Originally Posted by rspears

As an (old?) aircraft mech, if you're ever having trouble getting a threaded fastener to "take" that first thread, do you ever close your eyes so that you can "feel" the threads better? I still remember some activities where we had to work "blind", reaching back into a void to set a washer, start a nut, tighten and then torque the nut that could only be seen with a light and mirror.... I often closed my eyes to kick the other senses up a notch.

At one time, long, long ago, I could crawl out almost to the end of the wing on a DC-10. It was necessary to get to the next to last fuel quantity probe and I was the only one small enough to do it.

Originally Posted by rspears

As an (old?) I still remember some activities where we had to work "blind".

That's why we call it the braille method...

LOL, don't sweat the hijack, it's good stuff! I once got stuck in the outboard wing tank of a C-130 and had to stay calm until my buddies could drop another panel and get me unstuck; mind over matter right there!

Originally Posted by rspears

As an (old?) aircraft mech, if you're ever having trouble getting a threaded fastener to "take" that first thread, do you ever close your eyes so that you can "feel" the threads better? I still remember some activities where we had to work "blind", reaching back into a void to set a washer, start a nut, tighten and then torque the nut that could only be seen with a light and mirror.... I often closed my eyes to kick the other senses up a notch.

LOL, yes eyes on my finger tips, it amazes the guys in the family and I'm the one they call when something is broken and seemingly impossible to fix. How about the old trick of pressing down hard on a castellated nut, so that it'll stick to your finger long enough to reach around a blind corner and get it started on a bolt or screw.

Originally Posted by Msgt Luttrell

LOL, How about the old trick of pressing down hard on a castellated nut, so that it'll stick to your finger long enough to reach around a blind corner and get it started on a bolt or screw.

...or a wad of Blu-tak pushed under a fingernail to stick the plain nut (or screw,) to the end of your finger...